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★★★★★14 Comments

Cooking Eggs in Olive Oil (Fried or Scrambled)

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by Lindsay Cotter Published: Apr 6, 2020

Dairy-FreeGluten-FreeGrain-FreeLow-CarbNightshade-FreeNut-FreeVegetarianWhole30
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Cooking eggs in olive oil gives better results! The fried eggs have perfectly crisp edges, and scrambled eggs have a silky smooth texture. Plus, you’ll also get the health benefits of olive oil. So, it’s a win-win for your taste buds, and the rest of your body too!

A fried egg in a skillet with a thick coating of olive oil.

You know what I love the most about olive oil right now? Unlike butter, it’s shelf stable! Plus, a little goes a long way. Can I get a HALLELUJAH for olive oil?!  Oh wait, there’s more.

You see, when Colavita came to the Cotter Crunch studio, Elana (the Colavita Creative Director) taught us about cooking eggs in olive oil.

We fried eggs in extra virgin olive oil and made scrambled eggs in EVOO too. Let me tell you, we were instantly hooked! I also took a few tips from Bon Appetit.

The results are amazing! Crispy fried eggs and soft “buttery” scrambled eggs.

Let’s do this!

close up of fried egg in extra virgin olive oil

Cooking Eggs in Olive Oil

A few months ago, in my post olive oil 101, we mentioned health benefits of olive oil. Be sure to check out those facts, because there are plenty of reasons for you to want to use oil instead of butter!

Anyway, I think it’s important to dispel a myth. Many people believe that olive oil isn’t great for high heat cooking. That, my friends, is simply not true.

The fact is, olive oil has a very high smoke point!

WHAT IS SMOKE POINT??

pouring cooking oil into a skillet

The temperature of cooking fat (butter, oil, lard, etc.) when it begins to smoke is known as the “smoke point”.

The higher the smoke point, the better that fat is for frying. Plus, higher smoke point oils are lower in saturated fat than lower smoke point oils. As a result, they are healthier for your heart!

EVOO is a very high smoke point oil, making it perfect to use for pan frying. When it is at its most refined, you can even use it for deep frying!

For inquiring minds, here’s a handy chart on the smoke point of cooking oils.

Overhead view three fried eggs in skillet, resting on a turquoise tiled background.

Frying Eggs in Olive Oil (VIDEO)

How to Fry Eggs (and Scramble) in EVOO

When you fry eggs, it’s important to use a large pan, with a flat bottom and flat sides. Also, be sure it has a lid; you’ll need it to prevent oil splatter. I use a 12-inch skillet.

Not only will this give the eggs room to move around in, but it also allows you to cook more than one or two eggs at a time.

  1. Preheat the skillet over medium heat. After a minute or two, the oil will begin to shimmer. That is JUST before it begins to smoke. Add the egg to the pan when the oil is hot and shimmering, but NOT smoking.
  2. Crack one egg into a ramekin or small bowl. When the oil begins to shimmer, it’s time to add the egg.  Slip it in from the side of the pan and then cover the pan to prevent the oil from splattering.
  3. Fry the egg for 30 to 60 seconds. Then, remove the cover and use a slotted spoon to remove the egg from the pan.

NOTE:
If you want to cook more than one egg at a time, use additional ramekins, cracking one egg into each. Or, after you slip in the first egg, quickly crack another into the ramekin and then add it to the pan. Repeat until all eggs are in the pan.

4 olive oil fried eggs on rectangular blue platter

How to Scramble Eggs in Olive Oil

  1. Place skillet over medium heat. After 1-2 minutes, add olive oil and continue heating until oil begins to shimmer.
  2. Meanwhile, use a fork to scramble eggs in a small bowl.
using a wooden spoon to scramble eggs in a skillet
  1. Pour egg mixture into the pan. Be sure that oil is shimmering, but NOT smoking. Adjust the heat if you need to.
  2. Using a non-stick spatula, push the eggs from the middle to the sides, cooking for a total of 1 minute.
  3. Remove pan from heat and place scrambled eggs on a warm plate. If they appear slightly undercooked it is okay; they will continue to cook on the plate.
Overhead view of scrambled eggs in a silver skillet.

Tips for cooking eggs

I have two helpful tips to help you make the perfect, fluffy scrambled eggs, as well as how to fry eggs in olive oil.

  1. Be sure to preheat your pan AND the oil completely. Otherwise, the eggs will take too long to cook. As a result, the oil will soak into the eggs rather than cooking them. Be sure to wait until the oil is smoking before you add the eggs to the pan.
  2. Don’t over cook the eggs. Although the cooking time may be short, if the oil is smoking, it is definitely hot enough to cook the eggs quickly. Leaving them in longer will either make them greasy, and/or they will burn.
One plate filled with olive oil fried eggs and veggie topped toast another plate filled with scrambled eggs and veggie-filled toast, fresh produce scattered around.
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Scrambled or Fried Eggs in Olive Oil


★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay Cotter
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 –3 servings 1x
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Description

Cooking eggs in olive oil is a heart healthy way to prepare them.  In this post, we’ll teach you how to make fried eggs in oil or scrambled!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Fried Eggs in Olive Oil

  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 –5 large eggs
  • Fine grain kosher or sea salt

Olive Oil Scrambled Eggs

  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 eggs
  • ½ teaspoon fine grain kosher or sea salt

Instructions

Olive Oil Fried Eggs

  1. Place large skillet over medium heat. After 1-2 minutes, add olive oil and continue heating until oil begins to shimmer.
  2. Meanwhile, crack an egg into a small bowl. When oil begins to shimmer, slip egg into pan from the side; cover pan to prevent oil from splattering.
  3. Cook for 30-60 seconds then use a slotted spoon to remove egg onto a plate a or serving dish rest. Season to taste.

Olive Oil Scrambled Eggs 

  1. Place skillet over medium heat. After 1-2 minutes, add olive oil and continue heating until oil begins to shimmer.
  2. Meanwhile, use a fork to scramble eggs in small bowl, then season with salt.
  3. Pour eggs into the pan of shimmering oil.
  4. Using a non-stick spatula, push the eggs from the middle of the pan, out to the sides, then back again. Cook for a total of 1 to 2 minutes, depending on a how soft you like your scrambled eggs.
  5. Remove pan from heat and place scrambled eggs on a warm plate or bowl.
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 5
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stove
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 132
  • Sugar: 0.2 g
  • Sodium: 71 mg
  • Fat: 11.8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 0.4 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 6.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 186 mg

Keywords: cooking eggs in olive oil, fried eggs, scrambled eggs

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cottercrunch on Instagram and hashtag it #cottercrunch

Have you ever tried cooking eggs in olive oil? It’s truly life changing! Let me know if you do!

Cheers,

LC

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Categories: Breakfasts, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Has Video, Low-Carb, Nightshade-Free, Nut-Free, Sides and Salads, Stovetop, Vegetarian, Whole30 Tags: eggs, nightshade free, refined sugar free

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Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

About Lindsay

Hi, y’all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten-Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

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  1. Bec

    05/16/2021 at 4:44 PM

    Butter has NOTHING on the flavor of olive oil. I’ll never fry eggs in butter again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      05/17/2021 at 12:44 PM

      I agree! And I love you more for it. 🙂 xxoo

      Reply
  2. gwen

    02/15/2021 at 8:19 AM

    I came here for heart healthy oils for cookingeggs- I do not approve of smoking oil.

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      02/15/2021 at 11:59 AM

      Hi Gwen, I understand your concerns. Actually, olive oil is very heart healthy. When you cook eggs in olive oil, it is shimmering, but not smoking. We hope this helps!

      Reply
  3. Ficri

    07/25/2020 at 10:42 AM

    I like all dishes that use eggs, but don’t like them when the yolk is still raw or undercooked, but this recipe I like, thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      07/25/2020 at 8:10 PM

      You’re welcome! Glad you like it!

      Reply
  4. Toni

    04/08/2020 at 7:49 AM

    This is really helpful! Thank you for the tips!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      04/09/2020 at 4:30 PM

      You’re welcome, Toni!

      Reply
  5. wilhelmina

    04/07/2020 at 3:13 PM

    Wow!!! I may never fry my eggs in butter again! These were the best eggs I have ever made, hands down!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      04/09/2020 at 4:32 PM

      WooHoo!! Glad to hear that!

      Reply
  6. Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes

    04/07/2020 at 2:42 PM

    I never use EVOO for eggs and now I need to start!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      04/09/2020 at 4:33 PM

      Yes, you will love it!

      Reply
  7. Lauren Kelly

    04/07/2020 at 8:12 AM

    I always make my eggs in EVOO, they taste amazing! You’ve inspired me to make some right now!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Avatar photoLindsay Cotter

      04/09/2020 at 4:35 PM

      Yes, I agree Lauren! yaayy, enjoy!

      Reply

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Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

About Lindsay

Hi, y’all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten-Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

  • About
  • Studio
  • Shop
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