Cooking Eggs in Olive Oil (Fried or Scrambled)

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!

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!

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??

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.

Frying Eggs in Olive Oil (VIDEO)

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.

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.

3. Pour egg mixture into the pan. Be sure that oil is shimmering, but NOT smoking. Adjust the heat if you need to.
   
4. Using a non-stick spatula, push the eggs from the middle to the sides, cooking for a total of 1 minute.
   
5. 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.

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.

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

Cheers,

LC