Whether or not to put anything in the pan before cooking eggs is a common question many home cooks have. The short answer is that yes, there are some things you can put in the pan first that will help the eggs cook properly.
Oil or Butter
The most common thing to put in a pan before cooking eggs is some kind of fat, usually oil or butter. Adding a small amount of fat serves two purposes:
- It prevents the eggs from sticking to the pan.
- It allows the eggs to cook evenly and prevents them from drying out.
For fried, scrambled, or omelet-style eggs, you’ll want to coat the entire cooking surface with a thin layer of oil or butter. For sunny-side up or over-easy eggs where you want a crispy bottom, you can just add a small amount of fat to the pan before cracking the eggs in. The fat helps facilitate even browning on the egg whites.
Non-Stick Spray
If you don’t want to use oil or butter, you can coat the pan with a non-stick cooking spray instead. The thin layer of oil from the spray will serve the same purpose of preventing sticking and facilitating even cooking. Just be sure to use a non-stick spray formulated for high heat cooking.
Salt
Some cooks like to sprinkle a small pinch of salt across the bottom of the pan before cooking eggs. When the egg hits the hot pan, the salt crystals help prevent sticking. The salt also lightly seasons the eggs while cooking. Just be careful not to use too much, which can make the eggs overly salty.
Water
For poached or boiled eggs, you’ll want to fill the pan with water before adding the eggs. The eggs should cook gently in the simmering water. For soft or medium boiled eggs, make sure the water covers the eggs by at least 1 inch.
Steam
Eggs can also be cooked using steam. To steam eggs, place them in a steamer basket or perforated pan set over a pan of simmering water. The steam cooks the eggs very gently, resulting in tender whites and runny yolks.
Nothing
It’s also fine to cook eggs without putting anything in the pan first, especially if you are using a well-seasoned non-stick pan. Cast iron skillets in particular can cook eggs beautifully with no oil due to the seasoned cooking surface. With a very hot pan and fresh eggs, you may be able to get away with no oil or butter. Just keep in mind the eggs are more likely to stick.
Conclusion
While it’s not strictly necessary, putting some sort of fat or oil in the pan before cooking eggs makes the process easier and prevents sticking. A small amount of butter, oil, or non-stick spray allows the eggs to cook evenly without drying out. Salt can also help with sticking. For poached or boiled eggs, you need to fill the pan with water before adding the eggs. With the right pan, you may also be able to cook eggs without any oil at all. But using a little fat in the pan provides insurance against sticking eggs.