I'm a professional chef - make fried eggs 'crispy' and 'runny' with simple hack

There's something undeniably satisfying about biting into a fried egg with perfectly crisp, golden edges. That delicate crunch around the outside, paired with a rich, runny yolk in the centre, transforms a humble egg into something truly crave-worthy. While many settle for soft, pale whites, professional chef Frank Proto says the key to a next-level fried egg lies in one thing.

Proto, a culinary instructor and chef with over two decades of experience, demonstrated his go-to method for frying eggs in a recent video for Epicurious, dubbing it "Fried Eggs 101". His technique strips the process down to basics, with one key ingredient making all the difference.

"The secret to the best fried eggs is knowing how to control your temperature and using lots of butter. Simple," Proto said in the video.

To start, Proto stresses the importance of mise en place, which is kitchen-speak for setting up everything you need before the eggs hit the pan.

"Fried eggs don't take that long, and if I have to run to get a spatula, it's gonna get overcooked or burnt," he added.

Using a non-stick pan over medium-high heat, he added a bit of butter to coat the base before cracking in the eggs.

"I crack my eggs on the counter, not the side of the pan, to avoid getting shell fragments," he said.

If shell pieces do fall in, he suggested using a piece of eggshell to scoop them out as "shell attracts shell."

After seasoning with salt and a touch of black pepper, Proto added a generous knob of butter, the secret ingredient, and began to baste the whites using a spoon.

This step is crucial for getting the egg white perfectly set while leaving the yolk untouched and runny.

To get the signature crispy bottom, he let the eggs cook just a bit longer, lowering the heat slightly while keeping the butter sizzling.

The result is a perfectly runny yolk with the bottom whites super crispy.

With Proto's fried egg hack using just three simple ingredients, eggs, butter, and seasoning, you can elevate your breakfast game in minutes.