The 8 Best Pans For Frying Eggs
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
When it comes to cooking eggs, there's about a million and one different ways to do it, from scrambled, to poached, and of course, fried. Frying an egg doesn't require any special culinary talent and is regarded as one of the easier ways to cook a simple and delicious breakfast or brunch. All you need is an egg, some butter or oil, a spatula, and the right pan.
There aren't many steps to frying an egg. The first thing you want to do is warm your pan up over medium heat. Once it's hot, add some sort of fat (some options include butter, olive oil, or even bacon fat — it's dealer's choice, really) to coat the entire surface area of the pan. Then gently crack your egg right into the pan. From there, you'll just wait until the white is cooked and the yolk has reached your desired doneness.
While the logistics of fried eggs aren't too difficult to grasp, what about the cookware? Ideally, a good skillet for cooking an egg will contain some key aspects. For one, a nonstick surface is super important so your egg doesn't get stuck to the bottom of the pan. Ceramic, cast iron, and stainless steel pans all make good options. Additionally, slightly sloped sides make flipping easier if you enjoy an egg with a more cooked yolk. Keep reading to check out our top picks for the best pans for frying eggs.
Best overall frying pan: Tramontina Professional Aluminum Nonstick Restaurant Frying Pan
Our number one overall pick goes to the Tramontina Professional Aluminum Nonstick Frying Pan, a decently priced option with a 4.7-star Amazon rating from nearly 18,000 buyers. It's made from commercial-grade heavy gauge aluminum while still maintaining a totally nonstick surface. As a bonus, it's even dishwasher-safe, too, which means cleaning up is a breeze. This pan works with gas, electric, and ceramic glass stoves, and is even oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (frittatas, anyone?). Meanwhile, the handle comes with a removable silicone grip, allowing you to slip it on and off whether you're popping this skillet in the oven or using it on a cooktop.
Dubbed by one Amazon user as the "best non-stick pan I've ever used," you'll also receive a lifetime warranty with your purchase. A 10-inch pan sells for about $33 on Amazon. And, if you really love it, you can also snag this pan in multiple sizes, including 8-, 12-, and 14-inches.
Best budget frying pan: CAROTE Nonstick Frying Pan
If you're looking to stick to a relatively low price point, the CAROTE Nonstick Frying Pan is a great skillet to consider. At roughly $20 on Amazon, the ultra-durable granite material has garnered an impressive 4.6-star rating from nearly 40,000 Amazon buyers — one recent shopper even described it as the "best non-stick pan I've had."
So, what makes it so good? The durable material is totally nonstick and can be used on all cooktops, including induction stoves. The extended bottom design is helpful for even and quick heating. To clean up, all you have to do is wipe it down with a clean paper towel or rinse it with water. Additionally, the brand even claims that you don't have to use as much oil as you normally would on other pans. And with a wallet-friendly price like this, what more could you ask for?
Best frying pan for beginners: T-fal Titanium Advanced Nonstick Frying Pan
T-fal is regarded as one of the best cookware brands due to its affordable pricing and top-notch designs, so it's no surprise that its Titanium Advanced Nonstick Frying Pan landed on our list. It features forged construction and an advanced nonstick interior, both of which are meant to maintain the durability of this handy skillet. Most notably, the center has T-fal's signature Thermo-Spot heat indicator which shows when the pan is hot enough to crack an egg in it, making it a solid option for those who are less familiar with cooking.
That being said, this pan still a great pick for seasoned chefs — other highlights include the soft touch handle, which is ergonomically designed and oven-safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dishwasher-safe design. One Amazon shopper found it to be "awesome", writing that "you can make fried eggs no problem, and it cleans very well." As a bonus, it's priced at less than $30 on Amazon, making this purchase a no-brainer.
Most durable frying pan: ESLITE LIFE 8-Inch Nonstick Skillet
When searching for a good piece of cookware to purchase, you'll often want to pay special attention to the construction and whether or not it'll last you in the long run, allowing you to get the most use for your money. ESLITE LIFE'S 8-Inch Nonstick Skillet falls right into that category due to its durability. It's made from heavy duty cast aluminum, which helps make it more resistant to warping or breaking. Meanwhile, the bottom evenly distributes heat, making it the perfect option for a uniformly cooked sunny-side up egg.
A recent Amazon shopper noted that they were super impressed with this purchase, writing that even after two years the nonstick surface is still just as effective. Other buyers praised how easy it is to clean up, while the see-through lid is ideal for watching your eggs cook without letting any steam out. Plus, it's typically available on Amazon for around $25, and even lower when it goes on sale.
Best ceramic frying pan: Blue Diamond Ceramic Nonstick 10-Inch Frying Pan
Available in four funky hues (blue, pink, red, and green), the Blue Diamond Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan is 10 inches of ceramic beauty. According to the brand, its signature diamond-infused ceramic construction makes this particular nonstick "five times harder and 10 times longer lasting than traditional coatings."
This pan is oven- and broiler-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit and boasts a warp-control base, which means the bottom is designed to prevent any degradation or weird wobbling with use. Meanwhile, the company notes that this ceramic design is four times more conductive than regular copper, offering a more effective heating and clean up experience. Additionally, it's dishwasher-safe, and can be used on any cooking surface except induction. It's also free from PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. Costing just $20 on Amazon and described by Blue Diamond customers as "amazing" and "high quality," this skillet gives you a serious bang for your buck.
Best dishwasher-safe frying pan: GreenPan Rio Ceramic Nonstick 7-Inch Frying Pan
We'll be the first to admit that cleaning up is probably the worst part of cooking. However, with the GreenPan Rio Ceramic Nonstick 7-Inch Frying Pan, scrubbing off eggy bits is but a practice of the past, thanks to the gorgeous nonstick interior that's totally dishwasher-safe. That means the pretty colors — turquoise, pink, red, black, or navy — won't chip away with use, either.
Made with ceramic that's free from PFAS, PFOAS, lead, and cadmium, the heavy-duty nonstick coating is durable and provides even heat conduction, meaning you'll get a perfect cook on your egg each and every time. As a bonus, the handle features a comfortable grip that always stays cool, so you don't have to worry about accidentally burning your fingers when moving this pan from the stove to the sink after whipping up your eggs. One recent GreenPan shopper even dubbed it as the "perfect breakfast pan," and it'll cost you just $15 on Amazon.
Best splurge frying pan: OXO Good Grips Pro Non-Stick 10-Inch Frying Pan
Should you have a slightly larger budget to play with, OXO is a great brand to check out. They're known for their extensive line of durable and functional kitchen gadgets and cookware, with the Good Grips Pro Non-Stick 10-Inch Frying Pan standing out as a solid item in their repertoire.
According to the company, this pan — which goes for about $40 on Amazon — is particularly good at cooking eggs due to its three-layer construction, which includes a German-engineered nonstick coating. It's scratch-resistant, easy to clean, and heats up faster than traditional aluminum pans. You will want to note, though, that OXO recommends hand-washing this pan as opposed to tossing it in the dishwasher, so if you appreciate a breezy clean up, this may not be the best pick for you. That being said, with a higher price point, you're paying for a sturdy design that will last you in the long run.
Most versatile frying pan: Ninja Foodi NeverStick Premium Fry Pan
If you're in the market for something just a tad more versatile — meaning you won't solely use a skillet just for frying eggs — one of your best options is the Ninja Foodi NeverStick Premium Fry Pan. While a bit more expensive than other picks on our list — it costs about $50 on Amazon – the brand's NeverStick technology is designed to prevent chipping, sticking, and flaking with the promise that it'll last 10 years with instructed use.
This pan isn't just great for frying eggs — it can excel at sautéing, roasting, frying, and more. It's oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and can be used on induction, gas, ceramic, and electric cooktops. Meanwhile, it features a hefty aluminum base that provides quick and even heat distribution. And even if you accidentally crisp up your eggs just a touch too long, you can simply wipe the interior clean with a paper towel and pop it in the dishwasher for easy clean up.