pan-fry

verb

ˈpan-ˌfrī  pan-ˈfrī 

variants or less commonly pan fry or panfry

pan-fried also pan fried or panfried; pan-frying also pan frying or panfrying; pan-fries also pan fries or panfries

transitive verb

: to cook in a frying pan with a small amount of fat

Pan-fry the onions until golden-brown.

The fish fillets may be baked or pan-fried.

Examples of pan-fry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thick slices of day-old brioche soak up a rich vanilla custard of eggs, milk, and cream before being pan-fried in butter until crisp and deep golden outside, while staying tender and custardy within. — Alexia Duchêne, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026

Cube and pan-fry firm tofu until golden, crumble into scrambles or tacos, marinate and bake, or add to curries and stir-fries. — Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 15 June 2026

Lewis’s pan-frying method — with lard and other pork for flavor — has been cited in versions of her recipe by the restaurateur and TV personality Andrew Zimmern, the New York Times and America’s Test Kitchen, None of them, however, insist on using seasonal chicken. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 17 May 2026

Dip whole flower heads in a simple batter of flour, egg and milk, then pan-fry until golden. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

panfry

verb

pan·​fry ˈpan-ˌfrī  pan-ˈfrī 

panfried; panfrying

: to cook in a frying pan with a small amount of fat