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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Our starter was paua (blackfoot abalone) three ways—creamed, pan-fried, and made into sausage. Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2025 Grill, pan-fry, or bake until crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2025 Imagine tender chicken breasts marinated in spiced buttermilk, then pan-fried to crispy perfection and coated in a honey-buffalo sauce, before being layered onto a fluffy challah bun with tangy ranch slaw and bites of fresh dill. Ronny Maye, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 For $30 per person, guests savor a market-fresh fish, either steamed or pan-fried, accompanied by bold Firewater broth or a fragrant Shaoxing option. Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 Try grilling or pan-frying it for a crispy main dish. Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 28 May 2025 The chicken is pan-fried until golden, like a juicy and crispy schnitzel. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 May 2025 Ranch dressing mix seasons the breading before each chicken piece gets coated and pan-fried. Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2025 Tofu Scramble with Spinach and Tomatoes: Crumble ½ cup of firm tofu (21.8 grams of protein) and pan-fry it with 1 cup of raw spinach, and a few sliced grape tomatoes for a boost of vitamin C. Season with garlic, a hint of turmeric, and salt. Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pan-fry was in 1916

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pan-fry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pan-fry. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

panfry

verb
panfried; panfrying
: to cook in a frying pan with a small amount of fat
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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