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.
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 The classic preparation, popularized in part by the iconic Julia Child, features a whole filet of Dover sole, dredged in flour and pan-fried in butter until golden. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026 Pan-Frying at High Temperatures Like with charcoal grilling, pan-frying meat and poultry at high temperatures can produce HCAs. Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2026 Wondering how to pan-fry pork chops and keep them tender? Wini Moranville, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2026 These decadent Maryland-style crab cakes celebrate the flavors of the Old Line State and are ready to be baked or pan-fried. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026 At dinner, the chef prepared my fish simply, pan-fried and served atop peas and fingerling potatoes. Kim Cross, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026 Japanese radish is pan-fried in soy sauce until golden brown in this comforting side. Chihiro Tomioka, Saveur, 5 Feb. 2026

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 19 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

panfry

verb
panfried; panfrying
: to cook in a frying pan with a small amount of fat
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