Many people are intimidated when it comes to making over easy eggs. The idea of having to flip an egg without the yolk breaking is frightening. But it doesn’t have to be! I have all the tips you need to make a perfect over easy egg. The flipping is done with a spatula so no eggs flying through the air!
I make over easy eggs on a regular basis in my house and I’ve mastered a perfect flip.
- Cook the eggs low and slow
- When the whites are setup, gently slide a thin spatula under the egg. If the egg is sticking at all, just work the spatula around loosening all the sticky parts.
- Make certain the spatula is completely under the yolk and gently flip the spatula with the egg.
- Keep the spatula low to the pan so the egg isn’t dropped into the pan.
What is an Over Easy Egg?
Oh, that perfectly cooked egg with a runny center is one of my favorite ways to cook eggs. I love breaking open the center and letting the yolk ooze out over my plate. It's perfect for mopping up with a piece of buttered toast.
Difference Between Sunny Side Up vs Over Easy vs Over Medium vs Over Hard Eggs
There's just nothing easier or more perfect than a fried (or sauteed) egg. But knowing exactly how to fry an egg to your liking can sometimes be a bit tricky.
There are four main types of fried eggs; sunny side up, over easy, over medium and over hard.
- A sunny side up egg is an egg that is only cooked from the bottom side up. The top looks like a beautiful little sun that's facing upward!
- Over easy are cooked first on one side, then flipped and cooked lightly and flipped back again. The egg white is fully cooked, but the yolk is nice and runny.
- Over medium is cooked much the same way as over easy eggs, but they are cooked a bit longer. The yolk is mostly cooked through, but is still a bit runny in the center.
- Over hard eggs means there is no runny yolk. You can still have a bit of just slightly undercooked yolk or you can make certain every bit of the yolk is fully cooked through.
Ingredients
Just a few simple ingredients are all you need
- fresh eggs
- a pat of butter
- a little salt and pepper
Best pan for frying eggs
In order to cook really good fried eggs, you do want a good pan. The best is a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or a non-stick skillet.
Be certain to heat pan over a low heat before adding butter and eggs.
How to make Over Easy Eggs
- Heat a pan over low heat
- When pan is warm, add a ½ tablespoon of butter. Allow butter to melt and get bubbly.
- Crack egg into pan over melted butter
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper
- Cook over low heat until most of the white has set, about 1-2 minutes
- Carefully flip egg over and cook for an additional minute
- Flip egg back to original side up and then remove from pan and serve
How to Flip an Over Easy Egg
- Cook Until Whites Are Set: Allow the egg to cook until the whites are mostly set but the yolk is still runny. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes.
- Prepare to Flip: Slide a thin spatula under the egg, getting under the entire egg, including the yolk. You may find it easier to tilt the pan slightly towards you before sliding the spatula under the egg.
- Flip Quickly and Gently: Flip the egg over with a quick and confident motion. If you hesitate, the yolk might break.
- Cook for a Short Time: Let the egg cook for 30-60 seconds, depending on how runny you like the yolk.
- Remove and Serve: Slide the spatula under the egg again. Flip gently onto a plate and serve.
Eggs Over Easy Tips
- Heat pan slowly over low heat.
- Cook over low heat. If the heat is too high, the white of the egg will become crispy around the edges
- Use a thin spatula to help flip the eggs
- Cook just a few eggs at a time and make certain eggs don't touch each other. Don't overcrowd the pan.
- Wipe out pan between each batch of eggs if cooking multiple batches
- Serve immediately
How to Serve an Over Easy Egg
The best part of an over easy egg is the runny center. I like to mop up every last drop with any of the following
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Be certain to check out all my delicious breakfast recipes!
Egg Over Easy
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon butter
- 1 egg
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Heat a pan over low heat
- When pan is warm, add a ½ tablespoon of butter. Allow butter to melt and get bubbly.½ tablespoon butter
- Crack egg into pan over melted butter1 egg
- Sprinkle with salt and peppersalt, pepper
- Cook over low heat until most of the white has set, about 1-2 minutes
- Carefully flip egg over and cook for an additional minute
- Flip egg back to original side up and then remove from pan and serve
Notes
- Heat pan slowly over low heat.
- Cook over low heat. If the heat is too high, the white of the egg will become crispy around the edges
- Use a thin spatula to help flip the eggs
- Cook just a few eggs at a time and make certain eggs don't touch each other. Don't overcrowd the pan.
- Wipe out pan between each batch of eggs if cooking multiple batches
- Serve immediately
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
fwg says
An "easy" way to cook eggs.
Kathy says
Thanks so much! Glad you found it helpful! 🙂
Jules says
Over easy is the rule of thumb in our house. I use leftover bacon grease instead of butter. Low heat is key - otherwise too much spits and sputters! Thanks for all your great tips!
Kathy says
We love using bacon grease too! So much flavor! 🙂
David @ Spiced says
Over easy is how my wife always wants her eggs. Me? I'm more over hard. We end up using two skillets whenever we make eggs. Great guide and tips here, Kathy!
Kathy says
Over easy are my favorite too!