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An over hard egg is a fried egg cooked on both sides until the white and yolk are completely set. It’s a good choice when you enjoy fried eggs but don’t want a runny yolk.
My husband prefers his eggs over hard, so this is the method I use to cook the yolk through without making the edges of the egg tough or crispy.
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What is an over hard egg?
An over hard egg is fried, flipped, and cooked until the yolk is firm. Breaking the yolk after flipping helps it cook evenly and reduces the chance of overcooking the egg white.
For the best results:
- Cook the egg over low heat.
- Wait until most of the white is set before flipping.
- Break the yolk after the first flip so it stays contained within the egg.
- Flip the egg once more to finish cooking it evenly.
Types of Fried Eggs
Fried eggs can be cooked four different ways, depending on whether they are flipped and how thoroughly the yolk is cooked.
- Sunny side up: The egg is cooked on one side without being flipped. The white is set, while the yolk remains runny.
- Over easy: The egg is flipped and cooked briefly. The white is set, but the yolk remains runny.
- Over medium: The egg is flipped and cooked a little longer. The yolk is partially set with a soft center.
- Over hard: The egg is flipped and cooked until both the white and yolk are completely set. The yolk of an over hard egg is usually broken after the first flip. This helps it cook through without overcooking the egg white.
Ingredients
- Egg: Fresh eggs tend to hold their shape best when fried. I use farm-fresh eggs from my chickens, but store-bought eggs work too.
- Butter: Adds flavor and keeps the egg from sticking. Olive oil or rendered bacon grease can also be used.
- Salt and pepper: Add according to taste.
How to Make Over Hard 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 a bit of salt and pepper
- Cook over low heat until most of the white has set
- Carefully flip egg over and cook for 1-2 minutes
- Flatten egg down with the spatula so the yolk breaks. You could also puncture the yolk with the corner of the spatula.
- Flip egg back to original side up and press down again on the yolk and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes more or until yolk is fully cooked to your liking
- Remove egg from pan and place on plate
Over Hard Egg Recipe Tips
- Keep the heat low so the yolk has time to cook before the egg white becomes tough or crispy.
- Wait until most of the white is set before flipping the egg.
- Break the yolk after the first flip so it stays contained instead of spreading across the pan.
- Use a thin spatula that slides easily underneath the egg.
- Cook only one or two eggs at a time so the skillet isn’t overcrowded.
- Butter adds flavor, but olive oil or rendered bacon grease can also be used.
- When cooking several batches, wipe out the skillet between batches if the butter or egg residue begins to brown.
Ways to Serve Over Hard Eggs
Serve over hard eggs with toast, bacon, sausage, or oven-roasted country potatoes. They’re also a good choice for breakfast sandwiches because the firm yolk won’t run when you take a bite.
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!
Over Hard Egg
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 a bit of salt and peppersalt, pepper
- Cook over low heat until most of the white has set
- Carefully flip egg over and cook for 1-2 minutes
- Flatten egg down with the spatula so the yolk breaks. You could also puncture the yolk with the corner of the spatula.
- Flip egg back to original side up and press down again on the yolk and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes more or until yolk is fully cooked to your liking
- Remove egg from pan and place on plate
Notes
- Keep the heat low so the yolk has time to cook before the egg white becomes tough or crispy.
- Wait until most of the white is set before flipping the egg.
- Break the yolk after the first flip so it stays contained instead of spreading across the pan.
- Use a thin spatula that slides easily underneath the egg.
- Cook only one or two eggs at a time so the skillet isn’t overcrowded.
- Butter adds flavor, but olive oil or rendered bacon grease can also be used.
- When cooking several batches, wipe out the skillet between batches if the butter or egg residue begins to brown.
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.
David @ Spiced says
You hit the nail on the head with egg sandwich! I love (!) egg sandwiches for a quick and easy lunch, and I often toss in some shredded cheese. This guide is perfect!
Kathy says
You just can't go wrong with an egg sandwich!