Stop messing up your eggs and use these tips to make the best over easy eggs… every time!
Over easy eggs are my idea of protein perfection — runny yolk combined with perfectly set whites, the ideal experience for dipping your buttered toast or biting into a breakfast sandwich with a bit of texture. The key to wonderfully done over easy eggs is cooking technique, and we will show you how to cook over easy eggs like a pro!
I really got into over easy eggs when I was pregnant with my younger daughter. I watched some commercial online for a breakfast sandwich and the obvious star of the ad was the runny golden egg yolk dripping down the other contents of the sandwich.
Needless to say, that very day I was slicing avocado and the sound of sizzling bacon could be heard throughout my home — I was going to make this mine.
I may have been way more enthused than normal during that period of my life when it came to eggs, but they’re still a pretty solid go-to for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even late-night snacks when I want something rich and filling but not too fussy.
They’re also perfect on top of a salad, burgers, dishes like bibimbap, breakfast classics like Eggs Benedict, and more!
If you want to join me in my indulgence for over-easy eggs, let’s begin.
What Are the Basic Styles of Fried Eggs?
There are 4 primary methods of cooking eggs when frying (and more for scrambled, etc.). The variety of ways to approach this ingredient each offers a varying level of doneness.
- Sunny side up: This egg is fried with the yolk up and is not flipped. The yolk remains runny. This method gives you the least doneness of the yolk.
- Over easy: This egg is flipped and the yolk is still runny. People do occasionally use this interchangeably with sunny side up, but despite the similarities, they’re technically different.
- Over medium: Over-medium eggs are flipped and the yolk is soft and slightly runny.
- Over well: This type of egg is flipped and the yolk is cooked until hard. It’s also called over-hard eggs sometimes.
How to Pan Fry the Perfect Over Easy Egg
Pan frying is my favorite way to prepare an over easy egg. It’s fast, simple, and doesn’t require much effort or clean up.
What you’ll need:
- Non-stick frying pan
- Non-stick spatula
- Cooking spray, unsalted butter, or olive oil (my favorite is butter)
- Fresh eggs
- Salt and black pepper (optional)
A nonstick pan or nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray or butter is where this all begins.
- Heat the pan over medium heat, making sure it is well oiled or greased with butter.
- While you melt butter, crack your eggs into a bowl and then gently drop the egg into the hot skillet of melted butter. You can season it lightly with a pinch of salt and/or pepper.
- Allow the eggs to cook until the white is set and the corners begin to very slightly curl. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Using a very thin spatula, jiggle the egg slightly to get under it and then flip. Allow to cook another 30 seconds for over-easy.
- Remove from the pan and serve immediately.
Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your stove and where you have the heat set, so watch the eggs closely. You can also feel free to add more of your favorite seasonings — I know someone who puts hers on avocado toast and sprinkles it with everything bagel seasoning and red pepper flakes!
Place leftovers (if you made extra) in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 2-4 days. I recommend making these fresh when you want them, however, since it’s so easy!
Tips for the Perfect Pan-Fried Egg
- Choose a highly-rated skillet like this one from Blue Diamond Cookware. Nonstick skillets will help keep the eggs from sticking- a stuck egg will fall apart, and the yolk will break prematurely, ruining the texture you’re looking for.
- Wait to flip the eggs until the whites are cooked and set. This helps keep the yolk from being disturbed enough to separate from the whites, or break open. A little patience will go a long way!
- When flipping the egg, center the spatula under the yolk. You don’t have to slide it under the entire egg, but you do want to make sure you use the heaviest part of the egg to your advantage.
- Don’t cook too long after the flip. There’s a fine line between over-easy and over-medium. About 30 seconds on the second side should give you perfect eggs!
How to Make a Fried Egg in the Air Fryer
Air fryers are the perfect way to cook your favorite foods quickly and without much effort.
This air fryer recipe for the perfect fried egg is so easy! You’ll be glad you found it. Trust us.
Step-by-step air fryer over easy egg instructions:
- Spray the pan with oil, place it in the fryer basket, and preheat for 5 minutes.
- Crack an egg into a small cup or bowl and carefully pour the egg onto the hot pan or tray.
- Air fry for 3 minutes. Using a spatula with a firm tip, remove the egg from the pan.
This should give you a perfectly cooked egg!
How Can You Tell If Over Easy Eggs Are Done?
Over easy eggs are done when the whites are firm enough to flip but the yolk is still runny.
The white of the eggs should shift from clear and runny to opaque.
Ways to Enjoy Your Eggs
Feeling inspired to try some eggs in new and interesting ways? Here are some of our favorite egg recipes to try!