How To Make Perfect Over-Easy Eggs

Eggs are a tough culinary lesson to crack. Did you know that a chef’s toque (hat) has 100 pleats symbolizing the 100 ways a professional chef should know how to prepare an egg? A cornerstone of my culinary education, eggs are foundational ingredients in sauces, binders in batters, heroes of shiny golden pie crust, and so much more.

They also make a great breakfast, especially cooked softly so the globes of yolk crack when pierced, creating a sauce for crusty toast to sop up.

Learn how to make over-easy eggs so you can achieve that perfect, saucy yolk. (And remember: We've all broken some yolks in pursuit of the perfect over-easy egg.)

What Is An Over-Easy Egg?

Unlike their sunny-side up brethren, an over-easy egg is flipped mid-cook so both sides get some heat. It is pulled from the pan while the yolk is still runny, before it hits medium or hard consistency, but the whites stay in tact.

It's also called "over-easy" for a reason—be easy on it! Don't be tempted to overwork the whites and let them fully cook (always over low heat) before flipping. Flip your eggs too early, and there won't be enough of a cushion of egg white for the yolks to stay intact.

Ingredients for Over-Easy Eggs

We're keeping it simple with just four ingredients, putting all our focus on the technique of preparing these eggs. To make over-easy eggs, you'll need:

• Large eggs: This recipe calls for two eggs, which we also find helps with keeping yolks snug and intact when flipping.
• Salt and pepper: Season the egg and complement the taste of the runny yolk.
• Butter: Greases the pan and adds a rich, buttery flavor to the eggs.

How To Cook An Over-Easy Egg

Similar to a sunny-side-up egg but flipped to cook the remaining side, over-easy eggs cook up in minutes. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

• Step 1. Prepare the eggs: Crack the eggs into a small bowl or container.
• Step 2. Melt butter: Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low.
• Step 3. Add eggs to pan: Slide eggs into pan and sprinkle with a salt. Cook until whites are firm enough to flip. Gently flip and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Step 4. Finish cooking: Cook until the bottom is just set, and slide onto a plate to serve.

Our Tips for the Best Over-Easy Eggs

A few important tips can go a long way when you're trying to perfect an over-easy egg:

• Gather the essential components: A good pan, like a well-seasoned cast iron or nonstick skillet, isn't just recommended—it's necessary. You'll also need eggs and good old fashioned butter. You can use spray or oil if absolutely necessary, but butter (or bacon grease if you have some) adds a richer, nuttier flavor to the eggs.
• Crack eggs into a small bowl: This step allows you to gently slide the eggs into the skillet once ready, which is gentler on the yolks and helps to keep them intact. (It also allows you to remove any pesky pieces of eggshell that make their way into the white of the egg when you crack it.)
• Low and slow: Slide the eggs into the skillet gently once it is nicely heated up and the butter is melted. Let it cook low and slow. Do not be tempted to crank the egg up to high heat.
• Flip: Once all the egg whites are firm but the yolk is still runny, use a long, flexible, wide spatula (such as a fish spatula) to gently flip the eggs. A flexible spatula allows you to control the flip, but is also forgiving and gentle with the soft, tender eggs.

What To Serve With Over-Easy Eggs

Quick to prepare and the star of a satisfying meal, over-easy eggs are versatile enough to pair well with a variety of sides—particularly ones that can help soak up all that runny yolk.

Serve these eggs with toast, biscuits, or English muffins, as well as hash browns, breakfast potatoes, crispy bacon, or sausage. A side of fresh fruit, ripe avocado, sliced tomatoes, sautéed greens, a light salad, and other brunch favorites can help round out the meal.

More Simple Egg Recipes You'll Love

Breakfast is served! These hearty egg breakfast recipes are sure to please, whether you serve them for a weekday breakfast, or as part of a larger weekend brunch spread:

• Egg In A Biscuit
  
• Prosciutto Egg Cups
• Breakfast Egg Muffins
• The Best Scrambled Eggs
• Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
• Egg In A Hole
• The Ultimate Fried Egg Sandwich with BBQ Bacon
  

Editorial Contributions by Catherine Jessee and Katie Rosenhouse.