Classic Over-Easy Fried Eggs Recipe

A tender yolk and fully set whites, 100% guaranteed.

By
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Editorial Director
Daniel joined the Serious Eats culinary team in 2014 and writes recipes, equipment reviews, articles on cooking techniques. Prior to that he was a food editor at Food & Wine magazine, and the staff writer for Time Out New York's restaurant and bars section.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated March 17, 2023

Why It Works

  • Using a nonstick or well-season cast iron skillet ensures that the eggs can be easily slid from the pan to the plate.
  • Cooking over medium heat allows the whites to gradually set while the yolk remains bright and runny.
  • Flipping the eggs for just 5 to 10 seconds ensures that the whites are fully cooked on both sides.

We all need insurance from time to time, and in the case of fried eggs, the insurance we usually seek is that the whites are 100% fully cooked with not even a chance of a squiggly raw bit lurking somewhere the heat just didn't quite reach. Making good on that requires flipping the egg to cook the second side, all while leaving the yolk nice and wet. In egg lingo, that's over-easy.

An over easy egg on a plate. The tines of a fork have been dragged across the top to reveal the runny yolk.

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik. Video: Serious Eats Video

July 2017

Recipe Details

Classic Over-Easy Fried Eggs Recipe

Cook 10 mins
Active 5 mins
Total 10 mins
Serves 2 eggs

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon (15g) unsalted butter

  • 2 large eggs

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Directions

  1. Heat butter in a cast iron, carbon steel, or nonstick skillet over medium heat until lightly foaming, tilting pan to evenly distribute the melted butter. Carefully break eggs into the skillet, season with salt, and cook until the whites are nearly set on top and the yolks are still runny, about 2 minutes.

  2. Using a flexible spatula, gently flip the eggs one at a time, season with salt, and let cook another 5 to 10 seconds. Transfer to a plate, season with pepper if desired, and serve immediately.

Special Equipment

Cast iron, carbon steel, or nonstick skillet, flexible spatula

Read More

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
122 Calories
11g Fat
0g Carbs
6g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 122
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 13%
Saturated Fat 5g 26%
Cholesterol 201mg 67%
Sodium 72mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 30mg 2%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 71mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

More Serious Eats Recipes