Classic Over-Easy Fried Eggs Recipe - Serious Eats

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Classic Over-Easy Fried Eggs Recipe

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

By Daniel Gritzer Daniel Gritzer Editorial Director

Daniel is the editorial director of Serious Eats, where he leads the site's editorial strategy and oversees everything from recipe development to articles on food science, cooking techniques, and more. He's a former food editor at Food & Wine and has cooked in New York City restaurants.

Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process Updated March 13, 2025 Save WRITE A REVIEW Print Jump to recipe

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.

July 2017

Recipe Details

Classic Over-Easy Fried Eggs Recipe

Cook 10 mins Active 5 mins Total 10 mins Serves 2 eggs Save Print Keep Screen Awake

• 1 tablespoon (15 g) unsalted butter

• 2 large eggs

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (optional)

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

• Crispy Fried Eggs Recipe
• Sunny-Side Up Fried Eggs Recipe
• How to Make Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
• Soft-Scrambled Eggs Recipe
• Perfect Steamed Boiled Eggs Recipe

• Fried Eggs
• Breakfast & Brunch
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• Easter
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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
122	Calories
11g	Fat
0g	Carbs
6g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label ×

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.)

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