How To Make Over Easy Eggs
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Aug 4, 2026 
My how to make over easy eggs method is the no-fail way I cook eggs that are perfectly soft and runny every time. I simply fry the eggs in a bit of butter or oil, then gently flip them for a tender white and perfectly set yolk in under 5 minutes!
Over easy eggs are one of those foods that might look easy to make, but honestly, that’s far from the truth. I can’t even begin to count the amount of times I’ve made eggs that have turned out to be a flop… From overdone to yolks that break in the pan. However, after many trials, I’ve finally come up with a simple and foolproof method for how to make over easy eggs perfectly every time! Like my how to boil eggs recipe, there are a few key techniques that I use to deliver perfect results. In this case, that’s tender egg whites with a gorgeous runny yolk in the center. I always keep the temperature of the greased skillet low and then I make sure to center the egg in the middle of the pan. These delicious over easy eggs are a staple breakfast in my household and we love to serve these up with some crispy bacon, add them to a sandwich or have them for lunch over a rice bowl!
Olivia – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you for sharing this recipe! The instructions were super easy and the eggs turned out perfectly!
Table of Contents
Sommer’s Recipe Highlights
Protein-packed – Like my spinach egg white frittata recipe, these eggs are one of the best sources of protein. They’re so easy to make, and delicious, that I bet you’ll even start having them for lunch and dinner, too!
Seriously easy – I’m obsessed with how quick and easy this recipe is. It’s great for beginners, and with a little bit of practice, you will get perfectly cooked eggs over easy in under 5 minutes!
Versatile – This recipe will take your egg game to a whole other level. These eggs are amazing as-is with some toasted bread, but you can also amp up your favorite breakfast sandwich by sliding these in, or use them as a topper over a bowl of grains and avocado. YUM!
Key Ingredients and Tips
- Egg – Use fresh large eggs. I’ve found they cook more evenly when they’re at room temperature, so pull them out of the fridge now!
- Oil spray – This it totally up to you, but butter spray, canola, or olive oil spray are some of our favorites.
- Seasonings – You’ll need the classics… Salt and black pepper, nothing fancy here!
How to Make
Find the full recipe with ingredient proportions, detailed instructions, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Grease – To kick off this super simple and delicious recipe, I grease my nonstick skillet with some oil. I definitely don’t overdo it, but coat the pan with just enough so that the eggs don’t stick. One squirt will do!
Crack – Then, I very gently crack the egg into the center of the skillet. Just be careful not to crack open the yolk during this step, otherwise, you’ll have to start over!
Cook – I let the egg cook on low for about 2 minutes. The egg white sets pretty quickly, but just be careful that it doesn’t turn brown or golden. Pro Tip: If the yolks runs to the side of the white, I gently use a rubber spatula to push it to the center before the whites set.
Flip – Once the egg is ready to flip, I very gently slide a spatula under the egg. Then, making sure that the entire egg is being supported by the spatula, I flip it over onto the other side. Larger spatulas make this step a lot easier!
Cook again – I let the egg cook again for about a minute.
Season – Once the egg is ready, I move it onto a plate and I generously season it with some salt and pepper.
Tips For Success
- Remember to keep the temperature low. If your eggs are turning golden or brown within the first two minutes the heat is too high.
- Crack the egg very low to the skillet, so the yolk doesn’t break, being careful not to touch your fingers to the hot pan.
- Lift to flip when the edges are dry.
- Make sure the yolk is as centered as possible before flipping.
- Make sure to get the spatula completely under the egg before you attempt to flip it.
- It’s perfectly normal for the white to be an irregular shape. This can even be a feature of what makes over easy egg special. However, if you want them to be perfectly round, you can find silicone molds to sit in your skillet. Make sure to spray the molds with nonstick spray before using.
Recipe Variations
- Spices – Add other optional seasonings like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic salt.
- Low-sodium – Skip the salt for a low-sodium alternative.
- Dairy-free – Swap the butter with olive oil.
Serving Suggestions
I like to sprinkle my huevos with a bit of spice, dash on some hot sauce, add a squirt of ketchup, or a scoop of salsa… There’s no wrong way to add a little extra flavor to a perfectly cooked egg!
A soft and runny egg is just right to pair with Avocado Toast and Irish Cheese Toasties. And of course, this iconic protein is perfect alongside other breakfast classics! Here are some of our favorite recipes:
- Pancakes and Sheet Pan Pancakes
- The Best Waffles
- Homemade hash Browns
- Traditional French Toast
- Fluffy Southern Cat Head Biscuits with Sausage Gravy
- Oven Cooked Bacon
- Breakfast Salad
- Buttermilk Biscuits
- Huevos Rancheros
Storing
Over-easy eggs are best enjoyed fresh right off the skillet, but you can store them if you happen to have leftovers. Let the dish come to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Place them in a nonstick skillet over low heat or on a microwaveable safe plate in the microwave for a few seconds. Be careful not to overcook the yolk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sunny side up eggs are only cooked on one side, so the yolk sits on top as a bright yellow orb and very loose. Eggs over easy are gently cooked on both sides, so the yolk is tucked inside an egg white pocket, but still loose. Both are considered fried eggs, but very runny eggs.
Good question. It really depends on how you like your yolks! Over easy yolks are runny and smooth, but ever so slightly more cooked. An egg cooked sunny side up tends to have a yolk that is more raw in texture.
Over low heat, fried eggs should cook for 1-3 minutes per side, depending on how runny you like your yolks. We recommend the egg cook time of 2 minutes on one side, then 1 minutes on the second side.
No, you really don’t want to make these ahead of time. If done properly the yolk will stay rather runny, but runny eggs are definitely most delicious freshly cooked.
More Eggs Recipes
Help Me Spread the Word about this Fabulous Free Recipe! Sharing this recipe link on Pinterest and Facebook is super impactful, and I greatly appreciate it! Find the share buttons below the recipe form.
How To Make Over Easy Eggs
Video
Ingredients
- 1 Egg
- Oil spray
- Salt and pepper
- Additional seasonings: smoked paprika cayenne pepper, garlic salt
Instructions
- Set a small nonstick skillet over low heat. Spray the skillet once with oil or butter spray. It’s important that you have a very fine layer of fat in the pan, but not too much.
- Tap the egg on the side of the skillet, or on the counter. Holding your hands low to the skillet, gently break the egg into the center of the skillet, being careful not to crack open the yolk. *If you are feeling very particular, you can even use the edge of the shell to hold the yolk in the center of the white for a few seconds so that it stays there instead of moving to the side.
- Cook the egg on low for about two minutes, making sure the egg white is set but does not turn golden or brown.
- Gently slide a flat nonstick spatula completely under the egg. Carefully flip the egg over on the other side in the center of the pan. *Larger spatulas work better than a little rubber spatulas.
- Cook on the second side for approximately one minute, just until the white is cooked through, but not a minute longer.
- Move the egg to a plate and season as desired.
- Repeat as many times as needed.
Notes
- Remember to keep the temperature low. If your eggs are turning golden or brown within the first two minutes the heat is too high.
- Crack the egg very low to the skillet, so the yolk doesn’t break, being careful not to touch your fingers to the hot pan.
- Lift the egg to flip it when the edges are dry.
- Make sure the yolk is as centered as possible before flipping the egg.
- Make sure to get the spatula completely under the egg before you attempt to flip it.
- It’s perfectly normal for the white to be an irregular shape. This can even be a feature of what makes over easy egg special. However, if you want your over easy eggs to be perfectly round, you can find silicone molds to sit in your skillet. Make sure to spray the molds with nonstick spray before using.
Thank you for sharing this recipe! The instructions were super easy and the eggs turned out perfectly!
Thank you so much for this! It is so easy to follow and turned out really amazing!
For the first time, I made a soft and runny fried over easy eggs! The instructions are very easy to follow and turned out so delicious!