Over Hard Eggs

Here’s how to make over hard eggs, where the yolk perfectly cooked through! It’s easy to master this basic kitchen technique.

Want eggs for breakfast and none of those runny yolks? Try these perfect Over Hard Eggs! Over hard eggs have a completely cooked yolk, similar to a hard boiled egg. They’re not as sophisticated as their cousin sunny side up with the beautiful, bright yellow yolk. But done correctly, these are just as tasty! They’re great for who’s not a fan of the bright yellow yolk spilling over the plate, especially kids: and they’re perfect for fried egg sandwiches! Here’s how to master this easy cooking technique.

Pick the right pan and eggs

The perfect over hard eggs start with great ingredients and the right pan. Here’s what to know before you start:

• Fresh eggs are best. When you’re making over hard eggs, you’re typically not too worried about beauty. At the same time, it’s nice to work with the best ingredients. Fresh is best because the whites of older eggs can tend to spread when they hit the pan. You can simply move them back to the center with the spatula, but overall fresh is easier to work with.
• Use a non-stick or cast iron skillet. The surface of the pan is important for sliding out after cooking. Opt for a non-stick pan or seasoned cast iron skillet for easiest cooking.

How to make over hard eggs

Ready to get cooking? Here’s one thing to know: the trick is to go low and slow. Now, this is less of an issue with over hard eggs than other ways to cook them, because you don’t have to worry about over cooking the yolk. But it’s always better to err on the lower side of the heat. Here’s how to make over hard eggs:

• Heat the butter: Heat ½ tablespoon butter over medium low heat.
• Add the eggs: Crack 1 or 2 into the pan, then sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt and a few grinds black pepper. 
• Cook: Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the whites are firm but the yolk is still runny.
• Flip: Flip and cook about 2 more minutes. About 1 minute in, gently press the yolk with a spatula to make sure it’s broken. The yolk should be fully cooked through.

The best spatula to use? Try a fish spatula for a cast iron pan, or a nylon spatula for a non-stick pan.

Should you cook eggs in butter or oil?

This is an ongoing debate in the food community: and there’s no strict answer. But here’s what we think about how to cook eggs:

• Butter is best. Butter has the best flavor hands down: it lends an ultra savory, almost nutty flavor that’s irresistible.
• Olive oil: Olive oil works too, but it can lend a slightly bitter finish to the flavor.
• Neutral oil: If you prefer using oil, an organic canola oil or vegetable oil doesn’t impart any flavor. This option is also dairy free.

How to serve over hard eggs

Over hard eggs are great for breakfast, brunch: or any meal in between! There’s really not much that this treat doesn’t make better: we especially love them on sandwiches! Here are a few ways to serve it for breakfast, and then some dinner ideas as well:

• Throw it onto avocado toast
• Eat it in a breakfast sandwich
• Add it to a fried egg sandwich with smoky mayo (yum!)
• Add bacon and pan fried potatoes
• Eat it atop sesame noodles
• Eat with roasted vegetables in a grain bowl

How do you like serving your eggs? Let us know in the comments below!

More breakfast recipes

Want more breakfast inspiration? Here are a few of our top ideas:

• Browse these 50 Breakfast Recipes to Power Your Morning
• Try a Breakfast Vegetable Scramble to infuse vegetables into your day
• Add a scramble to the top of a Breakfast Pizza
• Make a Quick Breakfast Sandwich or Healthy Breakfast Sandwich
• Scramble eggs into Epic Breakfast Tacos
• Opt for hearty and healthy Best-Ever Oatmeal Pancakes
• Try wholesome Easy Oatmeal Bars or Oatmeal Energy Balls for easy grab-and-go mornings
• Try this tip to freeze eggs and scramble them later
• Try all our top 10 egg recipes for breakfast

This over hard eggs recipe is…

Vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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