Fried Egg Over Easy

Step by step, learn how to make the perfect fried egg over easy in a cast iron skillet. Fried in a hot skillet with a layer of butter, this is the easy way to cook fried eggs.

Cooking fried eggs over easy in a cast iron skillet may seem impossible. The egg can stick, or the egg yolk might get busted while attempting to flip the egg. But, a fried egg over easy is actually very simple with these simple tips and easy techniques.

Can You Cook Eggs in a Cast Iron Skillet?

Cast iron skillets are the perfect way to make fried eggs over easy. The one thing that you need to know is how to fry eggs without them sticking. I have several cast iron pans that I use, but there is one that I love the most for this eggs over easy recipe.  

My favorite skillet is the 10.5″ Cast Iron Griddle. The skillet has a very short side which makes it very easy to slide the spatula under the eggs in order to flip them without breaking the delicate yolk.

The most important part of frying an egg is to be sure that the skillet is well seasoned. I have shared before about how I care for my cast-iron, which includes how I season them.

How Do You Cook a Fried Egg Over Easy in a Cast Iron Skillet?

Start With a Fresh Egg

I purchase four dozen eggs every Saturday from a local farm. The eggs are fresh, and have the most beautiful yellow yolks. If you do not have access to farm fresh eggs, then organic are a great choice to purchase from the store.

Farm fresh eggs have a yolk that is compact and will stand up high. The yolk of a fresh egg is less likely to break when cracked onto the skillet, and will not spread as much, resulting in an egg that will fry up nice and thick, making it the perfect fried egg.

Use Enough Fat

When frying over easy eggs, my preferred fats are butter or bacon fat. While my nonstick skillet is well seasoned, I still add about one tablespoon of fat. Whichever one you choose to use, it should coat the bottom of the pan.

Use a Cast Iron Skillet

The great thing about a cast iron pan is that it holds heat really well and is non-toxic. The most important key is having a well seasoned skillet to ensure that eggs will not stick to the bottom of the skillet.

For the best fried egg over easy, always heat the skillet over medium heat until it comes to temperature. Then, add a thin layer of fat, followed by the eggs. Heating up the skillet, provides a great non-stick surface and ensures that over easy eggs slide out smoothly onto a plate.

Practice and Patience

Getting just the right temperature on your stove, and learning how to quickly flip eggs to achieve that over easy style without breaking the yolk side may take some practice and patience. After a few times, it becomes easier, and in a short time, you will find out just how easy it is to make over easy eggs in a cast iron skillet.

What is an Over Easy Egg?

An over easy egg is cooked on one side and then flipped and cooked for just a few seconds longer on the second side. Just enough to fully set the whites of the egg so they are firm but leave the yolk completely runny. 

How Long to Fry an Egg that is Over Easy?

To fry an over easy egg with a super runny yolk, cook the egg over medium heat for two minutes. This amount of time will set the whites of the egg, making the egg easier to flip. Flip the egg, and continue to cook for about 20-30 seconds, before removing it from the skillet.

How to Make the Perfect Over Easy Egg Recipe

Kitchen Essentials You Need

• Cast Iron Skillet (this one is my favorite for perfect eggs)
• Spatula
• Fresh Eggs
• Fat (butter or bacon grease are my preferred choice)

1. Heat the Skillet and Add the Fat

Place the cast iron skillet on a burner and turn the stove to medium heat. Add one to two tablespoons of fat (unsalted butter, coconut oil or lard). Using the spatula, move the fat around until it melts, covering the base of the skillet. Once the fat starts to sizzle, it is time to add the large eggs.

2. Add the Eggs

Add the eggs to the hot cast iron skillet, ether by cracking the egg on the side of the skillet or on the counter. If you are worried that you might get a piece of the shell in the skillet, crack egg into a small bowl. Then, pour it onto the heated skillet.

3. Add the Seasonings

If using salt, go ahead and add a dash to the top of the egg before flipping the eggs. If adding pepper, do so after the egg has been flipped as this will prevent the pepper from burning on the skillet. We keep it simple with a pinch of salt and black pepper, but dried parsley is also a great way to flavor the egg.

4. Fry the Egg

Let the egg fry in the fat, undisturbed until the whites are almost set, about 2 minutes. Then, gently slide the spatula under the egg, with the yolk centered on the spatula. Flip the egg, and continue to cook another 20-30 seconds.

5. Enjoy

Remove the fried egg over easy from the cast iron skillet, and enjoy with a side of bacon, homemade sausage gravy, and buttermilk biscuits.

How to Flip Over Easy Eggs

The key to flipping over easy eggs is to use a sturdy, flat thin spatula. If the eggs have run together, gently use the spatula to cut and separate the eggs. Then, slide the spatula under the egg, making sure that it is under the center of the yolk. Flip the perfect egg over.

More Delicious Cast Iron Breakfast Recipes

With this recipe, you have learned the easiest way to make fried egg over easy in a cast iron skillet. If you love cooking in cast iron, be sure to check out these delicious recipes!

• How to Cook Bacon in Cast Iron
• Southwest Breakfast Skillet Scramble
• Cast Iron Scrambled Eggs
• Cast Iron Pancakes
• Sausage Gravy
• Buttermilk Biscuits