When you head out for breakfast, you may continuously get the question of how you want your eggs cooked. Over easy, over medium and over hard are a few of the standard options, but what’s the difference between them?
Eggs are a classic option for breakfast that adds protein to your diet. They can even go on salads, burgers, sandwiches and more. To ensure you know what to expect, here is the difference between over-easy, over-medium and over-hard eggs.
Over-Easy Eggs
Many people confuse over-easy eggs with a sunny side up. Although they’re similar, over-easy eggs have a few extra steps. An over-easy egg fries quickly on the second side, so the yolk is entirely liquid. In some cases, the white around it will still be somewhat wet. You should fry the second side for about 15–20 seconds.
How to Make Over-Easy Eggs
Start by grabbing a pan and adding either cooking spray or butter to the bottom so the eggs won’t stick. Turn on your stove and let the egg fry until it turns slightly brown on the edges. This is your cue to flip it. Be careful not to break the yolk when gently turning it over.
True over-easy eggs require a small amount of time on the yolk side of the egg. This gives the right time to create a thin film covering the yolk. Although it’s small, the film separates an over-easy egg from a sunny-side-up egg. They can take practice to perfect, but it’s delicious once polished.
How to Serve
There are a couple of ways you can eat over-easy eggs. It all depends on your preference since they’re not limited to these options:
- With toast
- Over hash browns or sweet potatoes
- Over pan-fried potatoes
- On a burger
- With avocado and tomatoes
Over-Medium Eggs
This type of egg should cook for about 30–45 seconds on the second side. Most people prefer an over-medium egg, which is the middle ground between drippy and hard yolk. Adding a couple of extra seconds to the second side gives it a jam-like texture — just the right amount between the two other styles of eggs.
How to Make Over-Medium Eggs
Begin by getting your pan ready with spray or butter. Crack the egg into the pan and let it fry until turning golden brown on the edges. Gently flip onto the yolk side and let it fry longer than the over-easy eggs. The longer time on the second side creates a thicker film and gives the yolk a middle-ground texture between solid and liquid. You can still dip toast into this egg style and enjoy a firm egg white.
Many people find this egg to be the most difficult to perfect, so it’ll take some practice this technique if you’re making them yourself. The difference between over easy vs. over medium is subtle but provides a better eating experience for those who prefer a thicker yolk.
How to Serve
How you eat your eggs is entirely up to you. If you want some inspiration, try these ideas:
- In a breakfast sandwich, burrito, panini or burger
- On top of ramen noodles
- On oatmeal
- With bacon on top
Over-Hard Eggs
Over-hard eggs are the last fried egg option you can choose from. It uses the same cooking style as the other eggs but is fully cooked. When flipped to the second side, ensure the yolk gets thoroughly cooked. It’s best to break the yolk with a fork to ensure an even cooking time for the whole egg.
How to Make Over-Hard Eggs
Like the other eggs, prepare your pan with a spray or butter and place it on the heat. Break the egg into the pan and let it fry. Use a fork to break the yolk apart before you flip it. Once turned, thoroughly fry the second side so the egg is hard. It shouldn’t be white or runny, but a mixture of the whites and yolk cooked into each other.
You can add seasoning to the egg since it’s often enjoyed on its own. You can’t dip toast with it, but it can go wel on top of a slice. People that don’t like the bright yellow yolk spilling onto the plate typically love the over-hard egg.
How to Serve
Over-hard eggs can incorporate into any meal at any time. Throwing an over-hard egg onto a meal can make it much better and look like you spent a lot of time putting it together. Here are some ways to incorporate it.
- On avocado toast
- With pancakes
- With a roasted vegetable bowl
Enjoy Eggs Your Way
Although they’re all fried egg variations, deciding which one is your favorite can make a huge difference in your eating experience. There are so many different ways to enjoy this delicious source of protein in your diet. Try new creations to find out how you like to enjoy your eggs.