How to Make Over-Easy Eggs (Even In Stainless Steel Pans!)
Learn how to make perfect over-easy eggs with crispy or smooth edges, tender whites, and a runny yolk. Whether you're cooking just one egg or a batch to top your favorite rice bowls, breakfast hash, or avocado toast, this step-by-step method will give you confidence so there's no more guessing or uninvited hard yolks and scrambled messes.
1egg—This method works for one egg or a few at a time—just be sure your pan has enough space, enough oil, and that you add water for each egg
1tablespoonwater, have a small cup of water ready
1tablespoonoil or clarified butter
Instructions
Set out all your tools and ingredients before you begin: water to splash, lid to cover the pan, spatula, oil or clarified butter/ghee, and a plate to set your cooked egg on.
Heat your dry stainless steel pan over medium-high for 30–60 seconds. Then add fat and heat again until the oil or ghee moves quickly across the surface or a sprinkle of water sizzles.
First, crack your egg into a small dish. Then, gently pour it into the hot pan.
Right after the egg hits the pan, turn the heat to medium. Let the egg cook just until the translucent egg white turns opaque.
Splash a tablespoon of water per egg over and around each egg.
Immediately cover your pan with a lid and set a time for 1 minute to steam.
When your minute is up, remove your egg from the pan immediately so it doesn’t cook further.
Recipe Tips:
More eggs at once? Add a bit more oil and a 1/2 tablespoon of water for each additional egg.
If the egg sticks to the pan, splash a little more water around the edges and release with a thin, firm spatula.
Want a Perfectly Round Steamed Egg?
After your oil or butter is heated, set down a mason jar lid and pour the cracked egg in the round form.
Finish with water and lid.
Remember when you remove the lid that this mason jar lid ring is hot, use a fork or tongs to remove it.
Cut the extra white off if you want a neater circle, or leave it rustic for a homemade look.
Want a Sunny-Side-Up Egg with a Runny Yolk?
Crack your egg directly into a small dish, keeping the yolk intact and in half of a shell. When your pan is ready (hot and oil warmed), gently pour the egg whites only into the pan.
Cook uncovered for 30–60 seconds until the white starts to set around the edges.
Place the yolk in the center of your opaque egg whites, and proceed with the one tablespoon of water from the steps above.
Steam for 30 seconds with the lid on, then remove the lid and cook for about a minute, depending on how set you want the egg yolk to be.
Uncover and gently remove the egg when the white is set, and the yolk is still glossy and runny.
Want a Flipped Over-Easy Egg?
Follow any of the egg preps above until it's time to remove your egg from the pan.
Lift your egg with a spatula, splash more water or oil in the pan if dry, flip the egg gently, and cook 30 seconds to 1 minute for runny yolks—or longer for medium or hard yolks.
Notes:
Not all pans are created equal—see my recommendations in this blog post below for adjustments I make with pans that are not stainless steel and the pans I choose most often.
This recipe contains affiliate links to products I know and love. I recommend any of them for this recipe!