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Learn how to make Over Hard Eggs in a pan with this easy 4 minute recipe. They are perfect if you want fried eggs but don’t like runny yolks. Enjoy for breakfast or as a quick meal.
When it comes to eggs, people have different preferences and opinions. Some like them fried with runny yolks, some prefer them poached, while others want them boiled. If you’re not a fan of runny yolks but don’t have the time, this recipe is for you. Over hard eggs have a firm yolk just like boiled or air fried hard boiled eggs, but they are cooked in a pan in just 4 minutes.
Table of Contents
What is over hard egg?
An over hard egg is a fried egg with firm yolk. It is the perfect combination between fried and boiled egg, but without the hassle of boiling eggs or the risk of getting runny yolks. Making eggs over hard is so quick and easy, you just need two ingredients and less than 5 minutes of your day.
At the end, it’s just another way of frying them in a pan. The main difference between a fried egg and a fried egg over hard is that we are going to flip it halfway through so that the yolk gets fully cooked and solid. Perfect for a quick and easy healthy breakfast, for sandwiches, and simple dinners.
Choosing the best ingredients
The recipe for overhard egg is very simple, it only calls for 2 main ingredients and seasonings. But the choice of the right ingredients is here more important than ever. There are a couple of recommendations and tips I want to give you. So, read further for all details.
- Eggs. Choose fresh large eggs, I recommend grade AA eggs from grass fed chickens. They are tastier and richer in flavor.
- Butter or oil. Frying overhard eggs in butter gives you a better taste, but you can also use extra virgin olive oil or any neutral oil you like. If you follow a dairy-free diet, regular butter may be replaced with dairy-free butter.
- Salt and pepper. Once it’s done, sprinkle the egg with as much salt and pepper as you like. For more flavor, feel free to add other herbs and seasoning such as chili flakes or onion powder (my favorite).
How to make over hard eggs step by step
- Melt butter. Place a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat, melt butter or heat olive until warm.
- Fry on one side. Lower heat to low medium, then crack in egg and cook for about 2 minutes. At this point, the egg whites are going to be firm while the yolk is still going to be slightly runny.
- Flip and cook. With the help of a silicone (or rubber) spatula, flip egg and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the other side. After about 1 minute of cooking, use a spatula to gently press down the yolk so that it cooks through.
- Season and serve. Slide out the egg on a plate, then serve with salt and pepper to your likings.
Success tips
- Choose high quality fresh eggs, preferably large and from grass fed chickens. I find that grade AA eggs have a better taste, especially the yolk which is richer.
- Cook eggs in butter, also dairy-free if it necessary, but use butter. Trust me, it makes the difference because it gives a rich and savory taste. You can still use olive oil, but it may leave a slightly bitter aftertaste.
- Use a cast iron skillet or a non stick pan, greased with butter. These are the best skillets because they ensure that your fried over hard egg does not stick and nicely slides out once cooked.
- Fry egg over low medium heat, rather than high heat. Cooking on low temperatures ensures that the yolk gets firm without the risk of burning the white. I also recommend making one egg at the time, do not over overcrowd the skillet.
Best tools for cooking eggs over hard
- Cast iron skillet or non-stick pan. I personally prefer using a cast iron skillet because it prevents sticks and, more importantly, it distributes the heat evenly while cooking. But you can also use a regular non stick skillet, well coated with butter. Both options are great.
- Silicone spatula. I cannot stress enough how important it is to flip the egg with a silicone spatula or a rubber spatula. Differently from metallic spatulas, they won’t scratch the surface of the pan, while also making flipping easier.
Over hard eggs have the same rich flavor as regular eggs, but they come with a distinct texture. They are characterized by a firm, solid yolk and a white that is fully cooked. If you are not a fan of runny yolks, you’ll love this recipe.
After flipping, you can check that the over hard egg is done by gently pressing it with a spatula or a fork. As an alternative you can also pierce the top with a fork. If the yolk is solid and does not come out, your egg is ready to serve and enjoy.
The best fried over hard eggs are cooked in butter. It gives a rich and savory flavor with a nutty aftertaste. Also olive oil works, but it may add a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Place leftovers in an airtight food container and store in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 days. To reheat, pan fry in a warm cast iron skillet with little butter, or microwave for about 1 minute.
What are the five types of fried eggs?
Although most people know just 4, there are actually 5 different ways of frying eggs. The five types of fried eggs are sunny side up, over easy, over medium, over hard and over well.
- Sunny side up – This is the classic fried egg, cooked on just one side and with a runny yolk.
- Over easy – These eggs have a runny yolk too, but they are flipped and quickly cooked on both sides.
- Over medium – Eggs are also flipped while frying, but they feature a half cooked half runny yolk.
- Over hard – They have both yolk and white that are fully cooked to doneness.
- Over well – They are virtually the same as over hard eggs, they are also flipped, and have fully cooked yolks and whites.
Ways to serve over hard eggs
Overhard eggs are so versatile and perfect for any meal, especially breakfasts. They pair wonderfully with crispy bacon, buttery toasts, waffles and pancakes. I love serving mine with homemade protein bagels and mashed avocado. So good! And if you are looking for more ideas, here are my recommendations:
- With freshly baked protein bagels
- Over a soft slice of oat bread
- For English breakfasts, with bacon and homemade baked beans
- Alongside a protein-packed breakfast burrito
- For breakfast or dinner, with potato fritters
- In a sandwich for on-the-go lunches
Over Hard Eggs
Instructions
- Place a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat, melt butter or heat olive until warm.
- Lower heat to low medium, then crack in egg and cook for about 2 minutes. At this point, the egg whites are going to be firm while the yolk is still going to be slightly runny.
- With the help of a rubber spatula, flip egg and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the other side. After about 1 minute of cooking, use a spatula to gently press down the yolk so that it cooks through.
- Slide out the egg on a plate, then serve with salt and pepper to your likings.
Notes
How to store over hard eggs
- Place leftovers in an airtight food container and store in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 days.
- Reheat cold over hard eggs in a warm cast iron skillet with little butter, or microwave for about 1 minute.
Hard egg and avocado is a deluxe breakfast! Yummy
Hey dear Liza,
I completely agree with all you are saying. I love eggs, especially if they come on top of avocado toast with a sprinkle of Kosher salt. So delicious!