Eggs are a breakfast staple in most families and for good reason. They’re affordable, versatile, and packed with protein. Our family’s favorite way to prepare eggs is to cook them over medium, with the yolk still slightly runny. But achieving the perfect over medium egg can be a challenge, especially with that dreaded flip! I’m going to walk you through the steps to make perfect over medium eggs. From selecting the right pan to mastering the flip, I’ll cover everything you need to know to create delicious, perfectly cooked over medium eggs every time. So, grab your eggs, and let’s get breakfast on the table!
Why I Love This Recipe
When I am trying to get six kids out the door on time for school, breakfast has to be quick and easy. And, I know very well that if their breakfast doesn’t include a good dose of protein, they will be hungry and grouchy by 10:00 am. Our public school teachers do not get paid enough to deal with my hangry babies. The least I can do is feed them well before turning them over every day.
While my kids wish I would make my famous cinnamon butter braids or old fashioned donut muffins every morning, there just isn’t time! My go-to breakfast on school mornings is definitely over medium eggs with a side of fresh fruit and whole grain toast. I tried serving them sunny-side-up eggs but they are definitely NOT a fan. Apparently, they are too gooey. That flip over to the other side makes all the difference until the gooey-ness disappears. But, they definitely still want a runny yolk to dip their toast in!
What are Over Medium Eggs?
Over medium eggs are fried eggs that have been cooked like sunny-side-up eggs, but are then flipped over to cook for another one to two minutes. The white is fully cooked with a crispy brown edge, while the yolk is still partially runny, with a creamy consistency. The yolk is cooked on the bottom side, while the top side remains slightly soft. Over medium eggs are commonly used in breakfast sandwiches, burgers, and salads, or served on their own with toast or bacon.
Over Medium Eggs Ingredients & Tools
Large eggs
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Nonstick spray or butter
Nonstick skillet
How to Make Over Medium Eggs
All it takes is a few minutes and a bit of practice for the perfect fried eggs!
Time needed: 10 minutes
How to Make Over Medium Eggs
Select the right type of pan
The key to perfect over medium eggs is using the right type of pan. You need to use a shallow skillet that has gently curved edges, ideally one that is nonstick.
Add a form of fat to the pan
You can use butter, oil, or nonstick spray but this addition is essential to keep the eggs from sticking. Even if you are using a nonstick pan, you still need fat.
Make sure the pan is hot before adding the eggs
Over medium eggs are a form of fried eggs so it is important that the fat you added in step two is hot before adding the eggs or they will simply poach instead of fry and get crispy on the edges.
Flip the eggs
You want to cook the eggs on their first side until they are set enough to be considered sunny side up. The whites set and the yolk on the bottom firm. If you flip too early, the egg yolk will break.
Recipe FAQs
How do you make a perfect over medium egg without flipping it?
To be clear, what you are looking for is a sunny-side-up egg. Flipping the egg over to cook for another minute or two is what makes an egg over medium. If you want a sunny-side-up egg that is firmer, simply cook it another couple of minutes longer. Be sure the pan is hot and well-greased before adding the egg so you get the crispy edges from frying it in the small amount of butter or oil.
What’s the difference between over medium eggs and over easy?
Both forms of fried eggs are flipped for the last bit of cooking to help set the top layer of egg white and yolk. Over easy eggs are only cooked for another 30 to 60 seconds. Over medium eggs are cooked a bit longer once flipped, usually one to two minutes longer.
How to flip over medium eggs without using a spatula
Once you master flipping over medium eggs without a spatula, you will never look back! First, be sure you have a shallow nonstick skillet that has sloped sides. Those sides will act as the ramp to get the egg up and over. Next, be sure you grease your pan well. The egg needs to be well set before flipping it or you will end up with a mess. You only flip it over for the last couple minutes of cooking.
To practice the movement, use something that is not an egg and won’t make a mess if it falls. The movement needs to be quick so have some confidence. Hold the pan close to your body, then quickly move the pan away and up from you. Picture drawing a candy cane coming out from your belly and curving up. Once you have the movement down with something that is not an egg, give it a go with a real egg. Maybe try over the sink instead of your stove so it is easy to clean up if needed 🙂 It is all about the level of confidence my friend!
Looking for More Great Egg Recipes?
If you loved learning how to make the perfect over medium egg with me today, I know you will love these other easy egg recipes too!
Air Fryer Hard Boiled EggsDeviled EggsLoaded Breakfast Casserole with HamPrint
Carole Jones is an Arizona-based cookbook author & food blogger. She's authored The 30 Minute Cooking From Frozen Cookbook and the self-published Take 5: Chicken e-cookbook. For the past 15 years, Carole has shared her culinary adventures cooking and baking for her six brutally honest children here on My Kitchen Escapades. Hot, crusty bread is Carole's love language, but her two adorable grandchildren are a close second. Yes, second. Don't judge.
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