Over Hard Eggs are delicious on a sandwich, piece of toast, or just on their own. The yolk is firm, just like a hard boiled egg. The best way to cook over hard eggs is low and slow in a little bit of butter. This ensures they do not dry out and are not over cooked.
Over hard is how I prepare my eggs most frequently because it is easy and delicious. This is also one of the many ways you can order your eggs out at a restaurant.
If you are looking for an egg dish to feed a crowd? Try my Easy Egg and Sausage Casserole Recipe.
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What Does an Over Hard Egg Mean?
These are typically fried in a pan or on a griddle. They are cooked until the yolk is completely firm or "hard", like a hard boiled egg. Hence the name, over hard egg.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- These perfectly cooked over hard eggs only require 2 ingredients, eggs and butter.
- Fried eggs with a firm yolk are perfect for kids or picky eaters who do not like runny yolks.
- The slow cooking method and salted butter ensures these eggs are not dry.
- Eggs over hard can be served on their own, breakfast sandwiches, or on avocado toast. The options are endless. Unlike over medium eggs, the yolk won't spill out.
- Eggs are packed with protein and fat, making them a very satisfying healthy breakfast.
Ingredient & Substitutions
- Salted Butter: Swap for unsalted butter and add a pinch of salt. You can also use bacon grease.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Make Over Hard Eggs
Overview
- Heat the butter.
- Add eggs to a hot pan.
- Cook eggs.
- Carefully flip and continue cooking the other side.
Step by Step
Step 1: In a small frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat until the butter is foaming.
Step 2: Add the egg. Turn the heat immediately down to medium low. Season the egg with pepper (and salt if needed).
Step 3: Cook for about 2 minutes. The yolk will be runny still but the white should be opaque. (If you prefer to break the yolk, gently use a spatula to break it before flipping.
Step 4: Flip the egg. Cook for another 2 minutes or until the middle of the egg feels firm when pressed with a spatula. Remove from the heat immediately.
TIP - Do not flip the egg until the white is firm
TIP - After the egg is done, remove it from the pan immediately so it does not overcook.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Eggs over hard are super versatile. Serve them for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or anytime in between. Here are some ways to serve them:
- With: Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes, Instant Pot Bacon or Oven Baked Turkey Bacon
- On: Oven Baked Toast
Expert Tips & Variations
- Use butter. Butter adds flavor and ensures it does not stick to the pan. Bacon grease is also a great option.
- Use a nonstick pan. This ensures the egg is super easy to flip. A well seasoned cast iron skillet will work as well.
- Use fresh eggs. Farm fresh are best, but pasture raised organic eggs from the supermarket are a great option too.
- Season before flipping. The seasoning will stick to the egg better while it is still raw. I recommend adding any spices immediately after cracking it into the pan.
- Break the yolks before flipping. If you want the yolk to be more distributed across the surface, break it with a spatula before flipping. Tilt the pan to control the yolk from running off. This is not necessary, but some prefer it. Flip and cook as stated below.
- Do not flip too early. Since this is an over hard egg, there is less of a risk of over cooking the yolk. You want the egg white to be completely opaque before flipping.
- Remove from the heat. As soon as the egg is finished cooking, remove it from the pan. The residual heat in the skillet is enough to overcook it.
- Add extra seasoning. Aside from salt and pepper, you can add whatever spices you prefer on these eggs. Some of my favorites include, everything but the bagel seasoning, za’atar, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes.
- Add cheese. You can add a slice or cheese or a sprinkle of shredded cheese to these over hard eggs right after flipping.
Different Types of Fried Eggs
- Over Hard: Yolk is completely firm
- Over Medium: Center of yolk is runny, edges begin to cook
- Over Easy: Yolk is runny, flipped
- Sunny Side Up: Whites are cooked, yolk is runny, not flipped
Recipe FAQs
Over easy is flipped and quickly removed from the heat. The yolk is running and the egg whites might still be slightly wet around the yolk. Over hard eggs have a completely cooked yolk and white.
I prefer butter for the flavor, but avocado or olive oil will also work. Bacon grease would also be great for frying.
More Breakfast Recipes
Over Hard Eggs
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salted butter
- 1 large egg
Optional
- cracked pepper
Instructions:
- In a small frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat until the butter is foaming.
- Add the egg. Turn the heat immediately down to medium low. Season the egg with pepper (and salt if needed).
- Cook for about 2 minutes. The yolk will be runny still but the white should be opaque. (If you prefer to break the yolk, gently use a spatula to break it before flipping.)
- Flip the egg. Cook for another 2 minutes or until the middle of the egg feels firm when pressed with a spatula. Remove from the heat immediately.
Notes:
- Salted Butter: Swap for unsalted butter and add a pinch of salt. You can also use bacon grease.
- Season before flipping. The seasoning will stick to the egg better while it is still raw. I recommend adding any spices immediately after cracking it into the pan.
- Break the yolks before flipping. If you want the yolk to be more distributed across the surface, break it with a spatula before flipping. Tilt the pan to control the yolk from running off. This is not necessary, but some prefer it. Flip and cook as stated below.
- Do not flip too early. Since this is an over hard egg, there is less of a risk of over cooking the yolk. You want the egg white to be completely opaque before flipping.
- Remove from the heat. As soon as the egg is finished cooking, remove it from the pan. The residual heat in the skillet is enough to overcook it.
- Add extra seasoning. Aside from salt and pepper, you can add whatever spices you prefer on these eggs. Some of my favorites include, everything but the bagel seasoning, za’atar, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes.
- Add cheese. You can add a slice or cheese or a sprinkle of shredded cheese to these over hard eggs right after flipping.
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