Easy Basted Eggs Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Mamma C · This post may contain affiliate links

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Try this Easy Basted Eggs Recipe for perfect results every time!In just over three minutes, you'll have delicious eggs with runny yolks and fully cooked whites.

Easy Basted Eggs Recipe (1)

Can we talk about eggs? I have to tell you, I can’t stand runny whites!

So, over-easy eggs don’t cut it for me. Thankfully, Mom taught me her method of basting eggs, and I’ve never looked back.

Because you know I’m all about that baste...

That's right. I’m here all night, folks.

But seriously, you need basted eggs in your life! Mom’s twist on them is easy, delicious and produces perfectly cooked eggs every time.

The yolks are cooked until they have a pinkish tint on top, but are still dippable. And the whites are fully cooked!

It's one of my favorite breakfasts.

You’re probably wondering, “what is a basted egg?” So, before we go any further, let’s get some background.

What does basting an egg mean?

A basted egg is a cross between fried and poached.

The traditional way to baste an egg is to cook it in butter as if you were making a fried egg, but then spoon the melted butter over the egg until it's done. That's a called a "butter-basted egg."

A steam-basted egg involves pouring water into the skillet with the egg and covering the pan to make steam. I tried that method, but it resulted in soggy egg whites (eww.)

Mom's method (and now mine) is a combination of the butter-basted and steam-basted methods. The eggs get cooked in melted butter over medium heat while covered with a lid ― ideally, a glass one to allow for viewing.

Let's call it a butter-steam-basted egg! It provides the best taste and texture.

How to baste an egg (Mom's way)

  1. Melt butter in a pan (affiliate link) over medium heat.
  2. Crack an egg into the pan and cover with a lid (preferably, a glass one so you can keep an eye on the yolk).
  3. Let the steam cook the egg until the surface of the yolk starts turning pale pink. Turn off the heat and serve!

How to serve basted eggs

You just need some toast for dipping in the delicious yolks. And wait until you try basted eggs with my guacamole on toast! I recommend toasting a sliced baguette or Italian bread.

You also could serve a basted egg over sausage and cheese in a breakfast sandwich. Or how about over rice and veggies, such as this Baked Vegetable Risotto?

Yum!

Frequently asked questions

Poached vs. Basted Eggs?

A poached egg is made by sliding a cracked egg into a simmering, water-filled pan and swirling it to keep the egg white neatly wrapped around the yolk. A basted egg is made by cracking the egg onto a prepared skillet and covering it with a lid so the steam cooks it.

Are basted eggs flipped?

No flipping is required. Just cook the egg in butter with a lid on the pan to create steam.

More breakfast recipes to try

If you love eggs, you have to try my Italian Sausage and Egg Casserole that can be made for breakfast, dinner or meal prep. Also, Mom’s Asparagus Frittata is one of the best things in life!You'll also love this Baked Arugula Frittata.

And for a decadent continental breakfast, don't miss this non-alcoholic zabaglione, made with egg yolks and sugar. Its custardy texture will have you swooning.

Easy Basted Eggs Recipe (4)

Enjoy!

If you try this Easy Basted Eggs Recipe, let me know how you liked it! Please leave a comment and a rating.

Easy Basted Eggs Recipe (5)

Easy Basted Eggs Recipe

Try this Easy Basted Eggs Recipe for perfect results every time!In just over three minutes, you'll have delicious eggs with runny yolks and fully cooked whites.

5 from 5 votes

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Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 1 minute minute

Cook Time: 3 minutes minutes

Total Time: 4 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 198kcal

Author: Mamma C

Ingredients

Basted Eggs

  • 2 teaspoons salted butter (use 1 teaspoon per egg)
  • 2 eggs
  • pepper to taste
  • salt to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Make your eggs up to two at a time in a large skillet. (If only making one egg, an 8-inch skillet is fine.) Melt two teaspoons of butter in the pan over medium heat. Crack two eggs in the pan, trying not to crowd them. Place a lid, ideally a glass one, over the eggs. (See notes.)

  • As soon as the yolks get covered with a pinkish color, they are done. It should take around 3 minutes, so check on the eggs just before the 3-minute mark if you don't have a glass lid. Transfer each cooked egg onto your plate and pour the butter on top.

  • Add salt and pepper to the eggs, and serve with toast.

Video

Notes

If only making one egg, use one teaspoon of butter in an 8-inch skillet.

If you have a glass lid for your pan, use it. It will allow you to view the eggs while they're cooking and see when the surface of the yolks start to turn pink, which means they're done. Otherwise, you'll have to lift the lid to check on the eggs.

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 349mg | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 124mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 725IU | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg

Tried this Recipe? Mention @cookingwithmammac or tag #CookingWithMammaC!

(Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C, using Mom’s basted eggs method. Originally published on January 11, 2016 and updated now with new photos and additional information.)

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Easy Basted Eggs Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between basted eggs and over easy eggs? ›

Over easy eggs, or eggs over easy, as they're sometimes called, are cooked in a pan until the white is set, and then flipped to cook the yolk side. Over easy eggs differ from basted eggs, because the top of the egg is cooked by flipping the egg, rather than cooking it with butter or oil.

How many teaspoons of water do you use to baste an egg? ›

There isn't an exact amount, just start with a few splashes, to where a very tiny amount of water is all the way around the eggs (like 1/8th cup at first). Every stove and pan are a little different. Cover with a lid or plate and let cook for a few minutes (3-5 minutes probably).

When basting eggs, add approximately of water per egg.? ›

Water: A tablespoon of water helps steam the top of the egg. Seasonings: When the eggs are done, season them with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Do you flip over easy eggs? ›

Sunny side up: The egg is fried with the yolk up and is not flipped. Over easy: The egg is flipped and the yolk is still runny. Over medium: The egg is flipped and the yolk is only slightly runny. Over well: The egg is flipped and the yolk is cooked hard.

Should basted eggs be cooked over high heat? ›

Heat skillet over medium high heat. Egg whites set at 155 degrees while egg yolks begin setting around 145 degrees. This means that in order to get runny yolks but have set whites, you're going to want the pan just on the high side of medium.

Why do chefs put water in eggs? ›

Adding water to eggs essentially steams them, as the water evaporates during cooking, and this yields a fluffier scramble.

Why do you boil water before adding eggs? ›

You might have heard that you should drop your eggs into room temperature or cold water and then bring the water to a boil. This is a myth. In our tests, bringing the water to a boil first and then lowering the eggs into the bath made for easy peeling and more accurate timing.

What are 2 rules to remember when cooking eggs? ›

You need to make sure there is enough water to retain enough heat to cook the eggs while the water cools. If you don't use enough water, the water will cool too quickly, and you'll end up with coddled eggs. A good rule of thumb is a water line 2 inches over the highest egg. Cover the pot when you turn off the heat.

How do you not get salmonella from over easy eggs? ›

Wash hands, utensils, equipment, and work surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after they come in contact with raw eggs and raw egg-containing foods. Cook eggs until both the yolk and the white are firm. Scrambled eggs should not be runny. Casseroles and other dishes containing eggs should be cooked to 160° F.

What does basted mean for eggs? ›

Basted Eggs – What is a basted egg? it is like sunny side up, but the top is cooked by spooning hot fat from the pan over the eggs. This can also be done with water or other liquid for a version that is lower in fat. Poached – Cooked without the shell in simmering liquid, usually water.

Are basted eggs healthy? ›

Basted eggs are a healthy and delicious way to prepare eggs. With the elegant look of poached eggs, basting eggs create a moist breakfast or brunch dish.

What are the five types of fried eggs? ›

Fried Eggs
  • Sunny Side Up. The sunny side up egg is probably the most recognizable type of cooked egg and one of the easiest to make. ...
  • Over Easy. Over easy is the most challenging type of cooked egg because you have to make the flip. ...
  • Over Hard. ...
  • Over Broken.
Jun 6, 2024

What does "over easy eggs" mean? ›

Meaning of over easy in English

If an egg is fried over easy, it is fried on both sides in such a way that the yolk (= the yellow part) stays slightly liquid: I'll have two eggs over easy. Most restaurants will serve eggs over easy or sunny-side up if customers want them.

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