10 Ways to Order and Cook Eggs

Reviewed by Ollie George Cigliano

Last Updated: November 9, 2025 References

Did you know there are four ways to make fried eggs? And three ways to boil them? No matter what you’re in the mood for, there’s an egg dish to satiate you for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In this article, we’ll give you a crash course on common egg recipes from favorites like scrambled eggs to the dishes you may have never heard of.

Ways to Order Eggs

Scrambled
Hard boiled
Soft boiled
Medium boiled
Sunny-side-up
Over easy
Over hard
Over medium
Shirred
Omelet
Poached
Eggs Benedict
Frittata
Quiche

1

Scrambled

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Scrambled eggs are a tried and true breakfast staple. Light and fluffy, these eggs are made by beating raw egg whites and yolks together then cooking in a pan gently over low heat. Some recipes add milk, cheese, or seasonings like salt and pepper to the eggs, and adding hot sauce or ketchup is a great way to spice up this easy dish.^{[1]
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- The texture of scrambled eggs can vary depending on temperature and cooking time.
- Eggs cooked at a lower temperature for longer tend to be more moist, whereas eggs cooked at a higher heat for less time can shrink and become more dry.^{[2]
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- Scrambled eggs go great with a side of toast and bacon, on a cheesy breakfast sandwich, or even in a breakfast taco.^{[3]
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2

Hard Boiled

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Order hard boiled eggs for a reliable favorite. Protein-packed hard boiled eggs are boiled in salted water for about 10 minutes, then peeled from the shell and served. Both the egg whites and the yolk are set with this style, and they are commonly served on their own with a little butter, salt, and pepper.^{[4]
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- Hard boiled eggs can also be added to salads or sandwiches or serve as the base for an egg salad.

3

Soft Boiled

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Ask for soft boiled if you prefer runny yolks. These eggs are boiled for a shorter amount of time so that the egg whites are set, but the yolks are still runny.
- Since these eggs are harder to peel, they are often served in a small egg cup with the shell still on. To eat, lightly tap on the top of the egg with a knife or the side of a spoon, making a crack in the shell.^{[5]
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- You can then take the top of the egg off, creating a thumb-sized opening in the egg for you to dip your toast or a fork into to eat the egg from the inside.^{[6]
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4

Medium Boiled

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These eggs are boiled for about 7 minutes so that the egg white is completely set and the yolk is mostly set. The result is a jammy center to the egg that makes it possible to peel the shell of the egg while still having a little run to the yolk.^{[7]
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5

Sunny-Side-Up

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Go with fried eggs, sunny-side-up, for runny yolks. This easy method of frying eggs doesn’t require any flipping or scrambling. Eggs are simply cracked gently into a hot, buttered pan and cooked until the yolk is set and the bottom of the whites are slightly browned.^{[8]
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- While sunny-side-up eggs are great on their own or with a piece of toast or an English muffin, they also make great additions to a variety of dishes.
- Skillet meals like shakshuka feature perfectly cooked sunny-side-up eggs.^{[9]
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6

Over Easy

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For less of a mess, try fried eggs, over easy. Like sunny-side-up eggs, fried eggs cooked over easy have runny yolks while the whites are cooked through. These eggs are gently flipped once so that both sides are briefly cooked while leaving the yolk intact.^{[10]
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- Season your over easy eggs with salt and pepper or add a dash of hot sauce. These eggs are great on their own or on an open-faced sandwich.

7

Over Hard

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Order fried eggs, over hard, if you don’t like a runny yolk. Like over easy eggs, over hard eggs are flipped so that both sides cook but are cooked for longer, allowing the white and yolk to set evenly. If you’re not a fan of a runny yolk, try getting your fried eggs over hard.^{[11]
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- Since these eggs are less messy, they go well in breakfast sandwiches of all kinds.

8

Over Medium

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Over medium fried eggs are a great in between option. These eggs are exactly what they sound like: fried eggs that are cooked for longer than over easy eggs but for shorter than over hard ones. The result is a yolk that’s not fully set but more jammy.^{[12]
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- These eggs are great on their own or they can add a little more moisture to a breakfast sandwich without getting too messy.

9

Shirred or Baked

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Shirred eggs are a decadent brunch option. Baked in ramekins with butter and heavy cream, these eggs are cooked until the whites are set and the yolks are thick.^{[13]
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- Shirred eggs can be seasoned with salt and pepper, and you can add toppings like cheese or breadcrumbs to add some extra texture and flavor.
- Some variations of shirred or baked eggs are enjoyed over roasted vegetables or sauteed mushrooms and spinach.^{[14]
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10

Omelet

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Add veggies, meat, and cheese to an omelet. Omelets are made by beating 2-3 eggs and cooking them in a pan until the bottom is browned and the top has thickened. From there, you can add any combination of ingredients to create a flavorful meal. The omelet is then folded over the fillings, creating a half moon shape.^{[15]
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- Common filling combinations include ham and cheese, tomato and spinach with feta, and goat cheese and herbs.^{[16]
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11

Poached

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Poached eggs are cooked in water, not fat, for a healthy dish. Poached eggs are made by bringing a poaching liquid, typically water or a flavored broth, to a strong simmer, swirling the liquid, and cracking the egg in. The result is a runny yolk, encased in soft egg whites.^{[17]
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- While some enjoy poached eggs on their own or with a piece of toast, they also pair well with smoked salmon, ham, beans, sauteed spinach, and mushrooms.
- Poached eggs are also great additions to open faced sandwiches, salads, and noodle and rice dishes.

12

Eggs Benedict

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Order a benedict for a filling, flavorful brunch. A traditional benedict consists of an English muffin topped with ham, a poached egg, and hollandaise sauce. It’s a very decadent dish, so it’s not meant to be eaten everyday.
- There are many variations of the classic eggs benedict. Eggs Benedict can be served with smoked salmon, crab meat, or braised pork in lieu of ham.^{[18]
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13

Frittata

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Frittatas can be eaten any time of day. They start in a skillet with sauteed fillings, such as veggies and cured meats, which are then smothered by an egg batter. The frittata is cooked on the stove until the edges start to pull away from the pan and then placed in the oven.^{[19]
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- Order a corned beef hash frittata for breakfast, a Cobb frittata for lunch, or an Italian frittata for dinner. ^{[20]
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14

Quiche

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Made with a pastry crust and an egg custard filling, quiches come in many variations such as quiche lorraine, mushroom quiche, or spinach quiche, which contain meats, vegetables, and cheese.^{[21]
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