Basted eggs are an easy favorite way to cook eggs!
Make 4-6 eggs all at once and save time and effort on those busy mornings! A little butter and a little water steam the eggs, creating solid whites and soft creamy yolks. Get the true flavor of fresh eggs with minimal fat and learn how to baste eggs; you’ll wonder why you never tried this recipe before!
What is a Basted Egg?
A basted egg is similar to a fried egg, but a small splash of water is added to help steam the tops.
- We love this recipe because it cooks eggs to a medium set (AKA “sunny side up”).
- This recipe uses 3 simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
- They’re so quick to make! These eggs are ready to enjoy in less than 10 minutes.
Poached vs Basted Eggs
What’s the difference between poaching and basting?
Poached eggs are submerged in boiling water (sometimes with vinegar added) in an uncovered pan. A poached egg will have a firm white and a runny yolk.
A basted egg is cooked in a small amount of oil or butter and then a small amount of water is added to the pan. The eggs are steamed as the water evaporates under the closed lid. It’s a nearly fool-proof way to cook eggs without any extra steps!
Variations
- Other seasonings can be sprinkled on the eggs before the water is added to the pan.
- Finish with Everything Bagel Seasoning, Adobo Seasoning, or Homemade Seasoned Salt.
- Even a few drops of hot sauce can be added to the eggs for an extra spicy flavor!
How to Make Basted Eggs
It’s super easy to make homemade, restaurant-style basted eggs!
- Melt butter, gently break eggs into the pan.
- Cook uncovered a few minutes per recipe below.
- Add water, cover, & continue to cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still soft.
What to Serve With Basted Eggs
Any style of eggs is perfect with buttered toast, but we like to top basted eggs on Potato Pancakes, Sweet Potato Hash, or with a side of Homemade Breakfast Sausage.
Basted eggs can be subbed for poached in Eggs Benedict.
Easy Ways to Make Eggs
- How to Make Fried Eggs – ready in 10 minutes
- Oven Poached Eggs – a great way to cook eggs for a crowd
- Microwave Scrambled Eggs – ready in 5 minutes
- Air Fryer Eggs – boiled eggs in the air fryer
- Easy Baked Eggs – a low carb breakfast
- Hard Boiled Eggs – perfect every time
- Fluffy Scrambled Eggs – everyone’s favorite!
How do you serve your Basted Eggs? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Basted Eggs
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 eggs
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Heat a 10" non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt butter.
- Once butter is melted, crack eggs one at a time and add to the skillet.
- Allow to cook without moving until the whites are set, about 2 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoons water to the skillet (it's ok if the water is on the set egg whites) and place a lid on the skillet.
- Continue to cook until eggs are set but the yolk is still soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove from the pan immediately so the eggs don't overcook.
- Season with salt & pepper to taste.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!
Made the recipe and they were delicious and easy to make. Thank you.
I am so glad you enjoyed these eggs Rachel!
I’ve been trying unsucessfully to make fried eggs and this sounds like a very good way to try cooking them. Thank you!
I can’t wait for you to try this method Carol!
I never liked fried eggs , always poached them. I love this method , it is easier the poached but still gives the same taste. Really tasty if you happen to have farm fresh eggs p.s love all your recipes
I am so glad you enjoyed this egg recipe Julie!
I love basted eggs over corned beef hash..Sometimes,I will add a little catsup on top of the hash before putting the eggs on top.
Sounds delicious, thanks for sharing, Bob!
Basted eggs is the only way to get a perfect cooked egg. I can’t stand a runny yolk so I cook the eggs til they done to a light yellow. This is far better than restaurant eggs.
So happy to hear that, Judy!
My mom used to make eggs this way! With a family of six it was the easiest way for her to prepare sunny side up eggs. My husband and sons never liked runny yolks so I have not made them for a long, long time. I’ll have to make one for myself for old times sake! Thank you for the reminder!
That is such a wonderful memory. I hope these live up to your memory. Enjoy, Pam!
So do you cook them on low heat? Medium heat? TIA
Hi Sherry, we cook them over medium heat. Hope that helps!