An anti-fog coating composition is described comprising an aqueous polymeric dispersion; a crosslinker, and a surfactant. The dried and cured coating composition does not exhibit fogging within 8 seconds after being soaked in 25° C. water for 1 hour. In favored embodiments, the dried and cured coating composition does not exhibit fogging within 60 seconds after being soaked in 50° C. water for 24 hours. Also described are articles comprising the dried and cured coating composition disposed on a substrate as well as a method a providing an anti-fog coating on a substrate.