Egg-cellent, Easy Egg in a Hole Recipe

What do you call toast with a hole in the middle and egg cooked into it? It’s the Delicious ‘Egg in a hole’ of course. However, This easy to make, popular breakfast is also known in various forms as “toad in a hole” or “egg in a basket.” People love this breakfast.

This dish consists of an egg fried within a hole cut out of a slice of bread, although for larger appetites it can be reimagined into a double decker eggs in a hole breakfast. More on that later.

This is an easy, healthy meal to whip up and engages the whimsy of children and adults alike. Enjoy eating a healthy breakfast with a bit of fun in it.

This simple breakfast dish can be cooked by older kids, like tweens, and teens. It makes a great breakfast idea for someone in the family recovering from an illness, or a for a breakfast gift on a special day.

Where did egg in a hole originated? Eggs-in-a-hole origins are not entirely clear. I suspect some creative home cook came up with the idea of putting eggs in toast as a way to encourage kids to eat a healthy breakfast. Eggs are full of protein, and the bread adds staying power.

This egg and toast dish was popularized in the United States in the early 20th century. Some sources speculate it may have originated in the United Kingdom as a variation of the dish “toad in the hole,” which is made with sausages baked in a batter.

Wherever it started, This breakfast dish is also popular in other countries like New Zealand and Australia as well.

How to Cook An Egg In A Hole:

Start with the bread. The bread is typically buttered and placed in a pan on medium heat, with the hole cut out. The egg is then cracked into the hole. The bread is cooked until the egg is set and the bread is toasted. It can be served with various toppings. Or it is delicious just plain.

What Bread Is Good For Eggs In a Hole?

Any type of bread can be used for the “Egg in a Hole” recipe. But some types of bread may work better than others. Here are a few options to consider:

1. White or Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread: This type of bread is widely available, and it’s the most common bread used for the recipe, it holds the egg well and it’s easy to cut a hole in the middle.
2. Sourdough Bread: Sourdough bread, like our soft sourdough sandwich bread, is a good option because it has a slightly chewy texture and a tangy flavor that pairs well with the egg. Any sourdough can work for this recipe.
3. Brioche: Brioche is a type of bread that’s rich and buttery, it’s also a good option because it’s soft and fluffy, which makes it easy to cut a hole in the middle.
4. English Muffin or Sourdough English Muffins: English muffins are another good option because they have a nice texture and a subtle flavor that pairs well with the egg.
5. Bagel: Bagels are a good option because they have a chewy texture and a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the egg.
6. Texas toast: This thick toast can probably take two eggs!

Ultimately, the type of bread you use is a matter of personal preference. Experiment with different breads to find the one you like best.

Cutting Out The Hole:

To cut out a hole for the Eggs in a Hole recipe, you can use a round cookie cutter, a small circular lid, or a knife.

1. Using a cookie cutter: Place the cookie cutter on the slice of bread and press down firmly to cut a hole in the center.
2. Using a small circular lid: Place the lid on the slice of bread and press down firmly to cut a hole in the center.
3. Using a knife or even scissors: Place the slice of bread on a cutting board and use a sharp knife or scissors to carefully cut a round hole in the center of the bread.

Once the hole is cut, you can place the slice of bread in a pan with butter or oil, crack an egg into the hole, and cook until the egg is set to your desired level of doneness.

You can also use a round cookie cutter(or any large shape, like our heart) to cut out a hole from a piece of bread. Then butter one side of the bread and put it into the pan, butter side down. crack the egg into the hole, cover the pan and cook for a minute or two on medium heat.

Eggs in a Hole Variations:

Eggs in a Hole is a simple dish that can be customized in many ways to suit different tastes and preferences.

1. Scrambled Eggs in a hole: This breakfast is normally made by cooking the raw in the cut out in the center of your bread. For those who would rather, you can make Scrambled eggs in a hole by pouring the raw egg and scrambling it with a fork as it cooks.
2. Egg in a hole with Cheese and/or Herbs: Sprinkle grated cheese and chopped herbs, such as chives or parsley, on top of the egg before cooking.
3. Meat and Vegetable: Place a slice of cooked bacon, ham, or sausage in the hole before cracking the egg, or sauté some vegetables like mushrooms, spinach or bell peppers, before adding the egg.
4. Breakfast Sandwich: Once the egg is cooked, place a slice of cheese on top of the egg and add a slice of cooked bacon or sausage, then sandwich the two slices of bread together.
5. Spicy: Sprinkle some chili flakes or hot sauce on top of the egg before cooking, or add diced jalapenos or diced green chilies to the pan with the bread and egg.
6. Open-faced: Instead of using two slices of bread, use only one slice and crack the egg on top of it.
7. Avocado Toast: Cut a hole in the center of an avocado toast and crack the egg in the hole.
8. Sweet: Instead of savory toppings, you can add a drizzle of maple syrup or honey on top of the egg before cooking, or top it with fresh berries or chopped fruit.

These are just a few examples, and you can get creative and come up with your own variations of the dish. How about double decker deluxe eggs in a hole for the larger appetites in the family?

Adding in Sausage or Bacon:

It won’t really work to cook bacon or sausage in the hole of the bread. You will need to precook them if you want to use them. There are several ways to cook sausage or bacon for the “Egg in a Hole” recipe:

1. Pan-fry: Heat a skillet(we use an electric skillet like this one for even heat) over medium heat and add the bacon or sausage. Cook, turning occasionally, until the meat is browned and crispy. Drain the fat on a paper towel before adding it to the recipe.
2. Oven-bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the bacon or sausage on the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy.
3. Microwave: Place the bacon or sausage on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels. Cover the plate with another paper towel and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until crispy.
4. Grill: Heat a grill to medium-high heat and grill the bacon or sausage for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through and crispy.

Once the bacon or sausage is cooked and drained, you can add it to the Egg in a Hole recipe. It’s easy enough to set your cooked meat on the side of the plate. If you want the meat in the hole with the egg, chop your cooked bacon or sausage and place it in the hole in the bread before cracking the egg into the hole.

More Delicious Egg Dishes:

Visit Our Breakfast Section For more great ideas for simple and delicious Breakfast Recipes

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• Overnight Apple Blueberry Bread Pudding
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• Nutritious Breakfast Smoothie
• Sourdough Pancakes Breakfast