Egg in a Hole

It doesn’t matter what you call it—toad in the hole, egg in a basket, bull’s-eye eggs, eggs in a nest, hole in one—this long-standing breakfast dish requires very little skill and only a few ingredients. Our egg in a hole recipe is quite different from the classic British food staple called toad in the hole, which includes sausage. Adding meat is an option here, but we start with bread, butter and an egg.

Here’s how to make an egg in a hole: Cut a hole in a slice of bread, crack an egg inside the hole (without breaking the yolk) and fry it in a skillet with some butter. You’ll end up with a slice of buttery toast with a just-set egg in the center, aka sheer breakfast perfection. The joy of pressing a fork into the runny yolk and having the toast immediately soak it up is a simple pleasure not to be missed.

Egg in a Hole Ingredients

• Bread: Use any type of bread that speaks to you. Go with white for a softer and fluffier toast interior, a hearty sourdough for a chewier bite, or a seedy whole grain bread for more fiber and crunch. Just keep your choice around sandwich-slice width so it toasts properly in the time it takes to cook the egg.
• Butter: Coat the skillet with butter before adding your egg and bread. You could also use olive oil or your cooking oil of choice.
• Egg: This recipe calls for a large egg. If you use a different size, adjust the cooking time as needed. Eggs from the store, whether cage-free or free-range eggs, are fine here.
• Salt and pepper: Use each to taste in this eggs in a hole recipe, or you can skip them altogether and swap in different spices if you prefer.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the bread

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Cut a 3-inch hole in the middle of the bread. Discard the cutout if you wish.

Melt the butter in a small skillet. Place the bread in the skillet.

Editor’s Tip: You don’t need that middle bread piece for this recipe, but it’s still totally edible and delicious. You can toast it in the skillet along with the eggs in a hole or leave it untoasted. Either way, it’s great for dipping into your egg yolk later.

Step 2: Cook the egg in a hole

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Carefully place the egg in the hole. Cook over medium heat until the bread lightly browns, about two minutes.

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Turn and cook the other side until the egg yolk almost sets.

Season with salt and pepper.

Editor’s Tip: People have different preferences on how runny they want their yolks. Cook yours to the doneness you prefer.

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Egg in a Hole Variations

• Swap in a waffle: For a fun variation that kids (and adults) will love, use a frozen waffle instead of the bread, adjusting the cooking time as needed.
• Spice it up: Sprinkle your cooked eggs in a hole with za’atar, gochugaru, sumac or your spice of choice. Or, finish your egg in a hole with a few splashes of hot sauce for a vibrant color and kick.
• Make it maple-sweetened: For a sweet-savory breakfast, add 1 to 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup to the skillet during the last minute or so of cooking. The bread will soak up that sweet syrup, and wonderful caramelized toast edges will form. Drizzle with more maple syrup to serve.

How to Store Eggs in a Hole

Since your egg in a hole features a soft-cooked egg, we don’t recommend storing it for later enjoyment. While you technically can cover it and keep it in the fridge, you’ll lose all the crispness in the toast and creaminess in the egg. It’s best to enjoy it right away.

How long does an egg in a hole last?

Again, we recommend you eat your egg in a hole fresh from the stovetop when it’s perfectly toasty and warm. Recooked eggs tend to become rubbery when reheated. Technically, you can store this in a fridge for up to two days if needed—just carefully reheat it to 165°F before eating to kill off any harmful bacteria.

Egg in a Hole Tips

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How else can you make an egg in a hole?

To switch things up, learn how to make an egg in a hole in an air fryer or oven. Each cooking method cooks your food differently, so try them all and see which you like best.

To air-fry your eggs in a hole, prepare an egg in the bread atop a sheet of parchment. Cook it in a preheated 350° air fryer until done to your liking, seven to nine minutes.

To oven-bake your egg in a hole, prepare the egg in bread on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 400° oven until done to your liking, 8 to 10 minutes.

What can you serve with eggs in a hole?

Egg in a hole is standard breakfast fare, so serve it with all the usual accompaniments: fresh fruit, tender-crisp bacon, a vegetable casserole and some piping hot coffee. Our top-rated breakfast recipes will get your creative juices flowing.

In what other foods can you cook an egg?

If you’re fond of egg in a hole, you’ll likely enjoy other similar dishes. Try baking a cracked egg in an avocado half (minus the pit) or in a halved tomato (minus the tomato core). Bake either in a 400° to 425° oven until the egg cooks to your liking. For the tomato option, precook the tomato in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes before you add the egg to get a concentrated sweet-roasted tomato flavor.