Egg in a Hole
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Love toast and eggs for breakfast? Then you are going to love this fun idea. Egg in a Hole is a piece of toast that is pan fried with a soft cooked egg in the center. This popular breakfast recipe has many names like Toad in the Hole. It’s a quick and easy breakfast recipe that the entire family loves!

This is a fun breakfast if you love toast and eggs! Egg in a Hole is toasted bread and an egg cooked together in a skillet. It’s a quick and easy breakfast recipe that you only need a few ingredients to make.
It is also known as Toad in the Hole or Egg in the Basket – if you love soft-cooked eggs, you’ll love it! My favorite part is breaking into the yolk and letting it spill out onto the plate so you can dip the pan-fried toast in it – so good! Add a cup of coffee or an orange smoothie and you’ll be starting the day right.
Other Names for Egg in a Hole
What I call Egg in a Hole seems to have varying names across the world. Here are some other names for this tasty breakfast recipe.
- Egg-in-a-Frame
- Frog-in-the-Pond
- Toad-in-the-Hole
- Eggs-in-a-Basket
- Egg-in-a-Nest
- Egg-with-Hat
- Egg-in-a-Trash-Can
No matter if you are calling it a Toad in a Hole or something else it’s super easy to make and I’m sharing my best tips so you can perfectly cook it every time!
why you’ll love this recipe
- The Egg in a Hole is packed with flavor and enough energy to get you through your busy morning.
- This recipe uses staple ingredients so you don’t have to make an extra trip to the grocery store.
- Depending on how everyone likes their yolks – soft, medium or hard – you can adjust the cook time so everyone is happy!
Reader Love
My kids really loved it!! Can’t wait to make it again!
Ingredients for Egg in a Hole
- Butter – Frying the bread in butter is going to give you the most delicious piece of toast.
- Bread – We love a thick bread like Texas Toast so the whole egg stays in place.
- Egg – We tend to use large eggs, but whatever size you buy is great.
- Salt and pepper – Eggs taste so much better when they are well seasoned.
what is the best type of bread to use?
Although you can use pretty much any kind of bread, I think Texas toast is the best bread to use. It’s cut into thick slices so when you crack the egg in the hole in the center all of the yolk and white stays in. With thinner-sliced bread, the white can run out making it difficult to keep the egg in the hole.
You can also buy an unsliced loaf of bread – that way you can cut thick slices yourself. If you go that route you might want to try cutting thick slices of these:
- Sourdough bread
- Italian bread
- French baguette
- Brioche bread
Can I make this dairy free?
If you or someone you are cooking for cannot have butter, I recommend using another fat such as ghee, canola or vegetable oil or coconut oil. These options will still give you a nicely browned toast and perfectly runny egg.
Helpful Tools
- Biscuit cutter or round cookie cutter
- Frying pan
- Turner
how to make toad in the hole
- Using a biscuit cutter, cut a hole in the center of the slice of bread and save the piece that you cut out.
- Melt butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Once the butter is melted, place the bread in the pan. Add the cut out piece of bread to the pan as well. Crack the egg into the hole.
- Season the top of the bread and egg with salt and black pepper, to taste. Cook for about one minute, until the white sets on the bottom.
- Carefully turn the bread over in the pan and cook it on the other side until the egg white is fully set and cooked through and the yolk is cooked to your liking. I prefer a runny yolk, so once the white is completely set I remove the toast from the pan while the yolk is still runny. Remove from the frying pan and enjoy.
pro tips
- The key to the best-cooked egg is to monitor your heat. I find that medium heat works perfectly, but keep an eye on it and adjust as necessary. The goal is to have toasted golden brown bread with an egg that isn’t browned or burned.
- If you don’t like runny yolks, you can cook the egg until it is completely cooked through. I highly encourage you to try the runny yolk version though because it is so delicious.
- Use the center piece of toast to dip into the yolk.
How to store leftovers
FRIDGE: If you have made one or two too many Egg in a Hole, you can store them once they are cooled, in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
FREEZER: I do not recommend freezing this dish. It is best enjoyed fresh.
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how to reheat leftovers
Reheat the Toad in a Hole by frying it on the stove top to crisp up the toast. Microwaving it will most likely make it soggy and not very good to eat.
If you want a quick and easy breakfast this is definitely one to try! It’s a fun way to switch up toast and eggs – I know you’ll love it!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Egg in a Hole Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 slice Texas Toast
- 1 egg
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- With a biscuit cutter or rim of a glass press a hole in the middle of the slice of bread.
- In a skillet over medium heat melt the butter. When the skillet is evenly coated with butter, place the slice of bread in the skillet. Crack egg into the center of the hole in the piece of bread. You can also place the piece from the middle of the bread in the pan to toast too.
- Cook the egg until it sets a bit on the bottom of the pan; about 30-45 seconds. Season egg with salt and pepper. Flip bread over after about a minute and season the other side.
- Let egg cook until desired doneness. Your goal is golden brown toast, white, not browned/burned egg whites and a soft unbroken yolk.
- Serve immediately. Use the center of the bread to dip into the yolk.
Nutrition Information
What to serve with egg in a hole
My kids think that every good breakfast meal has to have bacon and I have to agree! Breakfast sausage is also another delicious option to have with the Toad in a Hole.
Topping the Egg in a Hole with seasoned smashed avocado will really take this yummy breakfast to another level.
Of course, you don’t want to forget about a fresh fruit salad and we’ve got a couple of great options here for you: Easy Fruit Salad and Sunshine Salad.
more great breakfast recipes
- Ham and cheese muffins are quick to make and the perfect grab-and-go breakfast!
- If you don’t have time to make something in the morning you have to try my cherry overnight oats. You can prep it the night before to make your morning easier!
- This healthy peanut butter protein smoothie with bananas and honey tastes like a milkshake but it’s so good for you!
Deb says
My daddy used to make these for us when we were little. he called them bulls-eyes! And he sometimes put 1-2 very lightly Fried pieces of bacon across one of the sides, and somehow they stuck into the egg and toast! Such sweet and delicious memories I’ll need to try it myself again.
Brooke Kill says
Awe! Thanks for sharing Deb!
Warren Stevenson says
Another name is a Dragons Eye.
Courtney says
Interesting! Thanks!
Marge Brown says
I made these years ago and forgot about them. This morning I decided to try it again and thanks to you, I have found the perfect recipe. They turned out great 👍! I do add a sprinkling of finely shredded cheddar cheese at the end!
Julie says
Perfect! I’m so glad you enjoy this one!
Rand says
I love it! Also makes for a quick dinner when I work late and want something savory and quick. Thank you
Julie says
Awesome! I’m so glad you love it!
Katie says
Such a delicious and easy breakfast! We love it!
Julie says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Rachael Yerkes says
love this so much! It is one of our go-to breakfasts and so easy to throw together
Julie says
Yes! So easy, glad you enjoyed it!
Toni says
My kids really loved it!! Can’t wait to make it again!
Julie says
Awesome! So glad it was a hit!
Kathy says
This is such a yummy recipe- a classic! Thank you for sharing it again with everyone!
Julie says
You’re welcome! Definitely one of our favorite breakfast options!
Joan says
We have always called it a Birds 🐦 Nest Egg!
Julie says
That’s a great name for it!