Egg In A Hole Recipe

The Cheerful Morning Egg in a Hole Recipe Everyone Loves

Crispy, buttery bread meets a perfectly cooked egg in a hole that promises a delightful breakfast adventure.

This simple yet magical dish brings together two humble ingredients in an unexpectedly delicious way.

Cutting a perfectly centered hole in soft bread creates the perfect nest for a golden yolk.

Melted butter sizzles in the pan, promising a golden-brown crunch that will make your morning sing.

The skillet becomes your canvas, where bread transforms into a crisp, savory masterpiece.

Comfort and creativity dance together in this classic breakfast treat that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Let’s make something that turns an ordinary morning into an extraordinary culinary moment.

Why Egg In A Hole Is Simple, Savory, And So Fun

  • Quick Breakfast Hero: Whip up this delightful egg-in-a-hole recipe in just minutes, making it a perfect go-to morning meal for busy individuals craving something tasty and satisfying.
  • Playful Cooking Experience: Transform a simple piece of bread into a fun, interactive dish that lets you get creative with cooking techniques and presentation, turning breakfast into an enjoyable culinary adventure.
  • Versatile Comfort Food: Customize this recipe with your favorite toppings like cheese, herbs, or hot sauce, making it adaptable to different taste preferences and mood-of-the-moment cravings.
  • Minimal Ingredient Magic: Requires only basic pantry staples like bread, eggs, butter, salt, and pepper, ensuring you can create a delicious meal without a complicated shopping list or extensive preparation.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Egg In A Hole

Base Ingredients:
  • Bread Slice: Soft, sturdy canvas for this classic breakfast dish. White or whole wheat work great.
  • Egg: Protein-rich center of the recipe. Fresh eggs create the best texture and flavor.
  • Butter: Creates golden, crispy toast and prevents sticking. Unsalted butter recommended for better flavor control.
Seasoning and Optional Toppings:
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers for the egg and toast. Freshly ground black pepper adds extra zest.
  • Cheese, Herbs, Hot Sauce: Optional toppings for personalized flavor. Cheddar, chives, or sriracha can elevate the dish.
Cooking Tools:
  • Round Cookie Cutter or Glass: Perfect for creating a clean, uniform hole in the bread. Any circular object around 2-3 inches works well.
  • Skillet: Provides even heat distribution for golden toasting and egg cooking. Non-stick or cast iron preferred.

Steps To Cook Egg In A Hole The Classic Way

Step 1: Create Bread Canvas

Grab a slice of bread and transform it into a culinary playground. Locate a circular tool like a cookie cutter, drinking glass, or jar lid. Gently press down and carve out a perfect round hole in the bread’s center. Save that cute bread circle – it’ll become a crispy companion later!

Step 2: Sizzle and Sear

Warm up a skillet and drop a pat of butter, letting it melt and spread across the surface. Place your bread slice and its adorable bread circle into the buttery paradise. Watch the bread turn golden and crisp on one side, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 3: Egg Nestling

Flip the bread and its tiny circle. Carefully crack an egg right into the bread’s center hole. Season with:
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Optional pinch of red pepper flakes

Step 4: Egg Perfection

Let the egg cook gently. Watch the white transform from clear to opaque. If you prefer a softer yolk, keep the heat moderate. For a more set yolk, cover the skillet with a lid for a quick minute.

Step 5: Plate and Celebrate

Slide your creation onto a plate. Nestle the toasted bread circle alongside. Feel free to jazz it up with:
  • Crumbled bacon
  • Fresh chives
  • Shredded cheddar
  • Hot sauce drizzle

Enjoy your breakfast masterpiece!

Tips To Get Egg In A Hole Just Right

  • Toast Bread Perfectly: Use day-old bread for a crispier texture that holds up better in the skillet without getting soggy.
  • Choose the Right Pan: Select a non-stick skillet or well-seasoned cast-iron pan to prevent the egg and bread from sticking and ensure easy flipping.
  • Customize Egg Doneness: Control cooking time carefully to achieve your preferred egg consistency, from runny to fully set, by adjusting heat and covering the pan.
  • Boost Flavor Instantly: Experiment with different seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic powder, or fresh herbs to elevate the classic dish with minimal effort.
  • Make It Diet-Friendly: Swap regular bread with gluten-free or whole wheat options, and use olive oil instead of butter for a healthier alternative that doesn't compromise taste.

How To Store Egg In A Hole Without Overcooking

  • Refrigerate leftover Egg in a Hole in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
  • Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to restore crispiness and avoid overcooking the egg.
  • Freezing is not recommended as the bread texture will become soggy and the egg will lose its delicate consistency when thawed.
  • Always consume refrigerated leftovers within 48 hours for the best taste and food safety.

Tasty Sides To Serve With Egg In A Hole

  • Spice Up Breakfast Harmony: Pair this classic egg dish with crispy bacon strips for a delightful salty-savory combination that dances on your taste buds.
  • Brew the Perfect Companion: Serve alongside a rich, medium-roast coffee that complements the buttery toast and creamy egg yolk, creating a morning match made in culinary heaven.
  • Fresh and Zesty Side Kick: Add a small mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the egg and provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty bread.
  • Sauce It Up: Drizzle some homemade salsa or sriracha for an extra kick that elevates the simple egg in a hole to a flavor-packed breakfast experience.

Creative Takes On Egg In A Hole Breakfast

  • Cheesy Herb Egg Hole: Sprinkle sharp cheddar and fresh chives inside the bread before adding the egg for a flavorful upgrade.
  • Bacon-Wrapped Edition: Wrap the bread slice with crispy bacon before cutting the hole, creating a savory protein-packed breakfast.
  • Mediterranean Style: Top the cooked egg with crumbled feta, chopped olives, and a drizzle of olive oil for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
  • Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced jalapeños, sprinkle pepper jack cheese, and serve with salsa for a zesty morning meal.

Egg In A Hole FAQs Made Simple

  • What is the purpose of cutting a hole in the bread?

The hole allows space for the egg to cook directly inside the bread, creating a fun and delicious breakfast dish that combines toast and egg in one simple cooking method.

  • Can I use different types of bread for this recipe?

Absolutely! While white bread works best, you can experiment with sourdough, whole wheat, or brioche. Just ensure the bread is thick enough to hold the egg without falling apart.

  • How do I prevent the egg from sticking to the pan?

Use a non-stick skillet or cast iron pan, and make sure to melt enough butter to create a smooth cooking surface. This helps the bread toast evenly and prevents the egg from sticking.

  • What are some quick ways to make this recipe more interesting?

Try adding shredded cheese, crispy bacon bits, fresh herbs like chives or parsley, or a dash of hot sauce to give your egg in a hole more flavor and excitement.

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Egg In A Hole Recipe

Egg In A Hole Recipe


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x

Description

Crispy toast meets perfectly cooked “egg in a hole” in this delightful breakfast classic that combines simplicity and flavor. Buttery bread, golden-edged eggs, and a sprinkle of herbs create a comforting morning meal you’ll savor with every delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Bread and Main Ingredients:

  • 1 slice bread (white, wheat, or sourdough)
  • 1 large egg

Cooking Fats and Seasonings:

  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Toppings and Garnishes:

  • Shredded cheese
  • Chopped herbs (parsley, chives)
  • Hot sauce or ketchup
  • Avocado slices
  • Bacon bits

Instructions

  1. Prepare a slice of bread by carefully extracting a circular opening using a round cookie cutter or glass rim, creating a neat central cavity. Reserve the bread disc for later toasting.
  2. Warm a skillet over moderate heat and gently melt butter, ensuring even coating across the cooking surface.
  3. Place the bread slice and extracted bread disc into the skillet, allowing the bread to transform into a golden-brown canvas with a crisp exterior.
  4. After initial toasting, delicately flip the bread and bread disc to reveal the uncooked side.
  5. Gently crack an egg directly into the bread’s central opening, allowing it to nestle perfectly within the carved space.
  6. Enhance the egg’s flavor profile by sprinkling salt and freshly ground black pepper across its surface.
  7. Allow the egg to cook undisturbed, watching as the translucent white gradually solidifies while maintaining a luscious, molten yolk center.
  8. For those preferring a more thoroughly cooked egg, cover the skillet momentarily, creating a steamy environment that accelerates the cooking process.
  9. Once the egg reaches desired doneness, transfer the creation to a waiting plate, positioning the toasted bread disc alongside as a complementary dipping companion.
  10. Personalize the dish with optional garnishes like crumbled cheese, chopped fresh herbs, or a vibrant drizzle of hot sauce for an extra flavor dimension.

Notes

  • Always use fresh bread for the best texture and crispy edges when toasting.
  • Choose thick-cut bread like sourdough or brioche to create a sturdier base for the egg.
  • Butter the entire surface of the bread for a golden, rich flavor that enhances the entire dish.
  • Experiment with different seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic powder, or everything bagel seasoning to add extra depth to the classic recipe.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap bread with a thick slice of sweet potato or use gluten-free bread.
  • Keep the heat at medium to prevent burning and ensure even toasting and cooking.
  • Try using different cheeses like sharp cheddar, crumbled feta, or goat cheese for varied flavor profiles.
  • Make it a complete meal by adding crispy bacon bits, sliced avocado, or a side of fresh salsa for extra nutrition and taste.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 210 mg
Emily Morgan

Emily Morgan

Food Critic & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Global Food Exploration & Critique, Simple Kitchen Hacks & Time-Saving Tips, Presentation & Plating Techniques, Culinary Research & Storytelling.

Education

New York University

  • Program: Bachelor’s in Journalism
  • Focus: Combined foundational journalism training with deep dives into global food traditions, restaurant criticism, and the cultural role of cuisine.

Emily Morgan has journeyed across the globe, collecting culinary secrets that turn everyday ingredients into impressive meals.

Based in Seattle and armed with a Journalism degree from NYU, she blends thorough research with a flair for presentation, ensuring every dish looks just as good as it tastes.

Focusing on fresh flavors, simple methods, and a bit of fun, Emily shows home cooks how to elevate their daily cooking without fancy gadgets or complex steps.

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