Egg in a Hole

Egg in a Hole

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The ultimate all-in-one breakfast, here is how you can make the best “egg in a hole!” This easy dish is all about that crispy, buttery toast hugging those perfectly fried eggs. It’s the most simple and delicious way to start off your morning!

Let’s talk eggs. They’re a breakfast staple, but can be tricky to get just right. You’ll have to check out my recipes for the perfect poached eggs and best-ever scrambled eggs to level up your breakfast game!

2 slices of egg in a hole served with bacon and strawberries.

Egg-in-a-Hole

Egg in a hole (also known as egg-in-a-basket) is like the breakfast equivalent of your favorite comfy hoodie – super simple, but trusty and so wonderful. It’s just bread, butter, and eggs, but when that egg fits snugly in the bread and gets all runny and delicious, it’s magic! If you’ve never tried it before, here’s your sign to.

What’s great about egg in a hole is that you can jazz it up however you like. Add some spices, herbs, or things like hot sauce for extra oomph. Even though it’s as basic as breakfast gets, egg in a hole always hits the spot, making it an awesome way to start your day!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Egg-in-a-hole is the perfect breakfast to make in between grocery trips. It only takes a few simple ingredients to whip up!

  • Sandwich Bread: White, wheat, rye, French, sourdough- use your favorite kind here!
  • Butter: To coat the bread and get it all nice and toasty. Both unsalted and salted butter will work, so use whatever you have on hand.
  • Large Eggs: The MVP here, eggs add a tasty richness and give this dish a boost of protein.
  • Salt and Pepper: Add to taste! You can always add extra herbs and seasonings to give your egg in a hole more flavor. (Check out my tips section below for ideas!)

How to Make Egg in a Hole

Cooking up an awesome egg in a hole might seem like a piece of cake, but trust me, there’s a little bit of finesse needed to get it just right. So heat up your pan and follow these instructions to make the perfect staple breakfast!

  1. Butter the Bread: Butter the slices of bread with 2 tablespoons of butter.
  2. Cut a Hole in the Center: Lay the pieces of bread on a cutting board and cut a hole out of the center of each piece. You can use a cookie cutter, biscuit cutter, or a cup.
  3. Heat Up Your Skillet: Heat a large skillet up over medium high heat. Then lay the slices of bread on the hot skillet.
  4. Fry the Eggs: Drop the remaining tablespoons of butter into the hole of each slice of bread. Crack one egg into the bread holes and fry the eggs until they are firm enough to flip.
  5. Flip Gently: Use a spatula to flip the bread and eggs, taking care to keep them together and not break the yolk. Continue to fry the eggs and bread until they have reached the desired doneness.
  6. Season and Serve: Remove the egg in a holes from the pan and serve, salt and pepper to taste.

Making Your Egg Sunny Side Up

If you like your eggs sunny side up, toast each slice of bread on one side, flip them and then add the egg into the hole. Fry the egg sunny side up and remove the egg in a hole from the pan. This way both sides of the bread are toasted but your eggs will be sunny side up!

3-photo collage of the centers of the bread being cut out and filled with eggs.

Customize Your Egg-in-a-Hole

I know this recipe may seem simple, but your egg in a hole is the perfect canvas for all of your favorite flavors and toppings. Here are a few ideas to start you out with!

  • Make it Cheesy: Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of your egg in a hole just before flipping it. It adds the best flavor and cheesy crust.
  • Add Herbs and Spices: Season your egg in a hole with your favorite herbs and spices. Try paprika, oregano, or even some crushed red pepper flakes for a kick. To make it even spicier, add a dash of chili powder.
  • Bring on the Bacon: Top your egg in a hole with bacon bits for an extra pop of protein.
  • Avocado Toast: Add sliced avocados to your egg in a hole for a creamy contrast!
  • Make it Saucy: Drizzle on some hot sauce, sriracha sauce, ketchup, or salsa!
  • Different Shapes: For a fun twist, you can use cookie cutters with shapes to cut the bread, like hearts or stars!

Closeup of egg-in-a-hole.

Storing for Later

This is one of those dishes that is best served hot and fresh. If you store it for later, the egg and bread won’t taste quite as dreamy. If you need to, you can store your egg in a hole in an airtight sandwich container for a day or two. Reheat in an oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through. Using an oven will keep the bread nice and crispy!

Breaking the yolk of the egg so it becomes runny.

Other Quick and Easy Breakfast Recipes

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  • Butter the slices of bread with 2 tablespoons of butter.

  • Lay the pieces of bread on a cutting board and cut a hole out of the center of each piece. You can use a cookie cutter or a cup.

  • Heat a large skillet up over medium high heat. Lay the slices of bread on the hot skillet.

  • Drop the remaining tablespoons of butter into the hole of each slice of bread. Crack one egg into the bread holes and fry the eggs until they are firm enough to flip.

  • Flip the bread and eggs, taking care to keep them together. Continue to fry the eggs and bread until they have reached the desired doneness.

  • Remove the egg in a holes from the pan and serve, salt and pepper to taste.

I like to toast the bread holes and serve them on the side with my egg in a hole.
I recommend enjoying this dish fresh, it doesn’t make great leftovers. However you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. 

Calories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 6gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 209mgSodium: 202mgPotassium: 67mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 762IUCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.