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Egg in a Hole is a piece of toast that has a soft cooked egg in the center, which has been cut out. This popular breakfast has many names, like Toad in a Hole, but this egg in toast recipe is delicious no matter what name you call it!
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Egg in a Hole
I personally have heard this recipe called by several names. I have always called it Egg in a hole. It is literally an egg cooked in a hole that you make in a piece of bread! And it’s delicious!
In case you are curious, here are the other names I have heard it called. And I’m sure there are more!
- Egg-in-a-Frame
- Frog-in-the-Pond
- Toad-in-a-Hole
- Egg-in-the-Basket
- Egg-in-a-Nest
- Egg-with-Hat
- Egg-in-a-Trash-Can (ha ha!)
I am not fond of sunny side up eggs. I like to cook both sides, so I lay the bread on the griddle (or frying pan) and crack the egg into the hole. Then I flip it after about 2 minutes and cook that side until it’s how I like it.
If you like sunny side up eggs, cook the bread on one side, flip it, then crack the egg into the hole. Cook until desired doneness. Don’t forget to cook the “hole” piece that you cut out!
Electric griddles are inexpensive and very handy to have around. They allow you to cook several pieces at one time! You can also use them for pancakes, bacon, burgers, and so much more! I like this one: Presto 07061 22-inch Electric Griddle (affiliate).
That hole piece that you cut out does have a purpose! Toast it along side the bread, then use it to sop up that delicious runny egg yolk! How perfect is that?!
If you have made this recipe before, I’d like to know what you called it growing up. I find it fascinating that a recipe can have so many names!
Easy Breakfast Egg Bake
Shakshuka – Eggs in Purgatory
Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
Croissant Breakfast Bake with Ham and Cheese
Egg in a Hole
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 slice Bread (I like Texas Toast)
- 1 large Egg
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Using a small round cookie cutter or other round cutter (2 1/8″ is a good size), cut the center out of the slice of bread, saving the center piece. Set both aside.
- In a frying pan or on an electric griddle on medium heat, spread the butter onto the hot surface.
- Place the bread on the hot buttered surface. Also place the center piece on the pan.
- Then crack an egg directly into the hole in the slice of bread.
- Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper onto the egg. Cook about 1-2 minutes, or until you can flip it. Also flip the center piece.
- Flip the bread/egg, and sprinkle a little salt and pepper on that side. Cook until the desired softness of the egg is reached. I like runny yolks, so I cook about 1 ½ – 2 minutes.
- If you like sunny side up eggs: Lay the bread on the hot skillet and toast that side. Then flip it and crack the egg into the hole. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until desired doneness of the egg is achieved!
- Serve immediately. Use the center hole piece of bread to sop up the runny yolk! Yum!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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We called them egg in a pocket or happy pockets,every Sunday we had them with ham or bacon and red eye gravy. Sometimes we called them twister egg pockets and we would add a scrambled egg with vegs in the pockets cheese on top.
I introduced my kids to this recipe and they loved it. Now it’s a regular in our breakfast rotation.
Simple and delicious! I’d never heard of this, in any of the names!
Turned out perfectly runny center! Timing was everything! Glad I found you.
We just call it egg-in-bread. I usually use margarine on both sides of the bread and butter on the grill. Goes great with bacon and a cup of coffee!
My family all calls them blinkys lol or blinkees crazy I. Don’t know how or where that name came from
Birds nests. My grown kids still request them.
Bread around egg or egg in a basket
Been looking for something different for my breakfasts!
Thanks for your recipe! I have heard of Toad in a Hole!