This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

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!

Egg in a Hole on a white plate with silver fork

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

Uncooked Egg in a Holes on a griddle

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!

Closeup of cooked Egg in a Hole on griddle


This post may contain Affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.


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).

Hand dipping circle toast into Egg in a Hole on a white plate

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!

blue banner with the words you might also like
Easy Breakfast Egg Bake
Shakshouka – Eggs in Purgatory
Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal

Pin This Egg in a Hole Recipe

Egg in a Hole on a white plate with the title and Simply Happy Foodie's logo

Egg in a Hole on a white plate with fork
5 from 10 votes

Egg in a Hole

By Sandy Clifton
Egg in a Hole is a delicious piece of toast that has an egg soft cooked in the center, which has been cut out. A fast and easy breakfast!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 6 minutes
Total: 11 minutes
Servings: 1
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Ingredients 

  • 2 Tbsp Butter
  • 1 slice Bread (I like Texas Toast)
  • 1 lg 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 slat 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 1/2 - 2minutes.
  • 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

Calories: 265kcal

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

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @simply_happy_foodie

pink button with the words follow Simply Happy Foodie on Pinterest

RESOURCES TO MAKE this recipe and more

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Sharing is caring!

Sandy wearing a black shirt and a red apron

Hi, I’m Sandy!

My style of cooking is casual, uncomplicated, and everything is made from my heart. I hope my recipes will help you get the meal on the table a little easier

Simply Happy Foodie Electric Pressure Cooking book

Get my cookbook!

Simply Happy Electric Pressure Cooking has over 175 delicious recipes for the Instant Pot®, as well as some of my favorite homemade spice blends.

Related Recipes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

17 Comments

  1. MBE says:

    Bull’s eye.

  2. myron menaker says:

    We called them “egg on a raft.”

  3. Sarah says:

    I was in my 20’s when a friend cooked these for me. He called them Hole in One’s. They have been my favorite way to make eggs and toast ever since. I also cook both sides and found that the egg will puff up in center when the whites are fully cooked with yolk still runny. Favorite part is using circle toast at the end to sop all the remaining yolk.

  4. Jacquie says:

    Perfect, simple, and delicious recipe. I like to add some garlic salt for a little extra flavor.

  5. addy says:

    i love this recipe ive had egg in ahole since I was a little kid and just love it

  6. Lindsay says:

    I grew up calling this toad in a hole and we called the cut out piece the lily pad !

  7. Robert says:

    The first time I ever had eggs like this was in Thurmont, Maryland at a restaurant called “The Lighthouse”. These were on the menu and called “Lighthouse Eggs”. That was over 50 years ago and I still call them that. And still make them at least once a week!

  8. March says:

    We called it Girl Scout eggs!

  9. Katrina says:

    My family called them framed eggs when I was little since they look like an egg in a frame, I guess. Lol. I’ve never heard anyone else call them that though.

  10. cheryl says:

    I haven’t done this since my kids were small! So simple and delicious!

    1. Jennifer says:

      I know them by popeyes