The best way to start your day is with a classic breakfast dish known as "egg in a hole." This simple yet delicious meal features crispy, buttery toast cradling perfectly fried eggs. Eggs are a breakfast essential, but mastering them can be a challenge. If you want to up your breakfast game, check out my recipes for the perfect poached eggs and best-ever scrambled eggs.
Egg in a hole, also called egg-in-a-basket, is like the breakfast version of your favorite cozy hoodie – straightforward, reliable, and oh so satisfying. It’s a combination of bread, butter, and eggs, but when that egg nestles snugly in the bread and oozes deliciousness, it’s pure magic! If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the time to give it a go.
What’s fantastic about egg in a hole is its versatility. You can customize it to suit your taste by adding spices, herbs, or condiments like hot sauce for an extra kick. Despite its simplicity, egg in a hole always hits the spot, making it a fantastic way to kickstart your morning!
To whip up this perfect breakfast treat, you’ll need just a few basic ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry:
- Sandwich Bread: Whether you prefer white, wheat, rye, French, or sourdough, choose your favorite type of bread.
- Butter: Use either unsalted or salted butter to coat the bread and achieve a nice toasty finish.
- Large Eggs: These are the star of the show, providing richness and protein to the dish.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste, and feel free to experiment with additional herbs and spices for extra flavor.
Cooking a fantastic egg in a hole might seem like a breeze, but it does require a bit of finesse to get it just right. Follow these steps to create the perfect breakfast staple:
- Butter the Bread: Spread butter on the bread slices.
- Cut a Hole in the Center: Use a cookie cutter or cup to remove the center of each slice.
- Heat Up Your Skillet: Warm a skillet over medium-high heat and place the bread slices on it.
- Fry the Eggs: Crack an egg into each bread hole and cook until firm enough to flip.
- Flip Gently: Carefully flip the bread and eggs together to avoid breaking the yolk.
- Season and Serve: Remove from the pan, season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!
If you prefer sunny side up eggs, toast one side of the bread, flip it, add the egg, and cook until done. Feel free to get creative with your egg in a hole by adding toppings like shredded cheese, herbs, bacon bits, avocado slices, or your favorite sauces.
While this dish is best enjoyed fresh and hot, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat, use an oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, ensuring the bread stays crispy.
Experiment with different variations and make your egg in a hole truly your own!