Egg in a Hole Recipe

The Perfect Egg in a Hole Recipe for Sunny Morning Magic

Crispy bread and a perfectly cooked egg make this egg in a hole recipe a breakfast game-changer for lazy weekend mornings.

Morning routines suddenly feel magical with such a simple yet delightful dish.

Cutting a hole in soft bread transforms an ordinary slice into something extraordinary.

Butter sizzles in the pan, creating a golden canvas for your culinary masterpiece.

Salt and pepper become your secret weapons, adding subtle depth to each bite.

Restaurants charge premium prices for this classic comfort food, but you can easily whip it up at home.

One skillet and a few minutes are all you need to create a breakfast that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Egg in a Hole Is a Breakfast Favorite

  • Elevate Breakfast Basics: Transform a simple slice of bread into a delightful, gourmet morning treat that brings excitement to your breakfast routine.
  • Master Quick Cooking Skills: Learn an impressive technique that looks and tastes professional, yet requires minimal culinary expertise to execute perfectly.
  • Customize Your Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe with different bread types, seasonings, or add crispy bacon for a personalized morning meal that satisfies every craving.
  • Family-Friendly Favorite: Create a playful, interactive breakfast that kids and adults will love, making morning meals more enjoyable and memorable.

Everything You Need for Egg in a Hole

Bread Base:
  • White Bread: A classic slice that serves as the foundation for this breakfast dish.
  • Butter or Bacon Grease: Adds rich flavor and helps create a crispy golden surface for the bread.
Egg Component:
  • Large Egg: The star ingredient that cooks perfectly in the center hole of the bread.
Seasoning:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the egg and bread.

How to Cook Egg in a Hole with a Golden Center

Step 1: Prepare the Skillet

Warm up a nonstick pan over low heat and melt bacon grease, creating a smooth, flavorful cooking surface.

Step 2: Create a Bread Canvas

Take a slice of bread and carefully cut out a circular center hole, roughly 2 inches wide.

This will become your egg’s cozy nest.

Step 3: Toast the Bread Base

Place the bread with its center hole into the heated skillet.

Let it sizzle and transform into a golden-brown delight, toasting for about 2 minutes until it develops a light, crispy texture.

Step 4: Crack and Season the Egg

Gently flip the bread and crack a fresh egg directly into the center hole.

Sprinkle salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile and add a personal touch to your breakfast creation.

Step 5: Cook to Perfection

Continue cooking the egg until it reaches your preferred level of doneness.

If you want a firmer egg, feel free to flip it once more. Watch as the egg transforms from runny to set, creating a delicious breakfast masterpiece.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer your Egg in a Hole immediately to a plate, ensuring you capture the crispy bread and perfectly cooked egg at the peak of its deliciousness. Enjoy your comforting and simple breakfast treat!

Tips for Toasty, Runny Egg in a Hole Success

  • Use high-quality bacon grease for extra flavor and crispy texture.
  • Choose thick-cut bread like sourdough or Texas toast for better stability and crunchier edges.
  • Ensure pan temperature is low to prevent burning and achieve even toasting.
  • Crack egg gently into the hole to maintain a perfect circular shape and prevent spillage.
  • For vegetarian version, swap bacon grease with olive oil or butter and add herbs like chives or parsley for extra zest.

Creative Egg in a Hole Ideas to Try

  • Pesto Parmesan Punch: Spread fresh basil pesto on bread before cooking, sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor and crispy texture.
  • Mediterranean Magic: Add crumbled feta cheese, diced tomatoes, and fresh oregano inside the egg hole for a Greek-inspired breakfast experience.
  • Spicy Southwest Splash: Top with pepper jack cheese, diced jalapeños, and drizzle hot sauce after cooking to create a zesty morning meal.
  • Breakfast Brie Bliss: Place thin slices of creamy brie cheese inside the bread hole, allowing it to melt alongside the egg for a rich, decadent version.

Best Pairings for Egg in a Hole

  • Amplify Breakfast Flavor: Pair crispy bacon alongside the egg in a hole for a protein-packed morning boost.
  • Complement with Fresh Greens: Serve a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, buttery bread and egg.
  • Wine Morning Twist: Select a light sparkling prosecco or crisp white wine like sauvignon blanc to cut through the breakfast's richness.
  • Enhance with Herbal Notes: Sprinkle fresh chives or parsley on top to add a bright, fresh dimension to the classic dish.

Keeping Egg in a Hole Fresh and Tasty

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days, separating bread and egg to maintain texture.
  • Freezing: Not recommended due to bread's potential sogginess and egg's compromised quality after thawing.
  • Reheating Skillet: Warm the dish in a nonstick pan over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, carefully flipping once to ensure even heating.
  • Microwave Tip: Reheat for 30-45 seconds, but expect slightly rubbery egg texture compared to freshly cooked version.

Common Questions About Egg in a Hole

  • What is the best type of bread to use for Egg in a Hole?

Thick-cut white bread or brioche work best because they provide a sturdy base and crisp up beautifully in the skillet.

  • Can I make this recipe without bacon grease?

Yes, you can substitute butter or olive oil if you prefer, though bacon grease adds extra flavor and helps create a crispy texture.

  • How do I prevent the egg from breaking when cracking it into the hole?

Crack the egg gently and close to the bread, then slowly release it into the center hole to minimize splashing and potential breakage.

  • Is this recipe suitable for different egg preferences?

Absolutely! You can cook the egg to your liking – sunny-side up, over-easy, or fully cooked depending on your personal taste.

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Egg in a Hole Recipe

Egg in a Hole Recipe


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4.7 from 13 reviews

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

Description

Crispy golden bread meets perfectly cooked Egg in a Hole, a classic breakfast delight that dances between simplicity and comfort. Savory, buttery, and irresistibly satisfying, you’ll love this quick morning masterpiece that brings joy to your plate with minimal effort.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 slice bread (any type, such as sourdough or whole-grain)
  • 1 large egg

Fat/Cooking Medium:

  • 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) bacon grease

Seasonings:

  • Salt to taste
  • Ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Warm a nonstick skillet over low heat and gently melt bacon grease to create a smooth cooking surface.
  2. Take a slice of bread and precisely carve out a 2-inch circular cavity in the center using a sharp knife or glass rim.
  3. Delicately place the bread into the heated skillet, allowing the first side to transform into a golden-brown canvas with crisp edges, approximately 2 minutes.
  4. Gently rotate the bread, revealing the toasted side, and softly crack a fresh egg directly into the carved-out center hole.
  5. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper across the egg’s surface to enhance its natural flavors.
  6. Monitor the cooking process, allowing the egg to set and develop a desired consistency, potentially flipping once to ensure even cooking and achieve preferred egg doneness.
  7. Transfer the golden-edged bread with its perfectly nestled egg onto a plate, serving immediately to savor the warm, crisp texture and runny egg center.

Notes

  • Choose thick-cut bread like brioche or sourdough for a richer, more indulgent texture and better hole-cutting stability.
  • Use a glass or cookie cutter to create a perfectly round hole in the bread slice with clean edges.
  • Experiment with different fats like olive oil or butter instead of bacon grease for varied flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
  • For a crispy finish, increase heat slightly and watch carefully to prevent burning while achieving golden-brown edges on the bread.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 205
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 186 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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