Egg in a Hole Recipe: Simple All-In-One Breakfast Dish That Cooks in 10 Minutes

Alexandria Brooks
·4 min read
6

Eggs and toast is a breakfast pairing you'll never get tired of — but you can take it up a notch by combining the two. Egg in a hole is a dish where the egg is cooked in the center of the bread. This gives the best of both worlds, a tender egg and crunchy toast, in each bite. You'll also cook breakfast quicker since the two ingredients simultaneously fry in the pan. Plus, one chef uses an everyday condiment to help the bread become extra toasty. Here's how to make this fun breakfast dish, which will liven up your morning in just 10 minutes!

What is an egg in a hole?

Egg in a hole is an egg that's pan-fried in the middle of a bread slice. To do this, a hole is cut into the bread using a biscuit cutter or glass. Next, the bread is placed in a greased pan — where it cooks on both sides so it lightly toasts. An egg is then cracked in the center, and the dish cooks until the yolk and white are set. The toasted bread, slightly runny yolk and tender white create a nice blend of textures. Also, the dish is packed with richness thanks to the egg.

3 chef's tips for perfectly cooked egg in a hole

Although egg in a hole requires few ingredients, small mistakes could ruin the dish's flavor and texture. Here, chef Nelson Serrano-Bahri, director of innovation at the American Egg Board, shares three tips to keep in mind for tasty results.

1. Opt for medium-thick slices of bread.

Slices of bread like white, sourdough and whole grain shouldn't be too thin as the egg will spill over or too thick because it may be harder to slice into later. A slice with a medium thickness will hold in the egg and crisp up nicely in the skillet.

2. Use room-temperature eggs.

If your eggs are fridge-cold, it will take a little bit longer to set the whites and cause the bread to burn. So, allow the eggs to come to room temperature so they can cook around the same time as the bread.

3. Spread mayo on both sides of the bread.

Once a hole is cut out of the bread slice, spread mayonnaise on both sides. The oil in this condiment clings onto the bread and creates a golden brown crust while the dish cooks.

How to make egg in a hole

This treat requires only 4 ingredients and is a quick breakfast option for busy mornings. Try this foolproof method, approved by chef Serrano-Bahri, which can be doubled or tripled to accommodate more servings.

Egg in a Hole

Egg in a hole
LauriPatterson/Getty

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium-thick slices of your favorite bread

  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

  • Mayonnaise

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  • Yield: 1 to 2 servings

  1. Heat nonstick skillet over medium heat.

  2. Using small round cookie cutter or glass, punch hole into each slice of bread. Spread layer of mayo onto cut-out bread.

  3. Coat skillet with nonstick spray and place bread into surface. Cook on first side until golden, around 2 to 3 minutes. Flip.

  4. Crack 1 egg directly into hole of each slice. Season eggs with salt and pepper. Cover and cook another 3 minutes or until eggs are done to your liking.

  5. Remove from pan and serve hot on plate.

  6. Note: The remaining bread circles can be cooked in a greased pan for a few minutes if you don't want to discard them.

Bonus: Turn your egg in a hole into the ultimate breakfast sandwich using this simple recipe from the Delish YouTube channel.

5 delicious toppings for your egg in a hole

Flavor up this morning treat by topping it with any of these five ingredients!

1. Spicy ketchup

Mixing together ketchup with hot sauce (to taste) creates sweet yet spicy sauce for your egg in a hole.

2. Pesto

The bright and herby flavors of pesto balances the richness of the egg.

3. Everything bagel seasoning

A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning provides the dish with added savoriness and a pop of crunch. (Click through for an easy homemade everything bagel seasoning recipe.)

4. Salsa

A dollop of salsa gives each bite a fresh and zesty kick.

5. Avocado

Slices or chunks of buttery avocado pair well with the texture and flavor from the egg in a hole.

If you're hungry for more breakfast dishes, check out the recipes below!

Air Fryer French Toast Recipes: 2 Sweet Ideas That Cook Up Delicious + Easy in 10 Minutes

Million Dollar Bacon Is Sweet, Spicy, Deliciously Rich — And So Easy To Make

Muffin Mix Pancakes Are the 3-Ingredient Secret to a Deliciously Easy Breakfast