AuthorChandniThe egg in a hole is a cool spin on the humble egg and toast in a pretty portable package.
Eggs and toast is my favourite breakfast. Simple, versatile, wholesome, yummy. It rarely needs any prep, gives me a good boost of energy in the morning, and keeps me satiated for a few hours. The only issue - it's tricky to carry to work. As someone who likes to get to work early and have her breakfast there, I needed options.
I discovered the Egg in a Hole a few years ago and fell in love with the genius simplicity. It's got everything I love about a sunny side up - crunchy toast, a jammy egg yolk - in a pretty, portable package. It's quick to make in the morning, and if you allow it to cool on a cooling rack before you pack it, it carries really well.
Fun fact: This recipe has been a big hit on Instagram and so many of you have shared photos of your versions of it. Check out some of them here.
WFH update: I really thought I'd be more adventurous with my breakfasts considering I didn't have to rush to get ready and run to work, but you know what? I've happily cooked the egg in a hole almost every morning over these lockdowns. Turns out, I just don't want to think about what to cook first thing as I wake up. I want eggs and toast and this is easy and convenient and I have not gotten bored of it at all.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What to do when my egg doesn't stay in the hole?
First, relax. It's not a big deal. Some eggs are larger than others and just won't stay within the hole. It's okay, this will not ruin the taste of your sandwich. Also consider the pan you're using to cook this. If it's completely flat, the egg will spread out all over the place but if it slightly dips towards the centre like a chapathi tawa does, consider using that so your egg stays in the middle.
Can I make a runny egg yolk version?
Yes! If you like a runny egg yolk, add the cheese slice directly after step 3, cover it with the second slice of bread, and go on. I love dipping the corners of the sandwich in the egg yolk like you would with eggs and toast. Yummy!
Can I add other stuff along with the egg?
Go nuts! This is just the most simple way I like to make this dish. You can add whatever you want. I've tried making this with scrambled eggs and an omelette mix. Both were yummy. My favourite was an Eggs Kejriwal version I tried out during lockdown. I've had people write to me with their own tweaks like adding chopped up sausages, peri peri sauce, or garlic flakes with the egg. All sound absolutely delicious. Add whatever you want to make this breakfast your own. And remember to send me pictures, kay?
Egg in a Hole Recipe Video
Egg in a Hole Recipe Card
To make the Egg in a Hole, cut a hole out of the centre of one slice of bread using a glass or a cookie cutter. Be gentle so you don't break the bread. You could also just freehand this with a knife. For best results, use bread that's a couple days old - it's usually sturdier and toasts better than fresh bread.
Heat a nonstick pan on medium heat. Melt some butter on it and place the slice of bread with the hole cut out in the centre.
Crack the egg and drop it in the hole of the bread slice. Season with salt and pepper and let cook on a medium low flame for 2 minutes or until the egg is just set.
When the egg starts to turn opaque, use a spatula to check if the bread is free from the pan. If it moves easily, flip it. If there's some resistance, let it cook for a bit longer.
Once flipped, let the other side cook on a medium low heat for 20-30 seconds for a jammy yolk and around a minute if you want a fully-set yolk. Flip it over again, quickly add a slice of cheese, cover with the second slice of bread, and butter the *outside* of the bread. This will ensure you get a nice golden-brown crunchy toast. Flip.
Press down on your sandwich gently and let it cook on medium low for a minute or so, till it is golden brown and crunchy. Flip to check on the other side. When you're happy with the colour on both sides, take it off the pan. Let it cool down a bit before you gently cut into it, and enjoy!
You'll want to eat this immediately, but if you want to carry it, I'd recommend cooking the yolk through and then cooling the sandwich on a cooling rack before cutting it in half and packing it. This way it will remain crunchy and retain its structure.
Thank you for #CookingWithCookreja!
So many people have tried the egg in a hole and sent me pictures. Even more text me that they forgot to take pictures, and if that isn't a testament to how yummy this is, I don't know what is. ♥️
Ingredients
Directions
To make the Egg in a Hole, cut a hole out of the centre of one slice of bread using a glass or a cookie cutter. Be gentle so you don't break the bread. You could also just freehand this with a knife. For best results, use bread that's a couple days old - it's usually sturdier and toasts better than fresh bread.
Heat a nonstick pan on medium heat. Melt some butter on it and place the slice of bread with the hole cut out in the centre.
Crack the egg and drop it in the hole of the bread slice. Season with salt and pepper and let cook on a medium low flame for 2 minutes or until the egg is just set.
When the egg starts to turn opaque, use a spatula to check if the bread is free from the pan. If it moves easily, flip it. If there's some resistance, let it cook for a bit longer.
Once flipped, let the other side cook on a medium low heat for 20-30 seconds for a jammy yolk and around a minute if you want a fully-set yolk. Flip it over again, quickly add a slice of cheese, cover with the second slice of bread, and butter the *outside* of the bread. This will ensure you get a nice golden-brown crunchy toast. Flip.
Press down on your sandwich gently and let it cook on medium low for a minute or so, till it is golden brown and crunchy. Flip to check on the other side. When you're happy with the colour on both sides, take it off the pan. Let it cool down a bit before you gently cut into it, and enjoy!
You'll want to eat this immediately, but if you want to carry it, I'd recommend cooking the yolk through and then cooling the sandwich on a cooling rack before cutting it in half and packing it. This way it will remain crunchy and retain its structure.