The egg in the middle of a piece of toast is commonly known as “egg in a hole”. It’s a fun and simple way to jazz up a normal piece of toast and add some extra protein from the egg. Some other common names for it include “eggie in a basket” or “toad in a hole”.
What is Egg in a Hole?
Egg in a hole is made by cutting a hole in the middle of a slice of bread and then frying an egg inside that hole. The bread cooks up with the egg in the center, almost like the egg is nestled in a little edible nest. It’s commonly made for breakfast or brunch. Other ingredients like cheese, bacon, spinach, or avocado can also be added on top or around the egg to add more flavor.
How to Make Egg in a Hole
Making egg in a hole is easy to do at home with just a few simple steps:
- Use a round cookie cutter or glass to cut a hole in the center of a slice of bread. Make sure to cut all the way through the bread to create a hole.
- Butter one or both sides of the bread lightly. This adds flavor and helps the bread toast up nicely.
- Heat up a skillet over medium heat. Add a small knob of butter to the pan and let it melt.
- Carefully crack an egg and pour it directly into the hole in the bread. The yolk should fill up the hole.
- Place the bread in the hot skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is lightly browned.
- Flip over carefully and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the egg white is completely set.
- Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!
The egg bread should end up golden brown on both sides with a perfectly cooked egg nestled right in the center. The runny egg yolk acts like its own little sauce and adds richness when you cut into the toast.
Variations
There are many ways to tweak this simple breakfast recipe:
- Add cheese: Put shredded cheddar, Monterey jack, or other cheeses on top of the egg while it cooks so the cheese melts.
- Use different breads: Brioche, challah, potato bread, or other thick breads work well for making crispy edges around the egg.
- Mix up the fillings: Sauteed spinach, crispy bacon, avocado, tomato, or other ingredients can be added into the hole along with the egg.
- Season it up: Sprinkle the egg with smoked paprika, everything bagel seasoning, or other spices for extra flavor.
- Make it a sandwich: Cook the egg in a hole in a bread slice, then top it with cheese, meat, veggies to make a delicious breakfast sandwich.
Benefits
There are a few reasons why making egg in a hole is a great choice:
- It’s quick and easy to make, with only a few simple ingredients needed.
- It allows you to customize the recipe by adding in your favorite fillings and flavors.
- Cutting a hole in the bread gives crispy edges that provide an added texture.
- The runny egg yolk enhances the flavor of the dish and almost acts like a built-in sauce.
- It’s fun for kids to help make and they’ll love the playful presentation.
- Adding an egg boosts the protein content, making it a more balanced breakfast.
History
The origins of egg in a hole are unclear, but it seems to be a dish that has evolved gradually over time. There are a few theories on its background:
- One account claims it was created by Roman soldiers in the field who needed a quick, portable breakfast. They cut holes in flatbreads and fried eggs in the holes over campfires.
- Others say it originated from frugal cooks and farmwives who wanted to get creative and stretch ingredients. Using a stale piece of bread and an egg created a whole new dish.
- Some food historians cite Medieval toast recipes that involved cutting holes in bread slices and inserting spices, cheese, or meats in the holes before toasting over a fire.
- The dish gained more popularity in America in the early 1900s and started appearing in cookbooks. Early names were things like “goggles” or “bird’s nest”.
- During WWII rationing, eggs in a hole provided a filling protein-packed breakfast or lunch using just an egg and bread.
While the exact origins are uncertain, it seems plausible that resourceful cooks have been reinventing plain bread and eggs into this fun dish for centuries. The concept of an egg fried in a hole in bread transcends cultures and cuisines.
Cultural Variations
While this dish is referred to as egg in a hole in the United States, it’s known by many other colorful names around the world:
- Germany: Eier im Glas (eggs in a glass)
- Mexico: Huevos Divorciados (divorced eggs)
- Catalonia: Ous Estrellats (starred eggs)
- Poland: Jajko w Koszulkach (egg in a shirt)
- Denmark: Arme Riddere (poor knights)
- Netherlands: Gat in de Muur (hole in the wall)
The concept translates well across languages and cultures. No matter what you call it, eggs fried neatly in a slice of bread is a globally loved breakfast.
Nutrition
One egg in a hole made with 1 slice of whole wheat bread and 1 large egg provides approximately:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 231 |
| Fat | 10g |
| Carbohydrates | 18g |
| Protein | 15g |
Eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. Eating one egg provides:
- High quality protein – 6g protein per large egg, containing all 9 essential amino acids
- Choline – 28mg, important for brain and nervous system health
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin – 222mcg, antioxidants that support eye health
- Vitamin A – 273IU, important for immune function and vision
- Folate – 25mcg, crucial for cell growth and DNA production
- Plus iron, calcium, potassium, vitamins D, E, K, and B2 and B12
Eggs provide a powerhouse of nutrition to start the day off right. Paired with whole grain toast, egg in a hole makes a balanced breakfast.
Conclusion
Egg in a hole is the perfect quick breakfast. Just a humdrum slice of bread and an everyday egg are transformed into a fun, delicious eye-opener that both kids and adults will enjoy. This simple but wholesome dish likely has origins stretching back through history as resourceful cooks looked for ways to reinvent pantry staples. No matter what clever name it goes by, egg in a hole is a globally loved breakfast treat.