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Eggs in a Basket Recipe

5 from 6 votes
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This wholesome eggs in a basket recipe is perfect for busy weekday mornings! It’s a favourite for busy Moms and Dads!

white plate with strips of bacon and Eggs in a Basket - crispy toasted bread with a gooey egg centre
Eggs in a Basket

Eggs with Extra Oomph!

I love this fun and fuss-free way of serving the most basic but popular of breakfasts: eggs and toast! The crispy toasted bread with a gooey egg centre always hits the spot for me in the morning and it’s so easy to make even the kids can whip it up (breakfast in bed for Mom!).

It takes just 5 minutes to whip up this healthy and yummy brekkie, so it’s perfect for those early mornings when everyone is rushing out the door too.

If you have more time, you can always try my breakfast strata or even my impossible cheeseburger pie, they are both family faves for us!

Eggs in a Basket ingredients in a marble background

Eggs in a Basket Ingredients

  • salted butter
  • whole wheat bread
  • large eggs
  • salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Eggs in a Basket Perfectly

 

  • The first thing to do is lightly butter the bread slices on both sides and place them on a cutting board.
  • Then, using a biscuit or cookie cutter, cut out a circle in the middle of each bread slice.
  • Place a large frying pan over med-high heat and add in enough butter so that the base of the pan is completely covered.
  • When the butter has melted into the pan, it’s time to add the slices of bread too (you’re halfway there now!)
  • Break an egg into a bowl and slide it into the hole of each bread slice.
  • Then fry until the egg turns a golden color at the bottom (or about 2 minutes) and flip each piece of bread over to cook the other side too. Don’t forget to flip over the circles also so that you can toast the oth
    er side.
  • When you’re happy with how the egg looks and it seems done, just add it to your plate with the bread circles, and add some salt and pepper as you like!

 

cooking Eggs in a Basket in a large frying pan with butter

Where Does Eggs in a Basket Originate?

You may have heard eggs in a basket referred to as “eggs in a nest”, “eggs in a hole”, or even “one-eyed jacks” depending on where you’re from. So you’re likely wondering how one simple dish of fried eggs on toast came to have so many different names!

It actually came to the attention of egg lovers around the world at the turn of the last century – around the same time as the well-known Eggs Benedict (top tip: if you haven’t tried my yummy Steak n’ Eggs Benedict with Buttermilk Biscuits recipe yet, you’re missing out!) Also don’t miss my Blender Hollandaise Sauce, it’s so easy to make!

In the 1890s, an official recipe referred to as “egg with a hat” was published in the Boston Cooking School Cookbook by a lady called Fannie Farmer. This recipe entailed using a 2 and a half inch cookie cutter to cut out the center of the bread, which was then served on top of the cooked egg as a “hat”.

The recipe has been passed down through generations with various titles and had many small deviations, but the general idea remains the same!

close up of Eggs in a Basket on a white plate with bacon

How Many Calories in Eggs in a Basket?

This recipe will make 2 servings with 183 calories per portion and only 12g of carbs ( the carbs depends on what type of bread you use!)

How to Tell if Eggs Are Good

You can usually tell by the smell! Eww! But if you’re not sure, the egg water test is generally a good way to check if an egg has gone bad. To do the egg water test, you need to place your eggs in a bowl of cold water and see what happens.

If they sink to the bottom and lay sideways, they’re super fresh. If they’re a few weeks old but still okay to use, the eggs will stand on one end at the bottom of the bowl. But if they float up to the top then this is a clear sign they’ve gone bad and should be thrown out.

dipping toast into eggs in a basket

 

Here are some other egg recipes you might like to try out!

Tater Tot Eggs Benedict

How to Make Shirred Eggs

How to Make Perfect Instant Pot Eggs: Soft, Medium & Hard Boiled!

Happy cooking!

Love,

Karlynn

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These eggs in a basket, also known as toad in a hole, are eggs cooked into the center of a piece of bread, fried in butter until golden brown and then enjoyed! #eggs #breakfast #recipes

 

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Eggs in a Basket Recipe

These eggs in a basket, also known as toad in a hole, are eggs cooked into the center of a piece of bread, fried in butter until golden brown and then enjoyed!
5 from 6 votes
dipping toast into eggs in a basket
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
4 minutes
Course
Breakfast Meals
Cuisine
American
Servings
2
Calories
183
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients
 

  • 1-2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 2 slices whole wheat bread
  • 2 large eggs
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Lightly butter both sides of the bread slices and place on a cutting board.
  • Use a biscuit cutter or a cookie cutter to cut out a circle in the center of each piece of bread.
  • Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat, adding in enough butter to melt and cover the bottom entirely.
  • Place the bread slices into the frying pan, with the cut out circles on the side in the pan as well.
  • Gently break an egg into a small bowl, then delicately slide it into the hole of one of the bread slices. Repeat with the remaining egg and bread slice.
  • Fry in the until the egg is golden on the bottom, 1 to 2 minutes then carefully flip each piece of bread over, making sure to cook on the other side, for another minute or two. Flip over the circles at this point as well to toast the other side.
  • When the egg is done to your liking, remove and place on a plate along with the bread circles.
  • Salt and pepper to taste and and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  • Alternatively you can butter the bread AFTER you cut a hole in the center, but it's a lot easier to just lightly butter the bread beforehand.
  • Nutrition will vary depending on how much butter you use and the brand of bread. 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 183kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 179mg, Sodium: 225mg, Potassium: 130mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 415IU, Calcium: 55mg, Iron: 1.5mg

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

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Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

Learn more about me

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  1. Joy Morrison says

    I made your Abricot Chicken and ut was a hut! Took some to a friend who in on crutches due to ankle injury. Her husband is niw the cook etc. They were over the moon snd wanted the recipe!. Thank you forc all you do to make our lockdown intetesting5 stars

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