Toad in the Hole is one of those simple breakfast recipes we love because it takes basic ingredients and turns them into something fun. A slice of bread gets toasted in butter with an egg cooked right in the center, making it crisp on the edges and soft in the middle.
We love this for quick breakfasts, kid-friendly mornings, and easy weekend brunch because it’s fast, filling, and made in one skillet. Serve it warm with fruit, bacon, or a little extra salt and pepper for a simple meal everyone can make.
Egg and toast is a classic combination! For another quick egg dish try our perfect Scrambled Eggs.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- Only 3 ingredients!! Bread, eggs, and butter- it couldn’t be simpler!
- Simple. Perfect for busy mornings, weekend breakfasts, and brunches.
- The butter crisps the bread. Cooking the bread in melted butter gives it golden edges and great flavor.
- The hole keeps the egg in place. Cutting a 3-inch hole gives the egg space to cook neatly in the center.
Toad in the Hole Ingredients
- Bread (1 slice): Holds the egg in the center and toasts up golden in the skillet. We used white sandwich bread, other great options include Texas Toast, whole grain, or Sourdough.
- Butter (1 teaspoon): Adds flavor and helps the bread brown.
- Egg (1 large): Adds protein and makes this simple breakfast filling.
- Salt and pepper (to taste): Seasons the egg and bring out the flavor. Try paprika or add heat with sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes.
- optional ingredients: Makes a slightly larger hole and include bacon bits, green onions, spinach, or crumbled pork sausages in the egg.
How to Make Toad in the Hole
PREP. In a small skillet, melt 1 teaspoon butter. In the middle of your bread, cut a 3-inch hole and place it in the skillet.
COOK. Crack 1 egg and pour in the hole. Cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes or until the bread is lightly browned. Turn and cook the other side until the egg yolk is almost set. Season as desired with salt and pepper. Enjoy warm.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Use a biscuit cutter, cookie cutter, or small cup to cut a clean hole in the bread.
- Cook over medium heat so the bread browns while the egg cooks through.
- Flip gently with a wide spatula so the egg stays in place.
- Cook a little longer if you prefer a firmer yolk.
- Make several at a time: Use the skillet to make one at a time, or use a large electric griddle that can cook several at a time.
- Make-ahead tip: this is best served fresh, but you can cut the bread centers ahead to make breakfast even faster.
Toad in the Hole Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 slice bread
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 large egg
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small skillet, melt butter. In the middle of your bread, cut a 3-inch hole and place in the skillet.
- Crack egg and pour in the hole. Cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes or until the bread is lightly browned. Turn and cook the other side until egg yolk is almost set. Season as desired with salt and pepper. Enjoy warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store leftovers in a container in the fridge for 1-2 days. The best way to reheat them is in a toaster oven, broil in the oven, or heat in a frying pan.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Yogurt Parfait Board
25 mins
Bacon in the Oven
23 mins
Breakfast Sausage Recipe
15 mins
How to Make Hash Browns
18 mins
More Egg Dishes
Breakfast Sandwich
15 mins
How to Make Eggs Benedict
25 mins
Flatbread Breakfast Pizza
13 mins
Breakfast Egg Rolls
40 mins
Collections
This recipe was originally published February 2019.
I’ve made this before but I never knew it was called that! It is really good though!
So glad you enjoy it!
The number of people uptight about this naming makes me laugh. 😂 Ya’ll know that sometimes different cultures choose the same names for dishes but they can mean wildly different things? It’s almost as though we, as Americans, grew up speaking English but in a totally different environment from people in the UK… How strange that we might adopt the same name for a different dish. MYSTERIOUS.
I’ve always heard it cakes Toad in the Hole here in the US and of you Google it it’s about 50/50 this recipe or the UK one.
Anyways it’s a great recipe and I love making it! I stopped by to get some timing and temperature tips because my last batch came out super messy. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! So glad you enjoy the recipe!
Hello. I just want to clarify that toad in a hole is sausages baked in a Yorkshire pudding batter. This is called egg in a nest.
As children living and growing up in N.H. and Maine during the late fifties and sixties, we had this many times. The recipe came from an old Betty Crocker’s cookbook and it was called Eggs in a frame. Never heard it called Toads in a hole until just now.
Oh how fun!! Hopefully it brought back some good memories. 🙂
This is not ‘Toad in the Hole’. This is what is known as ‘Egg in a Hole’ as well as various other names such as ‘Eggs in a Basket’, ‘Eggs in a Window’, ‘Eggs in a Frame’, ‘Egg in a Hat’…
Actual Toad in the Hole was invented in England hundreds of years ago during the 18th century. It is a dish of sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding. It holds a special place in the hearts of Englishmen.
Thanks for the feedback.
That is absolutely not what toad in the hole is. As a Yorkshire man, I am deeply offended.
Sorry didn’t remember I had commented on this already.
Kristen:
This is a great breakfast! I had it growing up and loved it. However, it is called an egg in the hole.
The original toad came from England. It is Yorkshire pudding with whole sausages. The sausages are put into the pan with the batter.
It is then put into the oven and baked. So, so delicious.
That does sound delicious! Thanks for sharing.
This is not toad in the hole. This is egg in a window.
Toad in the hole is a dish with British sausages in batter.
This is a classic, but if you want the real thing, the original recipe is made with Yorkshire pudding and sausages. Give it a try you will love it.
That does sound yummy! Thanks for sharing.