How to Make Eggs in a Basket

Posted on by lynnsmythe
breakfast with eggs, toast and coffee

An egg in a basket is simply an egg, that has been pan fried in a piece of bread, which has had it’s center removed.

Alternative Names

Besides Egg in a Whole, I’ve heard this classic breakfast dish called a variety of different names including:

  • Egg in a Frame
  • Egg in a Window
  • Egg in a Hole
  • Egg in Toast
  • Hen in a Nest
  • Cowboy Eggs
  • Moon Eggs
  • Bullseye Eggs
  • Pirate’s Eggs
  • One-eyed Jack
  • Hole in One

Egg in the Basket Ingredients

I made eggs-in-the-basket on Friday morning for breakfast. I used rye bread, Land O’Lakes Buttery Spread, and cooked the eggs over easy.

  • 2 slices bread
  • 2 eggs
  • Butter or margarine
  • Salt and pepper

Eggs in the Basket Directions

You can either butter the bread first, then cut out the center, or cut out the center and then butter the bread. If you butter the bread first, you could also cook the center circle you cut out, to serve along with the eggs in a basket.

Making Eggs in a Basket

  1. Place a medium frying pan over medium heat on the stove.
  2. Cut out the middle of each slice of bread, using a cookie cutter or small knife.
  3. Spread both sides of each slice of bread with a bit of butter.
  4. Place the buttered bread into the frying pan.
  5. Crack open the eggs, and place one in the center of each slice of bread.
  6. Cook until the bread is light brown and the egg begins to set.
  7. Flip the egg in a basket over, and continue cooking until the other side is light brown, and the egg is cooked the way you like it.
  8. Garnish with salt and pepper and EAT immediately.
  9. Total cooking time is approximately 2 minutes per side for an over easy egg, cook a bit longer if you want to thoroughly cook the egg yolk.

Adding a Bit of Creative Flair

You could use just about any interesting cookie cutter, to cut out the center of the bread. How about using a heart shape cookie cutter when making breakfast on Valentine’s Day. Or a clover shape for St. Patrick’s Day, a star shape for Independence Day, etc… I have TONS of cookie cutters, I could find an interesting shape for all the major holidays.

Making eggs in toast. Photo courtesy of Scott D. Feldstein.

Egg in a Hole Variations

After you’ve made egg-in-a-hole a couple of times, you may want to try a bit of variation.

  • You can spread a bit of mashed avocado around the bread for a delicious variation on classic avocado toast.
  • Meat lovers can sprinkle in a bit of crispy bacon or cooked breakfast sausage to their eggs.
  • If you’re following a keto, or low-carb diet, try substituting a ring of red bell pepper for the bread.
  • Add a splash of your favorite brand of hot sauce or salsa to add a zesty zing to your eggs in toast.
  • Just before you’re ready to take your egg in a basket out of the frying pan, sprinkle a bit of shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Discover all kinds of egg recipes, and other delicious meals, to serve along with your morning coffee in the Creative Cottage e-book: Herbal Breakfast Cookbook; 40 Creative Recipes for Your Morning Meal.

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