In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Tear a 1 and 1/2-inch hole out of the center of each piece of bread. Tilt the skillet so the melted butter covers the surface of the pan. Place each slice of bread next to each other in the skillet. Crack eggs, one at a time, into the hole in the center of the bread.

After about 3 minutes, flip the bread and cook on the other side until the egg has set. Slide onto a plate and serve.


My mom used to make this for me when I was little. Great with ketchup!

Mr Breakfast would like to thank ks3398 for this recipe.

Overall Average Rating = 5 (out of 5)

Based on 88 votes.

View all 104 comments for this recipe.

From Sally

Rating (out of 5):

If you are in one of those moods where you don't know what you want... this is it! In fact I'm going to make one now.

Comment submitted: 5/17/2017 (#20296)



From Mom's Way

Rating (out of 5):

My mom would crack a few eggs, add a little evaporated milk, salt and pepper and scrabble in a bowl. Then, make a hole in center of bread slices, melt a little bit of butter in a pan. dip each slice into mixture, place in pan and add another egg in center. We loved it this way growing up . Yes it has more egg in it, but mama always cooked it in a way mama's do. Cooking for 8 wasn't easy.

Comment submitted: 5/7/2017 (#20282)



From ladydi82

Rating (out of 5):

My family always called this a "hole-in-one".

Comment submitted: 11/17/2016 (#20123)



From Old Sub Sailor

Rating (out of 5):

I make this for my wife, by request, on her days off. I find that medium size eggs work best. She calls them Toad In A Hole. I have also heard them called One Eyed Jacks.

Comment submitted: 9/23/2016 (#20058)



From Malvern

Rating (out of 5):

In PA, we call this a Bulls-eye. Tasty!

Comment submitted: 5/19/2016 (#19938)



From Beagle

Rating (out of 5):

Very tasty and very fast!

Comment submitted: 12/15/2015 (#19702)



From tdbundy

Rating (out of 5):

Egg in a frame is what we called them.

Comment submitted: 11/5/2015 (#19625)



From Carson C.

Rating (out of 5):

I like to put an egg in the hole and then I top it with another egg and sometimes some cheese.

Comment submitted: 6/14/2015 (#19449)



From Greg G.

Rating (out of 5):

I had these as egg-in-the-hole, but a little different in that a hole wasn't made in the bread, but a cup was used to squish the bread down really flat in the middle (the egg still cooks well as the bread is so thin, and the yolk is easy to avoid over-cooking this way. Both sides of the bread are buttered, giving that golden and crunchy feel of a grilled cheese sandwich.

Comment submitted: 4/9/2015 (#19356)



From tljan (Team Breakfast Member)

Rating (out of 5):

I eat this nearly every day, with a few drops of Tabasco sauce. Hate it when the yolk hardens.

Comment submitted: 3/23/2014 (#17369)



From NitaB (Team Breakfast Member)

Rating (out of 5):

I had this for dinner last night. I used sour dough bread. It was awesome!

Comment submitted: 2/27/2014 (#17330)



From Sean

Rating (out of 5):

My grandfather used to make this and I love/loved it!

Comment submitted: 1/18/2014 (#17261)



From A.H. Choo

Rating (out of 5):

Also grew up eating this and still love it today.

Comment submitted: 12/27/2013 (#17228)



From Cpt. Monty

Rating (out of 5):

This has been one of my go-to quick breakfasts since I learned to make it in home-ec for boys in 7th grade. It was called "Eggs in a Box" Interesting to find such a lifetime favorite here.

Comment submitted: 10/9/2013 (#16752)



From Stan Pi

Rating (out of 5):

My favorite breakfast growing up. My mom buttered the bread before cooking. We called them bird nest eggs.

Comment submitted: 7/19/2013 (#16182)



From Psychosinger

Rating (out of 5):

My kids sometimes request this for days straight, but just change the sides and it's good! Great breakfast and sometimes, even a better dinner!

Comment submitted: 2/20/2013 (#15203)



From ayeletseed (Team Breakfast Member)

Rating (out of 5):

This is a very good breakfast. I have it almost every weekend.

Comment submitted: 11/15/2012 (#14841)



From Tina

Rating (out of 5):

I used to make this for my son and daughter when they were little. My son would always request it when he was older. Comfort food at its best!

Comment submitted: 9/1/2012 (#14333)



From sanderson

Rating (out of 5):

This is delicious recipe! Mmmm! Thanks for the idea.

Comment submitted: 6/4/2012 (#14009)



From Indiana Lady

Rating (out of 5):

I had this for the first time while visiting my son and his wife in New Lenox, IL I ordered mozzarella cheese with it. Oh my gosh! It was so good.

Comment submitted: 6/1/2012 (#14000)



View all 104 comments for this recipe.

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