5 Ingredients or Fewer

Egg in a Bagel Hole

November  4, 2015
5
6 Ratings
Photo by James Ransom
  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Cook time 5 minutes
  • Makes 2
Author Notes

Better than the sum of its parts because 1. the bagel gets griddled 2. one bagel feeds two people 3. it's a toad in a hole. —Ali Slagle

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 bagel
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 eggs
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
  1. Cut the bagel in half. If the hole isn't very big—ie, you can't imagine a yolk fitting in it—tear out some of the bagel around it. You could also use a biscuit cutter or cup to cut out a perfectly round center.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Place the bagel, inside down, on the skillet.
  3. Crack one egg into a little bowl (or a container with a spout) and gently transfer the egg to the middle of the bagel. It might run out a bit; that's okay. Season the egg with salt and pepper.
  4. Cover the skillet and let the toad cook for about 3 minutes, or until the egg is done to your liking. Using a spatula, transfer it to a plate and repeat with the other bagel half.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Christine Carlson Whittington
    Christine Carlson Whittington
  • Lisa Johnson
    Lisa Johnson
  • Annette Lowrie
    Annette Lowrie
  • Steve Traba
    Steve Traba
  • Kimberly Baxter
    Kimberly Baxter

37 Reviews

Christine C. February 27, 2023
We had half bagel left this morning (Killer Dave's Epic Seeded Bagel) so I tried this. The egg was to big for the hole, but it really doesn't matter. I topped it with 1/2 and avocado and baby greens, California style. A California Toad in a Hole!
 
m.e.h.music___ March 10, 2022
So delicious!!! Fluffy bagel on inside and crisp on underneath. Will be making this so often!!
 
Lisa J. February 23, 2021
This was so simple and so insanely good. I might cut back on the butter just a tad next time.
 
Lisa J. February 23, 2021
This was simple and insanely good. I might cut back on the butter just a tad next time.
 
Annette L. February 21, 2017
That was delicious. Thank you very much!
 
Steve T. January 29, 2017
Definitely gonna try this tomorrow morning
 
Kimberly B. March 8, 2016
Does anyone proof anymore????!!!!
 
Jane February 15, 2016
Do you cut it in half through the width (cutting the hole in half and making two halves) or lengthwise (how you would cut it if you were making a sandwich)? Please make that more clear in the recipe. Overall, a great recipe and a lovely breakfast!
 
susan G. February 15, 2016
Make a horizontal cut so there's a hole for the egg. The photo is worth a thousand words.
 
Hayley January 24, 2016
You definitely have to flip the bagel with the egg inside half way through the 3 minutes, or the egg will not cook thoroughly.
 
Phishstyx March 6, 2016
Maybe your stove and/or pan is unusually efficient: If the bagel is burning before the egg is done, please try a lower heat. Covering the pan as instructed, is sufficient to cook the top of the egg, even if you like the yolk cooked to powder.
 
Judeth January 3, 2016
This is so yummy!
 
Liz C. December 31, 2015
I see this recipe is on your 2015 Razzies. This is a really great recipe, I'm sorry I didn't comment! I did have to flip it to cook it properly and I cracked the egg right into the pan to reduce dirty dishes. This works particularly well with Montreal bagels because they have big holes.
 
Judeth December 1, 2015
Oh yeah!!
Definitely need more bagels and eggs!
I think hitting it under the
broiler next time
But oh, so good!
 
Katie S. December 1, 2015
One of my breakfast favorites with one minor change: I cut thebagel into three slices instead of in half, like this http://www.momskitchenhandbook.com/uncategorized/egg-in-a-bagel-breakfast/ I prefer the bread-to-bagel ratio a bit better. Either way, though delicious!
 
Lori S. November 30, 2015
I tried it this morning and after about 5 minutes the top was not even close to being set. I ended up having to flip it to cook the top, which worked OK except that the point was to not have to flip it. Maybe I just underestimated the volume of the egg and should have cut out a bigger hole for it. It tasted great so I'll definitely try it again!
 
Ali S. November 30, 2015
Hi Lori: Another solution is to stick the pan under the broiler. I've had to do that from time to time when volume is a problem. Hope next time fares better!
 
Lori S. December 1, 2015
I probably would have thought of the broiler if I hadn't been trying it so early in the morning! Next time I'll finish my coffee before I start cooking :)
 
Andrew December 7, 2015
I agree, it just doesn't work. The top ends up being raw egg whites, gross. I had to flip it and allow it to cook another minute or so. I also tried expanding the hole, etc.
 
William D. November 30, 2015
Thanks Ali. I miss Oakland.
 
Dinah November 29, 2015
My mom always likes the middle completely taken out of the bagel. Perhaps a different take on it to try...
 
Gerard K. November 29, 2015
How do you eat it?
 
Ali S. November 30, 2015
You'll need a fork and knife for this one.
 
Steve P. November 29, 2015
This is a great idea. I do basically the same thing with hash browns and call it "egg in a nest."
 
Craig H. November 22, 2015
I made this recipe this morning and you are right. Egg & bagel is better than eggs with a bagel. Very tasty.
 
Ali S. November 30, 2015
Glad you liked it!
 
Daniel M. November 17, 2015
I did this exact recipe like a year ago on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnNcYug6EQ4