Egg in a Bagel Hole Recipe on Food52 (2024)

5 Ingredients or Fewer

by: Ali Slagle

November4,2015

5

6 Ratings

  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Cook time 5 minutes
  • Makes 2

Jump to Recipe

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

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 bagel
  • 1 tablespoonbutter
  • 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.

Tags:

  • Bread
  • American
  • Egg
  • 5 Ingredients or Fewer
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Spring
  • Fall
  • Vegetarian
  • Breakfast

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Christine Carlson Whittington

  • Lisa Johnson

  • Annette Lowrie

  • Steve Traba

  • Kimberly Baxter

Popular on Food52

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

Egg in a Bagel Hole Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Why do you put eggs in bagels? ›

The standard recipe remains pretty much the same, except egg yolks are added into the mix, which changes the bagel's texture. Typical bagels have a crispy outside and a chewy interior. But the addition of the yolks makes for an all-around softer bagel.

What is in an egg everything bagel? ›

An egg everything bagel is a delectable and savory treat that combines the classic flavors of an everything bagel with a rich and fluffy egg topping. This features a freshly baked bagel generously coated with a medley of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion flakes, garlic, and salt.

What is the difference between an egg bagel and a regular bagel? ›

What is an egg bagel? The egg bagel is a bagel that is made with egg yolks or whole eggs in addition to the standard dough that contains water, salt, flour, and yeast.

What is a bagel made of? ›

Bagels are made from the basic bread ingredients of flour, yeast, salt, and sweetening. High-gluten flour gives the roll its spongy, chewy texture, which can be lightened by the addition of eggs, milk, and butter.

Why do you put a hole in a bagel? ›

Ever wondered why bagels have holes in the middle? The basic shape is hundreds of years old and serves lots of practical advantages besides an even cooking and baking of the dough. The hole also allowed them to be threaded or piled high on a dowel which made them easier to transport and display.

Do traditional bagels have egg? ›

Normally, bagel dough does not contain eggs. Egg bagels do actually get their special name from the addition of eggs to the mix before baking! They often also contain a bit of sugar and yellowing coloring.

Is an egg bagel healthy? ›

Because eggs are good sources of protein and iron, egg bagels have about twice the amount of protein and iron when compared to plain bagels — and some additional vitamins, to boot. Nice job, egg bagels.

Why are egg bagels yellow? ›

Egg bagels get their yellow color and chewy, airy texture from the addition of eggs — specifically, egg yolks. The egg yolks enrich the bagel dough with fat which gives them a texture slightly more similar to a challah bread. But the shiny, gelatinized crust and the low hydration makes them unmistakably bagels.

Do Noah's bagels have eggs? ›

At Noah's, we believe every bagel should be fresh-baked and that ingredients matter. Our dedication to quality includes cage-free eggs, thick-cut bacon, and bagels made of dough that starts with simple ingredients: flour, water, brown sugar, salt and yeast.

Why do people put eggs in bread? ›

besides the nutritional benefits there are a few other good reasons to use egg in breadmaking. It makes the bread lighter and fluffier. The reason for that is the fat in the yolk that inhibits gluten formation just as any other fat would. This results in a looser dough that can expand and puff up more.

What is the purpose of eggs in donuts? ›

The yeast uses the sugar as a food source to replicate itself/making the dough rise. Eggs are also added to the dough to provide flavour, texture, and structure. The proteins in the egg coagulate when heated, which helps to set the structure of the doughnut and create a fluffy, tender texture.

What is the purpose of eggs in eggnog? ›

There are two ways to make eggnog: with cooked eggs or raw eggs. Either way, the basic premise is to whisk egg yolks with sugar to increase the volume of the yolks and create a natural thickener.

What does egg wash do to bagels? ›

In baking, many recipes call for an egg wash to be brushed on the baked goods before it goes into the oven. The purpose of this is to give the final product a golden brown color that is slightly shiny. Egg washes can make the final product look more professional, a bit crispier, or act as a binder."

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