There are many different names for this one recipe (over 66), but the way this breakfast recipe is made remains the same: a fried egg is cooked inside a slice of buttery toast. Use your choice of sandwich bread: sourdough, brioche, white, or whole wheat.
Use a 2-2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter to cut a hole in the center of a slice of bread. If you don't have a biscuit cutter, use a sharp knife or the rim of a drinking glass.
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet, over medium-high heat, for each egg-a-hole you plan to make. For 2 servings, melt 2 tablespoons butter.
Once melted, reduce the heat to medium and add the bread (and the cut out) to the skillet. Cook the bread on each side for 1 minute, uncovered. Don't forget to flip the cut out pieces, too.
Crack a large egg directly into each bread hole. One egg per slice of bread. I find it helpful to crack the egg on the countertop, then open the egg once positioned directly over the cut-out hole in the bread. Don't open the egg too high in the air, as the egg yolk may break and spread with impact.
Cover the skillet and cook the bread and eggs together for 2 minutes.
After 2 minutes, remove the lid from the skillet. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the eggs.
Use a spatula. Quickly and gently flip the eggs and bread. The egg white should be mostly set before flipping, with just a portion of the egg white (near the yolk) and the yolk itself uncooked.
Cook, uncovered, for about 15-30 seconds for an over easy egg (a slightly runny yolk). Or 1 minute for a well done egg (no runny yolk).
This dish is best enjoyed ASAP. If you want extra flavor, sprinkle chopped herbs (like basil, parsley, chives, or even dill) over the eggs.
Eat with a fork and knife. Serve alone or alongside the serving suggestions below. The bread cut out, now perfectly toasted from the butter, is ideal for dipping in an over easy egg and the runny yolk!
Notes
How to cook well done eggs: If you're not a fan of a runny yolk, cook your egg a bit longer. After cooking the egg and bread for 2 minutes and then flipping, cook for about 1 minute before plating and enjoying.How to cook over easy eggs: If you want a runny yolk, after cooking the eggs-in-a-hole for 2 minutes and then flipping, only cook for about 15-30 seconds before plating and serving.The nutrition information below is for one egg and slice of bread (1 serving).