Quick and easy to make from just a few ingredients, eggy bread is an ideal meal for one. With the addition of a few extra ingredients, it can also be turned into something a bit more exciting. Learn the basics of how to make it, how it differs from similar dishes and what you can do to give it a simple upgrade.
What is eggy bread?
Eggy bread is a dish often served for breakfast or lunch, made by soaking bread in a mixture of eggs and a little milk. In the UK, it is commonly served with sausage, bacon or baked beans, but it can also be sweet or eaten on its own as a snack.
It’s popular for its simplicity. This easy dish only takes a few minutes to prepare and can be eaten almost straight after cooking.
Ingredients needed to make eggy bread
To make this recipe, you will need the following:
- Sliced bread
- Eggs
- Milk
- Butter or oil for frying
- Salt and pepper for seasoning (optional)
How to make eggy bread step by step
There are plenty of different recipes you can follow. Some use four cheese focaccia bread for a filling lunch, while others combine eggs and bread with extra ingredients, as seen in these tasty sandwich recipes. Some versions also include herbs or seasoning, such as chopped parsley, ground paprika or white pepper.
That said, all variations follow the same basic steps, which you can adapt as much as you like:
- Beat the eggs until the whites and yolks are combined
- Add a splash or two of milk
- Dip sliced bread into the mixture so it soaks up the liquid
- Season, then shallow fry for a couple of minutes on each side
As you can see, there is not much to it, which makes this a great way to get children comfortable in the kitchen. There are also more grown-up versions that turn it into something more appealing than basic fried bread. Following a specific recipe can be a good way to get more out of its simplicity.
Fried eggy bread and common variations
This is often where people start experimenting. Adding grated cheese to the egg mixture or sprinkling it over the bread while it cooks gives a richer flavour and makes it feel more filling, especially as a lunchtime option. For something heartier, fry two slices, let them cool slightly, then add ham, tomato or leftover vegetables and serve them like a warm sandwich.
It also works well as a base for herbs and spices. Chopped parsley, chives or a pinch of paprika can lift the flavour without overpowering it. French toast is usually sweeter, but this dish can lean that way too. Try adding a little sugar or cinnamon to the egg mixture, or finish with a drizzle of honey after frying for a simple twist.
Eggy bread vs French toast
Eggy bread and French toast are very similar, and many people use the terms interchangeably. The main difference comes down to how they are seasoned and served. Eggy bread in the UK is usually savoury and often paired with ingredients like bacon, sausage or baked beans. French toast, on the other hand, is more commonly served as a sweet breakfast or brunch dish.
French toast recipes often include sugar, cinnamon or vanilla in the egg mixture, and it is usually finished with toppings like fruit, syrup or icing sugar. Eggy bread tends to skip these extras, keeping the flavours simpler. That said, the cooking method is essentially the same, and you can easily adapt one into the other depending on what you feel like eating.
Sweet eggy bread and savoury serving ideas
Eggy bread can swing in either direction, depending on how you serve it. Sweet eggy bread works well as a quick breakfast or an easy dessert, especially with a pinch of sugar added to the egg and milk mixture. As it fries, the sugar caramelises slightly, giving the bread a golden finish. Serve it simply with ground cinnamon, jam or fresh fruit.
On the savoury side, cheese is a popular addition and pairs well with herbs or cured meats. Recipes like cheesy Camembert stuffed bread or cheesy hasselback garlic bread, both found among classic cheese recipes, show just how well bread and cheese work together. The same idea applies to eggy bread. Whether you keep it simple or dress it up, it is an easy dish to adapt to whatever you are craving.
How to make eggy bread FAQs
What bread works best for eggy bread?
For a more indulgent version that feels a bit special, brioche is a great choice. Its slight sweetness works well, and it absorbs the egg and milk mixture without falling apart. Plain white bread is also a firm favourite in the UK. In reality, most types of bread will work, so you can use whatever you have to hand or whatever a particular recipe suggests.
Is eggy bread the same as French toast?
The two dishes are very similar and are prepared in much the same way, using bread soaked in eggs and milk, then fried. The main difference comes down to how they are served. Eggy bread is usually treated as savoury, often seasoned with salt, pepper and herbs. French toast, on the other hand, is more commonly sweet, served with sugar, syrup or fruit.
Can eggy bread be made sweet or savoury?
Yes. Although it is traditionally served as a savoury dish, it is easy to adapt it in either direction once you know the basic method. Adding cinnamon or sugar creates a sweet version, while cheese or spices keep it savoury. Whether you call the sweet version eggy bread or French toast is really just personal preference.
How do you stop eggy bread from going soggy?
Using thick slices of bread helps, as they can absorb the egg mixture without breaking down. Avoid leaving the bread in the liquid for too long, as this is what usually causes sogginess. Frying it for long enough is also important, so the egg fully sets and the outside turns lightly golden.
Can eggy bread be made ahead of time?
Yes. Once cooked, let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. Your meal prepped eggy bread will keep for a couple of days. To reheat, place it on a baking tray in a medium oven for around 10 minutes until warmed through.