Egg-in-a-Hole With Asparagus

Published: June 3, 2022

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Rating: 4.0 (408 reviews)

Comments: 55 comments (read)

Recipe Overview

This dish is a savory fusion of two classic breakfast staples: egg-in-a-hole and Parmesan French toast, elevated by a bed of crisp, roasted asparagus. Perfect for a light brunch or dinner, it requires only one baking sheet for efficient cleanup, making it ideal for busy mornings or weeknight meals. The result is a balanced, protein-packed dish where tender asparagus meets golden, eggy bread, all infused with nutty Parmesan flavor.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 thick-cut bread slices (1-inch thick, from the center of a loaf; stale bread works best for structure)

• 8 large eggs (2 eggs per bread slice)

• 1 lb (450g) fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed

• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for depth)

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 1–2 tablespoons whole milk (optional, for creamier egg mixture)

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Process Asparagus: Toss trimmed asparagus with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic powder (if using), ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Spread evenly on the baking sheet.

3. Prepare Bread & Eggs: Cut a 2-inch-wide circle (or two small holes) from the center of each bread slice (ensure the hole is large enough to hold 2 eggs). In a bowl, whisk eggs with ¼ cup Parmesan, the remaining milk (if using), ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

4. Assemble: Place bread slices on the baking sheet (adjacent to asparagus, if space allows; if not, use a second sheet). Pour the egg mixture into the center holes of the bread, filling each hole generously. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan over the bread.

5. Bake: Transfer to the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, until asparagus is tender-crisp, bread edges are golden, and egg whites are set (yolks may remain slightly runny for richness, or bake 2–3 minutes longer for fully set yolks).

6. Serve: Garnish with fresh chives or additional Parmesan, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Bread Selection: Opt for dense, crusty bread (e.g., sourdough, brioche) to prevent collapse; avoid overly soft sandwich bread.

• Vegetable Swap: Substitute asparagus with broccoli florets, halved cherry tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, or sliced mushrooms (adjust baking time for denser veggies, e.g., mushrooms need 20–25 minutes).

• Double the Recipe: Use two baking sheets to avoid overcrowding; bake asparagus and bread separately for even cooking.

• Texture Tweak: For crispier edges, brush bread with a light egg wash before adding the egg mixture.

Featured In

When Egg-in-a-Hole Meets Savory French Toast

This recipe is also adaptable for meal prep—store leftover components separately and reheat for a quick breakfast!