Toad in the Hole {Foolproof Recipe!} (2024)

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By Sarah Rossi

on Nov 02, 2022, Updated Jan 15, 2024

5 from 268 votes

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Is there anything more comforting than the classic English dish Toad in the Hole? Golden baked sausages roasted in a light and crispy giant Yorkshire Pudding.This is one recipe that we all need a foolproof, easy version of, and here’s mine!

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This is the kind of dish that we all loved as children but the pressure to come up with a perfect Yorkshire Pudding recipe can make it feel a bit daunting to attempt as adults.

Well, I am here to tell you that it’s not that difficult, you don’t have to worry about perfection here (NEVER!) and that when you find the best Toad in the Hole recipe – and the simplest – you’ll be making this homemade version over and over again.

That said, one rule I beg you to remember – keep the oven door shut! 😜

Why you’ll love this Toad in the Hole recipe

⭐️ Ultimate traditional comfort food

⭐️ A show-stopper for Sunday lunch

⭐️ Low cost and simple ingredients

Toad in the Hole {Foolproof Recipe!} (3)

About Toad in the Hole

It’s a rite of passage for everyone in the land who loves cooking to perfect Yorkshire Puddings, and indeed Toad in the Hole. So what is this strange dish, I hear non-British people cry? And why on earth is it called Toad in the Hole?

It is a dish made up of sausages cooked inside a big Yorkshire Pudding, which is usually served with vegetables on the side and onion gravy over the top. We are proud of our humble origins of Yorkshire Puddings, which date back to the 18th century and were a way for the poor to feed their families (they are made up of eggs, flour and milk).

Adding a little meat meant a whole meal was on offer, so a Toad in the Hole recipe helped to bulk up meals that had meagre meat portions. So, nothing at all to do with toads! Here’s a theory in The Culture Trip as to how that name might have come about.

Ingredients for Toad in the Hole

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  • Sunflower oil – Olive oil won’t work as well here as it needs to get up to a very high temperature
  • Sausages – As good quality as you can afford and nice plump ones
  • Milk – Semi-skimmed is fine
  • Eggs – Medium sized
  • Plain flour – Regular plain baking flour
  • Salt – I like sea salt

How to make the Toad in the Hole recipe

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1. Preheat the oven, add sausages to oil and coat. Put into cook.

Toad in the Hole {Foolproof Recipe!} (6)

2. Start the batter by whisking the flour and eggs together.

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4. Add the batter to the sausages and cook for about 30 minutes until golden.

Hint: Do not open the oven door until the batter has been cooking for at least 25 minutes!

Substitutions

  • Veggie sausages – If you want to make this as a Vegetarian Toad in the Hole, veggies sausages are fine to use. They might need slightly less cooking time, so keep an eye on them and adjust according to the timings on the pack.

Leftovers

This is best eaten immediately if you want the best results (allowing a few minutes for it to be easier to remove from the tin as mentioned below) but you can get ahead by making the batter earlier and refrigerating. You can also brown the sausages first to save time.

If you want to reheat Toad in the Hole, you can do this in the microwave or oven covered up with foil, but it may become soft in the microwave and dry out a little in the oven.

Top tips for making Toad in the Hole

Don’t open the oven door!
This is a well-known fact in Yorkshire Pudding-land. But I repeat: DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR until at least 25 minutes into the cooking time. If you do, your batter will sink.

Use a tin rather than ceramic dish:
This will help your batter to rise as it will reach a higher temperature.I actually think this is pretty key to the dish.

Getting your Yorkshires to rise:
Toad in the Hole needs a hot dish with plenty of oil. Using a metal baking tin and adding the batter quickly is recommended. Also, the dish needs to be large enough so that the batter can creep around the edges (at least 30cm x 25cm ideally).

What to serve with Toad in the Hole?

  • Onion gravy – Easier than you think to make your own!
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Colcannon – Decadent and delicious
  • Bubble and Squeak – The British CLASSIC
  • Red Cabbage – Love this veggie side dish
  • Any other steamed vegetables

Toad in the Hole FAQs

How do I make a smooth Yorkshire Pudding batter?

I find using a very small whisk works best if you have one, or an electric whisk. (I recommend this handheld whisk).

Add SOME of the liquid first (in this case I add the eggs first), then mix until it’s a smooth paste, and then add the milk gradually, each time making sure the mixture is smooth before adding more.

How can I stop Toad in the Hole from sticking to the tin?

To prevent the Toad in a Hole from sticking, wait about 5 minutes after cooking before trying to remove it from the tin.

The batter is more likely to lift in one piece instead of trying to hack it out as soon as it’s cooked!

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

Toad in the Hole {Foolproof Recipe!} (9)

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5 from 268 votes

Toad in the Hole {Foolproof Recipe!}

By Sarah Rossi

The comforting classic is pure perfection when the day calls for it – the best Toad in the Hole recipe is all we need to please everyone.

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Sunflower oil
  • 8 Sausages, About 450g
  • 150 g Plain flour
  • Pinch Salt
  • 3 Eggs
  • 200 ml Semi-skimmed milk
  • 50 ml Water

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 220c.

  • Add the oil and sausages to an oven proof dish and stir to coat everything with the oil. Place the dish in the oven and cook for 10 minutes.

  • Whisk the flour and salt with the eggs until you have a very smooth, very thick paste.

  • Add about a third of the milk, whisk until smooth, add the rest, along with the water and again whisk until totally smooth.

  • Remove the dish from the oven and then pour in the batter around the sausages.

  • Return to the oven and reduce the temperature to 200°C. Cook for 30 minutes. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN until at least 25 minutes has passed! Serve immediately when crisp and golden.

Notes

Serve with How about my Simple Onion Gravy recipe?

Oven door: DO NOT OPEN it until at least 25 minutes into the cooking time or the Yorkshire pudding it will sink.

Tin: Try to use a metal tin rather than ceramic dish as this will affect the cooking temperature. It needs to be large enough so that the batter can rise and creep around the edges (at least 30cm x 25cm ideally).

Add the batter quickly: This will help it to rise.

To serve: Best served with mashed potatoes, onion gravy and vegetables.

Nutrition

Calories: 787kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 35gFat: 57gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 27gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 249mgSodium: 1153mgPotassium: 577mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 357IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Family Food

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Categorized as:
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49 Comments

  1. Toad in the Hole {Foolproof Recipe!} (16)
    The toad in the hole food is delicious with your recipe, thanks for the help!

    Reply

  2. Toad in the Hole {Foolproof Recipe!} (17)
    Really filling. Will definitely make this again. My husband liked the way the Yorkshire pudding had a pork taste due to the sausages. We had some pork gravy left over from a roast a few weeks ago (I freeze left overs) and green dwarf beans with it.

    Reply

  3. Toad in the Hole {Foolproof Recipe!} (18)
    This really was a foolproof recipe! I followed the instructions exactly and it turned out perfectly! This is the first time I’ve ever made Toad in the hole, but it won’t be the last. I’m also going to use this batter recipe to make Yorkshire puddings. Thank you!

    Reply

  4. Toad in the Hole {Foolproof Recipe!} (19)
    1st attempt at this, was amazing rose to perfection

    Reply

Toad in the Hole {Foolproof Recipe!} (2024)

FAQs

Why does my Yorkshire pudding not rise with toad in the hole? ›

I actually think this is pretty key to the dish. Getting your Yorkshires to rise: Toad in the Hole needs a hot dish with plenty of oil. Using a metal baking tin and adding the batter quickly is recommended.

What tin is best for toad in the hole? ›

Use a metal (or enamel-coated metal) baking tin if possible – a large, reasonably deep dish is best. Using a metal tin means the tin it will get hotter and the heat distribution will be more even. Mine is a rectangular enamel roaster, approx 31cmx25cm and 5cm deep.

What cut of meat is used in a toad in the hole? ›

Toad in the hole is a traditional English dish consisting of sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, usually served with onion gravy and vegetables. Historically, the dish has also been prepared using other meats, such as rump steak and lamb's kidney. In the 21st century, vegetarian and vegan versions have appeared.

Why does my toad in the hole always stick? ›

If the dish did not fully cook, it will stick. Bake until it dries and starts browning. Rub the oil on the baking dish before heating it. Line the baking dish with parchment paper.

Why does my toad in the hole never rise? ›

The flour should be plain (all-purpose) flour and not self-raising. However it is most likely that the batter isn't quite cooking properly due to the dish. Stoneware tends to heat up very slowly and doesn't give the instant hit of heat that the batter needs to help it to rise properly.

Why is my toad in the hole batter not cooking? ›

Make sure the the fat is really hot before you add the batter. Really, really hot oil. It has to be smoking as you pour the batter in. Don't, under any circ*mstances open the oven door during cooking or they will sink.

How runny should Yorkshire pudding batter be? ›

Basically it's equal parts eggs flour milk. Originally Answered: Should Yorkshire pudding batter be runny? Yes, the batter should be runny, about the consistency of heavy cream.

Can I use a cake tin for toad in the hole? ›

I got so fed up with a sausage toad sticking that I now make them separately. I make 2 individual yorkies for the 2 of us in 8 inch cake tins. When cooked they are the perfect container for a couple of sausages, mash, peas (or whatever) and gravy all in the one crispy 'receptacle'.

Why is it called toad in the hole? ›

The most commonly accepted explanation for its name is that the sausages resemble toads peeking from a crevice made of crisp batter.

What do you eat with toad in the hole? ›

Serve at the table with the Toad in the hole, mashed potatoes, greens and baked beans or maybe a green salad if you're feeling a little guilty!

What do Americans call toad in the hole? ›

Egg in a Basket features an egg fried in the hole of a buttery slice of bread. The dish goes by several other names as well; Americans sometimes call it Toad in the Hole, but that title more properly refers to the traditional English dish of Yorkshire pudding with sausage and onion gravy.

What part of a toad is poisonous? ›

The skin-gland secretions of cane toads (called bufotoxin) are highly toxic and can sicken or even kill animals that bite or feed on them, including native animals and domestic pets. The skin secretions may irritate the skin or burn the eyes of people who handle them.

Can you freeze a toad in the hole? ›

FREEZE AHEAD: Once cool, put the toad-in-the-holes on a lined baking tray and freeze for 4 hours. Pack in freezer bags and freeze for up to one month. Reheat from frozen on a baking tray covered loosely with foil, in a preheated oven at 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6, for 15-20 mins or until piping hot throughout.

How do I stop Yorkshire pudding from sticking? ›

Wipe Instead of Washing. If you plan to clean your pudding tins before using them, never wash them with soap and water. This spoils the surface of the tins and can cause the batter to stick and thus prevent puddings from rising. Just wipe the tins clean with a paper towel before and after use.

How do I make sure my Yorkshire puddings don't stick? ›

There should be a sizzle when you pour the batter into the hot oil. The batter will immediately start cooking, resulting in higher and crispier puds. The hot pan also means your Yorkies are less likely to stick to it when you remove them later.

Why is my Yorkshire pudding not puffing up? ›

The Yorkshire pudding tins must not be over-filled

Over-filling your Yorkshire pudding tin will lead to heavy puddings, which won't rise to lofty heights. Whether you're making individual Yorkshire puddings or a large pud to carve up, only fill the tin about a third of the way for optimum puds.

How do you make Yorkshire puddings rise higher? ›

Resting the batter overnight is key for developing better flavor. Forget about cold batter: letting it rest at room temperature helps it rise taller as it bakes. A combination of milk and water gives the Yorkshire puddings extra rise and crispness.

Why do my Yorkshire puddings fall flat? ›

A common fault that results in flat yorkshires is not having things hot enough. The oven needs to be very hot, and you need to use a metal dish with fat or oil that is hot enough to sizzle when you pour the mixture in. Get it straight into the oven and do not open the door for the duration of the cooking time.

Why do my Yorkshire puddings not rise evenly? ›

Sometimes because the oven door is open too long or the pan or fat isn't hot enough before the batter is added. Sometimes it's because there is too much batter in the pan, sometimes because the pan is too large for the quantity of batter, and sometimes because the pan isn't deep enough.

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