Scotch Egg Recipe (2024)

Published April 5, 2023.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This scotch egg recipe which is hard-boiled eggs encased in sausage and then breaded and fried, is the most delicious appetizer. If you’ve never had these before, then you are in for a real treat.

My favorite part of any meal is the delicious appetizers. If you’re similar, you must try myCorn Frittersand my Deviled Eggs.

Scotch Egg Recipe (1)

Scotch Egg

Scotch egg is a hard-boiled egg that is completely coated in the sausage that is then dredged in flour, dipped in an egg wash, covered in breadcrumbs, and fried until golden brown. While one would think this is a breakfast food given the ingredients, it is commonly served as an appetizer after being sliced in half or quartered. Scotch eggs can be served cold or hot.

The Scotch egg was created in London, England, not Scotland. It was initially created as an on-the-go meal as people from London would travel to their countryside homes. The simple recipe has since been revived and is now a staple at pubs and farmers’ markets.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Scotch Egg Recipe (2)
  • Eggs – You will need large eggs for two things. Firstly, for the egg wash and, secondly, for the hard-boiled egg encased in sausage.
  • Sausage – Any good pork sausage will work. If you want to go the extra mile, use my Banger recipe for exceptional behavior.
  • Flour – all-purpose flour is what is needed for the breading.
  • Breadcrumbs – You can use plain breadcrumbs or panko for the outside coating of the Scotch egg.
  • Oil – Any neutral flavored oil will work.
  • Seasonings – If you are using a regular pork sausage like bratwurst, I like to add parsley, mustard, onion, and garlic to enhance its flavor further.

How to Make Scotch Eggs

Start by making your hard-boiled, medium-boiled, or soft-boiled eggs.

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Immediately chill them in ice water after boiling them to the desired internal doneness.

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Carefully peel the eggs under lukewarm water to keep them intact.

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In a large bowl, if you aren’t using a pre-made authentic banger recipe, mix the sausage together with grated onion, garlic, parsley, and mustard to combine.

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Next, form the sausage into 6 individual equal-sized tight balls.

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Place one of the balls on a plastic wrap and press it until it is about 7” to 8” in diameter.

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Put a pre-cooked egg into the center of the smashed sausage.

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Grab the plastic wrap from all four corners and cold up to help start the process of the sausage wrapping around the egg.

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Next, remove it from the plastic and continue gently forming the sausage around the egg entirely until it is sealed in. Repeat the process for the remaining eggs.

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Dredge 1 sausage-covered egg in a bowl of flour seasoned with salt and pepper.

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Transfer the egg from flour to a bowl of whisked eggs seasoned with salt and pepper and roll it around until covered.

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Take it from the egg wash to a bowl of breadcrumbs seasoned with salt and pepper and coat it entirely. Delicately press the crumbs down onto the egg-washed egg so that it is covered on all sides. Place it on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper and repeat the process until the others are breaded.

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Fry 2 to 3 Scotch eggs into a large saucepot of neutral flavored oil at 350° for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. The sausage should be at least 145° internally. Place on some paper towels to drain. Repeat the process until all the Scotch eggs are fried.

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Slice and serve.

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Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: These can be eaten hot or cold. You can serve them as soon as they’re done cooking, or you can chill them and serve them the next day.

How to Store: Once cool, cover them and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. These will freeze well and be covered for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge for 1 day before reheating them.

How to Reheat: Place them on a rack over a sheet tray and bake in the oven at 350° for 4 to 6 minutes or until warm. You can also refry it in neutral flavored oil at 350° for 1 to 2 minutes.

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Chef notes + Tips

  • If you want a softer yolk, you can use a medium-boiled egg or a soft-boiled egg. When doing so, you’ll need to be careful when wrapping the sausage around it so as not to break the egg.
  • Be sure to taste the flour and breadcrumbs after seasoning them to ensure they are delicious before breading your Scotch egg.

More Appetizer Recipes

Scotch Egg Recipe (18)

Video

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Scotch Egg Recipe

5 from 7 votes

This scotch egg recipe which is hard-boiled eggs encased in sausage and then breaded and fried, is the most delicious appetizer.

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 large Eggs
  • 1 ½ pounds pork sausage
  • ½ peeled, finely grated small yellow onion
  • 1 finely grated clove of garlic
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • neutral flavored oil for deep frying
  • coarse sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Start by making your hard-boiled, medium-boiled, or soft-boiled eggs.

  • Immediately chill them in ice water after boiling them to the desired internal doneness.

  • Carefully peel the eggs under lukewarm water to keep them intact.

  • In a large bowl, if you aren’t using a pre-made authentic banger recipe, combine the sausage together with grated onion, garlic, parsley, and mustard to combine.

  • Next, form the sausage into 6 individual equal-sized tight balls.

  • Place one of the balls on a piece of plastic wrap and press it down until it is about 7” to 8” in diameter.

  • Put a pre-cooked egg into the center of the smashed sausage.

  • Grab the plastic wrap from all four corners and cold up to help start the process of the sausage wrapping around the egg.

  • Next, remove it from the plastic and gently form the sausage around the egg entirely until it is sealed in. Repeat the process for the remaining eggs.

  • Dredge 1 sausage-covered egg in a bowl of flour seasoned with salt and pepper.

  • Transfer the egg from flour to a bowl of whisked eggs seasoned with salt and pepper and roll it around until covered.

  • Next, take it from the egg wash to a bowl of breadcrumbs seasoned with salt and pepper and coat entirely it, delicately pressing the crumbs down onto the egg-washed egg so that it is covered on all sides. Place it on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper and repeat the process one at a time until the others are breaded.

  • Fry 2 to 3 Scotch eggs into a large saucepot of neutral flavored oil at 350° for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown and the sausage is at least 145°. Place on some paper towels to drain. Repeat the process until all the Scotch eggs are fried.

Notes

Make-Ahead: These can be eaten hot or cold, so you can serve them as soon as they’re done cooking, or you can chill them and serve them the next day.

How to Store: Once cool, cover them and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. These will freeze well and be covered for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge for 1 day before reheating them.

How to Reheat: Place them on a rack over a sheet tray and bake in the oven at 350° for 4 to 6 minutes or until warm. You can also refry it in neutral flavored oil at 350° for 1 to 2 minutes.

If you want a softer yolk, you can use a medium-boiled egg or a soft-boiled egg. When doing so, you’ll need to be careful when wrapping the sausage around it so as not to break the egg.

Be sure to taste the flour and breadcrumbs after seasoning them to ensure they are delicious before breading your Scotch egg.

Nutrition

Calories: 584kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 29gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 300mgSodium: 993mgPotassium: 454mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 574IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 4mg

Course: Appetizer, Breakfast

Cuisine: english, scottish

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14 comments

    • Warren
    • Scotch Egg Recipe (20)

    Oh my…. I made these today. Amazing!! Certainly worth the work and all the dirty dishes. Just amazing!!!

    • Reply
    • sue😁
    • Scotch Egg Recipe (21)

    Thank you Chef Billy tasty hopefully runny your scotch eggs 🤩😋😁

    • Reply
    • Cindy Howard
    • Scotch Egg Recipe (22)

    This one sounds great. I like all the ingredients so I will give it a try. I can’t thank you enough for all your videos. I tend to try the recipes that come with a video. Thank you so much. Your recipes have not disappointed me at all!

    • Reply
    • SARA B JACKSON

    I made these today for breakfast! Soft boiled the eggs, and used a mix of panko and breadcrumbs! Perfect! So delicious!!

    • Reply
    • sue
    • Scotch Egg Recipe (23)

    Shall do you recipe as the one I used was…thankyou for this recipe. Of yummy ness 😁🤩😋👋

    • Reply
    • Cameron
    • Scotch Egg Recipe (24)

    This is a phenomenal recipe. I had scotch eggs one time before and I have wanted them again ever since. I made these for a potluck at work and everyone is raving about them. Thank you so much for such an awesome recipe!

    • Reply
    • Scotch Egg Recipe (25)

        many thanks!

        • Reply
      • Ali
      • Scotch Egg Recipe (26)

      Delicious! They were a hit!

      • Reply
      • Scotch Egg Recipe (27)

          love it!

          • Reply
        • Randy Rudeen
        • Scotch Egg Recipe (28)

        Billy, great recipe! Your attention to detail is appreciated. I have made this before. Next time I will add the nutmeg and parsley. I like the yoke softer, so I boil the eggs for only six minutes…then put into the ice bath. To give the breadcrumbs more flavor try Italian breadcrumbs. Also, I used green onion instead of yellow onion. Bon Appétit.

        • Reply
        • Scotch Egg Recipe (29)

            Thanks for giving it a shot!!

            • Reply
          • Margo Wickesser

          Looks delish. Reheat in a microwave?

          • Reply
          • Scotch Egg Recipe (30)

              sure

              • Reply
              • Cindi

              I would not reheat in microwave. Air fryer would be better.

              • Reply
          Scotch Egg Recipe (2024)

          FAQs

          What makes a Scotch egg a Scotch egg? ›

          A Scotch egg is a boiled egg that has been wrapped in sausage, breaded, and deep-fried or baked. Despite its name, this likely has English (not Scottish) origins. Scotch eggs are commonly found at picnics in the U.K. and packaged Scotch eggs are widely available in British supermarkets, corner shops, and gas stations.

          What is traditionally served with Scotch eggs? ›

          Mustard sauce

          Mustard is a common condiment served with various meat-based dishes, and Scotch eggs are no exception. This combination has become a traditional and classic pairing - the piquant and zesty notes of the mustard sauce bring out the best in the Scotch eggs and give it an extra punch.

          Do Scotch eggs have to be deep-fried? ›

          We've made the popular scotch egg recipe much healthier than the classic version by baking them, instead of deep-frying in oil. We've made the popular scotch egg recipe much healthier than the classic version by baking them, instead of deep-frying in oil.

          Do you eat Scotch eggs hot or cold? ›

          Scotch eggs can be served cold or hot. The Scotch egg was created in London, England, not Scotland. It was initially created as an on-the-go meal as people from London would travel to their countryside homes. The simple recipe has since been revived and is now a staple at pubs and farmers' markets.

          How unhealthy are Scotch eggs? ›

          “Eggs also offer protein and fat but negligible carbohydrates and fibre. The addition of sausage meat and breadcrumbs adds more protein but minimal fibre and carbs.” Surprisingly, in terms of daily intakes, you're mostly fine with a two scotch egg meal.

          Do they have Scotch eggs in America? ›

          But while these hearty snacks have been served at picnics, pubs and corner stores in the United Kingdom since the late 18th century, the Scotch egg's modish repute stateside is a fairly recent phenomenon. Why, then, has it become one of the hottest rising trends on American menus?

          Why do Scotch eggs split when cooking? ›

          (If the covering isn't even, the Scotch egg will split during cooking.) If you're struggling with the wrapping of the egg, try covering your work surface with oiled plastic wrap and pressing the balls flat on there, rather than onto your hand.

          What is another name for a Scotch egg? ›

          It is often eaten in pubs or as a cold snack at picnics. In the Netherlands and Belgium, Scotch eggs may also be called vogelnestje ("little bird's nest"), because they contain an egg. One 1880s Scottish recipe also calls them birds' nests.

          Should you keep Scotch eggs in the fridge? ›

          Cooked Scotch Eggs will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you are preparing Scotch Eggs in advance and want to store them until you're ready to cook, you can store Uncooked Scotch Eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can freeze Scotch eggs for around three months.

          How do you know when Scotch eggs are done? ›

          Depending on the size of your pan, lower as many eggs as you can into the oil, and cook for 8-10 mins until golden and crispy. Drain on kitchen paper, leave to cool a little, then serve halved with some piccalilli.

          Why is my Scotch egg runny? ›

          FOR THOSE SIGNATURE RUNNY EGGS: Boil a pan of water and lower 5 of the eggs into the pan using a spoon to avoid the eggs cracking. Cook for 5 minutes and then lift out into a bowl of iced water to cool the eggs rapidly. This will allow the shells to come off easier and keep the yolks runny.

          What is the difference between eggroll and Scotch egg? ›

          For those asking for the difference: Scotch egg is boiled egg that is wrapped in sausage, rolled in breadcrumbs and is deep-fried or baked. Eggroll (Nigerian) is made from boiled egg covered in doughnut-like flour dough and is deep-fried.

          Why is a Scotch egg so called? ›

          Their name in those days was 'Scotties,' allegedly because they were made at an eatery by the name of William J Scott & Sons close to the seafront. Hence, over a period of time, the term Scotch eggs was adopted.

          Can you eat a runny Scotch egg cold? ›

          While this product can be eaten cold, we advise eating it warm to truly enjoy the flavour and deliciously runny centre. M&S Food has been at the heart of the nation since 1884.

          Should you microwave a Scotch egg? ›

          The egg is intact, trapping moisture in the yolk. For that reason, reheating the egg in the microwave can generate a lot of steam. All that steam energy can build up, creating a risk of the Scotch egg exploding inside the microwave. While ruining the egg is bad enough, nobody wants that mess to have to clean up.

          What is the difference between egg roll and Scotch egg? ›

          For those asking for the difference: Scotch egg is boiled egg that is wrapped in sausage, rolled in breadcrumbs and is deep-fried or baked. Eggroll (Nigerian) is made from boiled egg covered in doughnut-like flour dough and is deep-fried.

          Are Scotch eggs ready to eat? ›

          This product is ready to eat, but may also be eaten hot as detailed below. Oven Heat from chilled. Before heating: Preheat oven. Remove all packaging.

          What is the outside of a Scotch egg made of? ›

          A Scotch egg is a boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and baked or deep-fried.

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