Scotch Egg Recipe Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Bake

by: molly yeh

November8,2013

4.7

3 Ratings

  • Prep time 45 minutes
  • Cook time 25 minutes
  • makes 4 Scotch eggs

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Author Notes

Until very recently, Scotch eggs were like unicorns. Even though I hadn't met a Scotch egg, I knew I was in love. Like a colorful, prancing, song-singing unicorn, there is objectively nothing not to love about a Scotch egg recipe. Eggy, meaty, fried. Done. Get me one. Get me 7.

So starting smack in the center of the Harrods Food Hall last summer, I began my Scotch egg tour of the universe. It took me to a perfect little pub in the perfect little countryside town of Lewes, East Sussex, where my friend Sam explained that a freshly boiled egg must be placed in an ice bath prior to its Scotching. It took me to Boston where a wonderful restaurant, Myers + Chang, blew my mind with the idea of wrapping the egg in potsticker filling. It took me to my new home in rural North Dakota where I am suddenly forced to make most of my favorite foods from scratch.

So I pulled together the best parts about each of my favorite Scotch eggs and made one mega awesome Scotch egg that's officially the number one reason why I need to join a gym. It has an extra-runny yolk thanks to an ice bath (ohhh I love 'em runny), it uses the genius idea of potsticker filling as a wrapper, and it uses not just any potsticker filling, but a super-special filling that's used in my family's beloved potsticker recipe.

Warning: Scotch eggs are messy creatures to make! Give yourself a lot of space to make them and invite a few friends over to help (cause if they're good friends they'll help with the cleanup too).
—molly yeh —molly yeh

Test Kitchen Notes

The Scotch eggs in this recipe are quite hefty (which we love!) but 6 medium eggs and the same quantity of chicken will make smaller, more manageable ones. Reduce frying time slightly to prevent overcooked yolks. —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

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Scotch EggRecipe

Ingredients
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 poundground chicken
  • 2 teaspoonseach: sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoonsground ginger
  • a few good grinds of black pepper
  • 2 stalks green onion, minced
  • 1/2 cupflour
  • 1 cuppanko bread crumbs
  • 2 teaspoonskosher salt
  • oil for frying (I use canola)
Directions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully place four eggs in and boil for five minutes (this is for a runny yolk, if you want it firmer, add a bit of time). While they're boiling, prepare a large ice bath. When five minutes is up, immediately place the eggs in the bath.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, black pepper, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, and the green onions.
  3. In three smaller bowls, set up your breading station. In the first bowl, combine flour, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper to taste. In the second, whip up the remaining 2 eggs with a splash of water. In the third bowl, combine the panko, remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon of ginger, and black pepper.
  4. Working with wet hands, divide chicken into four equal parts. Place them on separate squares of parchment paper and flatten out into circles, about 1/2 inch thick. Peel the eggs, coat them in a little flour, and then wrap each in chicken. It helps if you fold up the parchment paper to help the chicken onto the egg.
  5. Once the egg is fully encased in the meat, coat it in flour, and then egg, and then panko. Place back on the parchment and hold in the fridge until the rest of the eggs are ready to go.
  6. Fill a large pot with about 3-4 inches of oil and heat it to 350°F. Fry the Scotch eggs for 5-6 minutes, until they're golden-brown and cooked through. Enjoy!

Tags:

  • British
  • Green Onion/Scallion
  • Soy Sauce
  • Egg
  • Vinegar
  • Chicken
  • Bake
  • Fry
  • Hors D'Oeuvre
  • Appetizer
  • Side
  • Snack

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • @SamuelMoore

  • KakiSue

  • dymnyno

  • nancy essig

  • molly yeh

Recipe by: molly yeh

molly yeh recently moved from brooklyn to a farm outside of grand forks, north dakota, where her husband is a fifth generation farmer. she writes the blog my name is yeh.

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10 Reviews

Deedledum June 16, 2017

Has anyone got any ideas on reheating? I don't want to be frying each day till they're gone...

nancy E. June 18, 2017

They are made to be eaten room temperature. Bring on picnics etc

@SamuelMoore March 28, 2014

Any advice for baking these instead of frying?

molly Y. March 28, 2014

Hi Samuel,
I've never tried baking them but I just did a little search and found these which bake for 35 minutes at 400. (http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/baked-scotch-eggs/f0e01f73-fb39-478b-9a2c-f242359d24af) I like the idea of baking them at a high temperature to get a crispier crust, but I would be nervous about the yolks staying runny enough. Definitely worth a try, I'd say!

@SamuelMoore March 28, 2014

Yes, I want that runny runny yolk, but the health conscious better half wants to bake them, trying to find that happy medium. Thank you!

molly Y. March 28, 2014

this could be crazy, but i wonder if freezing a peeled soft boiled egg and then coating it in the meat and baking it could help...

@SamuelMoore March 28, 2014

That could be crazy... crazy genius! I'll try it with one or two and report back. Have a great weekend.

@SamuelMoore April 1, 2014

Alright, it's better to not even attempt to bake. You just can't get that golden brown and deliciousness without frying... It's probably easier to explain that frying isn't as unhealthy as inserthealhtymagazine says. Great recipe, the fried ones came out perfect, runny yolk and all.

KakiSue November 17, 2013

molly you hit all the right notes here--this will be next weeks brunch. ditto on your love of runny eggs

dymnyno November 15, 2013

I stopped making Scotch eggs years ago because they were so heavy and fattening . These sound delicious! I especially like using pot sticker filling ...so much more flavor.

Scotch Egg Recipe Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

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.

How do I stop my Scotch eggs splitting when cooking? ›

Place the egg in the middle and wrap the egg with the meat. Pinch the edges together and smooth the ball so that there are no gaps or bumps. (If the covering isn't even, the Scotch egg will split during cooking.)

What makes a Scotch egg a Scotch egg? ›

Scotch eggs were originally spiked with cloves and highly spiced in an attempt to sweeten the often putrefying meat. The term itself is obscure but may come, though I doubt it, from a corruption of the word 'scorch' (which in Elizabethan times had ribald associations).

Do Scotch eggs have to be deep-fried? ›

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

Do you serve Scotch eggs hot or cold? ›

Scotch egg, a traditional British dish consisting of a shelled hard-boiled egg that is wrapped in sausage, covered in breadcrumbs, and then deep-fried or baked until crispy. It is a popular pub and picnic dish and is commonly served cold in Britain.

Are Scotch eggs hard or soft boiled? ›

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.

Do Scotch eggs go bad? ›

Scotch eggs, when store-bought and unopened, typically stay good for about 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge, assuming they are kept at or below 40°F.

Is it OK to reheat Scotch eggs? ›

Alternatively, you can place them in an airtight container. When you're ready to eat the scotch eggs, you can reheat them in the oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave them for 1-2 minutes, although this method may result in a softer texture.

Why can't you freeze Scotch eggs? ›

We wouldn't recommend freezing these, as the texture of the egg will likely be affected.

What is a Dutch Scotch egg? ›

It resembles a giant type of croquette. Then you find a layer of ragout and a whole egg inside its crispy coating. Whether you want to try all of the culinary surprises Groningen presents, or simply feel like a late night snack: the eierbal (Dutch Scotch egg) is something you must try at least once in your life.

Does America have Scotch eggs? ›

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?

What is the outside of a Scotch egg called? ›

A traditional Scotch Egg is a boiled egg coated in pork sausage meat, with an outer crust of breadcumbs.

Why do my Scotch eggs split when frying? ›

Why do Scotch eggs split when frying? This is because there is a gap or crack in the sausage meat and the oil has gotten between the meat and the egg. Make sure they are well sealed before frying.

Do Irish people eat Scotch eggs? ›

While this recipe supposedly originates from England, Scotch eggs are very popular in Irish restaurants. Take a look at this yummy Scotch egg recipe and enjoy trying it out this St. Patrick's Day!

Who invented the Scotch egg? ›

The 'Scotched egg' was first created at Fortnum & Mason in 1738 for Londoners travelling to their country homes. Today, the Scotch egg has seen a huge revival in popularity, emerging from the shadows of service stations to become a farmer's market staple or indulgent gastropub bite.

Where do people eat Scotch eggs? ›

Not only does the Scotch egg have a long history in and around the United Kingdom, but it's also made with common British ingredients and methods. Scotch eggs are most commonly found in British pubs (known in the past as public houses), which play a huge role in British culture and history.

What wine goes with Scotch eggs? ›

Rich and crunchy, the Baked Scotch eggs will be complemented by a flavoursome yet subtle wine. Riesling with a bit of age, a Pinot Gris, or a Pinot Noir are great options.

What to serve with Scotch? ›

Overall, whisky pairs best with meats, cheeses and sweet dishes. But there's no rules when it comes to whisky pairing. Try experimenting and seeing what works. Pick similar flavours or go for a contrast, pairing sweet and salty or fresh and floral.

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