• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Subscribe to updates & get a free recipe book!

Subscribe & Get My Free Ebook!

Recipes, Crafts and More
  • About
  • Video Library
  • Shop
  • My Saved Recipe Box

Onion Rings & Things

Recipes, Crafts and More

  • All Recipes
  • By Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Bread and Baked Goods
    • Cocktails and Beverages
    • Desserts and Sweets
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads & Sides
    • Sandwiches & Snacks
    • Soups, Stews, Casseroles
    • Sauces, Dressings, Condiments
    • Fun Food
  • By Ingredient
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Grains & Legumes
    • Eggs & Dairy
    • Potatoes, Pasta, Rice
    • Meat & Poultry
  • By Method
    • BBQ & Grill
    • Slow Cooker
    • Pressure Cooker
    • Oven
Home Breakfast and Brunch

Scotch Eggs

4.60
/5
30 minutes mins
81 Comments
Jump to RecipePrint
By: Lalaine ManaloPosted: 05/05/2023Updated: 05/05/2023
3887 shares
  • Share
  • Email

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Scotch eggs are wrapped in spicy sausage, breaded, and deep-fried to golden perfection. Delicious as an appetizer or portable snack on-to-go!

halved scotch eggs on a napkin
Scotch Eggs
Table of Contents hide
  • 1 Ingredient notes
  • 2 How to cook eggs
  • 3 Cooking tips
  • 4 Three cooking methods
  • 5 Fun variation
  • 6 Serving suggestions
  • 7 Storage and reheating instructions
  • 8 More appetizer recipes
  • 9 How to Make Scotch Eggs

How was your Easter? I hope you had a blessed and meaningful celebration with family and friends.

If you’re like me, you probably had more than your fill of honey-baked ham and more than your fair share of Grandma’s carrot cake. If you’re like me, you probably also have a dozen hard-boiled eggs in the fridge, waiting for a delicious recipe.

Folks, forget deviled eggs! Make scotch eggs instead! These picnic eggs are yummy bites of heaven with crispy bread coating, spicy sausage, and soft yolk centers.

ground breakfast sausage, eggs, breadcrumbs, mustard, red chili flakes, flour

Ingredient notes

  • Fresh eggs are harder to peel. Use ones that are at least a week to 10 days old for easy peeling.
  • The eggs are traditionally wrapped in pork sausage meat. Feel free to experiment with ground chicken or beef for flavor variety.
  • The recipe calls for regular breadcrumbs, but you can easily substitute Panko breadcrumbs for more crunch. For a low-carb option, use crushed pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs.
  • Skip the red pepper flakes if you want to scale down the heat and make these eggs more kid-friendly.
  • Use oil with a neutral taste and high smoke points for deep-frying, such as grapeseed, avocado, safflower, or canola oil.
hardboiled eggs in a bowl of iced water

How to cook eggs

  • In a saucepan, place the eggs and enough cold water to bring water to cover by one inch.
  • Bring to a boil, uncovered, over medium heat.
  • When water has reached a boil, remove the pan from the heat, cover, and let the eggs sit for 4 minutes for runny yolks, 6 minutes for soft custardy yolks, or 8 minutes for firm yolks.
  • With a slotted spoon,  remove eggs and transfer to a bowl of iced water.
  • Gently tap the egg on the counter to crack and roll it with your hands to loosen the shell. Start peeling at the largest end of the end, making sure to peel away the thin membrane surrounding the egg white.
making scotch eggs

Cooking tips

  • Do not overcook the eggs to prevent an unappetizing green discoloration around the yolks. Once removed from the hot water, drain the eggs under cold running water or submerge them in an ice bath to halt further cooking.
  • Allow the eggs to cool sufficiently so they’ll contract slightly in the shell, making them easier to peel.
  • Another option for easily peeling hardboiled eggs is steaming them instead.
  • Lightly dredge the eggs in flour before wrapping them in the sausage to help the meat cling better. Ensure no gap in the meat coating keeps the oil from seeping into eggs.
frying scotch eggs in a pan

Three cooking methods

  • Stovetop– I find this method brings the best crispiness. Heat about 3 inches deep oil in a deep pan to an optimal temperature of 350 F to 375 F. Carefully add the prepared eggs and deep-fry for about 5 to 6 minutes or until golden and crispy, and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 145 F. Do not overcrowd the pan and cook in batches as needed to prevent the temperature from plummeting. Clean the oil and skim off any stray breading or pieces before adding the next batch to keep it from burning.
  • Oven– If you’re making a huge batch or want to cut some of the fat, bake them instead. Arrange the prepared eggs in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a 350 F oven for about 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and crispy and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 145 F.
  • Air Fryer– the easiest method! Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange the prepared eggs in a single layer in the basket and air fry at 400 F for about 15 to 18 minutes or until golden and crispy and a thermometer inserted in the center reads 145 F.
crispy breaded picnic eggs on a white plate

Fun variation

Want a genuinely bite-size appetizer? Substitute quail eggs! They require a bit more work, but they’re super fun to serve at parties with different dipping sauces.

dipping scotch eggs in mustard

Serving suggestions

  • Incredibly tasty and conveniently portable, this traditional British pub food is also widely enjoyed at Renaissance fairs or family/community picnics and for a quick breakfast or high-protein on-the-go snacking.
  • Serve the crispy, savory eggs with mustard, Ranch dressing, hot sauce, ice, or even gravy for finger food that’s hard to resist.

Storage and reheating instructions

  • These savory eggs are easy to make with simple ingredients and keep well in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Store in an airtight container or resealable bag.
  • To reheat, arrange in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and warm in a 350 F oven for about 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165 F. Do not microwave as they will become soggy.

More appetizer recipes

Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos

Bacon Mushroom Stuffed Chicken

Crispy Chicken Fries

Beer-Battered Asparagus

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @OnionRingsAndThings on Facebook and Instagram!

halved scotch eggs on a napkin
4.60 from 15 votes

How to Make Scotch Eggs

Level up brunch with Scotch eggs! These picnic eggs are yummy bites of heaven with crispy breading, spicy sausage, and soft yolk centers. A sure crowd-pleaser!
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
Author: Lalaine Manalo
Course: Appetizer
Print Pin It Email Recipe
8 Servings

Ingredients

  • 10 eggs
  • 2 pounds bulk pork sausage
  • 1 tablespoon brown mustard
  • 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • canola oil
US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • In a saucepan, place 8 of the eggs and enough cold water to bring water to cover by one inch. Bring to a boil, uncovered, over medium heat. When water has reached a boil, remove the pan from heat, cover, and let the eggs sit for 4 minutes for runny yolks, 6 minutes for soft custardy yolks, or 8 minutes for firm yolks.
  • With a slotted spoon,  remove the eggs and transfer to a bowl of iced water. Allow to cool completely and peel.
  • In a bowl, combine pork sausage, brown mustard, and red pepper flakes.
  • In a small bowl, beat the remaining 2 eggs until frothy. On a wide plate, place bread crumbs. On another plate, place flour.
  • Divide sausage into 8 balls. Lightly roll egg in flour. In the palm of one hand, flatten one pork sausage ball and place an egg in the center.  Gently press the meat around the egg to completely encase. Gently smooth the meat and mold into shape.
  • Gently roll the sausage-wrapped egg in flour, shaking any excess flour. Dip in beaten eggs and then roll in bread crumbs to fully coat. Dip again in the beaten eggs and roll in bread crumbs. Repeat with remaining boiled eggs.
  • In a pan over medium heat, heat about 3 inches deep of oil to 350 F degrees. Gently lower breaded eggs in batches of two into the pan and cook, turning on sides as needed, for about 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
  • With a slotted spoon, remove scotch eggs and drain on a rack set over a baking sheet. Serve with mustard.

Notes

  • Do not overcook the eggs to prevent an unappetizing green discoloration around the yolks. Once removed from the hot water, drain the eggs under cold running water or submerge them in an ice bath to halt further cooking.
  • Allow the eggs to cool sufficiently so they’ll contract slightly in the shell, making them easier to peel.
  • Another option for easily peeling hardboiled eggs is steaming them instead.
  • Lightly dredge the eggs in flour before wrapping them in the sausage to help the meat cling better. Ensure no gap in the meat coating keeps the oil from seeping into eggs.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1Piece, Calories: 235kcal, Carbohydrates: 16.5g, Fat: 12.7g, Saturated Fat: 3.4g, Sodium: 223mg, Potassium: 180mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1.4g, Vitamin A: 550IU, Vitamin C: 0.8mg, Calcium: 60mg, Iron: 2.3mg

“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”

Did You Make This?

Mention @OnionRingsAndThings and hashtag your photo with #OnionRingsAndThings

Share

Save Recipe Saved! Rate It

About Lalaine Manalo

Welcome to Onion Rings and Things where you’ll find hundreds of comfort food recipes, crafts, and printables. Browse around and make something fun or tasty today! Read More

Eggs in a Nest on a white plate
Previous Post
Eggs in a Nest
wine bottles with Mother's Day bottle tags
Next Post
Mother’s Day Wine Bottle Tags and Greeting Cards FREE Printables

Reader Interactions

4.60 from 15 votes (6 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Recipe Rating




  1. Natalie says

    Posted on 4/18/17 at 11:47 am

    I would have loved this back when I still ate eggs. I have actually never heard of scotch eggs before.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 6/28/17 at 2:52 pm

      Thanks, Natalie!

      Reply
  2. Uma Srinivas says

    Posted on 4/18/17 at 10:57 am

    I don’t eat egg. But i am sure this will be good snack for picnic or any party. Spicy sauce makes me interesting!

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 6/28/17 at 2:52 pm

      Thanks a lot, Uma!

      Reply
  3. Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says

    Posted on 4/18/17 at 10:52 am

    These Scotch eggs look like such a fun idea. They’d be a great snack or even good as an appetizer.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 6/28/17 at 2:53 pm

      Thanks a lot, Stephanie! Either way, they are amazing!

      Reply
  4. Kathy McDaniel says

    Posted on 4/18/17 at 10:22 am

    What a beautiful and perfect egg!b Love the addition of sausage. Definitely will have to try these soon as they sound delicious!!!!

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 6/28/17 at 2:54 pm

      Thanks, Kathy! I hope you like them!

      Reply
  5. Michelle Waller says

    Posted on 4/18/17 at 10:14 am

    I have never heard of this before. I am going to have to give it a try. It looks pretty delicious.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 6/28/17 at 2:54 pm

      Thanks, Michelle! You will love this!

      Reply
  6. swathi says

    Posted on 4/18/17 at 10:11 am

    5 stars
    I agree with this is perfect appetizer, never tried scotch eggs, I will give next time. anything breaded goes well with my kids.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 4/23/17 at 2:40 pm

      The kids love these, they make eggs fun to eat!

      Reply
  7. Traditionallymodernfood says

    Posted on 4/18/17 at 10:08 am

    We do something called bonds this looks similar. I was finding way to give eggs to my son I think he will enjoy this method

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 6/28/17 at 2:55 pm

      That’s interesting. I hope your son likes this!

      Reply
  8. Kelly @ trial and eater says

    Posted on 4/18/17 at 7:51 am

    Great tutorial for how to make these. You’ve got me thinking about what I could use instead to make these vegetarian 🙂

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 6/28/17 at 2:56 pm

      Thanks, Kelly! You got me thinking of devising a vegetarian method.

      Reply
      • Julia says

        Posted on 6/13/19 at 9:48 pm

        It’s very easy to make this vegetarian, since there’s some excellent vegetarian sausages. Field Roast makes a good breakfast sausage called Apple Sage, as well as Italian and a spicy Mexican Chipotle. Beyond Meat makes nice veggie bratwurst or Spicy Italian too. Morning Star Farms Original Sausage Patties are tasty too and could be put in a food processor with the mustard and pepper flakes to make it easier to mold.

        Reply
  9. Bel says

    Posted on 4/18/17 at 6:41 am

    Ah scotch eggs. It’s been so long. Such a popular snack in Nigeria. I used to hate it as a kid but now I love it so much

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 6/28/17 at 3:44 pm

      Hi, Bel! Try this recipe and you will love it!

      Reply
  10. Veena Azmanov says

    Posted on 4/18/17 at 4:34 am

    I’ve never made Scotch eggs cause I always assumed it was harder!! But you make it look so easy. Defintely going to try.!!

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 6/28/17 at 3:44 pm

      Thanks, Veena! Give it a go 😉

      Reply
  11. tara pittman says

    Posted on 4/17/17 at 9:11 pm

    My Easter egg stash is almost all gone. I need to make more hard boiled eggs

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 6/28/17 at 3:45 pm

      Hi, Tara! I hope you love this.

      Reply
  12. Jennifer Quisenberry says

    Posted on 4/17/17 at 7:53 pm

    When I lived in the UK, scotch eggs were everywhere. I have never tried to make them myself, particularly since others always warned me that they were a bit difficult to make. I may have to try it and serve it here in the states to see how the dish is received.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 6/28/17 at 4:17 pm

      Thanks, Jennifer! Let me know how they find it 🙂

      Reply
  13. Adriana Lopez Martn says

    Posted on 4/17/17 at 6:46 pm

    5 stars
    Making scotch eggs is not easy love the fact that you have mastered the technique and that you are giving us all the tips to make them successfully =)

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 4/17/17 at 7:15 pm

      I guess you can say I’ve had a lot of practice. I love scotch eggs and I make them way too often 🙂

      Reply
  14. Pam says

    Posted on 4/17/17 at 5:59 pm

    I always thought that scotch eggs would be harder to make. I don’t know why! I need to try these out.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 4/17/17 at 6:08 pm

      I hope you give them a try, they’re really very easy and fun to make. Well, maybe except the deep-frying part. 🙂

      Reply
  15. LaToyia Dennis says

    Posted on 4/17/17 at 5:02 pm

    I love eggs! These look tasty especially with the sausage. You have a lot of great recipes.

    Reply
    • Lalaine says

      Posted on 4/17/17 at 6:05 pm

      Thank you so much, LaToyia. I hope you find a few you’d like for dinner tonight. 🙂

      Reply
Newer Comments

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Welcome to Onion Rings and Things where you’ll find hundreds of comfort food recipes, crafts, and printables. Browse around and make something fun or tasty today!

Read More

Subscribe & Get My Free Ebook!

Get My Copy!

Subscribe & Get My Free Ebook!

Trending Recipes

cherry trifle dessert on a serving plate

Heaven on Earth Cake

Plump and pillowy, these IHOP Pancakes copycat are just as tasty and delicious as what you'd find in the restaurant yet cost a fraction of the price. You can easily double the recipe to feed a large crowd or add chopped fresh fruits to the batter for another layer of yum.

IHOP Pancakes Copycat

crack chicken slider sandwiches

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken Copycat brings all the sweet, sticky, salty and yummy flavors you love right in your own kitchen. Only 3 ingredients and less than 20 minutes of cook time for an amazing dinner meal the whole family will love!

Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken Copycat

Holiday Sweet Treats

stacked Toffee Drop Cookies

Toffee Drop Cookies

holding chocolate caramel candies with fingers

Triple Treat Chocolate Caramel Candy Bars

Flourless Chocolate Fudge Crinkle Cookies stacked on on a plate

Flourless Chocolate Fudge Crinkle Cookies

white chocolate chip cookies on a wire rack to cool

Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Cookies

More Popular

Breakfast and Brunch

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus on a white platter

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

stretching mozzarella cheese with fingers

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce

Pancetta-wrapped Scallops on a baking serving platter with as slice of lemon

Pancetta-wrapped Scallops

Watermelon Salsa in a bowls

Watermelon Salsa

Crispy Popcorn Chicken with a bowl of honey mustard dipping

Crispy Popcorn Chicken

wine bottles with Mother's Day bottle tags

Mother’s Day Wine Bottle Tags and Greeting Cards FREE Printables

Browse All

Get a Free e-Cookbook!

Join our newsletter to get new recipe updates, a free copy of our Top 10 Fun Food recipes, exclusive meal plans, and more.

As Featured On:

Back to Top
Back to Top
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Contact Us
© 2025 Onion Rings & Things
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.