Equipment
Ingredients
Main
- 1 egg, large
- 45 ml milk
- 70 g crusty bread, buttered
- 15 g smoked pancetta, chopped
- ½ g salt
- ⅛ g black pepper, freshly ground
Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition is estimated per serving. Nutrients without complete source data are omitted.
Full nutrition
- Calories
- 362 kcal
- Protein
- 16 g
- Carbohydrates
- 41 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fiber
- 0 g
- Sugar
- 2 g
- Sodium
- 629 mg
- Saturated Fat
- 3 g
- Trans Fat
- 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat
- 3 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat
- 2 g
- Cholesterol
- 191 mg
- Potassium
- 297 mg
- Calcium
- 164 mg
- Iron
- 3.3 mg
- Magnesium
- 31 mg
- Phosphorus
- 209 mg
- Zinc
- 1.5 mg
- Vitamin A
- 101 mcg
- Vitamin D
- 1.6 mcg
- Vitamin E
- 0.6 mg
- Vitamin K
- 0 mcg
- Vitamin B6
- 0.1 mg
- Vitamin B12
- 0.7 mcg
- Thiamin
- 0.33 mg
- Riboflavin
- 0.55 mg
- Niacin
- 2.8 mg
- Folate
- 92 mcg
- Water
- 99 g
Sources: Aggregated Public Data, USDA FoodData Central
Method
Crack the egg into a mug.
Add the salt and black pepper to the egg.
Whisk the egg and seasonings with a fork until thoroughly combined.
Pour the milk into the mug and stir to incorporate.
Tear the buttered bread into bite-sized pieces and place them in the mug.
Press the bread pieces down firmly until they are submerged in the egg mixture.
Allow the mixture to stand for 5 minutes to let the bread absorb the liquid.
Scatter the chopped pancetta or bacon over the top of the bread.
Microwave on high power for 2 minutes.
Let the mug rest for 30 seconds.
Microwave on high power for a final 1 minute.
Allow to cool for 1 minute before serving.
Chef's Notes
- For an even richer flavor and texture, use a slightly stale crusty bread. It will absorb the egg mixture better without becoming too soggy.
- Ensure the bread pieces are fully submerged in the egg mixture to guarantee even cooking and a custardy interior.
- Don't overfill the mug; leave some space at the top to prevent overflow during microwaving.
- If you prefer a crispier bacon topping, you can pre-cook the pancetta or bacon until it's almost done before adding it to the mug.
- Adjust the cooking time slightly based on your microwave's wattage. It's better to undercook and add more time than to overcook and end up with a rubbery texture.
Storage
Troubleshooting
Bread remains dry or tough in the center
Cause: Insufficient soaking time or bread was not fully submerged
Fix: Cannot be fixed once cooked
Prevention: Ensure all bread pieces are pressed into the liquid and rest for the full 5 minutes
Egg mixture overflows the mug
Cause: Mug is too small for the volume of ingredients
Fix: Pause microwave and transfer to a larger microwave-safe bowl
Prevention: Use a mug with at least 350ml capacity
Cultural Context
Eggy bread, also known as French toast in other regions, has a long history dating back to ancient Roman times. This British interpretation, often called 'Bacon Eggy Bread' when enhanced with savory additions like pancetta or bacon, is a comforting and quick breakfast or brunch dish that capitalizes on simple ingredients and speedy preparation.
