For a quick and easy breakfast that screams childhood nostalgia, it has to be dippy eggs with soldiers. Follow our tips for the perfect dippy egg, served with a stack of buttery toast.
Dippy eggs, also known as soft boiled eggs, were always a favourite when I was a kid. I loved slicing the top of the egg off, pretending I was some kind of ninja, and then grabbing a slice of toast (called a soldier) to dunk into that runny yolk. It was a staple as a student too, and now it's something I regularly make for my kids.
If you are looking for other ways to cook eggs, why not try our quick Air Fryer Boiled Eggs, easy Microwave Fried Eggs or simple Microwave Poached Eggs?
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Why you will love it
- Quick and easy breakfast - This is so simple, and a great breakfast if you are making it just for one. The eggs only take 5 minutes for the perfect runny yolk.
- Kids love them - This is a real kid favourite, and they will love taking the tops off the egg and dipping their bread in.
- Any soldiers work - It doesn't have to just be sliced bread you dip in a dippy egg. Why not try a bagel or crumpet?
Ingredients and substitutions
- Eggs - It feels weird even calling this a recipe, as really it's just one ingredient. Try to use the best quality eggs you can, as high welfare eggs are important.
- Bread - This is to toast and cut into "soldiers". Choose your favourite sliced bread. Butter it if desired.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make dippy eggs - Step by step
One: Bring a pan of water to the boil. Carefully lower the eggs into the water with a spoon. Boil on a low boil for 5 minutes.
Two: Toast and butter (optional) the bread. Remove the eggs from the water with a spoon and put into egg cups. Use the spoon to remove the tops of the eggs and dip the toast into them.
Dippy egg time
The most important part of this post is learning how long to cook dippy eggs for. The timing is really important, as you don't want to over cook these because they need to have a runny yolk that you can dip into.
For a runny yolk, that is perfect for dipping, you want to cook the eggs for 5 minutes. If you want them slightly more a jammy texture, then cook them for 6-7 minutes. Any longer than that and you will have hard boiled eggs.
Serving suggestions
Firstly, you want to get yourself some egg cups. We love these silver ones. However, I actually still have the egg cup that I used as a little kid that my mum gave to me - it's just it doesn't photograph so well!
Then, you want something to dip in them. Why not try making your own bread with our Easy White Bread recipe or try our Bagel Recipe. Did you also know that you can make bread in the slow cooker?
If you want something else on the side, why not try Air Fryer Sausages or Air Fryer Bacon?
Frequently Asked Questions
As a kid, this always caused great debate in my house. Some of us would slice the top off with the spoon or a knife, and others would tap the top and then peel it off - but that always looked too time consuming for me.
As long as you have a pan big enough and the eggs are in a single layer, you can cook as many as you can fit in your pan. The cooking time will still be the same.
These are best served straight away.
Extra tips
• Make sure that the eggs are room temperature - this prevents them from cracking when they go into the boiling water.
• Add a little oil to the pan of water, as this will make it easier to peel the eggs.
• Make sure to lower the eggs into the water using a slotted spoon, so they don't fall to the bottom and crack.
• Make sure you set a timer, as you do not want to overcook these eggs.
• You can plunge the eggs into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process if you aren't going to serve them right away and still want runny yolks.
• Cut your toast into thin strips so it's easy to dip into the egg.
More egg recipes
If you’ve tried this dippy egg recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Dippy Eggs with Soldiers
Ingredients
- 2 Eggs - room temperature
- 2 slice Bread
Instructions
- Bring a pan of water to the boil. Carefully lower 2 Eggs into the water with a spoon. Boil on a low boil for 5 minutes.
- Toast and butter (optional) 2 slice Bread.
- Remove the eggs from the water with a spoon and put into egg cups. Use the spoon to remove the tops of the eggs and dip the toast into them.
Recipe tips
- Make sure that the eggs are room temperature - this prevents them from cracking when they go into the boiling water.
- Add a little oil to the pan of water, as this will make it easier to peel the eggs.
- Make sure to lower the eggs into the water using a slotted spoon, so they don't fall to the bottom and crack.
- Make sure you set a timer, as you do not want to overcook these eggs.
- You can plunge the eggs into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process if you aren't going to serve them right away and still want runny yolks.
- Cut your toast into thin strips so it's easy to dip into the egg.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
dina and bruce miller
The most delicious breakfast! Thanks for all the tips!
Tara
So fun! My kids would love to start the day with these dippy eggs. Love how easily it all comes together too.
Gina Abernathy
I made this for breakfast yesterday and the family loved the recipe. They were proud to have something different for breakfast. So easy!
Kushigalu
This an easy and delicious recipe to try. Thanks for sharing.
Seema Sriram
This is certainly a nostalgic recipe and so much fun having these dippy eggs.
Dana Sandonato
This looks so tasty and I bet my kiddo would have so much fun with this!
Elizabeth
This looks like such an easy recipe. I often get stuck in a rut with what I eat for breakfast, and this recipe would be a nice way to branch out.
Jacqueline Debono
Yes, definitely some childhood nostalgia in this recipe. I grew up eating runny boiled eggs with soldiers and so did my kids. Haven't made it for ages but I think this will be breakfast tomorrow!
Suja md
This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
Kechi
This is perfect soft boiled eggs, made for the kiddies this morning and they loved it! YUM!