Toad In The Hole Recipe
The Ultimate Toad In The Hole Recipe (With a Spicy Twist!) – Ever had one of those days when you’re craving something that’s equal parts comfort food and culinary adventure? Me too!
Toad In The Hole
Ingredients
- 8 sausages
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 100g plain flour
- 2 medium eggs
- 1 tbsp grated horseradish
- 225ml semi-skimmed milk
- 200g cherry tomatoes on the vine
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6. Fry sausages in a non-stick pan until browned.
- Drizzle vegetable oil in a 30cm x 25cm x 6cm deep roasting tray and heat in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Put the plain flour in a bowl, crack in the medium free-range eggs, then stir in the grated horseradish. Gradually beat in the semi-skimmed milk. Season.
- Put the sausages into the hot roasting tray and pour over the batter. Top with cherry tomatoes on the vine and cook for 30 minutes until puffed and golden.
Nutrition
That’s when I turn to my absolute favorite British classic: Toad In The Hole.
Don’t let the quirky name fool you — there are absolutely zero amphibians involved! Just gloriously golden sausages nestled in a puffy, cloud-like batter that rises around them like a warm hug.
What Exactly Is Toad In The Hole?
Toad In The Hole is essentially British comfort food at its finest — juicy sausages baked in a Yorkshire pudding batter until everything gets golden, puffy, and utterly irresistible.
The origin of the name? Well, it’s said to resemble toads poking their heads out of holes. Weird but charming, right?
The beauty of this Toad In The Hole recipe is its simplicity.
With just a handful of ingredients that you probably already have hiding in your kitchen, you can create something that looks impressive enough for company but is actually super approachable for weeknight cooking.
The Secret Ingredient That Changes Everything!
Can I tell you my favorite part about this particular Toad In The Hole recipe? The horseradish!
Most traditional recipes don’t include it, but trust me — it’s the kicker that transforms this dish from “pretty darn good” to “where has this been all my life?!”
The horseradish adds a subtle heat and complexity that cuts through the richness of the sausages and batter. It’s not overpowering (I promise!), just enough to make your taste buds do a happy little dance.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start cooking up this masterpiece, let’s gather everything you’ll need:
• 8 sausages (high-quality ones make a difference!)
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 100g plain flour
• 2 medium eggs
• 1 tbsp grated horseradish
• 225ml semi-skimmed milk
• 200g cherry tomatoes on the vine
• Salt and pepper to taste
The quality of your sausages will seriously impact the final dish. I like to use a mix of traditional pork sausages and something a bit more adventurous — maybe apple and sage or even a spicy Italian variety. After all, why limit yourself?
Let’s Make Toad In The Hole!
Here’s the step by step guide:
Step 1: Prep & Preheat
First things first — crank that oven up to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6. This high heat is non-negotiable! It’s what creates that dramatic puff and golden exterior that makes a Toad In The Hole recipe so visually stunning.
While the oven is heating up, grab a non-stick pan and brown those sausages. You don’t need to cook them all the way through — we just want some nice color on the outside. They’ll finish cooking in the oven.
Step 2: The Hot Oil Trick
Here’s where many people go wrong with their Toad In The Hole recipe — they skip the hot oil step! But it’s absolutely crucial.
Take your roasting tray (ideally about 30cm x 25cm x 6cm deep) and drizzle in the vegetable oil. Now pop that tray in the oven for 5 minutes to get blazing hot.
This creates instant sizzle when the batter hits it, which translates to maximum rise. Science and deliciousness in one!
Step 3: Whip Up That Batter
While your oil is heating, let’s make the batter. In a bowl, add your plain flour and create a well in the center. Crack in those eggs and start to stir.
Now for the star player — add the grated horseradish and gradually beat in the milk. You want a smooth batter with no lumps. Season with salt and pepper.
Need a pro tip? Let the batter rest for a few minutes if you have time. This relaxes the gluten and makes for an even fluffier result. But if you’re hungry and impatient (like me sometimes!), it’s not the end of the world to skip this.
Step 4: The Grand Assembly
This is where the magic happens! Carefully place your browned sausages into the hot oil in the roasting tray. Listen for that satisfying sizzle — that’s the sound of success!
Now, working quickly but carefully, pour the batter all around the sausages. Top the whole beautiful creation with those cherry tomatoes on the vine.
Why the tomatoes? They add bursts of juicy acidity that balance the rich, savory elements. Plus, they look absolutely gorgeous as they soften and caramelize slightly in the oven.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide your masterpiece into the oven and let it bake for 30 minutes. During this time, something miraculous happens — the batter puffs up dramatically around the sausages, turning golden brown and creating those iconic “holes.”
Whatever you do, do not open the oven door for at least the first 20 minutes! This is the cardinal rule of any Toad In The Hole recipe.
Opening the door releases heat and can cause your beautiful puffy batter to collapse. And nobody wants sad, deflated Toad In The Hole!
Serving Your Toad In The Hole
When your Toad In The Hole emerges from the oven — puffed, golden, and practically begging to be eaten — it’s time to serve it up. But how?
Traditionally, this dish comes with onion gravy cascading over the top, but I sometimes like to keep it simpler with just some whole grain mustard on the side.
The horseradish in the batter already adds so much flavor that you might find you don’t need much else!
Cut into generous squares, making sure each person gets at least one “toad” (sausage) and some tomatoes.
The contrast between the crispy edges and the soft, almost custardy center of the batter is what makes this dish so incredible.
Why This Toad In The Hole Recipe Works Every Time
So what makes this particular Toad In The Hole recipe a guaranteed winner? It’s all about the little details:
- Pre-browning the sausages for extra flavor
- Using screaming hot oil for maximum rise
- The secret horseradish kick
- Adding those vine tomatoes for acidity and visual appeal
I’ve made this countless times, and it never fails to impress. Even my Chinese relatives — who were initially very skeptical about the weird name and concept — now request it whenever they visit!
Common Toad In The Hole Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)
Having made this dish more times than I can count, I’ve encountered every possible issue. Let me save you from the same mistakes!
The Dreaded Soggy Bottom
If your batter remains soggy on the bottom, your oil probably wasn’t hot enough. Make sure that oil is practically smoking before you add the sausages and batter.
The Sad Deflation
Did your beautiful puffy batter collapse into a pancake? You might have opened the oven too early or your oven temperature could be off. Invest in an oven thermometer for precision!
The Stuck-to-the-Pan Catastrophe
If your Toad In The Hole is clinging to the pan for dear life, make sure you’re using enough oil next time. Don’t be shy with it — the hot oil is essential for both non-stick purposes and that beautiful rise.
Make It Your Own!
While this Toad In The Hole recipe is pretty perfect as is (if I do say so myself!), cooking is all about making things your own. Here are some variations to try:
- Add some herbs to the batter — thyme or rosemary work beautifully
- Swap the horseradish for whole grain mustard if you prefer
- Try different sausage varieties — chorizo can add an amazing smoky element
- Go veggie with some robust plant-based sausages
The beauty of Toad In The Hole is its versatility. As long as you follow the basic technique, you can play with the flavors to your heart’s content!
Ready to Become a Toad In The Hole Convert?
So there you have it — everything you need to know to create a spectacular Toad In The Hole at home. It’s one of those rare dishes that manages to be both impressively eye-catching and comfortingly familiar at the same time.
Give this Toad In The Hole recipe a try this weekend — I’d absolutely love to hear how it turns out for you! Did the horseradish addition rock your world? Did your batter puff up like a dream? Let me know in the comments!
And remember, even if your first attempt isn’t picture-perfect, the beauty of comfort food is that it’s always delicious — even when it’s a little imperfect. That’s what makes it comfort food, after all!
Now go forth and get those toads in those holes! (Sorry, I just can’t get over how fun that name is to say!)
