Oven Baked Scotch Egg Perfection

Baked Scotch egg, a truly British institution; boiled eggs wrapped in spiced minced pork and coated in breadcrumbs and baked for a jammy yolk.

These are baked in the oven rather than fried, although you can fry them and keep that egg yolk runny!

Sausage-Wrapped Boiled Eggs

As much as I love seeking out new foods and playing with food from around the world, the draw of food nostalgia is strong.

These baked scotch eggs join dishes like corned beef hash and Spam fritters, egg and cress sandwiches, as being odes to my childhood, and I love them deeply!

The Scotch egg is credited as being "invented" by Fortnum and Mason in 1738, but the idea is much older.

The nargis kebab or nargisi kofta is a boiled egg wrapped in a spicy meat mixture and predates the Scotch egg by a century or two.

Let's face it, us Brits have no shame in grabbing hold of something and claiming it as our own!

My version is baked rather than fried, primarily because I don't have the will to maintain a deep-fat fryer. But they are also a little healthier!

Rather than using store-bought sausage meat, I also make my own coating from store cupboard spices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deep fry these Scotch eggs?

Yes! You will need a deep fat fryer to do it safely, fry them for 5-8 minutes at 170°C or 340°F.

You can skip the browning of the breadcrumbs (step 7) if you use this method.

Can I air fry Scotch eggs?

Yes, this recipe predates my time with an air fryer. But I have tested the recipe and you can air fry at 180°C or 350°F for 15-20 minutes, rotating them halfway through the cooking time.

Can I use store-bought sausage meat?

Absolutely! You will need 550-600g (19-21oz) of sausage meat and you can use anything that takes your fancy.

Can I use low-fat minced pork?

For me, no! Fat is an essential part of a sausage mix and prevents the meat from drying out and falling apart.

How long will Scotch eggs last in the fridge?

They will be safe to store in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Can I freeze Scotch eggs?

Technically, yes, they will be perfectly safe to eat; however, the texture falls off a cliff, and they are not the best to eat in my opinion.

Serving Suggestions

These baked Scotch eggs are the perfect lunchbox or even picnic munch.

As such, they tend to form a bit of a spread for me, so I would serve them with a simple green salad, and pork pie because ain't no picnic complete without one!

Pasta salads are also awesome on a picnic jaunt! You could go with an old school favourite like tuna pasta salad or something like this tomato-heavy Sicilian pasta salad.

Wraps are also a great picnic option, and my chicken Waldorf salad wraps would be ideal.

One final option, and one that I think should feature more often in a picnic basket, is the classic Italian Panzanella salad!

Equipment Used

I only name-check specific brands of equipment if I think that it makes a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

• Oven.
• Hob/stovetop
• Baking tray.
• Baking Parchment.
• Cling film.
• Medium saucepan (20cm or 8").
• Medium frying pan (24cm or 10").
• Mixing bowls.
• A meat thermometer, a quick-read thermometer, is best.
• A combination of weighing scales, measuring cups and spoons.