Dippy Eggs (and Soldiers)
Dippy eggs and soldiers, or soft-boiled eggs with toast sticks, are a British child’s classic breakfast. Brits hold this near to our heart as comfort food, long into our adult years. I’ll show you how to easily make perfect soft boiled eggs and serve them with “soldiers”.
Originally published June 22, 2012
Dippy eggs with soldiers continue to be popular in our household.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What are Dippy Eggs?
Dippy eggs is simply a name given to a soft-boiled egg in an egg cup, for children. Dippy eggs, so called because one dips toast into them, originated in the UK and is still popular today as a children’s breakfast, but adults love them, too! Everyone asks me about the egg cup, but I bought it in England. The closest I’ve found are these soldier egg cups.
Are Dippy Eggs and Soldiers healthy?
For one thing, we have wonderful friends who give us fresh eggs from their own chickens, from time to time, which I even allow my son to eat completely raw (I would never allow this with an egg from the store).
You’ll have to use your own judgment whether you feel certain range free, organic eggs from a store like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods are also safe to use for “dippy eggs” or soft boiled eggs. However, if you have any doubts, or a weakened immune system, then it’s best not to venture into “soft boiled egg country” at all. *I am not responsible for any illness from eating a soft-boiled egg.
Eggs are incredibly nutritious! One large egg has varying amounts of 13 essential vitamins and minerals, high-quality protein, all for 70 calories.
Have you ever had Scotch eggs?
Why is it called Dippy Eggs and Soldiers?
Now as far as the “soldiers” go–if you’re from the UK, there’s no explanation needed, but for everyone else: when soft boiled eggs are served to little ones in Britain, the toast is cut into long strips which everyone calls “soldiers,” apparently because they’re so straight.
These are used to “dip-dip” in the yolk! So they’re called “dippy eggs!” Soft boiled eggs with soldiers holds a special place in a Brit’s food memories. If you don’t believe me, ask any Brit, (especially ex-pats) you know.
Another delicious recipe to go with that runny egg: fried bread (British-style).
How do you eat Soft Boiled Eggs?
It’s simple, but you will need an egg cup. No worries if you don’t own one as most of us have a shot glass or small measuring glass in our kitchen and these will work, also.
Use a knife to break into the top part of the egg (you can see how much I cut in the photos) then take the top off by hand. Don’t bother with the fancy egg cutters, as they really don’t work. I like a little salt sprinkled onto the egg, but others like it plain. Now, just use your soldier to dip into the soft yolk and eat them!
Use a little spoon to eat the white part of the egg in the top part of the egg and to finish eating the egg once you’ve “dipped” the yolk.
Check out my how to make coddled eggs, too! This is a beautiful egg coddler that’s a Scandinavian design and made in Poland, however the one in the photo is a classic British Royal Worcester egg coddler.
You’ll see my blue Butter Bell crock in the photo below. I love it as I never have to “fight” spreading my toast or bread with cold butter!
What about this avocado toast with egg and burrata?
How do you Cook Dippy Eggs?
Here’s how I make perfect soft boiled eggs, or dippy eggs (or hard boiled, so they aren’t rubbery.)
Dippy Eggs Recipe
(Perfect Soft Boiled Eggs)
a typical British recipe serves 1 (2 eggs)
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- eggs
- buttered toast, cut into thin fingers
Special equipment: egg cups
Place the eggs in a pot and cover with 1″ of cold water. As you can see in the photo, the eggs are IN water.
How Long do you Cook Dippy Eggs?
Bring to a boil over medium high heat, and as soon as the water comes to a boil, remove from the heat, cover the pot and let stand: 1 1/2 to 2 minutes for soft boiled (I did two minutes for large eggs) less time for smaller eggs, more for larger ones, or 12 minutes for hard boiled eggs.
For soft boiled, remove and serve immediately in an egg cup (note: these aren’t the same as the ones shown in my photo).
Cut the top off with a knife and serve with salt, and toast soldiers.
Use a small spoon to eat the remaining egg that your soldiers can’t scoop out.
Yummy dippy eggs and soldiers! I still love them!
Don’t miss another recipe or travel post; sign up for my free subscription below!
Perfect Soft Boiled Eggs with Soldiers!
Ingredients
- 2 fresh organic eggs, preferably from a local farm or home
- 1 slice buttered toast, cut into "soldiers"
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Place the eggs in a pot and cover with 1" of cold water (meaning, the eggs should be covered with an inch of water.)
- Bring to a boil over medium high heat, and as soon as the water comes to a boil, remove from the heat, cover the pot and let stand: 1 1/2 to 2 minutes for soft boiled (I did two minutes for large eggs) less time for smaller eggs, more for larger or 12 minutes for hard boiled eggs.
- For soft boiled, remove and serve immediately in an egg cup with soldiers and hot tea.
Notes
- Be sure to use the freshest, best quality eggs you can find, and if you do not trust the source, do not use them for this recipe.
Nutrition
More egg recipes!
Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
My grandma is from England and made this for me all of the time as a kid! I was trying to explain what a dippy egg was to my 14 year old son and was excited to find your page. I cannot wait to make this with my kids now.
My niece loves them, too! Thanks, Nikki!
Growing up in Australia, soft boiled eggs and “soldier” toast was a regular breakfast. I’ve never had a coddled egg but definitely will give this a try. Your coddler in fine English China is so pretty. I may have to find one of those also.
Best of luck, Gail!