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.
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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.
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!
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!
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Perfect Soft Boiled Eggs with Soldiers!
A typical British breakfast for children that we all seem to enjoy far into adulthood.
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 Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 2 eggsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 254Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 382mgSodium: 896mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 15g
Nutrition information is only estimated.
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These pics show a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg and those brave little soldiers preparing to be dipped are so yummy. My daughter just presented us with new egg cups this week purchased while on a trip to Amsterdam . I love egg cups. They will be broken in tomorrow morning with your lovely recipe. Thanks for the post Christina!
Oh that’s lovely, Linda! I wonder if your egg cup looks similar to the one I bought in Amsterdam two years ago! I have so many, but couldn’t resist! Is it decorated with blue and has flowers on it, by chance?
P.S. If you can get them, fresh duck eggs are wonderful soft boiled too, but they will need 5/7 minutes. High in carbs though, so not too often.
Never had a hard boiled duck egg, and we had ducks!
What is it with Americans and soft boiled eggs? Good eggs, soft boiled for 3/4 minutes are wonderful. Like you I get really good eggs from a neighbour who keeps a dozen happy chickens, the yokes are pure orange! My soldiers though always have a coating of Marmite…my kids love them.
Having lived in the UK and the US, I find there are quirks or cultural differences in things like food safety. The US washes and practically sterilizes all their eggs (store bought). This means that they must be refrigerated as the protective coating has been removed. Americans freak out when they see eggs out in the regular aisles in shops in the UK and Europe. I wish the US would go back to not washing them, but before that, making sure all chickens are cage-free and have room to run around and scratch all day (without being fed antibiotics) :(
I’ve never made soft boiled eggs but your recipe looks fool proof. Pinning as I know it will come in handy one day!
Oh dear, you simply must try them! Glad it’s now on your ‘list’, Megan!
I didn’t know the toast was called a soldier if it was cut like that! Such a yummy breakfast staple!
Yep, it’s a soldier! :)
Christina, one of my absolute favourite breakfasts! I didn’t realize that cutting my toast that way was a ‘soldier’ so I’ve learned something new as well. Simple, yet delightful. thanks!
I’m surprised at how many people have never heard of “soldiers”! :)
Soft boiled eggs and soldiers is a staple breakfast in our Australian household too! There is nothing better than runny egg on toast first thing in the morning.
Agreed, Amanda!
Boiled egg and soldiers are such wonderful comfort food! I live in the UK and we often have them for breakfast or even at teatime if it’s been a rough day. Your boiled egg and soldiers look really delicious – I’m thinking I need to have them again soon!
I do love them for lunch or dinner, myself, April! :)