In the UK, sausages baked in what is essentially Yorkshire pudding batter are known as toad in the hole (a rather odd name, I agree). 😬
Let's find out how to make it!
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.This foolproof recipe works every time. It's a simple, tasty and filling classic English dish.
However, in America, toad in the hole refers to an egg cooked in the hole cut out of a piece of bread. 😉 Strange how they can be so different!
Jamie Oliver pokes a few sprigs of rosemary around the sausages into the batter, but I say it will just burn, so I can't see the point - just saying!
Recipe Top Tips!
- The key thing is to have an appropriately sized baking tin. The thinner, the better, because we need to get the oil really hot before adding the batter.
- Don't use a glass dish because it won't get as hot as a metal dish.
- For the batter to rise, it's essential to get the oil really hot in the roasting dish before adding the batter.
- Use good-quality sausages without too much fat in them, or the whole dish may end up oily.
- Use plain flour NOT self-raising (as I did once by mistake) to make Yorkshire puddings with self raising flour were HUGE but not nice at all. 😱
- If you wish, you can add another sausage to this recipe - no worries, the amount of batter is the same.
How many eggs are in Yorkshire pudding batter?
- 3 eggs
- 115 g plain flour (all-purpose)
- 130 ml semi-skimmed milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Ingredients
- vegetable or rapeseed oil
- 4 good-quality sausages
- plain flour (all-purpose)
- salt
- black pepper
- eggs
- semi-skimmed milk
What to serve it with
- Mashed potatoes
- Onion gravy - recipe shown in my Bangers (sausage) and mash recipe
- Peas
- Carrots
- Kids like baked beans - nice and simple!
How to make it
Add the flour and eggs to a jug.
Whisk together the flour and eggs until you have a very smooth, thick paste.
Add the salt and pepper, then pour in about a third of the milk. Whisk until smooth before adding the remaining milk. Whisk again until you have a lovely smooth batter.
Let the batter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow it to rise more effectively.
With that said, some say there's no need for the batter to rest, but this is what I do, and it works.
I say, if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it! But everyone has their own idea. 😉
Preheat the oven to 220ºC/430°F
Put the roasting dish into the oven (middle shelf) and heat 1½ tablespoons of oil.
Meanwhile, add a tablespoon of oil to a frying pan and heat it over medium heat. Fry the sausages, turning so they are lightly browned all over.
Remove the dish from the oven, add the sausages and pour the batter around (not over) the sausages. The batter should come about ½ to ¾ way up the sausages.
Return to the oven, reduce the temperature to 200°C and cook for 30 minutes.
Don't open it for at least 25 minutes, as Yorkshire pudding batter can be quite temperamental when rising, and the bottom of the batter won't be cooked properly.
Serve immediately when it's nice and puffed and golden.
Equipment
- This is the non stick roasting dish I used, it's the perfect size for two people
Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating in the recipe card below!

Toad in the Hole for 2
Tasty, simple and filling. Toad in the hole is a traditional and classic British dish.
Ingredients
- vegetable or rapeseed oil
- 4 good-quality sausages
- 115 g plain flour (all-purpose)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 eggs - free range, of course
- 130 ml semi-skimmed milk
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour and eggs until you have a very smooth, thick paste.
- Add the salt and pepper, then pour in about a third of the milk. Whisk until the mixture is smooth, then add the remaining milk and whisk again until you have a beautifully smooth batter.
- Let the batter rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure a better rise.
- Put the roasting dish into the oven (middle shelf) and heat 1½ tablespoons of oil.
- Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon of oil in a frying pan. Add the sausages and fry them, turning occasionally, until they are evenly browned.
- Take the dish out of the oven, place the sausages in the dish, and pour the batter around them (but not over them). The batter should reach about halfway to three-quarters of the way up the sausages.
- Place it back in the oven, lower the temperature to 200°C, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Avoid opening it for at least 25 minutes, as Yorkshire pudding batter can be a bit temperamental when rising, and the bottom of the batter may remain uncooked.
- Serve immediately when it's nice and puffed and golden.
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