Hard-boiled eggs. Ground meat. Breadcrumbs. Your child probably eats all these things—why not together? A scotch egg for toddlers does precisely that, together. The egg is encased by the meat, which is encased by the breadcrumbs; the whole thing, when served in a restaurant, is deep fried. (Ours, thankfully, are air-fried.) It’s a lot. Like, induce a long nap a lot. Half of one is plenty for a young child, which is why we recommend halving the eggs—bonus: much easier for little ones to hold and eat this way—even though that is not the traditional way of doing so. But no one—especially not your child—will doubt that this is a tasty morsel, smooth meat-ing crunchy in a way that satisfies just like a good greasy burger does. Makes for a great weekend lunch—and for a great weekend nap (for all) right after.
Ingredients Overview
This Scotch egg for toddlers is built around simple, familiar ingredients toddlers actually eat: soft-boiled eggs, mild sausage, and a thin breadcrumb coating that crisps up without turning tough. The texture stays soft enough for younger toddlers while still feeling like “real food” for older ones. Everything cooks quickly in the air fryer, and the modest seasoning keeps it gentle on small palates.
Steps Summary
- Soft-boil the eggs, cool, and peel.
- Wrap each egg in a thin, even layer of sausage.
- Roll lightly in breadcrumbs.
- Air-fry until the exterior is crisp and the sausage is fully cooked.
- Slice for kids or serve whole for older toddlers who can manage larger bites.
FAQ
How can I make this for a younger toddler?
Slice the Scotch egg into quarters or thin wedges; the inside stays soft and manageable. Serve alongside fruit or steamed veggies for a balanced plate.
Can I bake these instead of air-frying?
Yes. Bake at 400°F, flipping halfway. They won’t crisp quite as much but still cook through beautifully and stay tender.
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to revive the crispness.
Can I use turkey or chicken sausage?
Absolutely. Any mild, neutral sausage works well—just avoid anything too salty or heavily seasoned.
What to Serve With A Scotch Egg For Toddlers
- How To Make Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer French Fries – Classic “pub” side, but toddler-friendly and done in the air fryer.
- The Veggie Fries Your Kid Will Actually Eat – Zucchini “fries” that give you a veggie side while still reading as finger food.
- The Best Toddler Green Beans Recipe for Picky Eaters – Crisp, breaded green beans that feel like nuggets, not “vegetables.”
More Toddler-Friendly Recipes Like This
- Pork Meatballs for Toddlers — These Vietnamese-inspired meatballs have a similar savory profile and are a great high-protein option.
- Hide Vegetables Toddler Cutlet — Crunchy outside, soft inside, and packed with kid-friendly flavor.
- Chicken Teriyaki Burger for Toddlers — Another hand-held, protein-forward recipe that toddlers love.
Air-Fryer Scotch Egg for Toddlers | Easy High-Protein Kid-Friendly Lunch & Dinner
Description
This toddler-friendly Scotch egg wraps a soft-boiled egg in a thin layer of sausage and crisp breadcrumbs for a high-protein meal little ones can actually handle. Easy to slice, easy to eat, and packed with flavor, it’s a fun handheld option for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Sauce (optional)
Instructions
Prep
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To hard-boil the eggs: bake for 14 minutes at 250 degrees. When cooking is completed, immediately place eggs in a small pot of ice water to cool.
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While the eggs cool: Take out pork and cream cheese and bring to room temp. Set up three small flat containers on your counter: one with flour covering the bottom, one with a beaten egg; and one with panko breadcrumbs spread out.
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Throw a pat of cream cheese and a glug of teriyaki over the pork meat and mix together until integrated. Place pork mixture on a cutting board or other flat surface and flatten with hand or rolling pin (recommended) until pork is spread out and thin.
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Optional (but recommended for your child’s portion): cut an egg in half.
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Place an egg (or egg half) on top of a part of the meat patty and fold the surrounding pork mixture over it until the egg is fully covered by the pork; don’t hesitate to cut out extra meat from elsewhere to cover any holes. Use the beaten egg mixture as “glue” if some sides don’t fully cover by brushing the egg wash onto that side and smushing the two non-sticking parts together.
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Coat pork covered egg in flour, then dip into egg wash; roll into breadcrumbs until covered.
Cook and Assemble
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Air fry at 350 for 5 minutes. Turn over and air fry again for five minutes.
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While the eggs are in the air fryer, you can make a simple sauce by combining equal parts mustard and mayo with a drizzle of honey.
Serve
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If you halved the egg before assembling, you can serve the completed egg ball with a side of sauce (or your child’s favorite condiment) and they should be good to know; for full-sized eggs, quarter them instead. Keep what you side with the egg simple and boring–crunchy raw vegetables are a welcome respite, even to a child, after eating a hunk of egg and meat.
Adapt
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Pork, beef, or lamb will work best as your meat options but ground chicken or turkey will do in a pinch–just reduce the cooking time by two minutes. You can also make a falafel egg by using the batter in our recipe to cover the egg; cook for 6-7 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 3
Serving Size 1 scotch egg
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 250kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 14g22%
- Potassium 325mg10%
- Total Carbohydrate 10g4%
- Protein 17g34%
- Calcium 50 mg
- Iron 2 mg
- Phosphorus 250 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
