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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Servings 3
Serving Size 1 scotch egg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
