Uitsmijter (Dutch Fried Eggs on Toast)
Why this recipe works
- Fast to make: The onions, toast and eggs come together quickly, making this a substantial hot lunch in minutes.
- Simple savoury layers: Cured ham, melted cheese, buttery onions and fried eggs build depth without needing many ingredients.
- Classic texture contrast: Crisp toast, soft yolks and melted cheese give the sandwich its familiar, satisfying character.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Serve straight away: Uitsmijter is best eaten as soon as the eggs are cooked, while the yolks are still soft and the cheese is melting.
- Prep before frying: Have the toast, ham and cheese ready before the eggs go into the pan so the finished eggs can be transferred immediately.
Texture tips
- Keep the yolks soft: Use medium-low heat once the eggs are in the pan so the whites set gently without hardening the yolks too quickly.
- Keep the toast crisp: Toast the bread until properly golden so it can hold the ham, cheese, eggs and onions without turning soggy immediately.
Ingredient notes
- Cheese choice: Gouda gives a more recognisably Dutch-style melt, while Cheddar brings a sharper, saltier flavour.
- Season carefully: Cured ham and cheese already add salt, so season the onions and eggs with a light hand and adjust at the end.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Peel the onion and slice it thinly. Put a frying pan over a medium heat and add half the butter. Once foaming, add the onion with a pinch of the salt and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until soft and lightly golden.
- Toast the bread until golden. Divide the toast between two plates and top each with a slice of ham. Sprinkle the cheddar over the ham so it is ready to melt under the eggs.
- Push the onions to one side of the pan and add the remaining butter. Crack in the eggs and fry over a medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes until the whites are set but the yolks are still soft; season with the remaining salt and the pepper. If needed, spoon a little of the hot butter over the whites to help them set without overcooking the yolks.
- Slide two eggs onto each toast, letting the heat melt the cheese. Spoon the sautéed onions over the top. Serve straight away while the yolks are still runny.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the soft-yolk finish, keep the heat at medium-low once the eggs are in the pan and cook until the whites are opaque and set.
- If you are serving anyone who should avoid runny eggs, cook the eggs until the yolks are fully set.
Substitutions
- Replace Cheddar cheese with Gouda cheese for a more traditional Dutch-style melt.
- Replace White bread with whole-grain bread for a heartier base.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 1 days
- Best eaten straight away. If you must store it, keep the components in the fridge and reheat the toast, ham and onions in a frying pan over a low heat, then fry fresh eggs to serve.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 12min (12min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Dutch
-
Allergens:
Eggs Gluten Milk Wheat
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife
- AUS-10 steel
- Balanced design
- Less traditional feel
Titanium & PP Double-Sided Cutting Board
- Separate surfaces for meat and produce
- Resists odors and stains
- Harder on knife edges than wood or plastic
WÜSTHOF Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife
- Excellent build quality
- Reliable edge retention
- Expensive
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
- Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.

























