Vegetarian Toad in the Hole – the new classic

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For some weird reason, British food doesn’t always have the best reputation around the world.
To anybody that’s eaten a great vegetarian toad in the hole (or even a regular toad in the hole), that’s an absolutely travesty.
I will agree that it does have an unusual name, though happily no toads are involved anywhere along the production line, at least that I can see.
No, vegetarian toad in the hole is a light, fluffy dish interspersed with delicious veggie sausages.
As a quick history lesson, the name was first used in 1762, and “which calls toad in a hole a “vulgar” name for a “small piece of beef baked in a large pudding.” (i).
At the beginning just about any meat was accepted, and was slowly changed and refined to using exclusively sausages, to make toad in the hole as we know it today.

These days vegetarian sausages taste great, and I can see no satisfying reason that pork should be used instead. If you want to read my justifications for that, please see this article.
Tofurkey, Quorn, Beyond Meat and Linda McCartney are all your friends. Well, maybe Linda McCartney isn’t, but her sausages can be.
Vegetarian toad in the hole
So, vegetarian toad in the hole it is. If you’ve come to this page then there’s a good chance you know that toad in the hole is often served with gravy and a variety of vegetables.
Carrots, peas, broccoli, and cauliflower all go well. Some like to roast potatoes and parsnips to go with their toads too, and I can’t say I blame them.

If you need more inspiration for your veggie toad in the hole, then here are a few great sides:
- Honey glazed carrots in mint and tarragon
- Parsnips in syrup and mustard
- Low-carb garlic mashed cauliflower
- Proper roast potatoes
All are awesome, and won’t let you down.
What else don’t I know about veggie toad in the hole? Go on, surprise me!
Well, even though vegetarian toad in the hole probably started as a cheap dish for the masses, being described as “a homely but savoury dish” and “noting that it could serve 4-5 people for a measly 1 shilling and 9 pence” way back in 1861, there’s good reason it stuck around (ii).

Weighing in with over 30g of protein per portion (that’s massive), toad in the hole was and is a real belly filler.
Combine it with all the goodness of carrot, peas and broccoli and you’ve got a beast of a meal. No wonder it became so popular.
What are you waiting for? Time to tuck in!
Need help going vegetarian? Check out the 30 Day Veggie Challenge here.
Not sure how much protein you really need? Get your free meal plan here.
(i) – credit goes to India Mandelkern and her excellent blogspot, Homo Gastronomicus.
(ii) – kudos also goes to India and her article for this gem of a quote.

Ingredients
- 4-6 vegetarian sausages (Beyond Meat or Quorn, for example)
- 2 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup semi-skimmed milk
- ½ tsp salt
Optional:
- 1 tsp mustard (mixed into the batter to give it and extra twist! Delicious!)
Instructions
- Put the vegetarian sausages and oil into an oven a dish and start cooking at 200°C/390°F.
- In the meantime, mix the eggs, flour, milk and salt (and mustard if using) all together with an hand blender or electric mixer. Let the batter stand until the next stage.
- When the sausages are starting to brown, take the dish out of the oven, and slowly pour in the batter mix around (not over) the sausages.
- Pop it back in the oven for another 25-35 minutes, until browned and risen.
- Done! Your vegetarian toad in the hole is ready.
NOTES
Nutrition
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I liked this recipe. i used the hot spicey Italian Beyond sausages and some country gravy. Justa combination I like. But overall, it was easy and filling. I don’t that it is something I would make frequently, But a nice change and something different. I used 2% milk, and it was just fine,
Hi Kay, and awesome you made it! I haven’t tried those sausages but they sound great. Yes, this is more of a ‘Sunday’ meal for us. I haven’t made it for a few months, and you just reminded me I should. Thanks!
Could you use whole milk for this too or would that change the texture or anything? Also if I am trying to get vegetarian sausage past my picky kids is there one that is the most meat tasting? Been slowly trying to get more vegetarian meals in our meal planning and very glad I stumbled on this website
Hi Jessica! Whole milk will be absolutely fine. For the veggie sausages – where are you? My favourites are Quorn (available in many countries), and Linda McCartney in the UK. If you’re in the US maybe Beyond Meat is a good choice? I hope you can find something 🙂
I used to love Toad in the Hole. It was a staple of school lunches in England where I grew up (probably still is). Now I am vegetarian I can’t wait to give this recipe a go. I seem to remember we used to often have it with gravy – a nice thick mushroom gravy would be a tasty addition.
I hope it still is, too! I’ve always loved toad in the hole, and now I’m passing it on to my young family 🙂
I agree, a good thick gravy is the way to go. Mushrooms aren’t for me, but onion gravy would be awesome too!