What was it that Julia Child said about chicken – you could eat it every day for a year without ever eating the same dish? Well that’s exactly how I feel about eggs. I love how many different variations there are on even just the classic combo of eggs and toast: soft-boiled eggs with toast soldiers; eggs Benedict; the classic American diner meal of eggs any way you like, toast, hash browns, and breakfeast meat; and any number of egg sandwiches, to name a few.
I made eggs in the basket, but with a slightly different twist: baked, not fried. A popular version of this dish consists of an egg cooked inside a hole that’s cut out of the middle of a piece of bread; but even this, which is so similar to my version, yields a completely different result: a fried egg, while mine is baked. (How is that for versatility?!)
This recipe is a real winner with kids in particular since the eggs come in cute little packages. But they’re just as easy to dress up for a lovely brunch item, by serving them in ramekins with fresh herbs and hollandaise for topping.
Baked Eggs in the Basket
(Yield: 1 serving)
2 pieces of bread
2 eggs
Butter
Salt and pepper
Minced fresh chives, or any other green herb you like (optional, for garnish)
A muffin tray or 2 individual ramekins
Preheat oven to 375F; generously butter two muffin wells or two individual ramekins. Trim the bread to fit inside the muffin wells or ramekins. Place a piece of bread into each well, then gently crack an egg into each piece of bread. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on top of each egg and bake until the egg reaches your desired consistency (about 14-18 minutes gives set whites with runny yolks; increase time from there if you like a more well done yolk). To serve, if you used a muffin tray, let the egg baskets rest about 5 minutes in the tray, then run a sharp paring knife around the outside and use a fork to gently remove (if you used ramekins, you can serve them in the ramekins.) If desired, sprinkle minced fresh chives on top before serving. You can also serve with hollandaise if you like.
Heather says
Mine aren't as pretty as yours but they were delicious! My 3 year old asks me for "egg baskets" all of the time now!
stephanie says
Great idea. So easy and versatile! Thanks :)
AlliLo says
Do you think these could be made the night before and kept in the fridge?? These look delicious but I need a breakfast on the go.
Faith says
AlliLo, I haven't made these ahead of time and stored them in the fridge, so I don't know for sure; my only concern is that the runny yolk wouldn't be as good after being refrigerated. If you decide you want to give it a try, it might be better to cook them a little longer so the yolk isn't runny. Let me know if you give it a try!
Penster47 says
I think I'll try these and use crescent rolls for the basket! and maybe a little chopped ham or crumbled bacon. Yum!!!
Rebecca says
I remember my grandma would make something like this with bits of bacon and cheese on the bottom. They were great and easy if you had a large family cause they can be cooked all at one time.
Susan says
I've copied and pasted this one - they sound wonderful and I love the presentation.
nancy at good food matters says
I often make the fried "eggs-in-the-hole" but your baked version looks prettier--and is much healthier. Love it!
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
I could easily eat eggs every day, especially when my hens are in gear! Those eggs in baskets are a perfect way to prepare them. :)
Anna Johnston says
Well said Faith...., I love eggs & find they're pretty much my go to meal when I want to whip up something different.
Biren @ Roti n Rice says
I absolutely love this idea Faith! I will have to make these for breakfast soon.
grace says
you'd think that by now i'd stop being surprised when i come across a new way to prepare and serve eggs, but i'm not. put a runny egg yolk on anything and the deliciousness factor gets raised exponentially. :)
Padhu says
Looks awesome
Do drop by
Padhuskitchen
when u find time
Lucy says
I love this idea! The picture of the runny egg has me hungry :)
Amanda @SomethingSavory says
Looks delicious and simple! I love the idea of serving it with hollandaise, like an easy to make eggs benedict! Could definitely shred some canadian bacon and add it before the egg.
I will have to make these soon!
sarah (the SHU box) says
this. is. GENIUS!! simple, healthy, beautiful, mouth-wateringly delcious-looking. a faith classic :)
Raina says
These look great! My kids would definitely love them, and I agree they would make a delicious and impressive dish for a brunch:)
Magic of Spice says
Now this is a great idea! Versatile in deed, and the would make a great light meal for anytime of day. Nice :)
Lisa says
Yum! I could definitely deal with this---they look so nice, and not difficult to make. Thanks for the idea! I'm going to try and impress people with these :)
Aipi says
That is such a lovely dish,and I can bet on the excellent taste as well:)
US Masala
delphcotecuisine says
what a wonderful and yummy way to cook and eat eggs, I love that
bises from France
Delphine
Angie's Recipes says
omg..this is such a brilliant idea! I love it.
5 Star Foodie says
Oh, great idea to bake the eggs in the basket in the muffin tin! Super delicious for sure!
FOODESSA says
Faith, your as crazy about eggs as my Hubby is...and coincidentally, I had just made these very same cups last week for a brunch. I just added a little ham and roasted veggies to the mix...yummy!
For those who've never made them this way...it's nice of you to show them how it's done ;o)
Ciao for now,
Claudia
angie says
I had a recent post baked eggs and topping with Pain Au Levain and it turned out great, but not enough of the bread! Putting it on the bottom is divine! I'm going to try a variation where I just cut cubes of the Pain Au Levain and then crack the egg over top. I'll be sure to link back my adaptation to yours!!! thanks!
Chiara says
I love eggs... and these look really appetizing in their little bread basket!
pigpigscorner says
So cute! Never thought of serving egg on toast this way!
Maria @ Scandifoodie says
That looks amazing, especially the oozing egg... Delicious!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I like the idea of baking these as you could do so many at one time if you are feeding lots of people plus it is healthier! Win win! :D
Lentil Breakdown says
I forgot all about birdies in the nest! Thanks for the inspiring reminder!
foodies at home says
I make something similar for my family but I fry it and top them with cinnamon and maple syrup. I like your way!
Veronica says
Aw, I love it! I recently just tried making a toad in the hole and it was fun but I'm so lazy, now I just plop a fried egg on top of a piece of toast so I don't have to cut a hole out of the middle first. Strangely, I could totally see myself making eggs this way instead! so cute.
Carolyn Jung says
A perfect runny yolk is a thing of beauty. I wish I could dive into this right this second.
A Canadian Foodie says
This is a perfect follow up to Toad in the Hole with my grade 7 class in their breakfast unit. It is gorgeous and there are so many possibilities for jazzing it up and making enough for a crowd. Love it!
:)
Valerie
Victoria says
Love love love love love this! I've made the other variation you're referring to, and I've made other baked egg dishes, but I love the simplicity of this! The presentation is great and you definitely could serve this to guests :) Yum!
kalli says
as i remember you are amazing in the kitchen! these look so good!
Carol says
These are definitely on the menu sometime this weekend. They look fabulous! Great idea!
Reeni says
You made eggs super special Faith! These are adorable!
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
What a great idea! We share a love of eggs and everything bagels and crackers (which were awesome, too BTW)! I could eat eggs every day, too and feel bad that the poor egg has gotten a bad rap the last few decades, all for naught!
Cara Craves... says
That is the cutest idea!
They remind me of a thing we call "toad in the hole."
Bread with a circle cut out, put in the pan and the
egg dropped in the middle to cook.
So yummy.
BeadedTail says
I didn't know what that title meant but now it makes so much sense! What a great idea! Wish I liked soft eggs though. :(
lequan says
OMG! Yes, that's exactly what I said when I saw your delicious looking picture! You're right, these would be a huge hit for the kids. I think you've just helped me make my kidsveat eggs. I love this idea, Faith! Not only will it be a winner for my kiddies, but you've already won me over with this easy, yet fabulous way to serve an egg. Thank you for sharing this!
Katerina says
This is so smart. I will try to make them this way for my picky son. Perhaps he will like them.
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy says
Wonderful breakfast idea.I am an eggholic at breakfast time.these baskets look so beautiful and filling.Thanks for sharing
Priya says
Damn tempting dish, yumm!
Julie M. says
How cute are those!? I don't think you would even need ramekins for guests, they're perfect just the way you made them!
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says
Oh just too cute !!!! I am so used to seeing the phyllo version I never saw one with bread.
blackbookkitchendiaries says
this such a cute breakfast idea.. its a keeper:)
Blond Duck says
I had such a hard time leaving a comment today! These are adorable! They remind me of egg and a hole that I made for a kid I nannied!
Nicole, RD says
How cute and simple! So unique! I love Julia's saying about chicken...so true!!
Heavenly Housewife says
I am always looking for cool egg dishes. These look great and are high in cute factor :D
*kisses* HH
Lazaro says
Faith,
That is just fantastic. Prefect execution and presentation. I'd be happy eating this anytime.
Bravo
Steve @ HPD says
"Oh God above, if heaven has a taste it must be an egg with butter and salt, and after the eff is there anything in the world lovelier than fresh warm bread and a mug of sweet golden tea?"
Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes
Nutmeg Nanny says
These look great! You don't have to be a kid to enjoy this...yum!
Swathi says
Looks delicious,Love it, Bread and egg nice combo
Dana says
These are so adorable! They look elegant and cute at the same time. Great twist on this recipe!
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
I'm not even a big egg eater, but these are so precious that I might make them over the weekend. What a perfect Saturday morning breakfast!!!
Mary says
This is a real treat that your photos only serve to highlight. This is a fabulous way to serve eggs. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary
Sharon says
Wow Faith you're amazing! This is a SUPER idea! And so easy too! I love soft boiled egg so I know I could eat 10 of these at once! Your third photo is glorious - look at that yolk oozing out! I can't wait to try these :D
Erica says
I agree! Eggs are amazing! Such a great source of protein and delicious. The baked version looks so good (actually better than the fried version)
Rosa says
Pretty! A great idea.
Cheers,
Rosa
Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist's Kitchen says
You are AMAZING!! I've never thought of a baked version of egg-in-the-basket! This looks incredible, thank you for sharing! :D
Crustabakes says
i am so drawn to the picture with the runny egg! YUMMMMM