Try this Eggs in a Basket recipe if you need a quick and tasty breakfast. It's super easy, and I love that you can dip extra bread into the sticky yolk!
I have already read a whole post of fantastic toast recipes, but I felt this one deserved one of its own.
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I mean, just look how cute those little eggs are!
Not to mention, the entire dish is a dream of flavors and textures, from the crisp, buttery toast to the savory runny yolk in the middle.
I know you're eager to try this Eggs in a Basket recipe, so let's get started.
What are eggs in a basket?
Eggs in a Basket consist of a slice of toast with a hole cut in the center into which an egg is cracked and fried until sunny side up. First introduced in an 1890s cookbook by Fannie Farmer, it was initially called "Eggs in a Hat" as the extra piece of bread was placed on top for serving.
Fun fact: this dish also goes by many other names. In fact, there are 66 in all!
The most notable, to me, are:
- eggs in a frame
- one-eyed jack
- bull's-eye
- eggs on an island
Whatever you want to call it, one thing is for sure: it's a must try.
Ingredients
As you can see in the image above, you don't need much to make this delicious breakfast!
- Eggs – The fresher the better!
- White bread – Any good quality thick toasted bread will work. If using fresh bread, be sure to cut it thick enough to fit a whole egg in the middle.
- Manteca – You'll only use a little, so you might as well use the real thing. Margarine is not welcome here! You can use salted or unsalted butter. If you use the former, don't season the toast with additional salt.
- Salt and pepper - try out.
Tips for the best eggs in a basket
- This dish only requires two ingredients, which means you'll want to use the best quality. Start with a good sandwich bread that is firm and thick enough to hold a whole egg in the center.
- Try other types of bread, such as sourdough, bagels, wheat bread, or English muffins. As long as they are firm and thick, they will do.
- Use fresh eggs for the best flavor.. It is noticeable by the smell. I'm pretty sure we're all familiar with the awful smell of rotten eggs!
- Another way to check the freshness of the egg is with the water test.
- Put the eggs in a bowl of cold water and watch what happens.
- If they sink to the bottom and lie on their side, they are fresh.
- If they sink but stand upright, they are a few weeks old but still safe to eat.
- If they float to the top, that's your cue to throw them.
- The easiest way to cut a hole in the bread is with a cookie cutter. If you don't have one, try a glass rim or mason jar lid.
- If you have other shapes of cookie cutters, feel free to try them out. Hearts will always be adorable, just make sure the hole is big enough to hold an egg.
- Use a nonstick skillet to easily release the eggs. If you have a large pan, you should be able to easily cook two pieces of toast at once.
- Preheat the pan well so that the bread is toasted. If you skip this step, the egg will cook before the bread turns brown.
- Low and slow is the way to go. Don't go above medium-low in an attempt to cook the toast faster. A gentle flame ensures that both the toast and the egg are perfectly cooked at the same time.
How to serve eggs in a basket
This already lovely breakfast dish really doesn't need any more cheering up.
But if you want to make it a little extra, here are some things you can try:
- Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper or drizzle some sriracha over the toast for added flavor. Want more spice options? Try paprika and cayenne pepper.
- Garnish the toast with salt and fresh chives for added flavor and a pop of color. You don't need much!
- Dip the cut circle in the runny egg yolk. Or turn the cutouts into a completely different dish by coating them in cinnamon sugar. This way you will get both breakfast and dessert.
- Add grated cheese on top of the toast while the egg is cooking for an extra rich and cheesy breakfast. Or if you add grated cheese to the pan first, it will create a heavenly crust.
- Accompany the toast with potato croquettes or French fries. Two (forms of) carbohydrates are better than one!
- Serve toast with crispy bacon on the side for an extra dose of protein and fat. Other breakfast meats like sausage and ham would also be perfect.
- Serve fruit as a side, such as sliced avocado, mango, peach, or berries. The more fruits, the more colorful and nutritious the dish would be.
- Have a salad on the side. It offers a slight contrast to the heavy plate.
- For a British twist, add a dollop of baked beans to the dish. And for a truly decadent fry, include fried tomatoes too!
- Steak and eggs, anyone? It's not for every day, but it will make a great Sunday brunch!
- Enjoy toast plain with your favorite morning beverage. I always drink coffee, but the juice makes a nice bright contrast.
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