If you have bread, eggs, and cheese, you can easily make eggs in a nest, or eggs in a basket. Quick recipe, perfect for breakfast or brunch!
This recipe comes with fond memories from when I was a little girl, when my mom made a special breakfast every once in awhile….It was my favorite breakfast. She called it egg bread, better known as eggs in a nest, eggs in a basket, toad in a hole, egg in a hole, etc.
Now having 3 boys of my own, I make egg in a nest every so often for them, and they love it just as much as I still do. I’m not sure if it’s the egg cooked into the toast or if it’s the melted cheese on top that gets us every time.
It’s a quick and easy recipe you can cook up in minutes, especially if you have a griddle and can cook everyone’s at once. Kids can get in on the cooking fun too.
Sometimes I can’t get enough of eggs and cheese; a good homemade breakfast sandwich like McDonald’s Egg McMuffin is another family favorite.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?
If you’d rather skip all of my breakfast making tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the eggs in a basket recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.
LET’S TALK INGREDIENTS:
Bread: While I use a typical sandwich bread (gluten-free bread for mine), you can use other types of bread too. My kids love sourdough, and brioche bread would make delicious egg in a hole with cheese. Other ideas might include bagels, puff pastry, avocados, or hash browns.
Cheese: We use American cheese because it gives so much flavor and melts right into the bread; but the options are limitless here. I have a favorite super sharp cheddar cheese that would be delicious; other ideas might include smoked cheddar, smoked gouda, parmesan, etc.
Keep in mind, all of the ingredients and ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.
KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED:
Small Biscuit Cutter (or Sharp Knife) – I have what used to be an old apple juice can that I use as a small biscuit cutter.
Griddle or Large Skillet – I prefer to use the griddle on our stove because I can cook everyone’s breakfast at once. Makes for a quick and easy job.
HOW TO MAKE EGGS IN A NEST
Gather your ingredients and follow these steps…
- Butter both sides of the bread.
- Cut a hole in the center of the bread with a small biscuit cutter or knife. Set the cut circle aside; we’ll fry it up with the main slice.
- Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter on the griddle (or in a large skillet), over low to medium heat. Add the bread to the griddle.
- Crack the egg into the hole.
- Cook ’til the egg slightly sets on the bottom, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Flip and cook the other side of the egg and bread, ’til the egg is cooked, the yolk is soft, and the bread is golden brown.
- If desired, flip again and melt the slice of cheese on top. You can make this without cheese, but trust me when I say, cheese makes everything better.
Note: Also, fry the bread circle you cut out earlier. This is the best part; crispy, crunchy goodness. We all try to sneak them while the bread is cooking. Yum!
FAQ:
To be honest, I’ve never had to store any leftovers because we make just enough for us to eat at breakfast. However, if you do have leftovers, just store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftovers should keep for 1-2 days.
Yes, you actually can. It would probably be better to make the recipe all the way through, without the cheese. Then allow your eggy toast to cool well, wrap it in plastic wrap, and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag in the freezer. When you’re ready to get it out and cook it, then you can add the cheese.
While you can use the microwave, I wouldn’t because it will likely make it soggy. Simply get it out of the freezer, let it thaw for 15-20 minutes, and place back on the griddle, or in the oven at 350°F for 20 minutes or ’til heated thru. Add the cheese after the bread and egg are warmed through, and allow it to melt.
FUN IDEA FOR HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS
While I use a biscuit cutter, that’s not to say you can’t make eggs in a basket with cheese a little more special on holidays.
Try using small cookie cutters to cut the hole in the center of the bread. Maybe a small Christmas tree or star, or even a heart for Valentine’s Day.
HOW TO SERVE EGGS IN A BASKET
While it’s delicious all by itself, you can also serve it alongside fresh fruit, ambrosia fruit salad, bacon, sausage, and more.
MORE YUMMY BREAKFAST IDEAS WITH EGGS:
- Ham and cheese egg cups
- Bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast burritos
- Sausage egg muffins
- Bacon, egg, and cheese muffins
GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE
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Eggs in a Nest with Cheese
If you have bread, eggs, and cheese, you can easily make eggs in a nest, or eggs in a basket. Quick recipe, perfect for breakfast or brunch!
- 1 tablespoon salted butter (softened)
- 1 slice bread
- 1 large egg
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 1 slice American cheese (optional)
Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter on a griddle or in a large skillet, over low to medium heat.
Butter both sides of the bread with the remaining butter.
Cut a hole in the center of the bread with a small biscuit cutter or knife. Set the cut circle aside; you'll fry it up with the main slice.
Add the bread to the hot griddle.
- Crack the egg into the hole.
- Cook ’til the egg slightly sets on the bottom, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Flip and cook the other side of the egg and bread, ’til the egg is cooked, the yolk is soft, and the bread is golden brown.
- If desired, flip again and melt the slice of cheese on top. You can make this without cheese, but trust me when I say, cheese makes everything better.
Serve while warm.
Note: Also, fry the bread circle you cut out earlier. This is the best part; crispy, crunchy goodness. We all try to sneak them while the bread is cooking. Yum!
How should I store it?
To be honest, I’ve never had to store any leftovers because we make just enough for us to eat at breakfast. However, if you do have leftovers, just store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftovers should keep for 1-2 days.
Can I make this recipe ahead and freeze it?
Yes, you actually can. It would probably be better to make the recipe all the way through, without the cheese. Then allow your eggy toast to cool well, wrap it in plastic wrap, and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag in the freezer. When you’re ready to get it out and cook it, then you can add the cheese.
How do I reheat it?
While you can use the microwave, I wouldn’t because it will likely make it soggy. Simply get it out of the freezer, let it thaw for 15-20 minutes, and place back on the griddle, or in the oven at 350°F for 20 minutes or ’til heated thru. Add the cheese after the bread and egg are warmed through, and allow it to melt.
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