Eggs In A Basket {A Meatless Monday Recipe

Have you ever heard of “Eggs in a Basket”? Or perhaps you call it something else?

I had never even heard of eggs in a basket before I met David Spivey. I classify him as the breakfast guru. Mainly because he can always eat, no matter what time of day. I will never forget the first time I had eggs in a basket.  David made us some for supper one night during our “courting” days.

Basically, an egg in a basket is bread with a hole cut into the center in which an egg is cracked into the center and cooked in a frying pan with a little butter. The hole is known as the “basket”.

Easter weekend David and I went out of town to visit family. I usually do my meal planning on Sunday morning and then grocery shop for the week. However, since we went out of town, meal planning and groceries did not happen.

We ended up going to the grocery store on our way home from work on Monday. Needing a quick supper for Meatless Monday, I asked David to make some eggs in a basket with that wonderful brioche bread we had leftover from the French Toast.

How to Make Eggs In A Basket

STEP 1 – Cut a hole in the bread: 

With a spatula or knife, cut an approximate 2-inch wide square or round hole (“the basket”) in the center of the bread. Reserve the piece of bread that comes out of the center.

STEP 2 – Fry the bread: 

Melt about a tablespoon of unsalted butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the bread in the pan with on top of the melted butter.

STEP 3 – Add the egg:

Crack the egg open and drop the egg into the hole.

STEP 4 – Fry the egg: 

Let the egg cook for one to two minutes, or until it just starts to set on the bottom. Make sure the egg whites are done and opaque white in color. The egg white should not be runny or jiggly.

Before you flip the bread and egg, lift the edge of the bread up with a spatula and check to see if the egg has solidified. Then, carefully flip over the bread with the egg to fry the other side.

The egg will inset into the bread when it is done. Season with salt and pepper, and add a slice of cheese if desired.

STEP 5 – Serve:

Place your eggs in a basket on a plate. You can eat it with a fork or like a piece of toast, but watch out for that runny yolk if you choose to eat it like toast! 🙂

Recipe Notes:

Choose any bread you like. White, wheat, sourdough, French bread, rye, etc.

To make a treat for the kids, you can also use fun-shaped cookie cutters to cut out the shape in the middle. Suggest that they use the remaining cut-out piece to dip in the yolk. Press the item into the bread and the hole should be easily removed.

For a romantic breakfast, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the center. 

These are quick and easy. Try eggs in a basket tonight!