Easy Eggs in a Basket
Our eggs in a basket is a simple and delicious breakfast dish that only uses 4 ingredients and takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish!
When it comes to breakfast, John and I usually stick to the classics like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and buttered toast with jam. After a few days of eating the same thing, we like to change things up.
That could range anywhere from French toast to a hearty breakfast casserole. If we’re in a hurry or want something light, we make eggs in a basket.
John learned about eggs in a basket over twenty years ago from a manager where he was working, and it’s been a staple in our kitchen ever since. It’s seriously so easy that you probably don’t even need a recipe!
It’s toast with egg in the middle. Literally fried eggs cooked in toast.
This recipe takes us 15 minutes (or less) to make them, and there are only four ingredients if you count salt and pepper. How easy is that?!
How to Avoid Common Issues with Eggs in a Basket
Use low-medium to medium heat. Cook the bread and egg over low-medium to medium heat so they finish at the same time. I usually stay closer to low-medium to keep the toast from browning too fast.
Add a lid. For over-easy or over-medium eggs, add a snug-fitting lid for part of the cook time. The steam helps set the whites while keeping the yolks a little runny.
Cut the right size hole. Use a 2 ½-inch to 3-inch biscuit cutter, cookie cutter, or glass. That gives a large egg enough room without taking out too much of the bread.
Start with a hot pan. Make sure the pan is hot before adding the egg. This helps the egg start setting right away instead of seeping under the bread.
Common Questions
How to Make Eggs in a Basket
First, grab your bread. I recommend using Texas toast or a sturdy sandwich bread. Either white or wheat will work. Try to avoid flimsy bread that falls apart easily or bread that doesn’t toast well.
Use a 2 ½-inch to 3-inch biscuit cutter, a ramekin, cookie cutter, or glass to cut circular holes in the center of each slice of bread. Keep the circular pieces for later.
Warm a skillet over low-medium heat and add some butter. If your skillet is large enough, you can cook several servings of eggs in a basket at once.
You’ll need about ½ tablespoon of butter per piece of toast. Bacon grease is also delicious if you happen to save it.
Let the butter melt and place the bread into the pan. Crack one of the eggs into the center of the bread (or into a bowl then pour it into the bread). Place the one of the bread rounds into the pan too. It can cook at the same time.
- If you want, add the salt and pepper to the egg or you can wait until everything cooks. It’s up to you.
At this point, how long you cook the egg is up to you. We cooked ours for 4 to 5 minutes on the first side, then for about 3 minutes on the other side for an over–hard egg.
- For an an over–easy egg, the egg toast would only need to cook for about 3 minutes on each side.
- Over–medium would be about 4 minutes on each side. Just keep in mind, the egg cook time will affect the doneness of the toast. You might consider cooking the toast for a minute or two just to give it a head start.
When you flip the egg toast, be sure to flip the circular piece as well. You don’t want that to burn.
Once everything cooks, remove it from the pan along with toasted bread round. Repeat the steps until all the toast has been cooked.
How to Video
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread, white, wheat, Texas toast, etc.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, use more if needed
- 4 large eggs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
💌 Don't forget to save this recipe!
Instructions
- Use a 2 ½ to 3-inch biscuit cutter, cookie cutter, ramekin, or glass to cut a hole from the center of each slice of bread. Set the bread rounds aside.4 slices bread
- Heat a large skillet over low-medium heat. Add about ½ tablespoon of butter for each slice of bread, and let it melt.2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Place the bread slices and the bread rounds into the skillet. Crack one egg into the center of each slice of bread.4 large eggs
- Season the eggs with salt and pepper, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on how done you’d like the eggs.SaltBlack pepper
- Carefully flip the bread and egg along with the bread rounds. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until the eggs reach your preferred doneness and the bread is toasted.
- Remove from the skillet, and repeat with the remaining bread and eggs. Serve warm with the toasted bread rounds.
