Shirred Eggs|A Baked Egg Recipe (2024)

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Shirred eggs are a favorite baked egg recipe and are brunch time's BFF. Creamy and custardy, these eggs are beyond simple to make, have almost infinite flavor variations and only take minutes to bake.

And isn't that something we all want for a morning meal?

Ingredients You will need:

  • eggs
  • cream
  • butter
  • parmesan cheese (optional)
  • chives or other fresh herbs (optional)
  • leeks, tomatoes, artichoke hearts (optional)
  • salt, pepper and paprika

Baked egg recipes are among my favorite brunch dishes since they can (a) be made ahead, (b) feed a crowd and (c) there are so many different versions! But, they aren't always the most elegant looking right?

Which is where these little cups of eggs come in. They are just as easy (if not easier!) to make, have almost infinite flavor variations, and, if you've got enough ramekins, can also feed a crowd!

But what about this whole "shirred eggs" business?

FAQ's about Shirred Eggs:

What are shirred eggs?

Shirred eggs are just another name for baked eggs! The name comes from the flat bottomed dish eggs were originally cooked in.

What is the cooking method used in making shirred eggs?

The eggs are simply baked in the oven. No water bath needed!

Tips for making this baked egg recipe:

  • One of the beauties of this baked egg recipe is that you can jazz them up with just about anything - onions, mushrooms, leeks, tomatoes, spinach, peppers, chiles, pancetta, bacon, ham, prosciutto, etc., etc.
  • Think of your favorite omelette or hashbrown recipe for inspiration and go from there!!
  • Although you can't bake shirred eggs ahead of time, if you are adding anything to the eggs you can cook that in advance as well as assemble the dishes in advance.
Shirred Eggs|A Baked Egg Recipe (2)

How to make Shirred Eggs: A Baked Egg Recipe:

  • Step #1: Saute the vegetables if using.
  • Step #2: Grease the ramekins and add the vegetables.
  • Step #3: Add an egg to each ramekin.
  • Step #4: Spoon the cream over and bake.

Other egg recipes you may like!

If you liked these shirred eggs, I would love for you to give it a 5 star rating!

Cheers! Nancy

📖Recipe

Shirred Eggs|A Baked Egg Recipe (3)

Shirred Eggs

Shirred Eggs -easy to make, have endless varieties and are beautiful to serve.

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Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 205kcal

Author: Nancy Buchanan

Ingredients

  • 1 large sliced Leek
  • 2, seeded and diced tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¼ cup cream
  • 2 Tbsp. minced chives
  • salt and white pepper
  • ¼ tsp. smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1 Tbsp. of butter in a medium saute pan. Add the leeks and the tomatoes and saute until leek is bright green and tender - about 3 minutes. Season with salt and white pepper.Use remaining Tbsp. of butter to grease 4 6 oz. ramekins. Divide leek mixture among the ramekins and using a spoon to spread the mixture in an even layer. Sprinkle the vegetables with the parmesan cheese. Carefully break an egg into each ramekin and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle 1 Tbsp. of cream over each egg. Place ramekins on a sheet pan and place in the oven.Bake the eggs for 9 to 12 minutes or until the whites are softly set.

  • Remove ramekins from oven and dust tops with smoked paprika and chives. Serve

Recipe Notes

I used leeks and tomatoes, but you could use any combination of ingredients that you like - vegetables, cheese, bacon, pancetta or ham... the list is really endless!

Nutrition

Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 204mg | Sodium: 222mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1120IU | Vitamin C: 4.5mg | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 1mg

YOU KNOW I WANT TO SEE IT!Mention @Acommunaltable or tag #acommunaltable!

More Simple Egg Recipes

  • Leek, Mushroom and Yogurt Frittata
  • Baked Orzo with Bacon, Spinach and Feta
  • Chile Cheese Casserole
  • Eggs in Nests

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Daydreamer Desserts says

    Have I been living under a rock? I'd never heard of Shirred eggs till just now, thanks for sharing this fab egg dish Nancy. I can't wait to make it for the boys!

    Reply

  2. My Man's Belly says

    I haven't made these before. What's the egg consistency like when they're done?

    Reply

  3. Cathy/ShowFoodChef says

    These are my Go-To brunch and weekend quickies, too. We often think alike and I love that. I use Clotilde Dusoulier's (Oeuf Cocote in Chocolate & Zucchini) idea of laying a slice of tomato in the bottom. Your pics are SO inviting and loved your cooking the leeks, etc.. first. Mmmm.

    Reply

  4. the urban baker says

    these are one of my favorites and you make it just way i like to eat it. your photos, Nancy, are right on point!!!!! x

    Reply

  5. Lucy Lean says

    Is there a difference between baked, shirred and coddled eggs? Curious! Love them! Sometimes make this with duck eggs - bigger yolk to white ratio so cooks but stays runny.

    Reply

  6. Allison [Haute Box] says

    I love shirred eggs especially with some toast "soldiers" for dipping. Mmm...runny yolk is my fave!

    Reply

  7. marla {family fresh cooking} says

    I must get on it and make some shirred eggs! These look amazing & so simple.

    Reply

  8. Kate says

    I love the simplicity of this dish - perfect dinner for one or two light eaters !

    Reply

  9. Magic of Spice says

    Your shirred eggs look wonderful and gorgeous photos.

    Reply

  10. Mary Ann says

    Great brunch idea! putting it in my recipe file~

    Reply

  11. Damaris @Kitchen Corners says

    I have neve heard of these before but they look wonderful.

    Reply

  12. Lynne @ CookandBeMerry says

    I've never made shirred eggs, but now I see I need to give these a try. Your photo is just beautiful.

    Reply

    • Nancy says

      Thanks Lynne!! I think you'd like these - the fact that you can put pretty much whatever you like with them makes them a winner in my book!!

      Reply

  13. Barbara | VinoLuciStyle says

    I love shirred eggs but haven't had them in years...now why is that? I am so in the habit for Easter of making creamed eggs on toast points as a way of using up all those hard boiled eggs but my children are grown and I can move on, right? 🙂

    Beautiful pictures too and I haven't had breakfast yet...seriously thinking this might be brunch!

    Reply

    • Nancy says

      It is funny how we get stuck making many of the same dishes - and yes, you have my permission to move on!!! I struggled a bit with this photo but it is getting easier!!

      Reply

  14. lisaiscooking says

    At the Gabrielle Hamilton class I attended a few weeks ago, she made a similar brunch dish. I love how versatile this is. It really can be suited to any taste. Your version sounds fantastic, and I love the paprika and chives on top!

    Reply

    • Nancy says

      I do too and the fact that they are so easy to make and look so pretty!! I want to try a version with chorizo and onions with a little chile pepper on top.. I've got to stop, I am making myself hungry!

      Reply

  15. Kim says

    Anything with a runny yolk works for me. I'd have to make some toast on the side to mop up the goodness. 🙂 Perfect for brunch!

    [K]

    Reply

  16. Traci says

    Shirred Eggs|A Baked Egg Recipe (6)
    Eggs are already such a comfort food, and shirred eggs are over-the-top scrumptious! I will love to eat these any season of the year. Great recipe, Nancy...and thanks for sharing mine too 🙂

    Reply

    • Nancy says

      Awww... thanks Traci! Love sharing your recipes - sooo good!!!

      Reply

  17. Jeani Featherngill says

    Can you make this dish without ramekins? Say, in a pie plate?

    Reply

    • Nancy says

      Absolutely!!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Shirred Eggs|A Baked Egg Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between shirred eggs and baked eggs? ›

Shirred eggs, also known as baked eggs, are eggs that have been baked in a flat-bottomed dish; the name originates from the type of dish in which it was traditionally baked. Shirred eggs are considered a simple and reliable dish that can be easily varied and expanded upon.

What is the cooking method in making shirred? ›

Traditional Cooking Method

Shirred eggs are most often prepared as a broiled egg dish, although occasionally the eggs are baked. Eggs are placed in small buttered dishes referred to as ramekins and broiled until the white is set, but the yolk remains liquid.

How do you tell if baked eggs are done? ›

Cook or bake until a thermometer inserted at the center shows 160° F or a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. You may find it difficult to tell if a knife shows uncooked egg or melted cheese in some casseroles and other combination dishes that are thick or heavy and contain cheese – lasagna, for example.

What is it called when you bake eggs? ›

Baked Eggs

Also known as 'shirred eggs' are eggs that are baked in a flat dish like a ramekin or a muffin pan and then topped with herbs, cheese or vegetables.

What's the difference between coddled and shirred eggs? ›

Coddled eggs are more similar to a shirred egg, but instead of being baked in the oven in a water bath, they are cooked on the stovetop in a water bath.

Are baked eggs better? ›

Boiling or baking eggs can be a healthier way to prepare eggs compared to frying them, as it does not require the use of added oils or fats. Scrambling eggs can also be a healthy way to prepare them, as long as you choose a healthy cooking oil or spray and do not overcook the eggs.

What are the 3 cooking methods? ›

There are three types of cooking methods: dry heat cooking, moist heat cooking, and combination cooking. Each method describes how chefs use heat to cook food and bring out unique flavors and textures.

What does Ramiken mean? ›

Name. The term is derived from the French ramequin, a cheese- or meat-based dish baked in a small mould. The French term is in turn derived from early modern Dutch rammeken, which translated to 'toast' or 'roasted minced meat', itself apparently from ram 'battering ram' + -kin 'diminutive', but it is unclear why.

What is the method of a recipe? ›

Method. These are the steps the user should take and are numbered and ordered chronologically in the way they should be done. Each step should specify what actions should be taken, how to prepare the food, how much to use during each action, cooking temperatures, etc.

How long do you bake eggs at 350 degrees? ›

Bake eggs at 350ºF for 10-15 minutes or until the yolk reaches your desired doneness. If your eggs don't come right out, run a knife around the edges to help them loosen.

Is it OK to eat 2 eggs a day? ›

Although few studies have been conducted on how many eggs are healthy to have on a daily basis, eating 1-2 eggs a day appears to be safe for healthy adults. If you have heart disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes, however, you should watch your overall cholesterol and saturated fat intake.

Can you overcook an egg bake? ›

Tip: it's easy to overcook the eggs! I usually pull them out of the oven when they still look a little underdone. They set up more as they cool, and I want the yolk to still be runny when I serve them.

Why can I eat hard-boiled eggs but not scrambled eggs? ›

Most people are more allergic to the egg white than the yolk as it contains more protein. Heating can destroy the allergic protein in the egg white. For this reason some people can eat hard-boiled egg or other food with cooked eggs and not get symptoms.

Is it OK to eat egg everyday? ›

Is it OK to eat eggs every day? Because of their numerous benefits, it's OK to eat one whole egg, including the egg yolk, every day if you don't have cardiovascular disease and you do have a healthy level of blood cholesterol. Or you can mix two egg whites with every egg yolk to give yourself more protein.

What are the best eggs to bake with? ›

Stick with large chicken eggs, unless otherwise specified in your recipe; most U.S. baking and pastry recipes are designed to be made with large-sized chicken eggs.

What are the three types of eggs in baking? ›

Whole eggs, egg yolks and egg whites are all used to add structure to batters. The yolk's elevated fat content helps it bind fats and liquids together through what's called an emulsion.

What are the 4 types of cooking eggs? ›

4 Ways to Cook Your Eggs
  • Scrambled. How to Prepare: When making scrambled eggs, crack eggs into a small bowl; whisk in milk, salt, and pepper. ...
  • Fried. How to Prepare: Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. ...
  • Hard-Boiled. How to Prepare: Place eggs in cold saucepan and cover completely with cold water. ...
  • Poached.
Apr 9, 2019

What happens when eggs are baked? ›

Making your eggs in the oven will result in a similar texture to hard-boiled eggs, but you can make the egg yolks a LITTLE bit softer. However, they will never be as runny as a fried egg. The beauty of baked eggs is that there is no shell to deal with! Simply slide the eggs out of the pan and you are ready to eat!

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