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Shirred eggs are another name for baked eggs with a creamy, custardy yolk. They are easy to prepare and a great addition to breakfast or brunch.
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If you’ve never tried shirred eggs before (also known as baked eggs), consider this your official invitation! They’re incredibly easy to make, and the texture is unbelievably creamy. With a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, fresh chives, a splash of cream, and a touch of salt and pepper, these eggs become something truly special. You can even customize them with your favorite meats or veggies!
I love serving shirred eggs with crispy breakfast potatoes, fluffy pancakes, or waffles—because, honestly, you can never go wrong with a cozy, delicious breakfast. They’re perfect for busy mornings and packed with nutrients, making them a hit with both kids and adults. Top them with all your favorite garnishes, and enjoy!
What You’ll Need for Shirred Eggs
- Eggs – Eggs are the star of the show in this Shirred Eggs recipe. I typically use large, cage-free eggs.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – The cream gives the egg whites a rich, silky texture.
- Parmesan Cheese – I always use freshly grated parmesan cheese if I can. It tastes so much better!
- Chives – You can use fresh chives or dried chives.
- Salt and Pepper – Add these spices, or others, to taste.
- Butter – Using a bit of softened butter to grease the ramekins helps with sticking and adds a bit of buttery flavor. You can also use olive oil or cooking spray.
- Ramekin Dishes – Make sure they are oven-safe. I used 6-ounce ramekins which can fit one or two eggs in them. To make the transfer in and out of the oven easier, you can place the ramekins on a baking sheet.
How to Make Baked (Shirred) Eggs in the Oven
- Prepare – Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease each ramekin with butter and crack one egg and pour it into the ramekin.
- Garnish – Top each egg with heavy cream, chives, cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Bake – Bake for 12 to 15 minutes long. Once the whites set but the yolks stay wobbly, the baked eggs are done. Check at the 12-minute mark and if the whites are still clear in any spots, keep cooking. Serve on toast, if desired.
Recipe Tip
When you crack the eggs into the ramekins, the yolks will migrate toward the edge of the ramekin. Use a spoon to try and coax them from touching the edge. If they are touching the edge, then they will cook faster than they should.
Storing Leftovers
As with most egg dishes, this dish tastes best right away. If you do have leftovers, transfer them into an airtight container and store them in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave within 1 or 2 days for best results.
Shirred Eggs
Equipment
- 4 oven-safe ramekins
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons butter softened
- 4 eggs
- 4 teaspoons heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons dried chives
- 2 teaspoons parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- toast for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease each ramekin with butter and crack one egg into each ramekin.
- Top each egg with 1 teaspoon of heavy cream, ½ teaspoon of chives, ½ teaspoon of cheese, salt and pepper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the whites are set, but the yolks are still wobbly. Check them at the 12 minute mark and if the whites are still clear in any spots, keep cooking. Serve on toast, if desired.
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Notes
Nutrition Information
Suggestions for Serving Shirred Eggs
These easy-shirred eggs are great just as they are, served on top of a piece of toast or avocado toast. However, they also make a great base for your favorite omelet toppings like bacon, ham, bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, cheddar cheese, spinach, garlic, feta, mozzarella, green onion, tomato, kale, Swiss chard, asparagus, fresh herbs or spices.
Dice your desired toppings very small and sprinkle over the eggs before cooking. If your ramekins are large enough, then you can crack two eggs into each one. Top your shirred eggs with hot sauce, ketchup, avocado slices, or Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. If you are feeling extra fancy, then serve your eggs lox style with smoked salmon, cucumbers, and red onion.
Questions About Shirred Eggs
Shirred eggs are a variation of a French dish called oeufs en cocotte. Oeufs being “eggs” and “cocotte” is a small dish like a ramekin. In the original French dish, the ramekins were baked in a water bath.
Yes! You can substitute the cream with milk, half-and-half, or even a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk or almond milk.
Shirred eggs have a creamier texture than fried eggs, they also cook in the oven while fried eggs cook on a frying pan.
Shirred eggs are baked in the oven using a ramekin whereas scrambled eggs are whisked eggs sauteed in a pan until they are cooked into small pieces. Both are great ways to enjoy eggs just in two different ways.
Shirred eggs are not the same as coddled eggs. They are not baked immersed in a water bath. Any egg baked in a ramekin or serving dish in the oven fits the shirred egg category. Cocotte eggs or coddled eggs are immersed in a water bath to cook.
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More Egg How-To Recipe and Simple Egg Recipes
Eggs are a great breakfast staple! After you’ve mastered shirred eggs, learn how to perfect your egg techniques with these simple guides. You will love these easy egg recipes that will help you to make breakfast even better!
- How to Fry an Egg – Knowing how to fry an egg is a must-have kitchen skill. If you know the right way and have the right tools, then it is easy! Learn 4 different ways to fry an egg – sunny-side up, over easy, over medium, and over hard.
- Hard-Boiled Eggs (Easy Peel Method) – Great hard-boiled eggs are easy to peel when you use the right technique. Learn how to make easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs.
- How to Make Scrambled Eggs – Learn how to make creamy, flavorful scrambled eggs (the RIGHT way). Try this French-inspired method for perfect eggs every time!
- Easy Breakfast Egg Muffins – These Breakfast Egg Muffins are a healthy high-protein breakfast. Make them ahead of time and reheat later on for those extra busy mornings!
Have you tried our shirred eggs recipe? I’d love to hear what you think! Did you add any fun toppings or make any delicious swaps? Drop a comment below and let me know! 💛 And if you loved this recipe, don’t forget to share it with your fellow egg lovers! 🥚🍳
Glad we found this recipe it is awesome!!! Takes a little longer than 12 minutes but my oven doesn’t heat right!!!!!
Thanks Sue! So glad you liked it.
I tried this recipe several times already, and my family loves it! It is so creamy and satisfyingly good. Highly recommended!
These baked eggs were incredible. I have never been able to make them on my own but with this recipe I finally can make some that I am proud of.
We absolutely LOVE these eggs for breakfast!
Thank you so much for this recipe. I was getting bored of eating scrambled eggs every day and these are yummy!
I had never done eggs like this and it turned out amazing! We don’t want our eggs made differently anymore! Thank you so much!