Egg, Ham and Cheese Toast Baskets - crispy golden toast baskets filled with ham, cheddar, and baked eggs make such an easy satisfying breakfast, brunch, or lunch. They're one of those recipes that always disappears fast in my house and are perfect when you want something delicious, and easy to make.
InI usually serve them with a side of fresh fruit salad, grilled tomatoes, or sautéed spinach for a more complete meal. They're also surprisingly good cold, which makes them perfect for lunch boxes, packed lunches, or taking along on days out.
Calories in Egg and Ham Toast Baskets
This recipe serves 3 and is 430 calories per serving.
If you're looking for more recipes by calories, you'll find plenty of options grouped by calorie range here: Slimming Eats Low Calorie Recipes
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie needs using a reliable calorie calculator. The calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes you use. Using your own calculations helps ensure you're meeting your individual needs. A calorie calculator can help you make informed choices and stay on track with your goals.
See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.
Ingredients Notes
To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- Low calorie bread: The bread forms the crispy basket base for the eggs and ham. I use soft wholemeal bread.
- Eggs: Eggs bake perfectly in the toast baskets and make them filling and packed with protein.
- Lean ham: Adds savoury flavour and lines the toast baskets beautifully. Thin slices work best so they fit neatly into the bread cups.
- Cheddar cheese: Adds extra flavour and a delicious cheesy layer in the bottom of the toast baskets. Mature cheddar works especially well.
- Salt and black pepper: Used to season the eggs and bring all the flavours together.
- Spray oil: Helps prevent sticking and allows the toast baskets to crisp up nicely.
- Fresh parsley: Add freshness and colour sprinkled over before serving.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
Variations and Substitutes
There are plenty of easy ways to adapt these egg and ham toast baskets depending on what you have on hand.
- Use whisked eggs instead of whole eggs for more of a quiche-style filling.
- Swap the ham for turkey slices, cooked bacon, chicken, smoked salmon, or leave the meat out completely for a vegetarian version.
- Try different cheeses red leicester, mozzarella, feta, or parmesan for extra flavour.
- Mix vegetables into the egg filling like diced peppers, onion, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, sweetcorn, or spring onions. I recommend lightly sauteing the veg first.
- Use wholemeal, seeded, sourdough, or gluten-free bread depending on preference.
- Add chilli flakes, paprika, garlic powder, or Italian herbs for extra flavour.
- Cottage cheese or cream cheese can be stirred into whisked eggs for a creamier filling.
- Top with avocado, salsa, or hot sauce before serving.
Tips for Making the Toast Cups
A few simple tips can really help when making these toast baskets so they hold their shape and crisp up perfectly.
- Let them cool for a minute or two before removing from the tray so they firm up slightly and come out more easily.
- Use soft fresh bread if possible, as older bread can crack or crumble when pressed into the muffin tray.
- If your bread feels a little dry, you can lightly flatten it first with a rolling pin to make it easier to shape.
- Lightly spray the muffin tray with cooking oil spray to help prevent sticking.
- Gently press each slice of bread down into the muffin holes, easing the corners in slowly rather than forcing them.
- Use your fingers or the bottom of a small glass to carefully shape the bread into little cups.
- Make sure the bread is pressed firmly against the sides of the muffin tray so it holds its shape while baking.
- Do not overfill with egg, especially if using whole eggs, as they will expand slightly as they cook.
- Keep an eye on the toast baskets towards the end of cooking, as the edges of the bread can crisp up quickly.
Side Suggestions
These egg and ham toast baskets pair perfectly with a nice cup of tea or coffee for an easy breakfast or brunch.
I love serving them with some fresh fruit, homemade fruit salad, berries, or a pot of yoghurt to keep things fresh and balanced. They also work really well with grilled tomatoes, sautéed spinach, avocado, or a simple mixed salad for a more filling meal.
More Breakfast Recipes
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Recipe Card
Egg, Ham and Cheese Toast Baskets
Crispy toast baskets filled with ham, cheese, and baked eggs make such an easy satisfying breakfast, brunch, or lunch that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 6 slices of soft wholemeal bread
- 6 medium eggs
- 6 thin slices of lean ham
- 60g (2oz) cheddar, grated
- salt and black pepper
- cooking oil spray
- fresh parsley or chives
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170°C fan, 190°C, 375°F or gas mark 5.
- Remove the crusts from the bread slices with a knife. Lightly spray four holes of a muffin tray with cooking oil spray, then gently press a slice of bread down into each muffin hole, easing the corners in slowly with your fingers to create little toast baskets. Make sure the bread is pressed firmly against the sides of the tray so it holds its shape while baking.
- Lightly spray over the tops with more cooking oil spray. Add 10g of cheddar to each basket, then add a slice of ham, gently pressing it down into the bread cups. Try not to leave too much of the ham exposed around the edges, otherwise it can brown too much in the oven.
- Carefully crack an egg into each basket, then bake for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked to your liking. I usually find this gives a softer yolk, but cooking times may vary slightly depending on your oven.
- Season with salt and black pepper and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
- Enjoy!!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- Gluten Free Friendly - use gluten free bread
- Vegetarian Friendly - omit the ham
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Nutrition Information
Yield
3Serving Size
1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 430Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 8gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 373mgSodium 193mgCarbohydrates 34gFiber 4gSugar 3gProtein 29g
Nutritional information and valuesetc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Kally Lamb says
They look fab Britmum and easy to do
Kimberley Reilly says
These sound delicious!
Has anyone tried these in a silicone muffin case as i dont own a metal one.
Thanks
Rachael says
I've just made these but swapped ham for lean bacon! They were amazing!!