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Baked Egg Boats with Turkey Bacon, Vegetables, and Cheddar Recipe

4.7 from 82 reviews

These Baked Egg Boats are a delightful breakfast or brunch dish featuring crusty bread hollowed out and filled with a savory mixture of turkey bacon, sautéed vegetables, fresh spinach, cheese, and fluffy baked eggs. Easy to prepare and perfect for a crowd, these boats combine comforting flavors with a satisfying texture, baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Boats:

  • 2 medium-sized, sturdy baguettes (about 1012 inches long each), or 4 large, crusty individual rolls (like submarine rolls or large ciabatta rolls)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted unsalted butter, for brushing

For the Pork-Free Filling:

  • 68 slices turkey bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled or chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Egg Mixture:

  • 8 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
  • 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Gruyère cheese
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped chives or parsley, plus more for garnish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Prepare the Bread “Boats”: Cut each baguette in half crosswise to create four pieces of about 5-6 inches, or use individual rolls. Slice off the top third horizontally to make lids and set aside. Scoop out the soft interior from the bottom pieces carefully, leaving about a 1/2-inch shell. Brush the insides and cut edges with olive oil or melted butter, then place them on the baking sheet. Optionally, pre-bake the empty boats for 5-7 minutes for a crisper shell.
  3. Cook the Pork-Free Filling: Cook turkey bacon until crisp and crumble. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, sauté onion and bell peppers for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted (2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and combine with turkey bacon. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a bowl, whisk eggs with milk or cream, shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, chopped chives or parsley, and salt and pepper. Whisk until homogenous but do not overbeat.
  5. Assemble the Egg Boats: Evenly distribute the cooked vegetable and turkey bacon mixture among the bread boats. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the filling, filling close to the top but not overflowing. Sprinkle extra shredded cheese on top if desired.
  6. Bake the Egg Boats: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes until the bread is golden and the egg mixture is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. Tent with foil if the tops brown too quickly.
  7. Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes to finish setting. Garnish with extra chopped chives or parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Day-old bread works best as it is sturdier and less likely to tear when hollowed out.
  • You can toast the bread tops separately to make croutons or breadcrumbs.
  • Use good quality turkey bacon for the best flavor.
  • Adjust seasoning in the filling and egg mixture carefully, as turkey bacon and vegetables are already seasoned.
  • Optionally add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
  • Resting the boats after baking helps the eggs finish setting and makes them easier to handle.
  • Extra cheese on top creates a delicious cheesy crust.

Keywords: baked egg boats, turkey bacon egg boats, breakfast egg boat recipe, baked eggs in bread, savory breakfast boats