Egg-in-a-Hole…reinvented. Skip the bread and use a fresh red pepper for a healthier, tastier, and gorgeous-ier reinvention of the favorite breakfast dish.
Picture this…the kids are up, the dogs are up, the husband is up. Everyone wants to pee (even the dogs!), brush their teeth, and eat breakfast at exactly the same time. Truly, they should just get rid of bedrooms and create bathrooms for everyone with tubs that transform into beds.
Anyways, you head downstairs to make that needed first cup of coffee, start the oven and drizzle the peppers with oil, you pop them into the oven and head upstairs to do your face and drink your coffee. 20 minutes later, your face made and the kids dressed you head downstairs to crack the eggs into the peppers. Pop them into the oven and start gathering up all the needed “stuff” for the day. 15 minutes later you scream “BREAKFAST” and everyone comes running. Scoop up those peppers onto some plates, hoover them into your mouths, and off you go!
This is that EASY breakfast full of nutrition that you can get on the table without any fuss!
Key ingredients:
- Red Peppers. Red peppers give vibrancy and a sweetness to this yummy breakfast. You can use green peppers, if you prefer.
- Eggs. Use fresh, large, good-quality eggs. The eggs, after all, are the star of the meal.
- Mozzarella Cheese. A soft white cheese melts wonderfully and tastes amazing. Jazz up the flavor with a gouda or pepper jack.
- Olive oil. A good quality olive oil is used to soften the peppers while they cook and keep them from sticking to the pan.
- Salt & Pepper. Make the wonderful fresh ingredients taste amazing with a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. If you like, try using a bit of smoked paprika, dried herbs, or even cajun seasoning.
What if my family doesn’t all like peppers?
If your family doesn’t like red peppers, do they like green?
If some like peppers and some don’t, sub out tomatoes.
If they don’t like tomatoes, sub out a thick piece of bread hollowed out.
If they don’t like bread…well, stick with just eggs. I’m flat out of solutions :).
Kidding aside, you are simply looking for a “holder” for your eggs. Most veggies like zucchini, squash, and tomatoes cut in half work great.
To make:
- Cut red bell peppers in half and place them side up in a baking tray with lined parchment paper. Give them a generous sprinkling of oil and seasoning.
- Bake the peppers (without the eggs) until they are soft.
- When the peppers are soft add the shredded cheese to the bottom of the pepper and add the egg.
- Give another good sprinkle of seasoning on top.
- Bake them until eggs are cooked thoroughly (about 15-20 minutes).
- Top them with some fresh herbs, more cheese, chopped onion, salsa, avocado, or…the sky is the limit!
These make great additions to your weekend brunch/breakfasts. The oven does all of the work on these and frees up your hands (and stovetop) for pancakes, bacon, and other tasty items.
Red Pepper Egg-in-a-Hole
Ingredients
- 2 red bell peppers
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cut red bell peppers in half and place them side up in a baking tray with lined parchment paper. Sprinkle some salt and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Bake pepper until soft (about 10-15 minutes).
- When ready, remove from oven and set shredded cheese in the base of the pepper and break one egg in each. Sprinkle some salt and ground pepper.
- Bake them until eggs are cooked thoroughly (about 15-20 minutes).
- Enjoy while warm.
This is fantastic! Thank you, so much! Not only is it really delicious but also beautiful. It is great that you found a wonderful way to substitute peppers for bread. You improved upon a tried and true dish! Bravo!
Adele