Description
Baked Feta Eggs Breakfast is a simple yet flavorful recipe combining creamy Greek feta cheese, juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, and perfectly baked eggs. Enhanced with garlic, red onion, fresh basil, and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes, this dish is a quick and satisfying way to start your day. Served warm with crusty bread, it offers a delightful mix of textures and Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Cheese
- 8 ounces Feta Cheese (preferably a block of Greek feta in brine)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4 cup Red Onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (extra virgin)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Basil (chopped, plus extra for garnish)
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (or more, to taste)
- Salt (to taste, be mindful of the saltiness of the feta)
- Black Pepper (freshly ground, to taste)
Others
- 2 Large Eggs
- Crusty Bread (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Tomatoes and Onion: Halve the cherry tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion. For a milder onion flavor, soak the sliced onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain well to remove sharpness.
- Mince Garlic: Finely mince the two cloves of garlic to evenly distribute their flavor in the dish.
- Prepare Feta: Keep the feta as a whole block or crumble it slightly. Leaving it whole results in a creamier center when baked.
- Oil Baking Dish: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil into a small oven-safe baking dish or skillet (6-8 inches) and spread it to coat the bottom.
- Arrange Vegetables: Spread the halved cherry tomatoes and sliced red onion evenly over the oiled surface. Sprinkle the minced garlic on top for an aromatic base layer.
- Season Vegetables: Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the vegetables. Season everything with red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, keeping salt moderate due to the feta’s saltiness.
- Place Feta: Nestle the block of feta (or crumbled feta) in the center of the baking dish among the tomatoes and onions.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and burst, and the feta softens and develops a light golden edge.
- Create Wells for Eggs: Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a spoon, form two small wells in the tomato and feta mixture to cradle the eggs.
- Crack in Eggs: Crack one egg into each well, keeping the yolks intact for a runny texture.
- Return to Oven: Bake the dish again for 5-7 minutes, until the egg whites are set but the yolks remain runny or cooked to your preference.
- Garnish: Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chopped fresh basil over the top to add fragrance and color.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the baked feta eggs hot and bubbly, optionally with crusty bread for dipping to enjoy all the savory juices and melted cheese.
Notes
- For a milder onion flavor, soak sliced onions in cold water before using.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Use a whole block of feta for a creamier texture, or crumble it for a more distributed cheesy flavor.
- Eggs can be cooked longer if you prefer firmer yolks.
- Serve with crusty bread or toasted baguette slices for a hearty breakfast.