Cheesy Oeufs en Cocotte / Eggs in Pots

This Cheesy Oeufs en Cocotte recipe is the quick-but-fancy breakfast recipe you've been waiting for - baked eggs with cream, melted cheese, sausages, and built-in toast. You heard me. Built. In. Ready in 20 minutes.

You may have heard this recipe called shirred eggs, oven baked eggs, or eggs in pots. What's important is, this mini cocotte recipe is simple and delicious. 

Oeufs en Cocotte is one of those breakfast dishes that people seem to completely forget about…that is, until they try it, and remind themselves of what it is they're missing. And this cheesy version of the classic dish really just takes it to another level.

I wouldn't be exaggerating if I told you that this is the type of dish you can easily become obsessed with.

this recipe

What are Oeufs en Cocotte 

Oeufs en cocotte (sometimes also called oeufs cocotte) are a classic French breakfast recipe of eggs baked in individual ramekins, typically with cream, cheese, and herbs. They’re essentially sophisticated, individual baked eggs that transform a handful of simple ingredients into an elegant morning meal. 

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. Eggs are cracked into buttered cocottes, topped with cream and cheese, then gently baked in a water bath until they reach a delicate, custardy perfection.

What is a cocotte?

A cocotte is a round baking dish that typically has little handles on its sides; very similar to a Dutch oven. The word itself can be translated from French to mean "pot" or "casserole dish". It can also refer to hens or chicks, or even a term of endearment.

But that's not what we're talking about today ma dear cocotte (see what I did there?), we're talking about the cocotte as it relates to oeufs en cocotte. And in this case, what we're really referring to is a mini cocotte.

Don't worry if you don't happen to have a few Le Creuset mini cocottes sitting around your kitchen. You can make these eggs using good ol' fashioned ovenproof ramekins.

And if you don't own ramekins or mini cocottes, use some French Onion Soup bowls.

Vs shirred eggs

For the longest time, I didn't realise there was a difference between the French oeufs en cocotte and the British shirred eggs. And honestly, the difference is pretty minor. Here it is:

• Oeufs en cocotte are cooked in mini cocottes (or ramekins) and are baked in a bain-marie.
• Shirred eggs are traditionally cooked in a flat-bottomed shirrer without a bain-marie.

I've heard both variations referred to as "eggs in pots" (I love that, so adorable!) or "baked eggs" (less adorable, less love, still delicious).

Why you should try this recipe

I know, I know, you probably don't need any more convincing. But just in case you need to sell this recipe to someone, here are a few points you absolutely must mention:

1. It's delicious.
2. It makes you look like a fancy French chef in front of your friends.
3. It's a lot easier than most egg dishes. It doesn't need the technical mastery of an omelette. Nor the finicky hollandaise of an Eggs Benedict.
4. It's an adaptable recipe that you can easily customize however you like.
5. Very little clean-up!
6. You can have it ready in less than 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• Brioche
• Cheddar cheese, shredded
• Sausages, cooked and chopped
• Large eggs
• Table cream / Crème fraîche
• Salt
• Black pepper

How to make Cheesy Oeufs en cocotte

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Take your ramekins and start building layers by placing a slice of brioche at the bottom of each one. Next, sprinkle in some cheese and chopped sausage. Carefully crack an egg into each ramekin, right on top of the cheesy, sausage-studded brioche. Pour two tablespoons of cream into each ramekin-don’t worry if it covers the yolk, that’s part of the magic.

Tips

Your level of doneness

It’s easy to adjust the consistency of this recipe. Want it more set? Bake a bit longer. Prefer runny? Pull it out sooner.

Make it your own

There’s a lot of room to play around with this recipe. I use cheddar cheese because we always have some at home, but you can easily swap that out with Gruyere or Goat Cheese for something even more indulgent.

You can even add components – some of my favorites include cooked mushrooms, chives, or chopped tomatoes. If you want to be really fancy, try a version with cream cheese, dill, and smoked salmon. 

More creamy

I suggest making this using simple table cream, but half and half would work very well too. Personally, I think heavy cream is a bit too much, but you do you, bestie.

Crusty bread

For extra “I’m totally a fancy breakfast person” vibes, serve alongside some wonderfully crusty bread to dip into the runny egg yolks. (This version of œufs cocotte already has brioche slices at the bottom of the cocotte/ramekin to add a little heartiness to the recipe, but if you want dipping bread, you can do that too!)

What if my yolk breaks

If you happen to accidentally break your yolk when adding it to the dish. Don’t worry, it makes no real difference. Keep calm and carry on.

Mini Cocottes

Let’s take a second to talk about how great mini cocottes are. They’re probably the kitchen dish you didn’t know you needed. Available in cast iron and ceramic versions, this cute little dishes are like the sports cars of the culinary world – small, stylish, and packed with personality.

They’re a French cookware staple, but they’re useful for more than just oeuf en cocotte recipes. Use them for mini butter chicken pot pies, individual mac and cheese, or just as an Instagram-worthy serving dish that will make your guests go “ooooh”.

• Le Creuset Mini Cocottes (with Cookbook) - You can't go wrong with Le Creuset, they're a bit pricier than some brands but they'll last your entire lifetime!
• Bellemain 4oz Porcelain Ramekins - If you don't want to invest in a cocotte, these ramekins make for a great substitute!

They’re also the perfect dish for portion control or pretty individual servings.