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, bestie. Built. In. You may have heard this recipe called shirred eggs, oven baked eggs, or eggs in pots. What’s important is, this is delicious, and you can probably have it ready in less than 30 minutes!

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.

Of course, if you don’t speak French, or you don’t work with different types of cookware that much, you may be wondering…

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 cocottes. And in this case, what we’re really referring to is a mini cocotte.

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

Actually, I don’t own mini cocottes either so what you seen in the pictures and video below are actually a pair of French Onion Soup bowls.

What? I’m a problem-solver.

Oeufs en Cocotte 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.

Yup…That’s pretty much it!

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).

A few reasons this Cheesy Oeufs en Cocotte recipe is for you

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 customise however you like.
5. Very little clean-up!
6. You can have it ready in less than 30 minutes.

More egg breakfast recipes to check out

Here are a few other delicious egg-centric breakfast recipes for you to try out:

• Mushroom Omelette with Chevre, Cherry Tomatoes, and Sausage
• Cilbir – Turkish Eggs
• Cloud Eggs
• Scrambled Eggs Breakfast Sandwich
• Shakshuka (Eggs poached in tomato sauce)

Helpful Tools

Heads up! The following are affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission. You won’t need to pay a penny more, but it’ll help keep my lights on! Thank you, bestie. You’re the best!

• Le Creuset Set of 4 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!
• Rachel Khoo’s The Little Paris Kitchen – this is one of my favourite cookbooks ever.
• Bellemain 4oz Porcelain Ramekins – If you don’t want to invest in a cocotte, these ramekins make for a great substitute!

As for the Cheesy Oeufs en Cocotte video – it’s actually the first video I ever shot and/or edited (so you can assume in advance that it is quite terrible). I considered omitting the video entirely, but I’ve decided to upload it in the hopes that (despite it being very unpolished), it shows how quick and easy this recipe really is!

Also, let’s laugh about it later, bestie.

(Not today though, it’s still too soon!)

Isn’t there just something warm and cosy about the idea of baked eggs? I want to know what you think, and how you like your oeufs en cocotte. Comment below, tell me all about it.

And if you want to hear from me more often, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Or just sign up to be a part of my mailing list. That way you’ll hear from me whenever I have an update!

You also just leave an oven mitt, egg shells, and grated cheese casually on your tables once you’re done cooking. Right, bestie? Oh…just me? That’s okay, I’ll see myself out.

Let’s Reminisce 

One Year Ago: Kunafah (Middle Eastern Cheese Pastry)
Two Years Ago: Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes
Three Years Ago: Orange-Blueberry Smoothie

📖 Recipe

Cheesy Oeufs en Cocotte

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★★★★★

4.5 from 6 reviews

• Author: Riz | Chocolates & Chai
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: Serves 2

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Description

This Cheesy Oeufs en Cocotte recipe is a super-simple but audaciously tasty dish. You can mix it up in a 1,000 different ways, and it’ll taste great every time.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 slices brioche
• ¼ cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 (cooked) sausages, chopped
• 2 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons table cream
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Place a slice of brioche in each ramekin.
3. Toss in the cheese and chopped sausage. Crack an egg into each ramekin.
4. Pour two tablespoons of cream into each ramekin (it doesn’t matter if it’s on top of the yolk).
5. Place the ramekins in a baking dish and pour enough lukewarm water into the dish to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until the egg yolks are set to your liking.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Optional: Add a heaped tablespoon of table cream to the bottom of each ramekin for extra indulgence.

Pro Tip: Butter your ramekins before you start please! It just makes washing up that much quicker.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast & Brunch
• Cuisine: French

Keywords: Cheesy Oeufs en Cocotte, Oeufs en Cocotte, eggs in pots, shirred eggs, recipe, chocolates and chai, rachel khoo, oeufs en cocottes recipe, oeuf en cocotte recipe