Breakfast Boats are American-style mini breads filled with beaten eggs, cheese, various meats and vegetables, then baked until the filling is set and the bread is crispy.
Recipe Intro
The name Breakfast Boats comes from the shape of the dish. The bread roll is hollowed out, creating a “boat-like” structure that holds the filling. This shape resembles a small boat, making it a fun way to serve a breakfast or brunch meal.
The filling for breakfast boats typically features beaten eggs as the main ingredient. From there, you can customise with ingredients based on your preferences. Common additions include cheese, cheddar or mozzarella, and meats like bacon, sausage, or ham. Vegetables like spinach, peppers, and mushrooms are perfect ingredients, adding flavour and texture. The versatility of the filling is what makes breakfast boats so appealing, allowing you to tailor each dish to suit different tastes or dietary needs.
This recipe: Frying the onions, bacon, and vegetables for a few minutes before mixing them with the egg mixture adds extra flavour. The caramelisation of the onions and the crisping of the bacon intensify the taste, adding savoury richness to the breakfast boats.
Breakfast Boats Essential Ingredients
- bread – Use mini baguettes, paninis, rolls, or other mini breads
- eggs
- cheese – Cheddar or your favourite semi-hard cheese that melts
- meat – Get creative with the filling by using ingredients like crispy bacon, pancetta, sausages, ham, or even leftovers from the roast.
- onion – Don’t skip the onion, it pairs perfectly with eggs and cheese. Feel free to add some garlic for extra flavour if you like.
- mustard – A touch of mustard adds a nice kick. You can also add some horseradish for an extra zing.
- double cream – Get your favourite but you can swap it for sour cream, yoghurt, or cream cheese depending on your preference.
- herbs and spices – Use parsley and chives with some chilli flakes for a classic flavour. Alternatively, get creative with your favourite herbs and spices, curry powder, paprika, thyme, basil, whatever you prefer for your breakfast or brunch.
☕ While here, check out these tasty international recipes perfect for breakfast!
Bulgarian Fluffy Cheese and Yoghurt Pie
Croatian Cheese and Spinach Pancakes
Greek Pancakes & Cheese Pie
French Crustless Low-Calorie Quiche
How to make Breakfast Boats
Prepare the bread
- To prepare the bread for your breakfast boats, cut off the top of the bread roll or baguette to create a lid. Then, carefully scoop out the soft inner bread, leaving a sturdy border around the edges to hold the filling.
- Leave enough bread at the bottom and sides to maintain the shape and structure. You can use the leftover bread for breadcrumbs or to add to another dish.
Egg mixture
- Heat a small pan with some oil and fry the chopped onion for 2-3 minutes. If you’re using bacon, fry it with the onions until it crisps up. Once done, pour in the beaten eggs and cook over low heat for about 10-20 seconds, just until it begins to set. Remove it from the heat while it’s still slightly runny. This step ensures the eggs are partially cooked, so they won’t need much time to set in the oven.
- Stir in half the grated cheese, cream, mustard, finely chopped ham or sausages, chives, chilli flakes, parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well.
Fill and Grill
- Now, fill the hollowed rolls with the egg mixture. Top it with extra ham and sprinkle with more grated cheese.
- Pop them into a preheated oven at 180°C and bake for 10 minutes, until the filling is set and the cheese on top is bubbly and golden. Perfect!
Recipe Card
Quick and Easy Breakfast Boats – stuffed mini bread
Ingredients
- 6 mini bread
- 5-6 eggs
- 100 g Cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped ham - or bacon, sausages
- 1/2 onion - medium size
- 1 tsp mustard
- 3-4 tbsp double cream
- 1-2 tsp parsley
- 2 tsp chives
- 1/2-1 tsp chilli flakes
- a few tbsp sunflower oil
- salt, pepper - to taste
Instructions
- Slice off the top of each bread roll and scoop out the soft centre. Be careful not to pierce the bottom or side of the bread. Save the scooped bread for breadcrumbs.
- Fry chopped onion in oil for 2–3 minutes. Add bacon or vegetables (if using), and fry until bacon is crispy and veg soft. Stir in beaten eggs and cook gently for 10 – 20 seconds, just until half set, must be slightly runny! Remove from heat and mix in cream, mustard, grated cheese, chopped ham or sausage, herbs, and spices.
- Fill the hollowed rolls with the egg mixture and top it with extra grated cheese and ham.
- Bake at 180°C for 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.