These cute hash brown egg nests with avocado are fun to make with shredded hash browns and cheese baked into a crispy nest then topped with an egg, crumbled bacon and even more cheese.
These egg nests will make your grumpy mornings not so grumpy. I’m not a morning person so I can relate. But if you’re the type to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the mornings, this will make things even better. I’ve also found these nests are super popular around Easter, Mother’s Day, and Christmas mornings so this is something you can make together as a fun group activity.
Pair it with creamy chilled avocado slices for that hot and cold combo. While you’re busy chasing around that runny egg with crispy hash browns, bacon, and melty cheese, you can nip out a corner of chilled avocado to add to your fork. Yummy!
And if these egg nests are too delicate for you, you can try out a whole hash brown breakfast quiche instead. This one is equally fun to make but has even bigger portions and is filled with custard, zucchini, mushrooms, and bacon.
But back to these super cute, tiny nests! Let’s get started.
How To Make Hash Brown Egg Nests (1 Min Video)
HASH BROWN EGG NESTS RECIPE TIPS
‣ Muffin pan – I used a non-stick regular-sized muffin pan then sprayed it down with nonstick spray to prevent the nests from sticking and falling apart when you try to pry it out. Make sure to wait for a little once they are out of the oven for them to cool down, settle and solidify or they will fall apart. Once cooled, use a butter knife and work your way around the edges to loosen it from the muffin pan before prying them out gently.
‣ Making a nest – You’ll want to fill each muffin mold up with shredded hash browns and then using your fingers, press down in the middle to create a depression and force the hash browns to cover the sides. The more it sticks out the better! This is what makes it look like a nest.
‣ Blind baking – Pre-bake the nests so it sets before adding in the egg. This is to provide a firm base and foundation for your egg and toppings. Once that’s done crack the eggs into each nest and top with bacon bits, cheese, and parsley. Then bake again until the egg whites settle. You can opt to bake a little longer if you don’t like your eggs runny.
‣ Scrambled – If you’re not a big fan of sunny-side-up eggs, you can beat the eggs beforehand instead.
‣ Avocado – Feel free to leave out the avocado if you’re not a fan. The sensation of hot nests with creamy chilled avocado is a fantastic combination but if you only want the nests, this can be skipped.
Ta-da! You have breakfast. Or brunch, or a snack. Whatever time you decide to eat this, you will be munching happily. Serve with fresh chilled avocado slices or skip them if you’re cursed like me with two settings: unripe avocados and too-bad-you-missed-the-one-day-I-was-ripe avocados.
MORE BREAKFAST RECIPES TO TRY
- On-The-Go Breakfast Muffins
- Healthy Egg White Breakfast Muffins
- Cheesy Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
- Hash Brown Breakfast Quiche
- Easy Hamburger Quiche
- Idaho Sunrise
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Hash Brown Egg Nests with Avocado
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 8 nests 1x
Description
Shredded hash browns and cheese nests baked until crispy topped with a baked eggs, crumbled bacon and more cheese. Served with chilled avocado slices.
Ingredients
- 15 oz. frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
- 1 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 medium eggs
- 2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled/2 tablespoons bacon bits
- 1/2 tablespoon parsley, chopped
- 2 avocados, sliced and chilled (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the shredded hash browns, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste in a mixing bowl.
- Grease a non-stick regular muffin pan and divide the hash brown mixture. Use your fingers to pack them tightly and shape them into nests.
- Bake at 425°F or until the edges have browned and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes.
- Crack a medium egg into each nest and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with crumbled bacon, remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese and parsley.
- Bake at 350°F until the egg whites set, about 13 to 16 minutes.
- Let it cool, gently slide a knife along the edges and use a fork to lift it out of the pan.
- Dish and serve with chilled avocado slices (optional).
- Enjoy!
Notes
If you don’t have frozen shredded hash browns, bake 4-6 russet potatoes. Let them cool off, then peel and grate them to form shreds.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
Comments & Reviews
Kelly Christensene says
This is a really cute idea, easy to make, and presents well. Thanks!
The Cooking Jar says
Thank you, Kelly! I hope it turns out well for you. Good luck!
Cindy Lacasse says
I really wanted these to work, ery cute while still in the muffin pan. Flavors are ok but there was a crucial step missing. I am a very experienced cook and was skeptical about these coming out of the muffin tin without falling apart. That is exactly what happened and I was careful.I sprayed pam spray VERY generously. Parchment paper lining wouldve saved this. Instead I got a mess of egg and potato on the plate. Could’ve cooked the components separate, had the same flavor and none of the work. Won’t make again
The Cooking Jar says
Sorry this didn’t work out for you but thanks for trying it out. I used a nonstick muffin pan and waited for them to cool down to solidify, gently rounding a spoon around the bottom of each nest to prying it loose before attempting to lift them out. It’s worked for a lot of people but it’s a good idea to use parchment paper for those unsure of it.
Prachiti says
My Family Love This Recipe. It’s Very Delicious To Eat.
Thanks For Sharing.
The Cooking Jar says
You are welcome! I’m glad you and your family enjoyed it 🙂
Marriah says
can you freeze these for later use?
marriah says
Found the answer. Thanks
The Cooking Jar says
No problem! It gets asked a lot and I usually defer to people’s better judgement since I don’t have much experience freezing meals.
Diya Dev says
Amazing!
The Cooking Jar says
Thank you, Diya! 🙂
Aileen says
Hi there! I’m going to nursing school and looking for hearty make ahead dishes that will keep me full. These look delicious and something I’d love to eat on the way out of the house! Are these good for making the night before, and how long would these last in the fridge? Do you think if I microwaved it, the egg will become rubbery?
The Cooking Jar says
Sure you can make them the night before. I’ve kept them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, if I remember correctly. I also heated them up by microwaving them but I don’t remember the exact time for it, so I would suggest doing it in increments of 15 seconds until you find the right amount of time. It wasn’t rubbery for me, no. If you’re looking for something to eat on the go, you could also try out these egg breakfast muffins.
Anthonette Simons says
Can you freeze them
The Cooking Jar says
I’ve had a lot of comments asking this and I always advise to use caution freezing them because of the egg part. Then again, I personally don’t have much experience freezing my meals aside from the regular pasta sauces. So far I have not heard back from anyone who has frozen them on how it turned out. I’m hoping I will!
Blanche says
Are there any tips for removing the baked egg nests from the muffin cups? I am having a lot of trouble with sticking…. no fun when the dish loses ‘the cuteness factor!’
The Cooking Jar says
I used a nonstick muffin pan for started and sprayed some PAM on it for good measure. If it’s still sticking for you, I suggest letting them sit awhile straight out of the oven. Once it sits, it kinda solidifies a little more. Stuff straight out of the oven is gonna be soft, hot and hard to handle. Also use a spoon to work under it from all angles before lifting it up.
Carlie R says
Making these now as they look super delicious! I am making them to place in the freezer for easy, on the go mornings. Any suggestion on cook time for them being frozen? And/or thawed out and rebaked if made in a larger 9×13” pan?
The Cooking Jar says
I’m not sure how I missed this comment, sorry for the late reply. I would thaw them out before reheating them like you suggested. Perhaps try 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes and check from there? Since it’s been awhile for this comment, you’ve probably already figured it out. If so, do let us know!
Stephanie Agrella says
These are DIVINE!!!!! We had bacon crumbles…the only thing i changed. My kids and I LOVED them…they will become a staple in our weekly breakfast menu!!
The Cooking Jar says
It’s very kid friendly and who doesn’t love hash browns! I’m so glad you found a new staple. Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Madeline Flanagan says
Easy, step by step recipe. My 11- year old daughter found the recipe and we made it together. And with turkey bacon. Yum!!!
The Cooking Jar says
Wow, that’s pretty enterprising! I can’t remember what I was doing at 11 but it certainly wasn’t looking for recipes. I’m glad the breakdown was easy to follow. It’s one of the things I focus on in my recipe development. Thanks for trying it out 🙂
Mindy says
Would this work with sweet potatoes? Thanks!
The Cooking Jar says
Good question! I think they might provided the shredded sweet potatoes are not too moist. Don’t think I’ve ever seen any shredded sweet potatoes in the frozen aisle before though. Are you planning to do them from scratch?
The Cooking Jar says
I personally haven’t, I’ve never gotten used to freezing stuff. I would use your best judgement if you decide to.
Susie says
Have you tried freezing them for a quick breakfast on the run?
Pam says
Can these be made ahead of time? I have an early breakfast with friends
And don’t want to spend the morning cooking.
The Cooking Jar says
Sure they can. They reheat pretty well.