Breakfast Bake Recipe

Eggs: The base of the dish, providing protein and structure.

Milk: Adds creaminess and helps to bind the ingredients together.

Cheese: Shredded cheese adds a rich, savory flavor and melts beautifully.

Hash browns: Frozen hash browns add a hearty, potato element to the bake.

Bell pepper: Diced bell pepper adds color and a slight sweetness.

Onion: Diced onion provides a savory depth of flavor.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and balances the flavors.

To ensure your hash browns cook evenly and become crispy, spread them out on a baking sheet and bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-15 minutes before adding them to the egg mixture. This step helps remove excess moisture and gives your breakfast bake a delightful texture.

• eggs - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg. This works well as a binding agent and is a great vegan alternative.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk provides a similar consistency and is a good option for those who are lactose intolerant or prefer a dairy-free alternative.

• cheese, shredded - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast gives a cheesy flavor and is a vegan-friendly option. You can also use dairy-free cheese for a similar texture.

• hash browns, frozen - Substitute with sweet potato hash browns: Sweet potato hash browns offer a slightly different flavor and are packed with additional nutrients.

• bell pepper, diced - Substitute with zucchini, diced: Zucchini provides a similar texture and can add a different but pleasant flavor to the dish.

• onion, diced - Substitute with leeks, diced: Leeks offer a milder flavor compared to onions and can be a good alternative if you want a subtler taste.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor to the dish, but use it sparingly to avoid overpowering the other ingredients.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile, which can add a unique twist to the dish.

• Allow the breakfast bake to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• For short-term storage, transfer the breakfast bake to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• If you plan to freeze the breakfast bake, cut it into individual portions. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
• Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place the wrapped portions in a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
• For best quality, consume the frozen breakfast bake within 2-3 months.
• To reheat from the refrigerator, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the breakfast bake in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
• To reheat from frozen, you can either thaw the breakfast bake overnight in the refrigerator or reheat directly from the freezer. If reheating from frozen, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), place the breakfast bake in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.
• For a quicker option, you can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through. Adjust the time as needed based on your microwave's power.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover breakfast bake in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 20 minutes, or until the center is warmed through.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to let the top crisp up.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Cut a portion of the breakfast bake and place it on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Place the leftover breakfast bake in the skillet.
  4. Cover with a lid and heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even warming.
  5. Check to make sure the center is hot before serving.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover breakfast bake in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
  4. The top should be crispy and the center should be warm.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the breakfast bake on a toaster oven tray.
  3. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, removing the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the top.

• Oven: Used to bake the breakfast bake at a consistent temperature of 375°F (190°C).

• Large bowl: Utilized for whisking together the eggs and milk, and for mixing in the other ingredients.

• Whisk: Essential for thoroughly combining the eggs and milk to create a smooth mixture.

• Measuring cup: Necessary for accurately measuring the milk and shredded cheese.

• Cheese grater: Used to shred the cheese if it is not pre-shredded.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for dicing the bell pepper and onion.

• Knife: Required for dicing the bell pepper and onion.

• Baking dish: The container in which the mixture is poured and baked.

• Cooking spray: Used to grease the baking dish to prevent sticking.

• Oven mitts: Protects your hands when handling the hot baking dish.

• Timer: Helps keep track of the 45-minute baking time.

• Cooling rack: Allows the breakfast bake to cool slightly before serving.

Prep ingredients ahead: Dice the bell pepper and onion the night before to save time in the morning.

Use pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded cheese to cut down on prep time.

Thaw hash browns: Thaw the hash browns overnight in the fridge for quicker mixing.

Mix in a large bowl: Use a large bowl to combine all ingredients at once, making the process faster and easier.

Grease the dish in advance: Grease the baking dish ahead of time to streamline the assembly process.