Baked Eggs Napoleon Recipe
Baked Eggs Napoleon is a delightful breakfast or brunch dish featuring flaky puff pastry squares filled with a creamy spinach mixture and topped with perfectly baked eggs. Enhanced with Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, and a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning, this recipe balances savory flavors and flaky textures for an impressive yet easy-to-make meal.
- Author: Grace
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Puff Pastry Base
- 1 package (14.1 oz) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Everything bagel seasoning (optional)
Spinach Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Eggs and Garnish
- 4 large eggs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)
- Thaw puff pastry: Thaw the frozen puff pastry sheets at room temperature for 30-40 minutes until they become pliable but remain cold enough to handle easily.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking.
- Cut puff pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into four equal squares, resulting in eight squares in total.
- Score puff pastry: Lightly score a smaller square inside each puff pastry square about 1/2 inch from the edges without cutting through the base to help the edges puff separately from the centers during baking.
- Apply egg wash and seasoning: Brush the tops of each puff pastry square with the beaten egg wash. Optionally, sprinkle the edges with everything bagel seasoning to add extra flavor and texture.
- Bake puff pastry squares: Place the prepared puff pastry squares on the baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up beautifully.
- Create wells in puff pastry: Allow the baked squares to cool slightly, then gently press down the centers to create wells for the spinach filling and eggs to sit in later.
- Sauté shallot and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallot and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook spinach: Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 5-7 minutes. Add spinach in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.
- Drain spinach moisture: Transfer the cooked spinach to a colander and press out any excess moisture to avoid soggy pastry.
- Mix spinach filling: Return the drained spinach to the skillet or transfer it to a bowl. Stir in the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and nutmeg. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and mix until smooth and creamy.
- Fill pastry wells: Spoon the prepared spinach mixture evenly into the wells created in each puff pastry square.
- Prepare for eggs: Make a small indentation in the center of the spinach filling in each pastry shell to hold the eggs.
- Add eggs: Carefully crack one egg into each indentation within the spinach-filled pastry shells. Season the eggs lightly with salt and pepper.
- Bake until eggs set: Return the filled pastries to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the egg whites are set but the yolks remain runny for a perfect texture.
- Garnish and serve: Let the baked eggs cool slightly. Garnish with freshly chopped chives and serve immediately to enjoy the full flavor and crispness of the dish.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry is still cold when handling to maintain its flakiness.
- Draining the spinach well is critical to keep the pastry crisp and prevent sogginess.
- Adjust baking time if you prefer firmer or runnier egg yolks.
- The everything bagel seasoning is optional but adds a nice savory and crunchy touch.
- You can substitute cream cheese with ricotta or mascarpone for a different flavor and texture.
Keywords: baked eggs, puff pastry recipe, spinach cream cheese filling, breakfast napoleon, brunch ideas, savory pastry, easy baked eggs recipe