An Idaho Sunrise: Egg-Stuffed Baked Potatoes

I love baked potatoes. I love them even more when they’re combined with protein and have some real staying power. These Idaho Sunrise Egg-Stuffed Baked Potatoes are my perfect answer: hollowed out baked potatoes filled with cheese and toppings with an egg cracked right in there.  It kind of all cooks together like a yummy omelet.  Think of it like hash browns and eggs all in one portioned edible container.  This is a fabulous meal for one, or for a whole crew.  

When I was looking at recipes like this around the web, most of them are traced back to a recipe from “The Supper Book” by Marion Cunningham.  She referred to it as an “Idaho Sunrise” and, as an Idaho girl myself, I can’t help but love that!

Ingredients Needed

This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.

  • Baked Potatoes – Any kind will work, but I prefer russet potatoes as they bake up nice and fluffy.
  • Butter – Always use real butter if you can!
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • Shredded cheese – Cheddar, gruyere, fintina, pepper jack, or whatever you like!
  • Eggs
  • Additional filling of your choice – Sautéed veggies, bacon, sausage, ham, etc.

How to Make An Idaho Sunrise

  1. Start with your baked potatoes. You can do these in the oven or microwave, just be sure they are cooked through and soft. Slice the top off of each potato and scoop the insides into a mixing bowl. You want to leave a layer of potato in there, so don’t go too crazy. Save those insides for mashed potatoes or use them in a Baked Potato Soup.
  2. You don’t have to do this next step, but I like to brush the insides with a little melted butter at this point. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper as well.
  3. Next add some cheese and any fillings you’d like and fill up to about 3/4 full.
  4. Crack an egg right in there, sprinkle with salt and pepper again, and a sprinkle of additional toppings, if desired.
  5. Pop those in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, until the egg is soft cooked and cooked to your liking. I recommend not cooking it completely through, otherwise you’ll just have a hard boiled egg inside a potato! Even if you don’t like “runny” yolks, aim for a soft cooked yolk for best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead of time?

You can definitely bake your potatoes ahead of time, and even scoop them out. When ready to bake, assemble as outlined in the the recipe and bake.

Is this only for breakfast?

Is any breakfast only for breakfast? I eat breakfast foods any time of day. These would be great for brunch, or even alongside a steak for dinner!

Can I make these vegetarian?

Yep. Skip the meat and load it up with your favorite veggies and cheese.

Can I use a sweet potato?

We have had readers report this is delicious with a sweet potato! Southwestern flavors pair especially well with sweet potato.

An Idaho Sunrise: Egg-Stuffed Baked Potatoes

5 from 25 votes
A fluffy baked potato full of your choice of add-ins, with an egg baked right inside. Makes a great breakfast or lunch!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • baked potatoes slightly cooled, or leftover from a previous meal
  • melted butter
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • shredded cheese cheddar, gruyere, fontina, pepperjack, or other of your choice
  • eggs
  • additional fillings of your choice: sauteed vegetables bacon or ham, etc.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉.
  • Slice a layer off the top of each potato. Use a spoon to gently scoop out insides, leaving a thin layer of potato against the skin and avoiding puncturing the bottom. Reserve scooped potato for another use.
  • Brush inside of each potato with melted butter and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese into each potato and add fillings as desired (vegetables, diced meat, etc.). Fill each potato about 3/4 full. Crack one egg into each potato. Sprinkle with a little more salt and pepper. Top with additional cheese and toppings if desired.
  • Place potatoes on a baking sheet and cook for about 20 minutes. Egg whites should be set and yolks soft.

Notes

  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy within 2-3 days for best results.
  • Make sure you pierce your potato skins before baking or microwaving! This allows steam to escape, giving you nice, fluffy baked potato inside.
  • A note on cooking time: There are a lot of variables here. The size and temperature of your baked potato, the type and amount of extra add-ins you add, the size and temperature of your egg, and your individual oven will all affect the overall baking time. If your egg is still see-through after 20, or even 30 minutes, just keep it in the oven until it sets up!

To Cook Potatoes

Oven

Pierce clean potatoes several times with a fork. Rub with oil and bake directly on oven rack at 400°F for about an hour, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing and scooping out insides. 

Microwave

Pierce clean potato several times with a fork. Place on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Test for doneness with a knife. Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing and scooping out insides. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Idaho Sunrise, Calories: 474kcal, Carbohydrates: 68g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 197mg, Sodium: 289mg, Potassium: 1622mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 556IU, Vitamin C: 21mg, Calcium: 215mg, Iron: 4mg
Course: Breakfast and Brunch
Cuisine: Breakfast, Quick fix
Keyword: An Idaho Sunrise: Egg-Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Calories: 474kcal
Cost: $2.50
Did You Make This Recipe?Snap a picture, and hashtag it #ourbestbites. We love to see your creations on our Instagram @ourbestbites!

 


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Meet The Author

Sara Wells

Sara Wells co-founded Our Best Bites in 2008. She is the author of three Bestselling Cook Books, Best Bites: 150 Family Favorite RecipesSavoring the Seasons with Our Best Bites, and 400 Calories or Less from Our Best Bites. Sara’s work has been featured in many local and national news outlets and publications such as Parenting MagazineBetter Homes & GardensFine CookingThe Rachel Ray Show and the New York Times.

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Questions & Reviews

  1. Baked potatoes are one of the ingredients how long do I have to bake them for before I put the rest of the ingredients in! Do I have to bake them?

  2. Can you make these with scrambled eggs? The egg would most likely saturate the filings, but I wonder if it would cook all the way through…what do you think?

  3. 5 stars
    OMG!. THESE WERE WONDERFUL. I FOLLOWED YOUR DIRECTIONS TO THE LETTER EXCEPT THE BUTTER ON THE INSIDE I SPRAYED WITH CANOLA OIL. I HAD TO BACK THEM A LITTLE LONG THAN YOU SAID BUT I KEPT MY EYE ON THEM SO I DID NOT OVER COOK THEM. WE HAD THEM FOR LUNCH AND THEY WERE GREAT. MY HUSBAND IS GIVING ME IDEALS FOR THE NEXT BATCH WE MAKE…SAUSAGE ON THE BOTTOM INSTEAD OF BACON, MORE VEGGIES. I MADE A BATCH OF 15 AND WILL BE FREEZING THE REST FOR QUICK MEALS TO COME. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS RECIPE IT IS 100% A HIT HERE. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO BE MAKING YOUR BAKED POTATO SOUP THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE INSIDES OF THOSE POTATOES. AFTER THE ZUCCHINI BREAD IS DONE. CHARLOTTE

  4. could u tell me how much time do u bake the potatoes before starting the whole procedure with rhe eggs? loved the recipe!

    1. @KATERINA, JUST BAKE THEM LIKE YOU WOULD A NORMAL BAKED POTATO. THEN SCOOP THEM OUT. TIME WILL BE DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON THE SIZE AND TYPE OF POTATOES.

  5. LOVE this idea and can’t wait to try, Once we try and I am sure we will LOVE is it ok with you if we share on our blog and link back to your original?

  6. 5 stars
    I made this for breakfast today for myself and my other half! We both enjoyed it! I’m going to share this with my mom who owns a Cafe! Thank you

  7. These look so good! Can’t believe I never thought of putting the egg right in the potato! Thanks so much for sharing!