A jar of jam is one of the easiest ways to make breakfast more interesting. Beyond toast, jam can sweeten eggs, fill French toast, swirl into oatmeal and bake into scones. These ideas range from two-minute fixes to weekend bakes, and most work with whichever jam or preserves you have.
Quick ideas (under 10 minutes)
- Jam and butter toast, upgraded: Spread cream cheese or ricotta on toasted bread, then add jam and a pinch of salt.
- Cottage cheese toast: Mix a spoonful of jam into cottage cheese and spread it over toasted sourdough.
- Fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt: Spoon jam into the bottom of a bowl, top with plain Greek yogurt, and finish with granola or seeds.
- Oatmeal swirl: Stir a spoonful into hot oatmeal or overnight oats.
- Pancakes and waffles: Warm jam gently with a splash of water to make a quick fruit syrup.
Jam and eggs
Does jam go well with eggs? Many people think so. The sweetness plays against salty, rich eggs, much like maple syrup with bacon.
Jammy egg and cheese sandwich
One popular version is a breakfast sandwich: scramble eggs with a splash of milk, stir in some shredded cheddar and a pinch of salt, and pile them on a toasted English muffin spread with jam on both sides. It takes only a few minutes, which suits busy mornings. Berry jams are a common choice, and a pepper jelly gives a spicier take.
Egg in a hole
You may have seen “hobo eggs” in search results. The name is used loosely online, and recipes differ, but it generally refers to an egg cooked in a hole cut from a slice of bread, or sometimes an egg cooked with other pantry ingredients in a pan. If you make the bread version, a spoonful of jam on the side or spread on the toasted bread cut-out adds sweetness. Cook eggs until the whites are set and the yolk is as firm as you prefer; people who are pregnant, elderly or immunocompromised are generally advised to cook eggs fully.
Baked and make-ahead
- Jam-stuffed French toast: Sandwich a thin layer of strawberry or raspberry jam between two slices of brioche or challah before dipping in egg and frying. Keep the jam layer thin so it does not leak. For a make-ahead plain version, see freezer French toast.
- Thumbprint scones: Press an indent in the center of oat or buttermilk scones before baking and fill with preserves. Thick jam works better, since runny jam spreads out.
- Jam muffins: Spoon a little jam into the center of muffin batter.
- Jam bars and fingers: Shortbread-style bars with a jam layer are good with coffee. See our jam fingers recipe or jam drops for simple bakes.
- Overnight baked oatmeal: Layer jam in the middle for a fruity surprise.
Savory-sweet options
- Tomato jam or onion jam on a breakfast panini with bacon and cheese
- Pineapple or apricot preserves with ham and egg on a biscuit; see more ideas in our pineapple preserves recipes
- Pepper jelly on an omelet or egg and sausage sandwich; try jalapeno jelly
Using up leftover jam
If you have a jar that is nearly empty or one that never got finished, try:
- Shaking a little warm water and vinegar or lemon juice in the nearly empty jar for a quick vinaigrette or breakfast syrup
- Stirring into plain yogurt or smoothies
- Spooning onto biscuits, crepes or pancakes
- Baking into cookies, bars or hand pies
- Using as a glaze for sausages or bacon
Keep opened jam in the refrigerator, and throw it out if you see mold or notice off smells. Do not scrape off the mold and keep using the jar.
Tips for better jam breakfasts
- Match thickness to the job. Runny jam is best for stirring into yogurt and pancakes; thick jam is best for baking inside doughs.
- Warm jam for 10 to 20 seconds in the microwave to make it spreadable, and stir.
- Pair tart jams (raspberry, blackberry, apricot) with rich foods and sweeter jams (strawberry, peach) with plain ones.
- Jelly, such as blackberry jelly, is smooth and works well where you do not want seeds or fruit pieces.
FAQ
What are some recipes I can make with leftover jam? Thumbprint cookies, jam bars, French toast, yogurt bowls and glazes are all good options.
What is the unhealthiest thing to eat for breakfast? There is no single answer, but foods very high in sugar and low in protein or fiber are generally considered less nutritious. Jam is mostly sugar, so using it in moderation, paired with protein or whole grains, is a reasonable approach. Check with a doctor or dietitian for personal advice.
Does jam go well with eggs? Yes, especially with cheese and a salty element such as bacon or sausage.