We tried the viral pesto eggs recipe and breakfast will never be the same

TikTok recipes can be quite a mixed bag. For every feta pasta, there is a dozen disasters waiting to ruin your dinner. It’s important to tread carefully.

However, every so often, the Internet does throw up a trend that is genuinely worth considering. While likes and views are still the most valuable currency, it doesn’t mean that social media can’t create things that are genuinely delicious…

Step forward, pesto eggs.

Pesto eggs are taking over the internet (Credit: Tommy Lethbridge)

Pesto eggs – the ultimate way to upgrade your breakfast

Popularised on TikTok, the pesto eggs trend is as deceptively simple as it is surprisingly tasty.

Essentially, the idea involves replacing cooking oil in any given egg recipe with pesto. The olive oil in the condiment allows you to fry or scramble eggs, while giving them a unique look and flavour. It’s a theory plenty of people are getting behind.

READ MORE: We tried the TikTok baked feta pasta recipe to see if it’s as good as everyone says

As part of a litany of food trends taking over the popular video-sharing site, pesto eggs is hardly the only trend claiming to rewrite the rules of breakfast. However, there’s no doubt that the concept has struck a chord with viewers.

Videos with the hashtag #pestoeggs have been viewed over 130 million times, according to information on TikTok. One of the most popular recipes, shared by user Amy Wilichowski, claims to completely change the game for anyone who tries it.

As she explains in the clip: “I know I’ve said this a million times, but you have to try pesto eggs. I swear your life will be changed… The taste is incredible. You won’t go back.”

With so many people embracing the trend, we had to give it a try.

Pesto eggs can look quite unusual in the pan (Credit: Tommy Lethbridge)

How to make the dish

After spending lunch experimenting, we can happily confirm that pesto eggs are definitely worth a try.

While our recipe differs slightly from the Wilichowski original, the basic formula remains the same. In fact, one of the joys of this hack is that it feels like it could work with any number of extra ingredients, so long as pesto and eggs remain at the forefront.

For our recipe, we heated two teaspoons of pesto in a pan for four eggs. In hindsight, you might want to pump up the pesto component, but the important thing is to make sure the pan is covered.

We seasoned with chilli flakes, salt and pepper and served on slices of sourdough toast with mozzarella and scorched pinenuts. The result is a surprisingly light, moreish spin on a classic.

Pesto eggs are a game-changer when it comes to breakfast (Credit: Tommy Lethbridge)

Pesto eggs review

In terms of flavour, pesto eggs are actually pretty subtle. In our recipe, the two teaspoons of pesto only announced themselves every few bites or so.

Where the dish really makes an impact is in the visuals.

There’s no denying that some people might find an egg white punctuated by algae-green swirls slightly off-putting. On the other hand, the marbled look makes the dish an absolutely ideal candidate for the ‘gram – even if it does divide opinion.

READ MORE: What is a vegan substitute for eggs? 8 brilliant baking substitutes

Another slight issue comes when you’re trying to cook. Traditionally, great fried eggs require hot oil for crisping up the bottom and cooking the white on top.

Unfortunately, pesto is pretty rubbish at both. You can’t heat it too high in case it burns, and any attempt to flick fat onto the eggs just turns your kitchen green. However, these issues are pretty minor in the scheme of things – the end result still tastes good.

All in all, it’s easy to see why pesto eggs have such a serious following. While they might not be for everyone, there’s no doubt that they’re a great way to shake up your breakfast.

The end result might look a bit weird, but we can’t think of a better way to make a statement when you wake up. As far as TikTok cooking ideas go, this is definitely not the worst.