Can I make this with scrambled eggs instead of fried?

Absolutely! Scrambled eggs work great — just pile them on after the jelly and hot sauce layer. You'll lose the runny yolk moment but gain a fluffy, cheesy scramble that's just as delicious.

Why strawberry jelly on a breakfast sandwich?

The sweetness of the jelly plays off the spicy hot sauce and salty ham in the best way. Think of it like a Monte Cristo situation — that sweet-savory combo is addictive. You can also use pepper jelly or fig jam.

Can I make this for a crowd?

Yes! Line up your sourdough slices on a large sheet pan, build each one assembly-line style, and broil them all at once. You can fry eggs in batches ahead of time.

Is this sandwich kid-friendly?

My kids love it — just skip the hot sauce and arugula for younger ones. The jelly, ham, cheese, and egg combo is a hit with little ones who like simple flavors.

Fried Egg Sandwich with Ham, Cheese & Strawberry Jelly

Name: Fried Egg Sandwich with Ham, Cheese & Strawberry Jelly
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 large slice sourdough bread; 2 eggs; 1 tbsp butter, plus more for toast; 1 slice ham, quality nitrate-free; 1 tsp strawberry jelly; 1 tsp hot sauce (Cholula or Crystal); 1/4 cup shredded cheese (Mexican blend or mozzarella); 1 cup arugula; 1/2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp shredded parmesan; Salt and pepper to taste

Description

This fried egg sandwich is loaded with ham, melted cheese, strawberry jelly, and hot sauce on crispy sourdough — finished under the broiler and topped with a lemon-parmesan arugula salad. Ready in 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Sandwich:

1 large slice sourdough bread
2 eggs
1 tbsp butter, plus more for toast
1 slice ham, quality nitrate-free
1 tsp strawberry jelly
1 tsp hot sauce (Cholula or Crystal)
1/4 cup shredded cheese (Mexican blend or mozzarella)

For the Arugula Topping:

1 cup arugula
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp shredded parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat your oven to broil (around 550°F). Toast your slice of sourdough bread until golden and crispy on both sides.
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium non-stick pan over medium heat. Place a round biscuit cutter in the pan if you want perfectly round eggs. Crack the eggs into the cutter (or cook them freestyle). Cover the pan and cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still slightly runny, about 2–3 minutes. Set eggs aside.
In the same pan, cook the ham slice on medium-high heat for about 1.5 minutes per side until lightly browned and slightly crispy on the edges. Set aside.
Spread a thin layer of butter on the toasted sourdough. Add the strawberry jelly in an even layer, then drizzle the hot sauce over the top.
Layer the browned ham on the sourdough, followed by both fried eggs. Pile the shredded cheese on top of the eggs.
Place the open-face sandwich on a sheet pan and broil for 30–40 seconds, watching closely, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just starting to turn golden.
While the sandwich is broiling, toss the arugula in a small bowl with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and shredded parmesan.
Remove the sandwich from the oven and immediately pile the dressed arugula on top. Serve right away while everything is hot and melty.

Notes

This sandwich is best eaten immediately — the magic is in the contrast between the crispy sourdough, melty cheese, and fresh arugula.

The biscuit cutter trick isn't just for looks — it keeps the egg whites from spreading too thin, giving you a thicker, more satisfying egg layer.

Don't skip the strawberry jelly! It sounds unusual but the sweet-spicy-salty combo is what makes this sandwich unforgettable.

For meal prep: cook eggs and ham ahead, store separately, and assemble fresh each morning for a 5-minute breakfast.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Stovetop + Broiler
Cuisine: American