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4.  Nest Recipes

Crispy Hash Brown Potato Nests

 

Crispy shredded hash browns bake into cute potato "cups." Fill them with boiled eggs for Easter brunch, or turn them into a fun lunch by adding egg salad, tuna salad, or chicken salad.

Ingredients

• 20 oz bag of shredded hash browns (thawed if frozen)
• 4 tablespoons oil
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. In a bowl, stir together hash browns, egg, oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.
4. Press mixture into each muffin cup and up the sides to form a nest shape.
5. Bake 20- 25 minutes until golden and crispy.
6. Cool slightly, remove from tin, and fill with boiled eggs or your favorite filling.

Easy Filling Ideas

• Hard-boiled eggs (dyed eggs make it extra fun!)
• Egg salad
• Tuna salad
• Chicken salad
• Scrambled eggs + cheese

Tip: Squeeze out extra moisture from hash browns for crispier nests.

Homemade Potato Bird's Nest

By: Stella Dias

These potato bird's nests look like a real little nest! Crispy shredded potato cups are filled with a soft breadcrumb center and topped with mashed potato "eggs."

 

Ingredients

• 2 large potatoes, peeled and shredded
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white or black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons melted butter

• 2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs (toasted is best)
• 2 tablespoons hot milk
• Pinch of salt and pepper

• 1 small potato, peeled and boiled
• 1/2 teaspoon butter
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of white or black pepper

Directions

1. Prep: Shred potatoes and squeeze out as much water as possible.
2. Mix: Beat egg, then stir in shredded potatoes, salt, and pepper.
3. Form nests: Grease muffin tin. Press about 1 1/2 tablespoons potato mixture into each cup and up the sides. Drizzle a little melted butter into each nest.
4. Bake: Bake at 400°F for about 30 minutes until golden and crispy. Cover loosely with foil if needed.
5. Filling: Mix breadcrumbs + hot milk + pinch of salt/pepper. Spoon about 1 teaspoon into each cooled nest.
6. Eggs: Mash boiled potato with butter + seasonings. Shape into tiny oval eggs and place in the center.

Tip: The drier the shredded potatoes, the crispier the nests.

Homemade Noodles Bird's Nest (Sweet Treat)

By: Stella Dias

These sweet noodle nests look like little bird nests and are topped with candy "eggs." Kids can help break the noodles and press the nests into muffin cups.

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry spaghetti noodles (or similar thin noodles)
• 3 tablespoons molasses or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup yellow candies (like M&M's or mini chocolate eggs)

Directions

1. Break the noodles: Break dry noodles into 1-2 inch pieces.
2. Toast: Toast noodles in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, 2–3 minutes until golden. Turn off heat and cool slightly.
3. Make syrup: Heat molasses (or maple syrup), sugar, and cinnamon over medium-low until gently bubbling, about 2 minutes.
4. Mix: Pour hot syrup over toasted noodles and stir to coat.
5. Form nests: Grease 4 muffin cups or small bowls. Press about 4 tablespoons mixture into each to form nest shapes.
6. Cool & decorate: Cool 15 minutes. Remove and place 3 yellow candies in each nest.

Safety note: Syrup is hot — an adult should handle heating and pouring.

Tips for Perfect Easter Nests

• Dry = crispy: Squeeze moisture from shredded potatoes or thawed hash browns for the crispiest nests.
• Press firmly: Packing the mixture helps nests hold their shape when you remove them.
• Grease well: Muffin tins release easier with cooking spray or butter.
• Cool before removing: Let nests set up for 5-10 minutes before popping out.

Kids Can Help With:

• Pressing nests into muffin cups
• Shaping the center "dip" with a spoon
• Adding eggs or candy "eggs"
• Picking fillings (egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad)

Easter Serving Ideas

• Easter Brunch Board: Serve potato nests with dyed eggs, fruit, yogurt, and mini muffins.
• Lunch Nests: Fill hash brown nests with egg salad or chicken salad and add carrot sticks on the side.
• Party Dessert Tray: Pair sweet noodle nests with pastel candies and spring cookies.
• Kid "Build-a-Nest" Bar: Put fillings in small bowls and let kids assemble their own nests.

Easter Nest Recipes FAQ

How do you keep potato nests from getting soggy?
Squeeze out moisture from the shredded potatoes or hash browns, press the mixture firmly into the tin, and bake until deeply golden.

Can you make these nests ahead of time?
Yes. Bake the nests, cool completely, then reheat in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to crisp back up. Add fillings after reheating.

What can I put inside a potato nest for lunch?
Egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, or chopped veggies all work great.

Can I use a different noodle for the sweet nests?
Yes - thin noodles work best (spaghetti, angel hair broken small). Avoid thick pasta shapes that won’t toast evenly.