These breakfast cups are perfect for make-ahead breakfast prep when you want mornings to feel a little easier. You can bake a batch, keep them in the fridge, and warm up just what you need throughout the week. They are especially helpful for busy weekdays, holiday mornings, or feeding overnight guests without standing at the stove first thing.
I started making these because I really do enjoy the Starbucks egg bites, but goodness, that habit can add up fast, especially when town is not right around the corner. I wanted the same creamy little bites at home, something I could keep in the fridge and warm up for busy weekdays, holiday mornings, or when we have overnight guests. They feel a little special, but they are easy enough that no one has to stand at the stove first thing in the morning.
I made these they are divine. My husband loves them as well. They’re wonderful and easy.
—Martha C.
Main Ingredients In Starbucks Copycat Egg Bites
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, jump to the recipe card.
Helpful Ingredient Tips
- Cottage cheese: Full-fat cottage cheese works best here for the creamiest texture.
- Gruyère cheese: Gruyère gives these egg bites that rich, savory flavor Starbucks is known for. I suggest shredding it fresh because it melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Bacon: I like cooking the bacon nice and crispy, so you get little smoky bites all through the eggs instead of chewy pieces.
- Whipping cream: A little cream helps make the texture softer and richer. You can use whole milk if needed, but the egg bites may not turn out quite as creamy.
- Hot sauce: This is optional, but it gives the egg bites a little extra flavor without making them hot.
Do I really need cottage cheese?
If you’ve ever wondered why Starbucks egg bites are so soft and creamy, cottage cheese is a big part of it. It gives these egg bites a creamy, custard-like texture. Once blended, it does not taste chunky or curdled. It simply helps make the egg bites softer and richer, which is one reason these taste so much like the Starbucks version. If you enjoy these, you might also enjoy my protein-packed cottage cheese egg bites for another easy make-ahead breakfast option.
How To Get Starbucks Style Texture Without Sous Vide
Starbucks egg bites are cooked sous vide, which gives them that soft, custardy texture. For this homemade oven-baked version, blending the eggs with cottage cheese and baking them gently in a water bath helps create that same creamy texture without special equipment.
For an even softer bite, you can also place a pan of hot water on the lower oven rack while the egg bites bake.
How To Make Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites
These oven-baked Gruyere and egg bites with cottage cheese come together quickly. The water bath may sound fancy, but it is simply what helps keep the eggs soft instead of rubbery.
Steps 1 and 2: In a blender, combine the eggs, cottage cheese, whipping cream, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Blend until it’s completely smooth and creamy.
Divide the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly into a 24-cup mini muffin tin. Then pour the egg mixture in until each cup is about two-thirds full.
Steps 3 and 4: Sprinkle the chopped bacon evenly over the top, then gently press the bacon down with a spoon so it stays tucked into the egg mixture while baking.
Now place the muffin pan inside a larger baking dish or roasting pan. Carefully pour warm water into the outer pan until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the muffin tin.
Carefully move the whole pan setup into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The egg bites should look set in the middle with just a little light golden color on top.
Remove the muffin pan from the water bath and let the egg bites rest for 5 minutes before gently loosening and removing them. I usually run a small spoon around the edges to help loosen them.
Tip: One little thing I’ve learned with egg bites is to really grease the muffin pan well before adding the egg mixture. They love hanging onto the edges while baking, and a little extra spray saves a whole lot of frustration later. If you enjoy easy breakfast recipes like this, you might also like these Mediterranean egg bites in muffin tins for another easy make-ahead option.
Variations
- Sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack can replace Gruyère cheese if that is what you already have on hand. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Turkey bacon works fine in place of regular bacon. I’ve used both depending on what I had in the fridge that week.
- For a vegetarian version, leave out the bacon and use sautéed spinach or mushrooms instead. Just cook the vegetables first, so they do not add extra moisture.
- If you’re feeding little ones or just don’t care for heat, skip the hot sauce. They’ll still taste great.
Make Ahead Tips
These egg bites are one of my favorite make-ahead breakfasts because they warm up so well during the week.
- I also like freezing extra batches for busy weeks. Just freeze them in a single layer first so they don’t stick together in the container.
- Cook the bacon ahead of time to make assembly even faster.
- Store baked egg bites in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For overnight guests or brunch gatherings, make the full batch the day before and simply reheat in the oven while coffee brews.
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Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon whipping cream
- 3 dashes hot sauce, such as Frank’s Red Hot (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and finely chopped
- Warm water, for water bath
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
Prep the Oven, Pan and Bacon
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Generously spray a 24-cup mini muffin tin or silicone muffin liners with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook the bacon until crispy, then finely chop and set aside.
Blend the Egg Mixture
- In a blender, combine the eggs, cottage cheese, whipping cream, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Egg Bites
- Divide the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly into the bottom of each muffin cup.
- Pour the egg mixture into each cup, filling about two-thirds full.
- Sprinkle the chopped bacon evenly over the top. Gently press the bacon into the mixture with a spoon so it stays in place.
Create the Water Bath
- Place the muffin pan inside a larger baking dish or roasting pan.
- Carefully pour warm water into the outer baking dish until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the muffin pan. Avoid splashing water into the egg mixture.
Bake the Egg Bites
- Carefully transfer the water bath setup to the oven.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the egg bites are fully set and lightly golden on top.
- Remove the muffin pan from the water bath and let the egg bites rest in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Use a spoon or small offset spatula to gently loosen and remove each egg bite.
Gina’s Notes and Tips
- Store cooled egg bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I like placing parchment paper between the layers so they do not stick together.
- To freeze, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer until frozen solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- For reheating, microwave on 50% power for 60 to 90 seconds with a damp paper towel over the top. If I’m warming up a bigger batch, I usually pop them into a 300-degree oven for about 8 to 10 minutes instead.
Equipment
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Please consider Leaving a Review!Hospitality with Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites
If you have friends staying over, teenagers hosting a sleepover, or family visiting for the weekend, these copycat egg bites with bacon are such an easy way to make people feel cared for the next morning without exhausting yourself in the kitchen. Try making a batch the night before so breakfast is already handled when everyone wakes up hungry and sleepy. I like setting these out with crock pot potato casserole with hash browns, cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting, or yogurt, and letting everyone help themselves while the coffee brews.
Honestly, those slow mornings around the kitchen counter are usually the moments people remember most. Not whether breakfast was fancy, but how welcomed and cared for they felt in your home. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers.” Sometimes loving people well looks as simple as offering them a warm breakfast and making room at the table.
These are great! My family loves bacon with Gouda, and sausage with cheddar combos. I finally got a silicone muffin pan which made a huge difference in texture.
Alexa, So glad y’all enjoyed them. I like that the silicone pans make them easier to get out whole.
Looks so yummy!! 😋
I’m not a fan of cottage cheese, what could I substitute??
Alyson, I have two suggestions. You could put the cottage cheese in a blender and puree it smooth. Or, you could substitute it with 1 cup full-fat ricotta in place of 1 cup cottage cheese. If you try this, let me know how you liked it.