Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites

Egg bites are the ultimate grab-and-go breakfast, and these bacon and Gruyère egg bites are filled with the ultimate of all flavor combos. Kids love ‘em (since they’re packed with bacon and cheese, after all) and adults will appreciate their infinite portability and quick reheating. If you typically order egg bites at Starbucks, you'll be glad to know you can make them at home for a lot less money.

These egg bites are a protein-packed, keto-friendly breakfast for a stress-free morning.

How to Make the Perfect Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites

You won’t need professional cooking chops to make perfect egg bites, but here are a few tips and tricks that’ll ensure success:

• Be generous when greasing the pan. You could make the fluffiest, dreamiest egg bites, but if they stick to your muffin tin, it’s game over. Of course, the best way to thwart this all-too-common issue is to invest in a quality nonstick muffin tin—especially if you’re planning on making a weekly batch of these egg bites during meal prep time. Otherwise, be exceptionally generous with the fat you use to prepare each well. Since this recipe uses rendered bacon fat to coat each well, more bacon fat = less sticking and more bacon flavor, which isn’t a bad thing in my book! 
• Or use liners. If your muffin tin is notoriously sticky and you’d rather not invest in new bakeware, you can use muffin or cupcake liners—just be sure to use paper liners as opposed to foil so you can microwave them without peeling off each liner beforehand.
• Use room-temperature eggs. Planning ahead when it comes to cooking isn’t always the easiest, but if you can think slightly ahead and pull your eggs out of the fridge even 15 minutes before starting this process, you’ll be rewarded with perfectly fluffy and moist egg bites. Using cold eggs won’t be the end of the world, but in my testing I found that using room-temperature eggs yielded a lighter result, whereas cold eggs resulted in a slightly denser texture.
• Bake at a gentle temperature. Egg bites are a morning game-changer since they’re as easy to reheat and eat as they are to cook in the first place, but not all egg bite recipes are this user-friendly. The pressure cooker or sous vide methods out there are undeniably delicious, but baking these egg bites in the oven at a gentle temperature yields a very similar result with no special equipment.

More Than Just Breakfast

As functional as they are delicious, bacon and Gruyére egg bites can be eaten in a wide variety of settings. For kids, they’re fun to eat and can be reheated in less time than it takes to prepare a bowl of cereal without the chore of washing another dirty cereal bowl (I’m looking at you, parents!). For adults, egg bites are a one-hand breakfast that can be eaten while you sit in traffic, hail a cab, or leap down the stairs to catch your train.

Grab-and-go breakfasts aside, egg bites are a simple and scrumptious addition to any brunch spread. As satisfying as they are fresh out of the oven, they’re just as good after sitting at room temperature for a bit. This makes them a natural item to include with appetizers or passed hors d’oeuvres for any brunch gathering, from a Sunday family breakfast to a baby shower. 

Reheat and Devour

If you’re prepping bacon and Gruyère egg bites for a quick, reheatable breakfast, read on!

To store these egg bites in the refrigerator, let them cool to room temperature, then place the egg bites in a large plastic bag. To reheat, place one to two egg bites on a plate and microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, or until just warmed through. The egg bites will keep for 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

To freeze egg bites, place room temperature egg bites on a large plate or medium-sized sheet pan, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for one hour. Add the egg bites to a large plastic bag and store in the freezer. To reheat, place one or two frozen egg bites on a plate and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or until completely defrosted and warmed through. Frozen egg bites will last for up to 2 months.

Substitutions and Variations

• I love the nuttiness of fresh Gruyère cheese in these egg bites, but if you can’t find Gruyère at your local grocery store, you can substitute with the same volume of whatever grated cheese you already have on hand; I like sharp cheddar, Swiss, or even pepper Jack for a subtle kick. 
• Cream cheese lends an unexpected but subtle tang to this recipe, which contrasts nicely with the fattiness of the bacon. That said, substituting cream cheese with the same volume of heavy cream, half and half, or even whole-milk ricotta cheese will produce egg bites that are just as light and fluffy.
• If you’re looking for a slightly leaner egg bite, substitute the bacon with Canadian bacon or ham. Dice into small pieces and sauté in a bit of butter or olive oil until warmed through, then coat each well of your muffin tin using 1 tablespoon of melted butter or olive oil. For vegetarian egg bites, you can substitute the bacon with crumbled, sautéed tempeh or even sautéed mushrooms to imitate the meatiness and umami of the bacon.

Quick Egg Recipes to Take on the Go

• Kale and Mushroom Egg Bites
• Breakfast Quesadilla with Black Beans and Eggs
• Freezer Breakfast Burritos with Salsa, Eggs, and Salsa Verde
• Omelette In a Mug
• Instant Pot Egg Bites