These Starbucks Copycat Egg Bites Recipe are made WITHOUT a sous vide machine or molds! Instead, I use a mini muffin tin and simply pop them in the oven! After many tests, I've discovered the trick to making the BEST egg bites that are super moist AND ready in under 15 minutes!
The first time I tried Starbucks' sous vide egg bites I was hooked. They were super moist and full of flavor! I immediately wanted to know what the heck "sous vide" was and how I could make them at home myself.
I just LOVE their bacon and gruyere and also their egg white bites.
The only thing is.....they are freakin' expensive!! (As is anything as Starbucks right?)
I knew I could not afford to purchase them more than once a week. Add a latte and I am easily dropping more than $11.00 by 8:00 am on a small "breakfast".
Then, after discovering how pricey a sous vide machine is, plus how long they take once in the machine, I quickly squashed that idea.
From that moment on, I was on a mission to recreate my own cheaper version of Starbucks egg bites: without a machine, without jars, without molds, without instant pot, and without a blender! All I wanted to use was a mini muffin tin and my oven. Simple, easy and at no additional cost to me. Yay!
SO after much testing, I can happily say, I found a recipe that works!!
They are delicious on-the-go in the mornings for breakfast or brunch.
My Trick For Making These "Sous Vide"
Making your own homemade "copycat" version of Starbuck's egg bites is simple to do and takes about 15 minutes. All you need is a mini muffin tin. (This is the one I like.)
Let me just say, I have made egg bites many times before.
They didn't always turn out great. Most of the time, they turned out dry or rubbery. Other times they stuck to the muffin tin. It was a challenge to say the least.
But this version comes out perfect every time!
Test after test, I realized there were two things that made a huge difference in my egg bites.
1. Use Milk or Cream
I am not talking about a splash either. I am talking ½ cup. If you don't use a good amount of milk, cream or another milk substitute, your egg bites will turn out dry. Cream or half and half will give you creamier bites that are great for keto dieting.
2. Bake At A Low Temperature
Sous vide cooking is all about low and slow. So to get these right, I knew I had to go low and slow in the oven. The baking temperature I set my oven to is 275 degrees F. It cooks the eggs quick enough but not TOO quick to where they dry out.
*If you are using a larger regular-sized muffin tin, the bake time will be longer!
Variations
I love both Starbucks egg white bites AND their gruyere and bacon bites. I have made these cups both ways and loved them equally. My tip is to vary, substitute or swap out ingredients however you like...just don't remove the amount of milk or change the baking temperature. Those are key ingredients in making these "sous vide" style.
Egg Bite Add-Ins:
- Sausage
- Ham
- Peppers
- Caramelized onions
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Different cheeses like cheddar, swiss, feta or gruyere.
*Some recipes add cottage cheese in the mix to help make them moist and fluffy. This isn't necessary for this recipe if you use the milk/cream.
My Secret Ingredient!
Okay. Now that you know my tricks to making these "sous vide" in the oven, I wanted to share the secret ingredient I like to add to my scrambled eggs AND also to my egg bites. And that is...
Ketchup!!
If you're not an egg-ketchup lover, that's fine. But adding it to the egg mix before baking just works period. It is that one ingredient that people may not be able to put their finger on but will LOVE! I guarantee it.
"Are These Better Than Starbuck's?"
Better?? No. Without a sous vide machine and whatever other hidden ingredients/artificial flavors/fillers Starbucks adds, it is impossible to replicate them exactly.
BUT I will say that they are a damn good copycat! Plus, they contain all natural healthy ingredients and save you more than 75% the cost of Starbucks!
FAQ's
Yes! BUT the bake time is going to be approximately 25% longer! The time depends on how high you fill your muffin cups and how large your tin is. You want to bake them until the middle JUST barely jiggles.
Using a nonstick muffin tin is the first step. Next is to grease or spray your muffin tin well with butter or non-stick spray.
It's impossible to replicate them exactly without the additives and proper machines. With that said, they are pretty darn close considering! (Plus, they're healthier!)
How To Make Egg Bites in Advance
Meal prepping? Well these copycat egg bites are perfect to make in advance! Just make sure you follow these tips...
Wait for your bites to FULLY cool, then stack a few together and wrap them in mini stacks covered with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for 2-3 days ad reheat quickly in them microwave. (Less than 30 seconds or they will dry out.)
Freezing Options
Freezing is an option but not recommended. Eggs don't freeze as well as other items but, it can be done.
To do so, place each stack in a large freezer bag with as much air removed from the bag as possible. Freezer burn is the enemy!!
Freeze for up to 4-6 weeks.
Tip* Use a straw to suck out the air in your freezer bags!
Read here to learn HOW TO PREVENT FREEZER BURN!
Reheating Tips
It is important to let your egg bites defrost in the refrigerator before reheating! If you don't, you will be forced to microwave them longer (since they're frozen) which will lead to dry, rubbery eggs!
Once they're fully thawed, pop them in the microwave with a damp paper towel over top (creating a steam effect) and reheat in 15-30 second intervals. Do not over heat!
Eggs cook VERY QUICKLY so make sure to check your bites every 15-30 seconds so they do not end up rubbery.
Here are more bite-sized breakfast recipes you'll love:
Pumpkin Puree Muffins with Oatmeal
Healthy Chocolate Chia Energy Bites
Everything Bagel Celery Sticks
Starbucks Copycat Egg Bites Recipe (In Oven)
Equipment
- Muffin Tin
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk or cream
- 1 cup gruyere or cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp cooked bacon, crumbled (2-3 slices) (*Optional)
- ½ tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tbsp ketchup (*Optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275°F.
- If not already done, cook your bacon in the oven or in a skillet until crispy. Crumble into bits and set aside.
- (Reserve 2 tbsp of cheese and ½ tbsp of bacon.) Add eggs, milk, bacon (if using), cheese, chives and ketchup in a bowl. Whisk well!
- Using a mini muffin tin, brush melted butter generously inside each cup. (You can also use nonstick spray or liners to prevent them from sticking. If using liners, spray them as well.)*You can also use a regular sized tin if you wish. Using a mini ice cream scoop or small ladle, add the egg mixture to each muffin cup making sure to scoop the bacon/cheese sitting on the bottom of the bowl! Fill each cup to the brim then top with remaining cheese and bacon.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes on the MIDDLE rack for mini egg muffins and 16-20 minutes for regular sized egg muffins.*Bake time may vary depending upon your oven and the size of your muffin cups! Try to keep from opening and closing the oven since this will drop the temperature. You are looking for the center to be slightly jiggly. You do NOT want to overcook your eggs!
- As soon as you can handle them, GENTLY use a knife or small silicone spatula to loosen the outside of each egg cup to allow your bites to slide out. Turning the tin upside down helps.Do not wait for them to cool or they will be tougher to remove.
- Eat immediately or store in the fridge for 3-4 days in a sealed container.
Recipe Notes
- About 12 egg bites
- About 4 egg bites
Oh you nailed it with this recipe! I have tried a few recipes trying to replicate the starbucks egg bites and nothing comes close until this recipe! It's perfect, I love it! I used heavy cream because I had that on hand and a mini muffin tin and they took 15 minutes. Sooo yummy! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks so much Nikki! 🙂 I am thrilled you enjoyed them!!
I doubled the receipt, using 10% cream and ham instead of bacon. In a 275 oven using a full sized muffin tin, they took 25 minutes without peaking. I put the topping on when I put them in the oven. Absolutely delicious and thank you for the receipt!
Lyn
Lyn, Thanks for your kind review! 🙂
I tried these today. They never set up and stayed runny even after 30 minutes cooking time. Should I be using whole milk? And is the 1 cup cheese loosely packed or packed like brown sugar. I will try again with cream, and also try putting the ingredients in a blender to get the texture better. Thanks, Sheeran
Hi Sheeran! Can I ask first, how large is your muffin tin? Also, did you leave the oven open while you added the cheese and bacon? A larger muffin tin and opening the oven will delay the baking time so I am curious? Also, you don't need to tightly pack the cheese like you do brown sugar. Let me know!
I’m a HUGE sucker for the Starbucks egg bites! I’ve been looking for a recipe that comes close to them for years! These are IT!! So delicious, almost the same taste and consistency!
Hi Shelby, I am a sucker for them too!! I am so glad you found a recipe you like! 🙂 Thanks for your review!
These were super tasty; however, I did have trouble with some not setting up after 20 minutes cooking time at 275° in a mini muffin pan. Any suggestions?
Hi Veronica! Thanks for the comment! As for them not setting, it would be hard to determine why without seeing them. Some questions to ask, How "unset" were they? Did you bake them in the middle rack? Was the oven fully preheated when you put them in? Is your mini muffin tin a bit larger? (Some brands make them larger) if so, it would require a bit more baking time. Did you substitute any ingredients? Did you open the oven during the baking time?
Two of them were so under they did not hold shape when they came out of the pan. I used cream and cheddar cheese. The oven was definitely preheated and I used the middle rack. I didn’t open the oven door until I put the cheese and bacon garnishes on top. It’s possible my muffin tin is larger. I may need to adjust cook time. These were so close to a Starbucks egg bite. Completely loved them!!
I am so glad you liked them!! My only suggestion next time is to remove the egg bites from the oven so you can CLOSE the oven door while garnishing. Keeping the oven door opened will drop the oven's temperature a lot which could be the reason why some did not set up.
If I tried to do regular muffin size ones (instead of mini), how long do you think it would be time wise in the oven??
Hi Margo! They should take between 17-20 minutes. Check them every minute after the 15 minute mark to make sure they don't dry out. You want them a bit jiggly in the middle.
Thanks for the recipe, I really do like Starbucks Sous Vide egg bites, will be trying this very soon.
Me too! Let me know how they turn out!! 🙂
Hi. The proportions in the recipe have me a little puzzled... its it really only 2 eggs with a half cup milk and a whole cup of cheese? Is it supposed to be 12 eggs, that seems like it would be enough to feed 3 people then too.
Thank you for the post and the recipes in any case!
Hi Leah! Yes, it is correct! You could always add less cheese if you wish! 🙂 Please let me know how they turn out!!
In the first part of your post (Step 1), it states 1/4 cup of milk, but the actual recipes states 1/2 cup. Which is correct? Thank you!
Hi CJ, I apologize for the typo, it is 1/2 cup as the recipe says. Thanks for pointing it out, all fixed! Be sure to let me know how they turn out for you! 🙂
Is it really 12 eggs?? 😫
I have A batch in the oven where I tripled the recipe and now I know why they haven’t set up after 45 min in the oven. I’m so disappointed
Hi Cheryl, You used 12 eggs? The recipe calls for 2 eggs so if you tripled it, you should have used 6 eggs.