Oven Baked Egg Bites (Starbucks Copycat)

These silky smooth, protein-packed Oven Baked Egg Bites (Starbucks Copycat) make an excellent quick breakfast that is filling, satisfying and utterly delicious. Effortless to prepare and bake, and you will not need any special equipment to make them.

The infamous egg bites from Starbucks have been my guilty pleasure for years now. Low-carb and high in protein, they are not only delicious but very filling and satisfying. The problem is, they are pricey and though relatively healthy for a fast food option, they likely aren’t made with the highest quality ingredients. 

Thankfully, these charming little egg bites are really easy to make at home and with just a few simple tricks they come pretty darn close to the real thing. If you love a savory grab-and-go breakfast situation, you must give these egg bites a try. They’re light, yet hearty and filling with a wonderful velvety-smooth texture. Best of all, they take only minutes to prep and are endlessly adaptable to whatever flavours and combinations you prefer. 

What Are Starbucks Egg Bites?

Resembling fluffy mini-quiches, the base of the Starbucks egg bites is made with a combination of whole eggs (or egg whites) and cottage cheese. To that base, they add different ingredients that make up two or three of their very popular flavour combinations. The two I have tested are the bacon and Gruyére and the egg white version with red pepper and spinach. Both super delicious.

Starbucks cooks the egg bites in a sous vide which means they are cooked in a low-temperature, vacuum-sealed boil. This is what gives them their soft, almost souffle-like texture that I must say is quite lovely. In much the same way, an Instant Pot will also cook the egg bites in a high-moisture, steamy environment.

The good news is, you don’t need a sous vide or an Instant Pot to make this copycat Starbucks egg bites recipe! Read on to see how easy it is to make these at home in your oven. 

Create A Steamy Water Bath In Your Oven 

Most of us don’t have a sous vide machine at home but we can still mimic the steamy method in the oven. The first trick to achieving the custardy, velvety texture in the oven is to bake the egg bites at a very low temperature. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, is to place a pan of hot water in the oven so it creates a moist and steamy environment. 

You will be amazed at how similar in taste and texture these egg bites are to the original ones from Starbucks. So easy to make and they reheat and freeze perfectly. This means you can, and should, double or triple the batch to use for delicious breakfasts, lunches or snacks. 

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Inexpensive. In Canada, two egg bites from Starbucks will cost you $6. You can make 12 egg bites at home for about the same price or less.
• Quick and easy to make. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare the egg mixture and add-ins. The blender makes everything easy and super quick and from there, you just wait for the egg bites to bake.
• As tasty as Starbucks. You will be so pleasantly surprised at how similar in taste and texture these oven baked egg bites are to the ones from Starbucks. I may be biased but I think these are even better.
• Great for meal prep. The great news is that these egg bites are as delicious (if not more so) the next day. Just pop one or two in microwave for 20 seconds and enjoy!
• No special equipment needed. You do not need a sous vide or Instant Pot to make these delicious egg bites. Though I love my Instant Pot, these oven baked egg bites are made quickly and easily in the oven.

Ingredient Notes

This recipe includes the much-loved Bacon and Gruyere Starbucks version as well as the Roasted red pepper. I typically make only one variety of egg bites per tray. In the photos I showed a mix so you could see both versions. 

Bacon and Gruyére egg bites:

• Eggs: You will need 8 whole eggs to fill 12 regular-sized muffin tins. 
• Cottage cheese: For best results, try and find cottage cheese made with whole milk (4%). If you can only find 2% cottage cheese, that will work fine too. I have not tested egg bites without cottage cheese as it really does seem to be the primary ingredient that makes these eg bites creamy and light. I love cottage cheese but even if you don’t like it, you will not even know it is there since it is completely blended along with other more flavourful ingredients. 
• Tapioca flour or cornstarch: This is optional and I don’t always add it but I find it does help make the egg mixture less runny so it will set better. 
• Gruyère cheese: Bacon and Gruyère cheese are a match made in heaven so it is no surprise this is such a winning combination. If you prefer to use a different cheese, or a mix, you can use Swiss, Monterey Jack, or a sharp cheddar cheese. 
• Bacon: You will need about 4-6 strips of bacon for this combination. Add as little or as much as you’d like. 
• Hot sauce: Optional, but you can really detect a hint of heat in the Starbucks egg bites which I love. Again, add as little or as much as you’d like. I use Tabasco, Sriracha, or Cholula. 

Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites

• Eggs: You will need 8 whole eggs to fill 12 regular-sized muffin tins. 
• Cottage cheese: For best results, try and find cottage cheese made with whole milk (4%). If you can only find 2% cottage cheese, that will work fine too. I have not tested egg bites without cottage cheese as it really does seem to be the primary ingredient that makes these eg bites creamy and light. I love cottage cheese but even if you don’t like it, you will not even know it is there since it is completely blended along with other more flavourful ingredients. 
• Tapioca flour or cornstarch: This is optional and I don’t always add it but I find it does help make the egg mixture less runny so it will set better. 
• Jarred roasted red pepper: You will need about 1/3 cup chopped roasted red pepper. Make sure to pat it dry once you have chopped it. Too much moisture will prevent the egg bites from setting properly. You can use a red bell pepper but note that it won’t have much time to cook so it will stay crunchy. 
• Green onion: I like to use the light and dark green parts only of tw green onions. The white part is a little strong for the egg bites, but go ahead and add it if you wish. Alternatively, you can use chopped chives. 
• Monterey jack cheese (shredded): If you can’t find Monterey Jack, you can use cheddar or parmesan cheese. You can also add a couple of tablespoons of feta or ricotta cheese if you wish. 
• Spinach: A bit of chopped spinach adds colour and a tiny dose of more veggies. 
• Hot sauce: Optional, but you can really detect a hint of heat in the Starbucks egg bites which I love. Again, add as little or as much as you’d like. I use Tabasco, Sriracha, or Cholula.

Variations

• Eggs: Use egg whites instead of the whole eggs for a lighter version. For this recipe, you will need the egg whites from 12 large eggs or 1 1/2 cups of egg whites from a carton. You will also need to reduce the amount of cottage and/or Monterey Jack cheese by half.
• Vegetables: You can also use fine chopped broccoli, green peppers, kale, Swiss chard, or asparagus. 
• Cheese: Aside from the cottage cheese which forms the base of these egg bites, you can add any other cheese. A few options are goat cheese, Boursain, parmesan, feta, or ricotta. Note that you should only add about 1/3 cup of any cheese that is soft or wet (not including the cottage cheese).
• Herbs: Add more herbs such as basil, parsley, or tarragon. 
• Meat protein: Instead of bacon you can add a bit of crumbled sausage.

Best Muffin Tin To Use

DO NOT USE A SILICONE MOLD. In theory, silicone muffin tins should work great for making egg bites and you will find many recipes recommend them. They are naturally non-stick and the egg bites seem to slide out beautifully once baked. Unfortunately, they do NOT work for this egg bite recipe. 

I really wanted it to work but after many failed attempts I gave up. In the silicone muffin tin the egg bites did not set properly and cooked very unevenly. After a bit of research I found many people had the same problem. So now I only use a metal, nonstick muffin tin and they cook perfectly every time. 

If all you have is a silicone muffin tin, reduce the amount of cottage cheese by half and add 10 minutes to the cooking time. You will also want to rotate the tin half way through baking. I can’t guarantee that will work for you but it did work for me, once. 

Regardless of which muffin tin you use, make sure to grease it generously so the egg bites do not stick. That said, make sure you don’t have puddles of oil accumulating at the bottom of the pan. But particularly if your pan has lost its non-stick coating, make sure it is greased well so the egg bites come out easily. 

How To Make Oven Egg Bites (Starbucks Copycat)

I have included instructions for two popular versions of the egg bites but feel free to adjust the ingredients to your liking. Note that the full instructions with exact ingredients are in the recipe card below!

Make Bacon and Gruyère egg bites

Step 1: Spray a 12-well muffin tin with cooking spray. Place a metal or ceramic baking dish that is filled with 1 inch of very hot water on the bottom rack. This will create a humid environment and help the eggs cook evenly. Preheat oven to 300ºF. 

Step 2: In a small skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. 

Step 3: Add eggs, cottage cheese, salt, pepper, cornstarch (if using), Gruyère and hot sauce to a blender. Blend on medium-high until smooth, about 20-30 seconds. 

Step 4: Pour egg mixture into the greased muffin tins, filling each to about 3/4-full. Evenly distribute the bacon bits among the muffin cups then use a small spoon, or bamboo skewer to gently push them down so they aren’t on the surface. 

Step 5: Place muffin tin on the middle rack and bake for 23 to 25 minutes, or until egg bites are no longer jiggly. Remove from oven and let the egg bites rest in pan for 5-10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edge of each cup and gently lift out the egg bites. Serve warm.

Make Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites 

1. Spray a 12-well muffin tin with cooking spray. Place a metal or ceramic baking dish that is filled with 1 inch of very hot water on the bottom rack. This will create a humid environment and help the eggs cook evenly. Preheat oven to 300ºF. 
2. Add eggs, cottage cheese, salt, pepper, cornstarch (if using), Monterey Jack cheese, and hot sauce to a blender. Blend on medium-high until smooth, about 20-30 seconds. 
3. Pour the egg mixture into the greased muffin tins, filling each to about 3/4-full. 
4. Evenly distribute the chopped roasted red pepper, spinach, and green onion among the muffin cups then use a small spoon, or bamboo skewer to gently push them down so they aren’t on the surface. 
5. Place muffin tin on the middle rack and bake for 23 to 25 minutes, or until egg bites are no longer jiggly. Remove from oven and let the egg bites rest in pan for 5-10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edge of each cup and gently lift out the egg bites. Serve warm.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Serving Suggestions

• These oven baked egg bites make an excellent satisfying and delicious breakfast all on their own but will be even better paired with fresh fruit, toast, or smoothies. 
• Serve the egg bites as part of a brunch spread alongside smoked salmon, avocado wedges, sliced fruit, pancakes, or waffles. 

How To Store and Freeze

• Store the cooled egg bites in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. 
• To freeze, arrange the cooled egg bites in a single layer on a baking sheet and transfer to the freezer until solid, about 2 hours. Once frozen, place the egg bites in a large Ziplock bag and freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, thaw the egg bites in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Reheat egg bites in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Alternatively, warm them in a preheated 325ºF oven or toaster oven for about 10 minutes. 

More Breakfast Recipes To Try

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Oven Baked Egg Bites (Starbucks Copycat)

Author: Sandra Valvassori

These silky smooth, protein-packed Oven Baked Egg Bites (Starbucks Copycat) make an excellent quick breakfast that is filling, satisfying and utterly delicious. Effortless to prepare and bake, and you will not need any special equipment to make them. 

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings 12 egg bites

Ingredients  

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Bacon + Gruyere Cheese Egg Bites

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch or tapioca flour, optional
• pinch of salt and pepper
• 1 cup gruyere cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
• 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon, from about 4-6 strips (see notes below for cooking bacon)

Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch or tapioca flour, optional
• pinch of salt and pepper
• 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
• 1/3 cup chopped jarred roasted red pepper (see notes)
• 1/2 cup chopped baby spinach
• 1 green onion (light and dark green parts only, finely chopped, or 1 Tbsp. chopped chives)

Instructions 

Bacon and Gruyère egg bites

• Spray a 12-well muffin *tin with cooking spray.
• Place a metal or ceramic baking dish that is filled with 1 inch of very hot water on the bottom rack. This will create a humid environment and help the eggs cook evenly. Preheat oven to 300ºF.
• Add eggs, cottage cheese, salt, pepper, cornstarch (if using), Gruyère and hot sauce to a blender. Blend on medium-high until smooth, about 20-30 seconds.
• Pour egg mixture into the greased muffin tins, filling each to about 3/4-full.
• Evenly distribute the crumbled bacon bits among the muffin cups then use a small spoon, or bamboo skewer to gently push them down so they aren't on the surface.
• Place muffin tin on the middle rack and bake for 23 to 25 minutes, or until egg bites are no longer jiggly. Remove from oven and let the egg bites rest in pan for 5-10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edge of each cup and gently lift out the egg bites. Serve warm.

Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites

• Spray a 12-well muffin *tin with cooking spray.
• Place a metal or ceramic baking dish that is filled with 1 inch of very hot water on the bottom rack. This will create a humid environment and help the eggs cook evenly. Preheat oven to 300ºF.
• Add eggs, cottage cheese, salt, pepper, cornstarch (if using), Monterey Jack cheese, and hot sauce to a blender. Blend on medium-high until smooth, about 20-30 seconds.
• Pour the egg mixture into the greased muffin tins, filling each to about 3/4-full.
• Evenly distribute the chopped roasted red pepper, spinach, and green onion among the muffin cups then use a small spoon, or bamboo skewer to gently push them down so they aren’t on the surface.
• Place muffin tin on the middle rack and bake for 23 to 25 minutes, or until egg bites are no longer jiggly. Remove from oven and let the egg bites rest in pan for 5-10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the edge of each cup and gently lift out the egg bites. Serve warm.

Notes

• • *I do not recommend using a silicone pan to make these egg bites. They will not set properly and will cook very unevenly. 
  • To cook the bacon: In a small skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
  • To store: The cooled egg bites can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 5 days. 
  • To reheat: For best results, reheat egg bites in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Alternatively, warm them in a preheated 325ºF oven or toaster oven for about 10 minutes.
  • To freeze: Egg bites can also be frozen and thawed overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. 

Keywords: Egg bites, Starbucks egg bites, Sous vide Starbucks egg bites, Copycat Starbucks egg bites

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