This copycat Starbucks egg bites air fryer recipe is perfect for busy mornings, meal prep, or if you want to make a quick snack. The cheesy egg bites are creamy, savory, and loaded with protein, and they come together in under 30 minutes. In addition, I’ve included oven instructions and how to air fry store-bought frozen egg bites.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Starbucks egg bites have become a hugely popular breakfast option, known for their smooth, custard-like texture and savory flavor. They're a favorite for busy mornings, providing a quick, protein-packed meal. These copycat egg bites capture the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of the originals, but with the convenience of making them at home in your air fryer.
Here is why you’ll love these air fryer Starbucks egg bites:
- They are very tasty but what sets them apart from regular egg muffins made primarily with eggs is the creamy, quiche-like texture.
- Packed with protein from eggs, cottage cheese, and Gruyère, these bites are also low in carbs, high in protein, and gluten-free.
- Great for a grab-and-go breakfast or a quick pick-me-up snack; and, equally satisfying to eat out of your lunchbox.
- They're super customizable, so you can mix and match ingredients to suit your taste.
- Perfect for meal prepping or feeding the family, these bites are a budget-friendly way to enjoy the beloved Starbucks treat without leaving the house.
Also read: Air Fryer vs Halogen Oven: Which is Right for You?
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Protein: Eggs, bacon, cottage cheese, Gruyère cheese. These give the egg bites their rich flavor and creamy texture. Swap the Gruyère for cheddar or feta if desired. Use turkey bacon for a lighter option.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, cornstarch. Season the egg bites to taste, and cornstarch helps thicken the mixture for a smoother result.
Herbs: Chives or scallions (green onions). These add a fresh, mild onion flavor. Swap with parsley or cilantro if you prefer, or go without.
Step by Step
1. Cook bacon
- Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then drain on paper towels.
2. Make the egg mixture
- Blend eggs, cottage cheese, Gruyère, salt, pepper, and cornstarch until smooth. A food processor, blender, or immersion blender is highly recommended as you want a smooth texture with no lumps.
3. Assemble the egg bites
- Preheat the air fryer to 305°F (150°C). Grease silicone muffin molds and fill them ⅔ full with the egg mixture.
- Add bacon pieces (stir some in) and top with chives.
4. Air fry the egg bites
- Air fry for 15 minutes, until set and firm to the touch.
- Depending on the size of the air fryer, you have to cook egg bites in two batches.
- Transferring the silicone tray into the air fryer basket can be tricky once the egg mixture is in so you could place the tray or the casings into the basket first and then pour in the mixture, add bacon, etc.
- I recommend checking them at 12-13 minutes, especially the smaller ones (e.g. if you've run out of egg mixture and one of the egg bites is only filled halfway, it will cook quicker). The egg bites should feel slightly firm and bouncy to the touch. Don’t overcook or they can get too rubbery. Remember, they will continue to cook with the residual heat inside.
4. Serve
- Remove the silicone tray and turn it upside down onto a plate or a cutting board. The egg bites should pop out quite easily. If not, insert a knife around the edges to separate the bites from the casings' sides
5. Alternative Oven Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the egg bite molds on a baking sheet and use the silicone tray and bake for 18–22 minutes, checking for doneness.
Video Instructions
How to Air Fry Frozen Store-Bought Egg Bites
Preheat your air fryer to 360°F /180°C. Place the frozen Starbucks egg bites in the basket, making sure they don’t overlap. Cook for 6–8 minutes, or until heated through and lightly crispy on the outside.
Expert Tips
- If you don’t have individual silicone egg bite molds, you can cut a silicone tray to fit the size of the air fryer. It’s quite handy as you can use it for making small meatloaves, cupcakes, and other bits and bobs in the air fryer.
- Transferring the silicone tray into the air fryer basket can be tricky once the egg mixture is in so you could place the tray or the casings into the basket first and then pour in the mixture, add bacon, etc.
- Use full-fat cottage cheese for the best creamy texture.
- Make sure to blend the egg mixture with a high-speed blender or in a food processor. Whisking with a fork or a whisk will not break down the cottage cheese enough to give you that beautiful smooth feel.
- Try adding sautéed veggies, like spinach or mushrooms, for extra flavor.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or top with hot sauce for a kick.
- Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or even pepper jack for variety.
Also read: Air Fryer Hacks: Genius Ways to Use Your Air Fryer
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Serve these egg bites with a side of fresh fruit or a slice of avocado toast for a more filling breakfast. They also pair well with a simple green salad for a light lunch or snack. My husband loves them with sweet chili sauce while I prefer tomato salsa.
FAQs
Store leftover egg bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or rewarm in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes.
Absolutely! Let the egg bites cool completely, then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. To reheat, pop them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or air fry for 4-5 minutes at 350°F.
Yes! You can bake them in the oven at 350°F for about 18–22 minutes, or try the stovetop or Instant Pot methods mentioned above for similar results.
You can replicate the sous vide method Starbucks uses by placing the filled silicone molds in a pot of simmering water. Cover and cook on low heat for about 20–25 minutes, until the egg bites are set. This method gives you that ultra-creamy, custard-like texture similar to the Starbucks version.
Yes! Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot, place the trivet inside, and set the silicone molds on top. Cover with foil and cook on the "Steam" setting for 10 minutes. Allow a 5-minute natural pressure release before manually releasing the rest.
Cheddar, gouda, or Monterey Jack are great alternatives. Any flavorful, meltable cheese will work!
Yes, just leave out the bacon and replace it with your favorite veggies like sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
Overcooking can lead to a rubbery texture. Make sure to check them a few minutes before the recommended cooking time and remove them when they feel firm but still soft to the touch.
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Starbucks Egg Bites (Air Fryer Recipe)
Print Recipe Pin RecipeEquipment
- Instant Pot Air Fryer Vortex Plus
- Blender/food processor or immersion blender stic
- Silicone muffin tray or egg bite molds
- Oil spray
Ingredients
- 4 oz bacon, diced into small pieces
- 2 teaspoon oil for cooking bacon
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup cottage cheese, full-fat is best, 6 oz / 170 g
- 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese, or another flavorful hard cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon chopped chives or scallions (green onions)
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Pan-fry the diced bacon in a little oil until crispy and browned. Remove onto paper towels to absorb excess oil and set aside.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a food processor or blender, combine eggs, cottage cheese, grated cheese, salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Blend until smooth. (You can use an immersion blender, but whisking by hand won’t give the desired smooth texture.)
- Prepare the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 305°F (150°C). Use silicone muffin casings or a muffin tray for the egg bites. Spray each casing with a little oil.
- Assemble the Egg Bites: Fill each muffin casing ⅔ full with the egg mixture, leaving space for the bites to rise. Add a teaspoon of bacon to each casing, stir gently, then top with a few more bacon pieces and some chopped chives.
- Tip: It can be tricky to transfer the silicone tray into the air fryer once the egg mixture is in, so you could place the tray or casings in the basket first, then pour in the mixture and add the bacon.
- Cook the Egg Bites: Cook the egg bites in the air fryer for 15 minutes at 305°F (150°C). Check them at 12 minutes—smaller ones will cook faster. The bites should feel firm and bouncy to the touch. Tip: If the bottom is still runny after cooking, pop the bites back into the casings and air fry for 2 more minutes.
- Remove and Serve: Carefully remove the silicone tray and turn it upside down onto a plate or cutting board to release the egg bites. If they stick, use a knife to loosen them from the edges. Cool slightly and enjoy warm, or serve cold.
Notes
- Bacon: Use turkey bacon for a lighter option or leave it out for a vegetarian version. You can also swap in sautéed vegetables like spinach or mushrooms.
- Cheese: Gruyère gives a rich flavor, but cheddar, gouda, or feta work well too.
- Texture Tip: Blending the egg mixture ensures a smooth, custard-like texture. Whisking by hand won't achieve the same result.
- Air Fryer Tip: Place the silicone molds in the air fryer basket before pouring in the egg mixture to avoid spills.
- Cooking Time: Smaller egg bites may cook faster. Check them at 12 minutes to prevent overcooking and a rubbery texture.
- Reheating: To reheat, use the microwave for 20–30 seconds or the air fryer for 2–3 minutes at 350°F.
- Freezing: Freeze the egg bites for up to 2 months and reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer for 4–5 minutes at 350°F.
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