Spinach Bacon Egg Cups

Grab-and-go breakfasts are more often the rule rather than the exception in my house. Everyone is grabbing gym clothes or packing lunches or rolling out of bed late before heading out the door to catch the bus.

These egg cups are a bit on the decadent side, with bacon, gruyère cheese, and a bit of crème fraîche, but they’re small and perfect for a quick punch of protein for breakfast or a mid-morning snack. They’ll keep for a few days in the refrigerator, but are also freezable.

Make a batch (or two), freeze them, and you’ll have them on hand for when you’re running late. They’re also a great dish for when you’re hosting visitors—add a plate of croissants and some fresh fruit, and your guests can grab what they like. No silverware required!

How do you make Spinach Bacon Egg Cups?

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius. Butter or oil a 12-cup muffin tin. Make a stack of 4 ounces of bacon strips and cut into ⅓-inch slices. Then, in a medium skillet, sauté bacon over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally, about 5-7 minutes, until crispy.

Stir in spinach.

Whisk eggs, milk, creme fraiche, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

Stir in bacon, spinach, and shredded cheese. Pour into muffin tin, filling each about ¾ full. (Try to distribute filling evenly. A ladle can help with this.)

Bake for 15 minutes, until the egg mixture is just set. They will continue to cook a little more after you remove them from the oven. Place muffin tin on cooling rack, and let cool until you can remove the egg cups from their molds. Serve warm, sprinkled with additional gruyère, if desired.

These egg cups are fairly small in size, which I like because I can eat 2 for breakfast or just 1 for a little midday snack. Also, they’re perfectly kid-sized. But if you prefer to make larger egg cups, you can fill 9 muffin cups instead of 12. Just add a few minutes of cooking time to the recipe.

What ingredients can I substitute in this breakfast egg cup recipe?

This is a very forgiving recipe. You can easily make these vegetarian by not using bacon or lardons. You can replace the crème fraîche with sour cream, and replace the shredded gruyère with whatever cheese you prefer. Sharp cheddar is excellent, as is gouda or an aged Conté. Spinach is optional as well, if greens are not your thing.

Are these make-ahead Bacon Egg Cups?

Yes! This egg cup recipe is perfect for making in advance. Egg cups can be refrigerated for 3-4 days after being baked. Or, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. For best results, put egg cups on a plate or small sheet pan so they aren’t touching each other and freeze before putting into a ziptop freezer bag together. That way, they won’t freeze together, and you can grab one at a time to defrost and reheat.

Other Great Breakfast Recipes

If you like this recipe, don’t miss this French Crepes with Eggs and Cheddar recipe or this recipe for Almond, Pecan, and Pumpkin Seed Granola.