Breakfast egg muffins are baked egg cups (or mini frittatas, if you prefer a slightly fancier name) that are loaded with any variety of fresh vegetable, meat, and/or cheesy additions you please. You can enjoy them on their own or make them part of a larger breakfast spread. (Try them alongside these Sweet Potato Hash Browns.) I’ve made several versions of this recipe over time, and while each of them has a tasty place in my heart, today’s combination for egg muffins with spinach, feta, and a colorful array of veggies is my all-around favorite.
How to Make the Best Breakfast Egg Muffins
A great egg muffin is all about finding the right ratios.
Egg-to-Vegetable Ratio: The goal here is to ensure that each of the breakfast egg muffin cups packs a feel-good serving of vegetables without a) falling apart or b) tasting like a mini salad. I consider myself a vegetable enthusiast, but even I have my limitations before 10 a.m.
Whole-Egg to Egg-White Ratio: After a few attempts—all of which were eaten in the name of “research,” but some of which were more delicious than others—I’ve determined the ideal whole-egg to egg-white ratio for a batch of egg muffins is 6 whole eggs plus 4 egg whites.
Adding a few additional egg whites makes the muffins high in protein and low carb, without losing their filling, creamy texture. I would not recommend all egg whites, as this will cause the muffins to fall apart and be spongy.
Egg Muffin Filling—A Choose-Your-Own-Egg-Cup Adventure
No matter whether you choose to make healthy breakfast egg muffins with spinach or select different mix-ins, these muffins are an ideal canvas for customizing your own flavor adventure.
The Ingredients
Eggs + Egg Whites. The base for our easy egg muffins. As I mentioned above, these muffins use the perfect amount of each. Vegetables. Because I want this recipe to be filling and healthy, I always include a good amount of fresh vegetables like spinach, red and green bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes. You’ll feel great starting your day with a serving of veggies, and if you want to bring them to the office for lunch, the vegetables make them a more complete meal. Herbs and Spices. Because egg-white-heavy recipes can be—there really is no polite way to say this—SO BORING, we need to jazz these up with plenty of herbs and spices. My pantry staples are dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. The combo gives the muffins an Italian-inspired flair and complements the vegetables and feta. Cheese. An optional addition. I used feta, but you can use any other cheese you enjoy (a cheddar version I made in my experimental attempts was delightful). Toppings. The options are endless! Avocado, salsa, hot sauce, and freshly chopped parsley are all tasty ideas if you’re sitting down and have access to your fridge. In a rush? Just warm the up and enjoy them as they are.
The Directions
Tips to Prevent Sticking
Nonstick Spray. I cannot stress enough how important it is to generously coat your muffin pan with nonstick spray. These egg muffins love to stick to the pan, so you have to put a thick layer of the spray between the eggs and the muffin pan itself. If you don’t have nonstick spray, brushing your muffin cups with olive oil or melted butter should also do the trick. Silicone Pan. Try using a silicone muffin pan and nonstick spray for double the nonstick power. Muffin Liners. I’ve heard from multiple readers that muffin liners and parchment paper baking cups were also successful.
Recipe Adaptations + Dietary Swaps
Cheesy Egg Muffins. Making these muffins for veggie skeptics but still want a serving of healthy protein? Skip the veggies altogether, and simply use your favorite mix of cheeses. Spicy Egg Muffins. If you like your eggs on the spicy side, you can also add a few dashes of hot sauce or pinch of cayenne. Zippy Egg Muffins. Try adding a few teaspoons of Dijon mustard. Egg Muffins with Meat. Tasty but optional. I found them plenty satisfying with veggies alone, but if you’d like to add meat, feel free to make these breakfast egg muffins with bacon (I highly recommend this method of baked bacon for the best results and easiest cleanup) or fold in diced cooked ham or cooked, crumbled sausage. To Make Keto. No changes needed. These are keto egg muffins as written. To Make Dairy-Free, Whole30, and Paleo. Omit the cheese. (If you’re looking for more Whole30 breakfast recipes, try this Whole30 Breakfast Casserole.)
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Breakfast Egg Muffins
To Store. Let the muffins cool completely, then place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can store all of the muffins together in a single larger container or portion them into individual containers to take with you on the go. Plastic wrap and even plastic baggies work well for portability too. To Freeze. Let the muffins cool completely, then individually wrap them in plastic wrap. Place them in a ziptop bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator or reheat directly from frozen. Can You Reheat Egg Muffins? Yes, you can reheat egg muffins, and that’s part of their appeal. The exact cook time you need to reheat the muffins will vary based on your microwave’s power. Consider the first one a bit of an experiment. From there, you’ll forever know how long you need. To Reheat. Unwrap the muffins if needed, and place on a microwave-safe plate. Reheat gently in the microwave on medium power until hot and warmed through to the center, about 30 seconds (from thawed) or 1 to 2 minutes (from frozen).
More Make Ahead Breakfast and Snack Recipes
Vegan Protein Bars Sweet Potato Hash Browns Banana Oatmeal Muffins (made in the blender!) Healthy Blueberry Muffins Healthy Banana Muffins English Muffin Pizzas
Recommended Tools to Make Egg Muffins
Nonstick Spray. How do you keep egg muffins from sticking? This is the answer. You MUST coat the pans with nonstick spray, or your eggs will stick. Muffin Pan. I also love this one, which comes with a handy lid. Silicone Muffin Pan. My sister and several readers reported using this to bake the egg muffins (also with nonstick spray) with roaring success.
This post was originally shared in February 2018 in partnership with McCormick Spices. It was republished with additional helpful content and a step-by-step recipe video.
