5-Ingredient Breakfast Egg Muffins
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These 5-ingredient Breakfast Egg Muffins are individual breakfast casseroles made with simple ingredients that you likely have in your kitchen. Delicious, budget-friendly, customizable, and filling! Great for meal prep.
This post is created in partnership with Hy-Vee Columbia.
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy Breakfast Egg Muffins have been a reader favorite for a LONG time. Here’s why:
- Super fast and easy to make. The kids can help with this one!
- Made from simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
- This is a great recipe for 1 year olds or little eaters. They are easy for little gums and full of nutrition.
- The combo of protein and fat from the eggs, ham, and cheese keeps you feeling satisfied all morning. Feel free to add in chopped spinach or sautéed onions and peppers to include veggies, too.
- Very budget-friendly meal.
- Great for meal prep. It’s a make-ahead breakfast that’s freezer-friendly, like our Savory Breakfast Muffins and Baked Egg and Ham Cups.
Ingredients
Here are the 5 main ingredients in Breakfast Egg Muffins. You’ll find all these ingredients at your local Hy-Vee (Columbia). We like the Dilusso ham at their deli counter and fresh whole wheat bread or sourdough from their bakery for this recipe.
Ingredient Notes:
- Stale Bread – This is a great way to use up stale bread. Any kind will work but I highly recommend stale sourdough bread. See more on that below.
- Milk – You can use your milk of choice.
- Ham – You can replace this with cooked bacon pieces or chopped up leftover breakfast sausages instead.
- We’ll also have you add a few pantry seasonings to the egg mixture.
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Tips and Variations
- Recommended Pan: We highly recommend making these in a silicone pan, silicone muffin liners, or a non-stick enamel pan. The muffins come out easily and clean-up is a cinch. However, when we’ve tested these in metal pans (even after spraying with cooking spray), the pan was terribly difficult to clean.
- About the Bread: We tested this with several different kinds of bread. First, it’s best if the bread is stale. The muffins don’t get as mushy. Second, we preferred the taste and texture of sourdough bread the most in our tests. Try to avoid using bread with much sugar in it, because the muffins end up tasting a little sweet.
- Mix It Up: This is a forgiving recipe. Use whatever bread (English muffins work well!) or cooked breakfast meat (like cooked bacon or breakfast sausage) you want. You can even add in chopped spinach or sauteed peppers and onions, if you’d like veggies. Make it your own!
- Add Some Heat: If you like things spicier, try adding some dashes of hot sauce to the egg mixture.
- Let the Kids Help: This is a perfect recipe to let the kiddos help with. From tearing bread and ham to sprinkling them in the muffin cups, they’ll love being a part of it.
- Reduce Food Waste: Store any bread heels or stale bread in the freezer until you’re ready to make this recipe. It’s a great way to use up bread that would otherwise go in the trash.
How to Make Breakfast Egg Muffins
Find the full list of ingredients and instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
- Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a non-stick muffin tin very well or use a silicone muffin tin (preferred for easy clean up).
- Dry Ingredients: Drop bread pieces evenly in muffin tin cups until they come about 2/3 of the way up the pan. Sprinkle ham pieces evenly in each tin. Sprinkle cheese evenly in each tin.
- Wet Ingredients: In a glass measuring cup with spout (or a mixing bowl), whisk together eggs, milk, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour egg mixture evenly in each muffin tin until bread is covered. (Tip: Gently mix each muffin ingredients around with a fork to evenly distribute them.) Sprinkle a little parsley on the top of each one to add a pop of color.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes (depends on your pan) or until golden brown on top and cooked through the middle. (Note: They will deflate a little after coming out of the oven. That’s normal.) Either enjoy them while warm, store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, or freeze using instructions below.
How to Freeze and Thaw Breakfast Egg Muffins
Freeze For Later: Bake according to instructions and let fully cool. Place muffins in a single layer in a gallon-sized freezer container or bag. Seal well, squeezing out excess air, and freeze.
Prepare From Frozen: Wrap a muffin in a moist paper towel and microwave in 30-second increments until heated through (about 1-2 minutes). Or thaw in the refrigerator and warm in the microwave.
FAQs
Try different combinations of vegetables (i.e. sauted bell peppers and onions), cheeses, and breakfast meats (cooked bacon or breakfast sausage) to create new flavors. You can also experiment adding in fresh herbs like chopped basil, parsley, or thyme.
Yes. Bake according to instructions and let fully cool. Place muffins in a single layer in a gallon-sized freezer container or bag. Seal well, squeezing out excess air, and freeze.
To reheat, wrap a muffin in a moist paper towel and microwave in 30-second increments until heated through (about 1-2 minutes). Or thaw in the refrigerator and warm in the microwave.
We highly recommend making these in a silicone pan, silicone muffin liners, or a non-stick enamel pan. The muffins come out easily and clean-up is a cinch. However, when we’ve tested these in metal pans (even after spraying with cooking spray), the pan was terribly difficult to clean.
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5-Ingredient Breakfast Egg Muffins
We love these easy Breakfast Egg Muffins. They’re individual breakfast casseroles, made with simple ingredients that you likely have in your kitchen. Delicious, budget-friendly, and filling!
Ingredients
- About 4 slices (4–6 ounces) stale bread, diced (see cooking notes; enough to fill muffin tins about halfway)
- 4–6 slices (6–8 ounces) deli ham, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk (any kind)
- 2 teaspoons ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- Minced fresh parsley or dried parsley, for garnish
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
Make It Now:
- Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a non-stick muffin tin very well or use a silicone muffin tin (see cooking note below).
- Dry Ingredients: Drop bread pieces evenly in muffin tin cups until they come about 2/3 of the way up the tin. Sprinkle ham pieces evenly in each tin. Sprinkle cheese evenly in each tin.
- Wet Ingredients: In a glass measuring cup with spout (or a mixing bowl), whisk together eggs, milk, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour egg mixture evenly in each muffin tin. (Tip: Using a fork, gently mix around the muffin ingredients to more evenly distribute them.) Sprinkle a little parsley on the top of each one to add a pop of color.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes (depends on your pan) or until golden brown on top and cooked through the middle. (Note: They will deflate a little after coming out of the oven. That’s normal.) Either enjoy them while warm, store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, or freeze using instructions below.
Freeze For Later: Bake according to instructions and let fully cool. Place muffins in a single layer in a gallon-sized freezer container or bag. Seal well, squeezing out excess air, and freeze.
Prepare From Frozen: Wrap a frozen muffin in a moist paper towel and microwave in 30-second increments until heated through (about 1-2 minutes). Or thaw in the refrigerator and warm in the microwave.
Notes/Tips
- Recommended Bread Type: We tested this with several different kinds of bread. First, it’s best if the bread is stale. The muffins don’t get as mushy that way. Second, we preferred the taste of sourdough bread the best in our tests. Try to avoid using bread with much sugar in it, because the muffins end up tasting a little sweet.
- Muffin Pan Recommendation: We highly recommend making these in a silicone pan, silicone muffin liners, or a non-stick enamel pan. They come out easily and clean-up is a cinch. However, when we’ve tested these in metal pans (even after spraying with cooking spray), the pan is terribly difficult to clean.
- To spice these up, add in a few dashed of hot sauce to the egg mixture.
- This is a great way to use up stale bread. In fact, I just store old bread pieces in a freezer bag until I’m ready to use it.
Mireia says
Delicious! I made them with sourdough bread and leftover gammon from a midweek roast. Very yummy and filling.
Carla from Thriving Home says
Glad you enjoyed them Mireia!
Becca says
Can you make these the day before/overnight and bake the next day?
Carla from Thriving Home says
Hi Becca. Yes, you could make these the day before and refrigerate to cook the next day. Let us know how they turn out!
Barb says
Quick Easy and oh so Delicious. Easy to follow recipe and the convenience of a “heat and go” breakfast. They are very versatile too. We love adding cooked bacon, sausage or the variety of cheeses such as swiss, jack, etc… Much healthier than Pop-tarts, or donuts.
Carla from Thriving Home says
Yes, much healthier than poptarts and donuts! 🙂 Thanks for leaving a review Barb. So glad your family is enjoying these.
Jo Ellen says
What would be your best tip for reheating in the oven instead of the microwave?
Carla from Thriving Home says
Hi Jo Ellen. We generally warm in the microwave. Our best guess for warming in the oven would be 5-7 minutes in a 350° oven. If it’s thawed, wrap it in some foil to keep it from drying out. If you perfect the method, please come back and comment so others will know the best way!
Amber B. says
I diced and sautéed veggies and used those with a little salt in place of ham. Delish. One time I didn’t mix the mustard powder in well enough and I got some extra strong bites of that…so be careful! I often just leave it out. But this is one of my favorite recipes.
Carla from Thriving Home says
Thanks for the tips Amber. I sometimes leave the mustard out also. And I looooooooove putting sautéed veggies in these with and without the meat! Yum!!
Rhiannon Samuels-Connell says
I can tell you like them and so do I. Maybe we could try them out together.
Barbara H says
I made these for breakfast over the weekend and they were delicious. I didn’t have ham, so I used bacon.
Carla from Thriving Home says
mmmmmm. I’ve never made it with bacon, but that sounds so good. Thank you for leaving a review Barbara!
Deb says
Yummy!!
Carla from Thriving Home says
So glad you like them Deb. Thanks for leaving a review.
Jeannie says
These are sooo good and love freezing them for a fast breakfast on the road. I change the bread to whatever I have everything bagels, English muffins, sausage or bacon and spices. So changeable. Love these!
Carla from Thriving Home says
Thanks Jeannie. I am the same way with using up whatever bread or meat I have on hand. I love the versatility! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
Heather says
Quick and easy! I changed it up a bit and used english muffins, bacon instead of ham, cayenne pepper and garlic powder to add some kick to the recipe. My hubby loved it both ways!!
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Yum! Love those tweaks. Thank for sharing!
Jocelyn says
Tried these today! Hot super puffed up and then collapsed as soon as they came out of oven. Greased cups a lot and are still sticking. ☹️
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Yes, the sticking can definitely be a problem depending on your pan. Sorry about that! We’ve found the silicone or silpat muffin pans or liners help with that. Anything with egg is going to puff up and then collapse some after coming out of the oven. Hopefully they still are tasty for you, though!
Carla says
One of my favorite breakfasts. Rarely do they make it to the freezer. But it gives us breakfast for a few days that week! I love that I can sub ingredients I have on hand.
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Thanks for the review, Carla!
Jeannie says
Thank I really need this
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Great, glad it’s a helpful recipe!
Angela Smith says
I made these this morning using some left over croissants and a few left over sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms. So easy and delicious. I may have measured something wrong or maybe it was just the added veggies but I had enough egg mixture left to make an 8X8 pan as well as the 12 muffins! Bonus breakfast.
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Oh wow, sounds delicious! Thanks for the feedback and review! 🙂
Betty Coffmam says
Tried this recipe to use stale zucchini bread so I left out the mustard and pepper in the eggs. Added a clump of cream cheese and a drizzle of syrup. Also made a few savory versions with Turkey and Swiss with regular bread. I let them soak up the egg for about 10 minutes before baking. They all turned out great! Will definitely make again.
Steph says
Hi are these suitable for a 10month baby as finger food?
Rachel Tiemeyer says
I think if it’s torn into small bites, it would likely work. They are pretty soft. But it’s been a while since I’ve been in that life stage so I would trust your judgment not mine. 🙂
Virginia Sprinkle says
Haven’t tried it yet. Sounds easy and yummy.