Name: Ham and Cheese Egg Bites
Ingredients: Eggs: The star of the show! You’ll need 12 large eggs to create a generous batch of egg bites. Eggs provide protein, structure, and that wonderful fluffy texture. Using fresh, high-quality eggs will always yield the best results.; Cooked Ham: Diced ham adds a savory, salty flavor and a satisfying meaty element to these egg bites. You can use leftover ham from a holiday dinner, deli ham, or even pre-cooked ham cubes for convenience. Look for a good quality ham that isn’t overly processed for the best taste.; Shredded Cheese: Cheese is essential for that gooey, melty goodness and adds a creamy richness. Cheddar cheese is a classic choice for ham and cheese, providing a sharp and tangy flavor that complements the ham perfectly. However, you can experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or a blend of your favorites. Pre-shredded cheese works great for convenience, or you can shred your own for potentially better melting.; Milk or Cream: A splash of milk or cream helps to lighten the egg mixture and create a softer, more tender texture. Whole milk will add richness, while cream will make them even more decadent. For a lighter option, you can use 2% milk or even unsweetened almond milk, though this may slightly alter the texture.; Salt and Black Pepper: Simple seasonings, but crucial for enhancing the flavor of the egg bites. Salt brings out the natural flavors of the eggs, ham, and cheese, while black pepper adds a touch of warmth and spice. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred for its bolder flavor.; Optional: Fresh Herbs (Chives, Parsley, or Green Onions): While optional, a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or green onions adds a burst of f

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these delightful egg bites. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the ability to customize it to your liking, but these are the core ingredients for a classic and crowd-pleasing version:

Eggs: The star of the show! You’ll need 12 large eggs to create a generous batch of egg bites. Eggs provide protein, structure, and that wonderful fluffy texture. Using fresh, high-quality eggs will always yield the best results.
Cooked Ham: Diced ham adds a savory, salty flavor and a satisfying meaty element to these egg bites. You can use leftover ham from a holiday dinner, deli ham, or even pre-cooked ham cubes for convenience. Look for a good quality ham that isn’t overly processed for the best taste.
Shredded Cheese: Cheese is essential for that gooey, melty goodness and adds a creamy richness. Cheddar cheese is a classic choice for ham and cheese, providing a sharp and tangy flavor that complements the ham perfectly. However, you can experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Gruyere, or a blend of your favorites. Pre-shredded cheese works great for convenience, or you can shred your own for potentially better melting.
Milk or Cream: A splash of milk or cream helps to lighten the egg mixture and create a softer, more tender texture. Whole milk will add richness, while cream will make them even more decadent. For a lighter option, you can use 2% milk or even unsweetened almond milk, though this may slightly alter the texture.
Salt and Black Pepper: Simple seasonings, but crucial for enhancing the flavor of the egg bites. Salt brings out the natural flavors of the eggs, ham, and cheese, while black pepper adds a touch of warmth and spice. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred for its bolder flavor.
Optional: Fresh Herbs (Chives, Parsley, or Green Onions): While optional, a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or green onions adds a burst of f

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Instructions

Creating these Ham and Cheese Egg Bites is surprisingly easy and straightforward. Follow these simple steps to bake up a batch of deliciousness:

Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when you place the egg bites in, allowing them to bake evenly. While the oven is preheating, lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or olive oil. This is crucial to prevent the egg bites from sticking to the tin and making them easy to remove after baking. Alternatively, you can use silicone muffin liners for even easier cleanup.
Whisk Eggs and Milk/Cream: In a large mixing bowl, crack all 12 eggs. Add the milk or cream to the bowl. Using a whisk, vigorously whisk the eggs and milk (or cream) together until they are well combined and slightly frothy. Whisking incorporates air into the mixture, which contributes to the light and fluffy texture of the egg bites. Continue whisking for about a minute or two until the mixture is homogenous and pale yellow.
Season the Egg Mixture: Now, season the egg mixture with salt and black pepper. Start with about ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, and adjust to your taste. Remember that ham and cheese are already salty, so don’t over-season initially. You can always add more seasoning later if needed. If you are using fresh herbs, add them to the egg mixture at this stage as well.
Add Ham and Cheese: Add the diced ham and shredded cheese to the bowl with the egg mixture. Gently fold the ham and cheese into the egg mixture using a spatula or spoon. Distribute the ham and cheese evenly throughout the mixture, ensuring that each egg bite will have a good amount of both.
Fill the Muffin Tin: Carefully pour or spoon the egg mixture into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ full. Don’t overfill the cups, as the egg bites will puff up slightly during baking. Leaving some space at the top will prevent them from overflowing. Ensure that each muffin cup receives a relatively even distribution of ham and cheese.
Bake in the Preheated Oven: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the egg bites are set and lightly golden brown on top. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of your muffin tin. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of an egg bite. If it comes out clean, the egg bites are cooked through. They should also be firm to the touch and no longer jiggly in the center.
Cool Slightly and Serve: Once baked, remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the egg bites cool in the tin for a few minutes. This allows them to set slightly and makes them easier to remove. After a few minutes of cooling, gently loosen the edges of each egg bite with a knife or spatula and carefully remove them from the muffin tin. Serve them warm and enjoy! They are delicious as is, or you can serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside other breakfast or brunch items.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 220
Protein: 15 grams