This Denver-style ham and cheese egg bites recipe turns leftover holiday ham into a quick and delicious start to your day! They're protein-packed with a touch of veggies for a balanced, freezer-friendly, make-ahead breakfast that's perfect for busy mornings.
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I made a small boneless ham for Christmas Eve dinner and saved the leftovers in the freezer for later. Recently, I used some of that leftover ham to make easy breakfast egg bites. They quickly became a favorite in our house. I chopped the ham into small pieces and mixed it into an egg base with cheddar cheese. It’s a simple ham and cheese combination, but these baked egg bites turned out incredibly flavorful and delicious.
Between my husband and me, this make-ahead breakfast was gone in just a few days. That inspired me to whip up another batch of egg bites - this time with a twist! I added diced onion and green bell pepper to the ham and cheddar mixture, giving these egg bites all the flavors of a classic Denver (or Western) omelet, but in a compact form that’s perfect for busy mornings.
Being in a post-holiday breakfast rut lately, these egg bites have become an effortless breakfast option. I'll heat them in the microwave and enjoy them on their own, paired with breakfast potatoes, a slice of toast, or even wrapped in a tortilla for an easy breakfast sandwich. I also love adding a splash of hot sauce on top for a little extra kick!
Ham and Cheese Egg Bites with Bell Peppers (Denver-Style)
If you have leftover holiday ham in the freezer and you’re looking for a delicious, easy way to use it up, bake a batch of these Denver-style egg bites. They’re perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly, too. Plus, they’re protein-packed with a touch of veggies, which makes them a great fit for any “new year, new me” meal plan.
Let's get started on this easy breakfast recipe! First, generously grease a standard 12 cup muffin tin. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, we'll give the peppers and onions a quick cook in a skillet.
Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the peppers and onions just until they soften. This will take only a few minutes. Then, remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs, milk, a pinch of garlic powder, salt and pepper. Whisk it together.
Then, stir in the ham, cheese, and sauteed vegetables.
Divide the egg mixture evenly between the muffin cups. Bake for about 20-22 minutes. The eggs should be set and slightly golden brown around the edges and the cheese should be melted.
Allow the egg bites to cool slightly before removing. Use a spoon to gently scoop them out of the pan. Cool completely to store for later, or enjoy immediately with a drizzle of hot sauce on top.
Ham and Cheese Egg Bites with Bell Peppers (Denver-Style)
Equipment
- 1 standard 12 cup muffin tin
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 8 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3/4 cup cooked ham diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Pinch of garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and generously grease a standard 12 cup muffin tin.
- In a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat and sauté bell pepper and onion just until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, milk, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Stir in ham, cheese, and sauteed vegetables.
- Divide the egg mixture evenly among the muffin cups.
- Bake 20-22 minutes, or until set in the middle and golden brown around the edges.
- Allow egg bites to cool slightly before carefully removing from the pan (this is easy to do with a spoon).
- Serve with hot sauce, if desired.
How to Freeze Ham and Cheese Egg Bites
If you're planning to freeze these egg bites after baking a batch, first allow them to cool completely. Then, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the egg bites on the baking sheet, spread apart so they don't touch. Freeze the egg bites until they're solid. Then, transfer the egg bites to a freezer bag or container. When you're ready to reheat them, microwave 1-2 egg bites (per person) for about 1 minute.
Did you make this Ham and Cheese Egg Bites with Bell Peppers (Denver-Style) recipe? Share it on social media using the hashtag #holokahome. Don’t forget to tag me @holokahome!
