This perfectly portioned Egg Strata Recipe is easy to make, serve and enjoy! These mini egg casseroles are stuffed with all your favorite breakfast ingredients – bread, bacon and cheese.
Make these breakfast bites ahead (they freeze beautifully) or just before guests arrive! The result is nothing short of amazing – filling strata cups that will actually have your guests craving seconds.
I have to admit, I’ve never been a fan of breakfast casseroles. They evoke memories of cheap white bread covered in grease, all baked together for one all too heavy slice and before you know it, you’re being offered a second just as you’re trying to swallow the first. However, the concept is good. All of your breakfast favorites quickly combined to make breakfast for many.
I’ve taken a slightly lighter and more beautiful approach to the breakfast casserole, creating individual serving egg strata cups where each are baked to perfection. Perfect for serving a crowd at Easter or Mother’s Day brunch, without a lot of effort.
Table of Contents
Egg Strata Ingredients:
- Eggs – The base of any savory breakfast recipe, I like to use Organic Free-Range Large eggs. Fresh is best for exceptional flavor.
- Milk – Whole milk works best. I tried this strata recipe with low-fat milk and the results just didn’t stand up.
- French Bread – Rather than the conventional white bread, French bread offers better flavor and texture. If you want a richer egg flavor, brioche bread would be wonderful.
- Colby Jack Cheese – I like the slight bite of Colby Jack (which melts beautifully). Purchase the whole block at the grocery store and grate it fresh at home. And if you can’t find Colby Jack, a soft Cheddar will do.
- Bacon – It’s a breakast bite after all and bacon makes everything better! Drained center-cut is my go-to bacon of choice.
- Pepper – Freshly cracked black pepper has better flavor than the pre-ground variety. Purchase a small peppermill and whole black peppercorns for all your black pepper needs.
- Dill – Dill brightens up the entire strata recipe and gives them that extra-special homemade feel. I use a few pinches dried dill. If you have fresh dill on hand, reserve it to garnish after baking to maintain its bright green color.
How to Make the Egg Strata Recipe:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and milk.
- Stir in bread and cheese until completely coated. Add 3/4 of the bacon, reserving the remaining for garnish.
- Scoop into greased muffin tins with an ice cream scoop, topping off with remaining egg mixture. Garnish with bacon and dill.
- Bake 15 minutes.
Whats the Difference Between a Frittata and a Strata Recipe?
Even though they sound the same, these two recipes are completely different.
A frittata is an open-faced Italian omelet with all the filling ingredients cooked on top. A strata is layers of egg, milk, bread and cheese baked into a puffy casserole.
Do You Have to Let Egg Strata Sit Overnight?
You can certainly let egg strata sit overnight to help the ingredients meld together. But why take the extra step when you don’t have to! This easy egg breakfast recipe requires no extra soaking time. Which means egg strata will be coming to you and your guests in no time!
Can You Freeze the Breakfast Bites Recipe?
Yes! These perfectly portioned breakfast bites freeze beautifully! That’s what makes egg strata such a great make ahead recipe to feed a crowd at your next weekend or holiday brunch.
To freeze, simply bake and cool completely. Transfer to a plastic freezer storage bag, tightly seal, label, date, and stick in your freezer for up to 1 month.
To reheat egg strata from frozen, place on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until completely warmed through.
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More Egg Recipes You’ll Love:
- Chorizo Burrito Mexican Breakfast Casserole
- Amazing Egg Noodles
- Quiche
- Avocado Deviled Eggs (Avocado Egg)
- The Best Deviled Eggs Recipe
Breakfast Strata Cups Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 1 1/4 c milk
- 1 french bread loaf, cubed
- 8 oz colby jack cheese shredded
- 1 lb bacon cooked, drained and broken into pieces
- pepper fresh cracked
- dill optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and milk.
- Stir in bread and cheese until completely coated. Add 3/4 of the bacon, reserving the remaining for garnish.
- Scoop into greased muffin tins with an ice cream scoop topping off with remaining egg mixture. Garnish with bacon and dill.
- Bake 15 minutes.
Can a mini muffin be used? How would the baking time vary?
To be honest, that just wouldn’t be big enough in my personal opinion.
Excellent recipe! Thank you!
Thank you, Kate!
Sounds yummy! What size muffin pan, regular or large?? Also, how many ounces of bread??
Just a standard muffin tin. I always purchase the store bought loaves and measure from what I cut, but about 1 large loaf.
What a great idea!! I’m pinning to make this as soon as we can. I’m always looking for quick and easy breakfasts, but I don’t want to shortchange on taste or appearance. Love the muffins.
Thanks, Marisa! Enjoy!
How many cups is one loaf?
Such an easy breakfast recipe! I love adding my own favorite ingredients like ham and spinach!
What size (weight) french bread loaf should be used in this strata recipe?
Hi is there a way to make this the night before? Or is it better to make fresh right before brunch?
You absolutely can! Enjoy!