Prosciutto Egg Cups: A Delicious and Easy Breakfast Recipe
Looking for a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast or brunch option? Look no further than these Prosciutto Egg Cups! They’re packed with flavor, protein, and are incredibly versatile. You can customize them with your favorite cheeses, vegetables, and herbs. Plus, they’re naturally low-carb and keto-friendly, making them a perfect choice for those watching their carb intake. These egg cups are also fantastic for meal prepping. Make a batch on Sunday and enjoy them throughout the week for a grab-and-go breakfast. Let’s dive into the recipe and learn how to make these delightful Prosciutto Egg Cups.
Why You’ll Love These Prosciutto Egg Cups
* **Easy to Make:** These egg cups require minimal effort and only a few simple ingredients.
* **Customizable:** The recipe is highly adaptable. Feel free to add your favorite cheeses, vegetables, and spices.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** Perfect for meal prepping. They store well in the refrigerator and are easily reheated.
* **Healthy and Delicious:** Packed with protein and healthy fats, these egg cups are a nutritious and satisfying way to start your day.
* **Elegant Presentation:** They look great, making them perfect for brunches and gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we begin, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients. This recipe is designed to be flexible, so feel free to adjust the quantities based on your preferences.
* **Prosciutto:** 6-8 slices, thinly sliced. Prosciutto forms the “cup” and adds a salty, savory flavor. Look for high-quality prosciutto for the best taste.
* **Eggs:** 6 large eggs. Eggs are the base of the egg cups, providing protein and structure.
* **Heavy Cream (or Milk):** 2 tablespoons. Heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the egg mixture. Milk can be substituted for a lighter option.
* **Cheese:** 1/4 cup shredded cheese (such as Gruyere, mozzarella, cheddar, or Parmesan). Cheese adds flavor and melts beautifully. Gruyere and mozzarella are excellent choices.
* **Vegetables (Optional):** 1/4 cup chopped vegetables (such as spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes). Vegetables add nutrients, color, and texture to the egg cups.
* **Fresh Herbs (Optional):** 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (such as chives, parsley, or basil). Fresh herbs add a burst of flavor and freshness.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste. Seasoning is essential to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **Olive Oil or Cooking Spray:** For greasing the muffin tin.
Equipment You’ll Need
* **Muffin Tin:** A standard 12-cup muffin tin is ideal.
* **Mixing Bowl:** For whisking the eggs and other ingredients.
* **Whisk:** To combine the egg mixture.
* **Cutting Board and Knife:** For chopping vegetables and herbs.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** To measure ingredients accurately.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now, let’s get into the detailed steps on how to make these delicious Prosciutto Egg Cups. Follow these instructions carefully for the best results.
**Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Muffin Tin**
* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the egg cups cook evenly.
* Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with olive oil or cooking spray. This prevents the egg cups from sticking to the tin.
**Step 2: Prepare the Prosciutto Cups**
* Line each muffin cup with a slice or two of prosciutto, overlapping them slightly to create a “cup.” Make sure the prosciutto covers the bottom and sides of the muffin cup. This is the base that will hold the egg mixture. If the prosciutto slices are small, use two slices per cup.
**Step 3: Whisk the Eggs and Add Ingredients**
* In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream (or milk), salt, and pepper until well combined. Be sure to whisk thoroughly to ensure a smooth and even mixture.
* If using, add the chopped vegetables and fresh herbs to the egg mixture and stir to incorporate. This will distribute the vegetables and herbs evenly throughout the egg cups.
**Step 4: Fill the Prosciutto Cups**
* Pour the egg mixture into each prosciutto-lined muffin cup, filling them about 3/4 full. Be careful not to overfill the cups, as the egg mixture will expand during baking.
* Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of each egg cup. This will create a cheesy and flavorful topping.
**Step 5: Bake the Egg Cups**
* Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the egg cups are set and the prosciutto is crispy. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.
* The egg cups are done when they are puffed up and no longer wobbly. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
**Step 6: Cool and Serve**
* Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the egg cups cool in the tin for a few minutes. This allows them to set slightly and makes them easier to remove.
* Carefully remove the egg cups from the muffin tin using a knife or spatula. Gently loosen the edges and lift them out.
* Serve the Prosciutto Egg Cups immediately. They are delicious on their own or with a side of toast, avocado, or a fresh salad.
Tips for Perfect Prosciutto Egg Cups
* **Use High-Quality Prosciutto:** The quality of the prosciutto will significantly impact the flavor of the egg cups. Choose a good-quality prosciutto for the best taste.
* **Don’t Overfill the Muffin Cups:** Overfilling the cups can cause the egg mixture to spill over during baking, resulting in a messy muffin tin.
* **Adjust Baking Time as Needed:** Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the egg cups and adjust the baking time accordingly.
* **Let Cool Slightly Before Removing:** Allowing the egg cups to cool slightly before removing them from the muffin tin helps them set and prevents them from breaking.
* **Experiment with Different Fillings:** Get creative with your fillings! Try different combinations of cheeses, vegetables, and herbs to find your favorite flavor combinations.
Variations and Add-Ins
The beauty of these Prosciutto Egg Cups is that they are incredibly versatile. Here are a few variations and add-ins to inspire you:
* **Spinach and Feta:** Add chopped spinach and crumbled feta cheese to the egg mixture for a Mediterranean-inspired twist.
* **Mushroom and Swiss:** Sauté diced mushrooms and add them to the egg mixture along with shredded Swiss cheese.
* **Bell Pepper and Cheddar:** Add diced bell peppers and shredded cheddar cheese for a colorful and flavorful combination.
* **Tomato and Basil:** Add chopped cherry tomatoes and fresh basil to the egg mixture for a Caprese-inspired egg cup.
* **Spicy Sausage and Pepper Jack:** Crumble cooked spicy sausage and add it to the egg mixture along with shredded pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
* **Everything Bagel Seasoning:** Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top of the egg cups before baking for added flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions
These Prosciutto Egg Cups are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your meal:
* **Side Salad:** Serve with a fresh side salad for a light and refreshing meal.
* **Toast or English Muffins:** Enjoy with a slice of toast or an English muffin for added carbs.
* **Avocado Slices:** Add slices of avocado for a healthy and creamy addition.
* **Fruit Salad:** Pair with a fruit salad for a balanced and nutritious breakfast or brunch.
* **Yogurt and Granola:** Serve with a side of yogurt and granola for added protein and fiber.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
These Prosciutto Egg Cups are perfect for meal prepping. Here’s how to make them ahead of time and store them:
* **Make-Ahead:** Prepare the egg cups as instructed, but don’t bake them. Cover the muffin tin with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed.
* **Storage:** Store baked Prosciutto Egg Cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer until warmed through.
* **Freezing:** Allow the baked egg cups to cool completely. Wrap each egg cup individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used. However, here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for one Prosciutto Egg Cup (using the basic recipe):
* **Calories:** Approximately 150-200 calories
* **Protein:** 10-15 grams
* **Fat:** 10-15 grams
* **Carbohydrates:** 1-2 grams
Prosciutto Egg Cups Recipe
Here is the complete recipe for Prosciutto Egg Cups, ready for you to enjoy!
**Yields:** 6-12 egg cups
**Prep time:** 10 minutes
**Cook time:** 15-20 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 6-8 slices prosciutto, thinly sliced
* 6 large eggs
* 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
* 1/4 cup shredded cheese (such as Gruyere, mozzarella, cheddar, or Parmesan)
* 1/4 cup chopped vegetables (optional, such as spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes)
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (optional, such as chives, parsley, or basil)
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Olive oil or cooking spray, for greasing the muffin tin
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Line each muffin cup with a slice or two of prosciutto, overlapping slightly to create a “cup.”
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream (or milk), salt, and pepper until well combined.
4. If using, add the chopped vegetables and fresh herbs to the egg mixture and stir to incorporate.
5. Pour the egg mixture into each prosciutto-lined muffin cup, filling them about 3/4 full.
6. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of each egg cup.
7. Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the egg cups are set and the prosciutto is crispy.
8. Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the egg cups cool in the tin for a few minutes.
9. Carefully remove the egg cups from the muffin tin using a knife or spatula.
10. Serve immediately.
Conclusion
These Prosciutto Egg Cups are a delightful and easy way to start your day. With their customizable fillings and make-ahead convenience, they’re perfect for busy mornings or weekend brunches. Give this recipe a try and discover your new favorite breakfast! Enjoy!