Air-Fried Egg White Bites: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Air fryer egg bites are a quick, easy, and nutritious breakfast option. They are a healthier and more cost-effective alternative to Starbucks' sous vide egg bites, which they resemble in taste and texture. The base recipe typically includes eggs, cheese, vegetables, and seasoning, but there are numerous variations to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. The bites can be modified to be low-carb, keto, or gluten-free, and they are ideal for meal prep as they can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or frozen for up to three months.

Ingredients and preparation

Ingredients:

• Non-stick cooking spray
• 6 large egg whites or 3/4 cup liquid egg whites
• 2 tablespoons milk (any type)
• 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
• 1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped sundried tomatoes (not in oil)
• 1-2 tablespoons of sliced green onion or scallion
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Ingredients:

• Bacon bits or cooked, chopped bacon
• Spinach or other leafy greens
• Shredded cheese
• Ham
• Sausage
• Tater tots
• Bell peppers
• Mushrooms
• Potato
• Cheddar-Jack cheese
• Mexican blend cheese
• Pizza blend cheese
• Feta cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Red pepper flakes
• Oregano
• Other spices

Preparation:

• Lightly spray a 7-cavity silicone egg bite mould with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
• Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and whisk to fully combine. Ensure that the egg whites are completely blended in.
• Evenly divide the egg mixture between the prepared cavities in the mould.
• Place the mould into the air fryer basket. Do not use the lid that comes with the mould.
• Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 12 minutes.
• Remove the mould from the air fryer and allow the egg bites to rest for 5 minutes. Note that they will deflate and become denser as they cool.
• Remove the egg bites from the mould and place them on a paper towel-lined plate for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can use a large measuring cup instead of a bowl to combine the ingredients, as it is easier to pour the mixture into the mould.
• You can substitute the feta cheese with other types of cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, or goat cheese.
• If you want to add vegetables, make sure they are finely chopped and precooked, with any excess moisture removed using paper towels.
• If you want to add meat, ensure it is chopped into small, evenly sized pieces.
• You can store the egg bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
• To reheat, microwave for about 15-20 seconds if cold or about 60 seconds if frozen.

Cooking method

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need:

• Non-stick cooking spray
• 6 large egg whites or 3/4 cup liquid egg whites
• 2 tablespoons of milk (any variety)
• 2 tablespoons of crumbled feta cheese
• 1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 scallion (green onion), sliced
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• 1/8 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

You will also need a 7-cavity silicone egg bite mold.

Lightly spray the egg bite mold with cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, add the egg whites, milk, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, scallion, salt, and pepper. Whisk the ingredients together until they are fully combined and the egg whites are blended in.

Evenly divide the egg mixture between the cavities in the mold. Place the mold into the air fryer basket, ensuring that you do not use the lid that comes with the mold.

Set your air fryer to 350°F and cook the egg bites for 12 minutes. Remove the mold from the air fryer and allow the egg bites to rest in the mold for 5 minutes. Note that the egg bites will be inflated when you first take them out of the air fryer but will deflate and become denser as they cool.

After 5 minutes, remove the egg bites from the mold and place them on a paper towel-lined plate for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can modify the recipe with different types of cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan.
• Add spices like red pepper flakes and oregano to suit your taste.
• Mixing the ingredients in a large measuring cup makes it easier to pour the mixture into the mold.

Customisation

Cheese

While feta cheese is a popular choice for egg white bites, you can easily substitute it with another variety of cheese. Some alternatives include Cheddar-Jack, Mexican blend, pizza blend, goat cheese, parmesan, cottage cheese, ricotta, or cream cheese. You can even use dairy-free or freshly grated cheese.

Meat

Bacon bits are a convenient option, but you can also cook and chop your own bacon, or use ham, breakfast sausage, or deli meat such as turkey. If you prefer a vegetarian option, simply leave out the meat.

Vegetables

Spinach is a common addition to egg white bites due to its nutritional value, but you can also substitute it with other leafy greens such as mixed greens, arugula, kale, butterhead lettuce, or Swiss chard. You can also try chopped frozen spinach (thawed) or add a little potato to the mix. Just thaw some tater tots, chop them up, and put a few pieces in each mould before adding the egg mixture.

Herbs and Spices

Fresh herbs like finely chopped parsley, chives, dill, or oregano can add a tasty flavour boost to your egg white bites. You can also experiment with different spices like red pepper flakes and oregano.

Other Add-Ins

Feel free to get creative and add other ingredients like sour cream, heavy cream, diced olives (be sure to remove excess oil with a paper towel), or crushed garlic or garlic powder. Just remember that too many mix-ins can cause the egg whites to not bind together properly.

Storage

Once your egg white bites are cooked, you'll want to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

To freeze, place the cooled egg bites in a single layer on a small baking sheet or plate and freeze for about an hour. Then, transfer the frozen egg bites to a freezer bag or container. This method allows you to remove one egg bite from the freezer at a time, rather than having them all stuck together.

To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, and warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or in the air fryer for a few minutes, until warmed through. If reheating from frozen, microwave for about 60 seconds. There's no need to thaw first.

Reheating

If you're reheating egg white bites that have been stored in the fridge, you can use the microwave. Place the egg bites on a paper towel and heat for 15-20 seconds. You can also reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through.

If you're reheating from frozen, you don't need to thaw the egg bites first. Simply microwave for 45-60 seconds, or reheat in the air fryer.

It's worth noting that the texture of the egg bites will change slightly when reheated from frozen. You may also want to blot up any excess moisture with a paper towel before serving.

Frequently asked questions