Starbucks Egg Bites: What To Know Before Ordering
McDonald's and Chick-fil-A breakfasts often get all the hype, but are we ignoring the fact that Starbucks has an option that's protein-packed and fairly healthy for you? This menu item is none other than the chain's famous Starbucks Egg Bites. Since their initial release in 2017, they have grown quite the loyal fan base, with many trying to make their own versions at home, per Popsugar.
The first types available were the Bacon and Gruyère and Egg White and Roasted Pepper, which are both still on the menu, according to Cosmopolitan. The article then goes on to compare the Sous Vide Egg Bites to "your favorite breakfast sandwich stuffed into an egg ball." Now, how delicious does that sound? As stated before, this menu item has been for a few years, but if you have yet to try these delicious bites of protein, here are some fast facts to know before ordering.
What are Starbucks Egg Bites?
As mentioned before, Starbucks Egg Bites are a food menu item. Though they are categorized as "breakfast," like other Starbucks menu items, you can order them throughout the day, according to The Daily Meal. This differs from other fast-food chains, like McDonald's, which stops selling breakfast at 10:30 a.m. on weekdays and close to 11 a.m. on weekends (via McDonald's FAQ).
According to the Starbucks website, they are currently available in three different varieties: Kale & Portabella Mushroom Sous Vide, Bacon & Gruyère Sous Vide, and Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Sous Vide. "Sous vide" refers to a French cooking technique where the eggs are bathed in a temperature-controlled bath, leading to a "velvety texture bursting with flavor," (via Starbucks).
Despite how seemingly simple the concept of Egg Bites is, Starbucks truly launched this food item into major popularity. Per Delish, brands like Costco began selling their own version, with enthusiasts scouring their favorite grocery stores for other possible copycat varieties.
What do Starbucks Egg Bites cost?
Depending on how big your Starbucks budget usually is, Egg Bites are a relatively affordable breakfast, usually costing around $4.45 per order, according to Aisle of Shame. This is around the same price as a Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino, so take with that what you will (via Real Menu Prices).
However, if you are a devout coffee drinker and visit your local Starbucks daily, this price can definitely add up quickly. Some others claim that even as an occasional treat, Egg Bites cost way more than they should. A Brand Eating reviewer noted that for the small size of the dish, $4.45 was a bit much.
Thankfully, you can find a number of similar products at other stores. An Aldi copycat had quite a fan following, and if you want to save some money during your next Starbucks run and skip the Egg Bites, this is a pretty good option.
What are they made out of and how do they taste?
The bulk of each egg bite is relatively similar, with an egg base, unsalted butter, and Monterey Jack cheese, according to Starbucks' website.
Egg Bites are listed under the "hot breakfast" menu at Starbucks, along with other favorites such as the Bacon, Gouda, and Egg Sandwich and the Sausage, Cheddar, and Egg Sandwich. They are a nice alternative to these sandwich options if you're craving something less dense and filling.
However, a reviewer from Eater claimed that besides their great macros, Egg Bites aren't really worth all the hype. The reviewer likened them to "an equally odd foodstuff I consumed far too much of in the '90s: Snackwells devil's food cookie cakes," and recommended possibly staying with "that egg sandwich all along."
That being said, don't knock it until you try it — maybe these low-calorie, savory bites of goodness might be your newest Starbucks staple.
When were Egg Bites released and are they a permanent staple?
Egg Bites were released in early 2017, according to Food Business News. Since then, they have been labeled as an "emerging food trend," making it unlikely that they would be taken off the menu — ever. As stated before, they are a great option for anyone craving a lighter, low-calorie breakfast and two flavors are vegetarian-friendly.
However, one flavor did get recently discontinued, and that is the Ham, Cheddar, and Peppers Sous Vide Egg Bites. Reddit users clearly weren't happy about this decision. It's actually quite surprising how Starbucks chose to remove this variety from the menu, due to how apparently popular they were.
But to make up for that loss, in 2021, the fast-food company released the Kale & Portabella Mushroom flavor, which has since become a hit. One Reddit user, by the screen name of outerse, described them as "SO good. Like almost too good to be from Starbucks."
Nutritional info for Starbucks Egg Bites
What makes Egg Bites a very appealing breakfast choice to many is the fact that they are relatively low in calories, yet contain a considerable amount of protein.
The Kale & Portabella Mushroom contains 15 grams of protein and is less than 250 calories, making it a great vegetarian breakfast option.
The Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper contains slightly less protein, but also averages 170 calories per serving and is also vegetarian.
The Bacon & Gruyère is protein-packed from having bits of applewood-smoked bacon, making it 300 calories per serving. However, it is also higher in cholesterol, making up 72% of a person's recommended intake, which is something to be mindful of.
All three varieties also aren't dairy-free, for all our lactose intolerant readers out there. But if you are a cheese lover, you'll be happy to hear that each type of Egg Bite includes creamy Monterey Jack cheese to bind each morsel together, as well as to add some extra savory flavor.