These quick and easy Creamy Egg Cups make a great grab-and-go breakfast for busy mornings!
Simple to prepare and very convenient, these Creamy Egg Cups in a jar are a favorite way to use canning jars for meal prep. Meals in jars help with portion control, compact storage, minimal cleanup and easy reheating when mornings get hectic.
Quick and Easy Creamy Egg Cups on the Go
Preparing several jars at once means my husband and I can enjoy a variety of ready-to-heat breakfasts. I also make extras for family members who need portable meals—like my son-in-law who joined a church baseball league—so they have tasty, portable options that are simple to store. Cleanup is a breeze: one or two dishes instead of a sink full.
About the Jars I Use to Make Meals in a Jar
I use a variety of canning jars from manufacturers such as Ball and Kerr. For these Creamy Egg Cups I prefer 8-ounce wide-mouth jars because they’re easy to fill and pack. Ball also makes 8-ounce jars that are taller and narrower (regular mouth) which work fine if that’s what you have on hand.
Shorter jars are handy when assembling breakfast sandwiches or slicing bread for layered meals. When I’m cooking for one I sometimes make single-serving bread in a mug, which pairs well with these egg cups.
I also make bread-in-a-mug recipes from Trim Healthy Mama when it’s just for me.
Important Notes about Cooking in Canning Jars
I only bake or cook in jars that have NOT been used in the freezer. This is a safety preference to reduce the risk of thermal shock.
Allow jars stored in the refrigerator to sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before reheating (to help avoid temperature shock that can crack the glass).
If baking jars in the oven, place foil between them to stabilize and add about 1 inch of water to the baking pan (this helps ensure even heating and reduces the chance of jars shattering).
Allow jars to cool on a wire rack after removing from the oven or Instant Pot before returning them to the refrigerator.
Inspect jars regularly and replace them yearly or sooner if they become chipped, cracked or painted—never use damaged jars for cooking.
When in doubt, replace the jar.
If you enjoy meals in jars, you might also like other jar recipes such as Chicken Cordon Bleu Cups.
Creamy Egg Cups in a Jar Recipe
- Egg Mixture
- 6 whole eggs
- 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or preferred mineral salt)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Optional Fillings
- Diced bell peppers
- Diced onion
- Diced mushrooms
- Shredded cheese
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Steamed vegetables
- Supplies
- 3 — 8 ounce wide-mouth canning jars
- Dice meats and vegetables, shred cheese if using, and set aside.
- Wash and sterilize three 8-ounce canning jars. Coat the interior with butter or a light spray of coconut oil.
- Combine the eggs, cottage cheese, heavy cream, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor and pulse briefly. Try not to incorporate excess air into the mixture.
- Place meat first, then a bit of cheese, then vegetables, more cheese if desired. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the fillings until each jar is about 1/2 to 3/4 full.
- Lightly tap jars on the counter to release air bubbles and pop any large bubbles with a wooden skewer. Cover jars with foil or set lids lightly on top—do not seal tightly. Eggs expand while cooking, so avoid overfilling.
- Place the trivet in the inner liner and add 1 cup water. Preheating the water slightly by using the sauté function can shorten time to pressure.
- Place three foil-covered jars on the trivet. Close and lock the lid, set the vent to “sealing,” and process on low pressure for 5 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes.
- Remove jars and cool on a wire rack before serving or storing in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Place jars in an 8×8 or 9×13 pan with 1/2 to 1 inch of water. Bake about 25 minutes, then remove and cool on a wire rack before serving or refrigerating for 3–4 days.
- Remove the lid and microwave each jar for about 1 minute or until heated through. Top with extra cheese, salsa or hot sauce if desired.