Hash browns make a delicious crust for grab-and-go egg bites made in a muffin tin

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 3 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups shredded Mexican-style four-cheese blend
• 6 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
• 6 slicesbacon, crisp-cooked and chopped
• chopped fresh chives, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease 12 (2 1/2-inch) muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. Wrap hash browns in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze to remove as much moisture as possible. Stir together hash browns, melted butter, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Press about 1/4 cup of the hash brown mixture into bottom and up the sides of each prepared muffin cup.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, 18 to 20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, stir together cheese, eggs, bell pepper, and crushed red pepper (if using) in a bowl.
5. Remove muffin tin from the oven. Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Top hash browns with half of the bacon. Top with egg mixture and remaining bacon. Bake until a knife inserted into centers comes out clean, 13 to 15 minutes. Garnish with chives.