If you have been to a potluck in the last 20 years, you have probably had the pleasure of trying Potatoes Romanoff, also known as Funeral Potatoes or Hashbrown Casserole. It's a tasty hashbrown casserole-type dish with hash browns, sour cream, cheese, and onions, and that dish was the inspiration behind these Maple Sausage Brunch Bites. If you are a little bored with the typical breakfast food or looking for breakfast items for a potluck, you'll love these!
These won the Grand Prize in the Johnsonville Sausage Recipe Contest using Maple Breakfast Sausages. They are not only contest-winning, but they are easy, quick, and freeze well. They are also ideal if you're looking for breakfast potluck ideas or for a special occasion breakfast like Mother's Day or Christmas morning. And they are the perfect portable, on-the-go breakfast food.
🍒Reader Review
"I have made these twice now, and they are absolutely delicious! I used regular sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and cream of mushroom soup, rather than the low-fat versions." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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This was one of the first big recipe contests I won. I was flown to Florida to make them for a segment on "In the Kitch". It was a lot of fun, and they are still some of my very best recipe creations and my family's favorite recipes. You can check out my other award-winning recipes here.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Portable. These brunch bites travel well and can be heated up again. Great for taking along to a potluck brunch.
- Make Ahead. You can make these breakfast bites a couple of days in advance or months ahead and freeze them. When I make them, I often store them in the freezer and take them out to heat up as needed.
- Easy to Make. These brunch bites are easy to make - just toss all the ingredients together and pack them into a muffin tin!
- Delicious & Hearty! These brunch bites are absolutely scrumptious, and you get a full breakfast in one little bite. I get nothing but compliments when I serve these!
- Breakfast Finger Food. There is not a lot (or enough) of savory breakfast finger foods around! These are great for quick weekday breakfasts, potlucks, holiday breakfasts, and leisurely breakfasts where people graze.
We often have breakfast potlucks (meetings) at work, and it's not easy to come up with breakfast finger foods that are easy to reheat and are satisfying. So I brought these to a potluck brunch, and they were a hit!
🥘 Ingredient Notes
These are the EXACT same ingredients I use in my Potatoes Romanoff with Hash browns, with the addition of eggs and breakfast sausage. For this brunch bites recipe, you'll need the following:
- Cream of mushroom soup. (concentrated canned mushroom soup). Mushroom soup adds additional creaminess and a welcome subtle mushroom flavor.
- Breakfast sausages - Maple breakfast sausages are the best-tasting! They add a hint of maple flavor and texture to these brunch bites! Alternatively, you can use air fryer turkey sausages to lighten them up and add a little maple syrup or a very small amount of maple extract (⅛ tsp).
- Frozen hash browns. Frozen hashbrowns are quick, convenient, and economical. I use the shredded hashbrowns for this recipe. You can use the shredded or cubed hashbrowns (though the shredded tend to hold together much better). * I recommend you thaw the hash browns before cooking. Cooking them frozen will cause the heat to spread unevenly, and your hash browns might cook on the outside while the inside remains frozen. Cooking them frozen might also result in them becoming too mushy and/or watery.
- Cheese. I use low-fat sharp/old cheddar cheese. It's best to shred it yourself, as the pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking additives and does not melt as well.
*Please see recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
Top tip
You can make your own cream of anything soup if you don't have any on hand. (*Scroll down to #17)
🔪Step-by- Step: How to make Brunch Bites
Just follow these easy instructions!
Prep: cook sausages according to package instructions. Once browned, set aside. Chop cooked sausage links into ¼ inch circles.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 12 muffin cups thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray.
Cook onion in butter together for 3 minutes on high in the microwave.
In a separate bowl, combine the defrosted hashbrowns, onion cooked in butter, mushroom soup, sour cream, eggs, grated cheddar cheese, and sausages.
Mix until fully combined
Scoop mixture into muffin tins to the top and pack down tightly with spatula (ensure they are packed to the top to make for easier removal).
Bake for 20-30 minutes in preheated oven.
Remove from oven, let cool for about 3-5 minutes, then run a butter knife around the edge of each muffin cup to loosen the Maple Sausage Brunch Bites.
Gently lift brunch bites out of the pan.
Serve with ketchup or salsa.
Expert Tips
- Generously spray your muffin pan with non-stick spray.
- Make sure you really pack them into the muffin tins (using a spatula helps)!
- Let them cool for at least 3-5 minutes and run a butter knife along the edge of each bite.
- Let them cool for a full 10 minutes (after running a knife around the rim) and before trying to remove them from the pan.
- Use shredded hash browns, as they hold together better than the cubed ones.
- Cut sausages into ¼ inch circles.
🍹🥗Drinks and Side Dishes to go with Brunch Bites
I highly recommend serving them with Classic fruit salad and Mimosa mocktails, of course! You can also serve them with fresh fruit, such as the kiwi fruit flowers in the photos. See how to make them here: Video: (TikTok) How to Make a Kiwi Garnish
Try them with my Raspberry Mimosa Mocktail (it can also be spiked), and you have yourself a perfect, easy, make-ahead meal for your Mother's Day brunch or any special brunch.
🌡️Storing
You can also make them in advance and refrigerate them for a day or two or freeze them, making them ideal for the busy person. These brunch bites can be frozen for up to 6 months in an airtight container (affiliate link).
These brunch bites can also be reheated for a quick workday breakfast. And you can cook them in aluminum-lined muffin cups for easy clean up (just be sure not to microwave them if you use aluminum-lined cups.)
🔢WW Points
This recipe can be made Weight Watchers friendlier by using low-fat mushroom soup, fat-free sour cream, low-fat cheese, air fryer turkey sausage, and a light butter substitute. They are 4 ww points each made this way.
❔ Recipe FAQ's
Yes! These bites can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes or in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until warmed through.
You can substitute the sausage with a plant-based sausage or sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, and bell peppers for a vegetarian version. You might want to add extra seasoning to mimic the savory flavor of sausage.
Yes, you can use a mini muffin tin to make bite-sized versions. Adjust the baking time to about 12-15 minutes, keeping an eye on them to prevent overbaking.
If you are looking for a maple breakfast sausage recipe or brunch potluck recipes, this Potatoes Romanoff-inspired Brunch Bites is the perfect solution! It's make-ahead, portable, finger food that's easy to reheat.
Because they have eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, and cheese all in one little bite, they are the full meal deal. It's a great way to get a full breakfast in one little bite! They are the perfect addition to your brunch spread at your next party.
Looking for other breakfast ideas or brunch potluck ideas for work? Check out my other breakfast and brunch ideas!
Did your family❤️this recipe? Did you know that commenting and⭐rating recipes is one of the best ways to support your favorite recipe creators? If you LOVED this recipe, please comment and rate it in the recipe card or share photos on social media using the hashtag #foodmeanderings or tagging @foodmeanderings !
📋 Maple Sausage Brunch Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 Eggs
- 3 tablespoon Butter
- ⅓ cup Light Sour Cream
- 4 cups Frozen Hashbrowns Defrosted
- 1 ½ cups Light Cheddar Cheese Old/Sharp, Grated
- ⅓ cups Canned Low-Fat Cream of Mushroom Soup
- ½ cup Onion, chopped Approximately 1 Small Onion
- 1 375 g pkg Johnsonville Maple Syrup Flavoured Sausages Cooked and Cut into ¼ Inch Pieces
Instructions
- Prep: Cook sausages according to package instructions. Once browned, set aside. Chop cooked sausage links into ¼ inch circles.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/176 degrees C. Spray 12 muffin cups thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook onion in butter for 3 minutes on high in microwave.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the defrosted hashbrowns, onion cooked in butter, mushroom soup, sour cream, eggs, grated cheddar cheese and sausages.
- Mix until well combined.
- Scoop mixture into muffin tins to the top and pack down tightly with spatula (ensure they are packed to the top to make for easier removal).
- Bake for 20-30 minutes in pre-heated oven.
- Remove from oven, let cool for about 3-5 minutes, then run a butter knife around the edge of each muffin cup to loosen the Maple Sausage Brunch Bites.
- Let cool a full 10 minutes, run knife around edges once more, then carefully remove with a spatula and place on plates.
- Serve immediately topped with salsa garnish and with fruit/fruit salad (optional)
*Optional: Garnish with 2 tsp. salsa
Notes
- Generously spray your muffin pan with non-stick spray.
- Make sure you really pack them into the muffin tins (using a spatula helps)!
- Let them cool for at least 3-5 minutes and run a butter knife along the edge of each bite.
- Let them cool for a full 10 minutes (after running a knife around the rim) and before trying to remove them from the pan.
- Use shredded hash browns, as they hold together better than the cubed ones.
- Cut sausages into ¼ inch circles.
Carlos at Spoonabilities
Another great breakfast/brunch recipe. I'm saving this recipe for my new breakfast ideas folder.
Terri Gilson
Thank you, Carlos- enjoy!
Caroline
These look such a fun idea - nice and easy with comforting flavors.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Caroline they really are comforting flavours!
Laura
I'm always looking for good breakfast recipes. This one looks like a real winner!
Terri Gilson
Thanks~! It's always hit whenever I serve it!
Tish
Can I mix night before than put in muffin tin the next day
Terri Gilson
Hi,
I would just bake them in advance instead, then warm them up. But if you really wanted to mix it up ahead of time, don't put the eggs in until the next day when you are about to bake them. Enjoy!
Abi
Hello, are the hash browns you use shredded or biscuit form?
Terri Gilson
Hi Abi,
Shredded hash browns work best! I have used cubed but they don’t stay together as well. Biscuit wouldn’t work. I hope you enjoy!!!
Brenda
Hi! I plan on making these for a bridal shower but want to make them in the mini muffin pan. Are there any suggestions with that? Thank you!
Terri Gilson
Hi Brenda -I’ve never actually made them in a mini muffin tin. However, I would just use 1/2 of what I’d use in regular muffin pans and cook them about 1/2 the time.
Julie Otoole
Help! I need to make these for a brunch tomorrow and I can't find my muffin pans. They might have been thrown out?? Can I make these in an other pan and what adjustments should I make?
Terri Gilson
Hi Julie,
I have never made them in another pan, but you could actually try making it as a casserole in your lasagna pan (standard 9X13). I would double the recipe and reduce the eggs by 2. But like I said, I have never tried it, so I couldn't say for sure.
If you do try it, let me know how it turns out. Good luck!
PS: I have lots of other brunch recipes if you don't want to risk it 🙂 Terri
Lori
So what do you do to keep them hot if you are taking them to a pot luck or how do you recommend they be reheated
Terri Gilson
Hi Lori- I reheat them in the microwave at the potluck ?
Nowel
These would be great breakfast when we are camping. Easy to hold and yummy to eat. My grandkids will be able to eat and explore at the same time.
Food Meanderings
Yes, they are a great breakfast hand food for kids and my kids LUV them!
Sue Slaght
Congrats on the prize! I would definitely choose these little morsels in a buffet!
Food Meanderings
Thanks Sue! This is the one where I got to go to Florida and tape the segment for "In the Kitch"
Sue Slaght
Oh so exciting! I think that needs to be a post in the future. ?
Food Meanderings
Yes it could be!