Introduction

Hey there, kitchen friend! Do you ever wake up craving a little something special for breakfast, but the thought of pulling out every pot and pan just feels like too much before your coffee kicks in? Or maybe you’re hosting a brunch and want something that looks adorable and is super easy for everyone to grab? Well, let me tell you, these Breakfast Charcuterie Cups are about to become your new best friend. They bring all the fun and variety of a big breakfast board, but perfectly portioned into cute, individual cups. Seriously, they look fancy, but putting them together is an absolute breeze!

I first stumbled upon the idea when trying to make mornings less chaotic before school, and honestly, they were a huge hit. They’re quick to assemble, make mornings feel a little brighter, and are just plain delightful to look at (and eat!).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously speedy assembly, perfect for busy mornings.
Easy: No cooking required, just simple arranging!
Giftable: Package them up for a sweet neighbor or a friend needing a morning pick-me-up.
Crowd-pleasing: Lots of variety means there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to gather to make these little cups of morning joy. Think of it as a mini-treasure hunt in your fridge and pantry!

6 slices Prosciutto: Adds a lovely salty, savory note that pairs wonderfully with the sweet.
18 Cantaloupe Balls: Sweet, refreshing melon – use a melon baller for those perfect spheres!
6 Cuties (small tangerines): Easy to peel and segment, juicy little pops of citrus.
6 Crunchy Granola Bars, broken into pieces: For that essential crunchy texture! Use your favorite kind.
6 Mini Brie Bites or Babybel Cheese: Creamy, mild cheese that’s just the right size.
Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries: A colorful mix of fresh berries adds sweetness and gorgeous color. Use about a handful of each per cup, or as much as you like!
12 Donut Holes: A sweet treat! Two per cup feels just right for a little indulgence.
6 Mini Cinnamon Rolls: Another sweet, comforting pastry element – one per cup.
12 Cheese Straws: A savory, crunchy twist. Two per cup adds great flavor and height.
Fresh Mint: A sprig for garnish adds freshness and makes them look extra special.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get these cups assembled! This is the fun part, like putting together a little edible puzzle.

Gather Your Cups: First, grab your serving vessels. Mason jars, clear plastic cups, even sturdy paper cups work great. Aim for something around 8-12 oz size. You’ll need 6 of them.
Prep Your Ingredients: Wash and dry your berries. Use a melon baller for the cantaloupe. Peel and segment the cuties. Break the granola bars into smaller, grab-able pieces.
Start Building: Now for the creative part! There’s no strict order, but I like to start with some of the larger or sturdier items to build a base or add height. Maybe pop in the cheese straw and a piece of granola bar.
Add the Sweet & Savory: Tuck in a slice of prosciutto (maybe fold it nicely!), add a mini brie bite or Babybel. Pop in the mini cinnamon roll and the two donut holes.
Layer in the Fruit: Now, artfully arrange the fruit. Place the cantaloupe balls (3 per cup), tuck in the cutie segments (all of them per cup), and scatter the fresh berries. Fill in the gaps and make it look pretty!
Finish with Flourish: Add the second cheese straw if you started with one, and tuck a fresh sprig of mint right on top. It adds such a lovely pop of green and a hint of fresh scent.
Repeat! Continue with the remaining cups until you have all six assembled and looking absolutely irresistible.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is wonderfully flexible! Feel free to swap things out based on what you have or what you love.

Meats: Swap prosciutto for thinly sliced ham, cooked bacon strips (broken), or even mini turkey sausage links.
Fruits: Grapes, strawberries, apple slices, pear slices, orange segments, or grapefruit pieces would be delicious additions or substitutes for the melon/cuties.
Cheese: Cubes of cheddar, mozzarella balls (like ciliegine), or even a small container of cream cheese dip for fruit.
Sweets: Mini muffins, small croissants, pieces of waffles or pancakes, mini scones, or even a small cup of yogurt or pudding.
Savory Additions: A hard-boiled egg, mini quiche, crackers, or pretzel sticks.
For More Crunch: Add a small handful of nuts (almonds, walnuts) or seeds.

Tips for Success

These cups are pretty foolproof, but here are a couple of things I’ve learned along the way:

Choose Sturdy Cups: Make sure your cups or jars are stable enough to hold all the goodies without tipping.
Prep Ahead (Partially): You can wash and cut fruit ahead of time, but wait to assemble the cups until shortly before serving for the freshest look, especially if using delicate pastries.
Don’t Overstuff: While it’s tempting to cram everything in, leave a little room so items are easy to pick out without making a mess.
Variety is Key: The beauty of these cups is the mix of textures and flavors (sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy). Try to get a good balance in each cup.

How to Store It

These breakfast cups are definitely best enjoyed fresh, ideally within an hour or two of assembling. However, if you need to make them slightly ahead (like the night before for a morning event), cover each cup tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator.

Just be aware that some items, like the granola bar or cheese straws, might lose a little crunch if stored with the moist fruit overnight. If you want maximum freshness for those items, you could store them separately and add them to the cups right before serving.

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers!

Q: Can I make these vegetarian?
A: Absolutely! Simply omit the prosciutto and add more fruit, cheese, or another savory vegetarian item like a hard-boiled egg or extra nuts/seeds.
Q: How far in advance can I assemble these?
A: For best quality, assemble the morning you plan to serve them. If you need to prep ahead, do it the night before and store them tightly covered in the fridge.
Q: What size cups should I use?
A: Aim for something in the 8 to 12-ounce range. This gives you enough space to fit a nice variety of items without being too small or overwhelmingly large.
Q: Are these good for kids?
A: Kids love these! The variety and grab-and-go nature are perfect. Just be mindful of any choking hazards depending on the child’s age (like whole berries or nuts).

Easy & Delicious Grab-and-Go Breakfast Charcuterie Cups

These Breakfast Charcuterie Cups offer a fun, easy, and portable way to enjoy a variety of breakfast favorites, perfectly portioned into individual cups. They require no cooking and are quick to assemble, making them ideal for busy mornings, brunches, or gifting.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Servings 6 cups

Equipment

Serving cups or jars 6 cups, approx. 8-12 oz size
Melon baller

Ingredients

Breakfast Charcuterie Cup Ingredients

6 slices Prosciutto
18 balls Cantaloupe Use a melon baller
6 Cuties (small tangerines)
6 Crunchy Granola Bars broken into pieces
6 Mini Brie Bites or Babybel Cheese
Blackberries approx. a handful per cup
Raspberries approx. a handful per cup
Blueberries approx. a handful per cup
12 Donut Holes
6 Mini Cinnamon Rolls
12 Cheese Straws
Fresh Mint A sprig per cup, for garnish

Instructions

First, grab your serving vessels. Mason jars, clear plastic cups, even sturdy paper cups work great. Aim for something around 8-12 oz size. You'll need 6 of them.
Wash and dry your berries. Use a melon baller for the cantaloupe. Peel and segment the cuties. Break the granola bars into smaller, grab-able pieces.
Now for the creative part! There's no strict order, but I like to start with some of the larger or sturdier items to build a base or add height. Maybe pop in the cheese straw and a piece of granola bar.
Tuck in a slice of prosciutto (maybe fold it nicely!), add a mini brie bite or Babybel. Pop in the mini cinnamon roll and the two donut holes.
Now, artfully arrange the fruit. Place the cantaloupe balls (3 per cup), tuck in the cutie segments (all of them per cup), and scatter the fresh berries. Fill in the gaps and make it look pretty!
Add the second cheese straw if you started with one, and tuck a fresh sprig of mint right on top. It adds such a lovely pop of green and a hint of fresh scent.
Continue with the remaining cups until you have all six assembled and looking absolutely irresistible.

Notes

Best enjoyed fresh, ideally within an hour or two of assembling. Can be made the night before and stored tightly covered in the refrigerator, but items like granola bars or cheese straws may lose some crunch. For maximum freshness of crunchy items, add them right before serving. Choose sturdy cups or jars. Don't overstuff cups to allow items to be easily removed. Variety in textures and flavors is key.