When you have to be at work early and don’t have time to make yourself breakfast, it pays to know your options for the best fast food breakfast sandwiches. As breakfast became more popular, and people’s lives became much busier, fast-food establishments met the demand for a hot breakfast with the invention of the breakfast sandwich. Not only were people hooked on the idea of a quick breakfast, but there’s something fun about eating your breakfast in a sandwich format. Eggs, bacon, cheese, and biscuits or muffins – all in one convenient little easy-to-eat package.
Of course, breakfast sandwiches are popular in America, we have no time to make ourselves a hearty breakfast. A recent survey of 2,000 Americans found that 26 percent of people claim they don’t have time to make breakfast in the mornings. Of those respondents, one in seven say they’re simply not morning people, and all of them claim they’d rather sleep in than get up and make themselves breakfast. Furthermore, 53 percent of respondent parents in the survey say they make their family’s meals the night before just because they would like to sleep in a bit more. That quick fast-food breakfast sandwich is sounding better and better.
Not many health experts will argue that breakfast remains the most important meal of the day, for several reasons. And, according to a recent study, eating breakfast before 8:30 a.m. can help lower your risk for diabetes. The study by Northwestern University researchers shows that people who have eaten before 8.30 a.m. had lower blood sugar levels and less insulin resistance. The findings suggest that eating before 8:30 a.m. helps combat your risk for diabetes regardless of the time of day you stop eating. It’s a good thing that fast-food restaurants start serving breakfast as early as 5 a.m., but for health purposes, take it easy on fast food.
So, which fast food breakfast creations deserve to be called the best? StudyFinds did some digging, consulting 10 foodie review websites in an effort to bring you the best fast food breakfast sandwiches available on the market today. Our list comprises the five most frequently listed fast-food breakfast sandwiches from across these sites. Think your favorite breakfast item got snubbed? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
The List: Best Fast Food Breakfast Sandwiches, Per Foodies
1. McDonald’s Egg McMuffin
Topping the list of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches is the one and only original quick breakfast sandwich option – the Egg McMuffin from McDonald’s. McDonald’s is the original fast food establishment in America, and the Egg McMuffin is a true pioneer in the realm of fast food breakfast sandwiches.
“While all other fast food restaurants have worked hard to create affordable, unique breakfast menus, McDonald’s continues to stand atop its mountain and laugh. This fast food icon never seems to quit and its Egg McMuffin is arguably the most beloved breakfast sandwich out there. The notable breakfast item first rolled out in 1971, making it one of the oldest breakfast sandwiches around. And it’s just straight-up delicious in its simplicity — egg, Canadian bacon, and cheese on an English muffin. Pair it with a hashbrown and some orange juice, and your day will be okay. Best of all, Egg McMuffins aren’t as unhealthy as you might think — it clocks in at just under 300 calories,” raves The Daily Meal.
McDonald’s has been serving the Egg McMuffin longer than most fast food restaurants have been in existence. People simply don’t get tired of the Egg McMuffin, and it’s good to know that it’s not as unhealthy as some of the other menu options.
“McDonald’s is the largest and most popular fast-food restaurant chain in the world and is just as famous for its breakfast menu as it is for its burgers, fries, and chicken nuggets… The Egg McMuffin is made with a freshly cracked Grade A egg, lean Canadian bacon, and American cheese on a buttered English muffin. It’s also available in the Egg McMuffin Meal, where you’ll get a small McCafe coffee and a side order of hash browns. Sadly, McDonald’s discontinued all-day breakfast at the beginning of the pandemic. McDonald’s breakfast hours are generally from 5 am to 11 am every day except for Fridays, when breakfast is extended until 11:30 am,” writes Shopfood.
The pandemic ruined a lot of things, and McDonald’s all-day breakfast is one of them. For those of you who work the third shift and want an Egg McMuffin, we see you. Still, the McDonald’s Egg McMuffin is the quintessential breakfast sandwich, in all of its many variations.
“Sure, there are fancier breakfast sandwiches out there, but there’s something so comforting and familiar about the Egg McMuffin. There’s no better combo than egg, ham, and cheese on an English muffin, especially when it’s paired with a greasy hash brown. You can also swap the ham with sausage if that’s your style,” explains Fast Food Menu Prices.
2. Chick-Fil-A Chicken Biscuit
The simple yet delicious Chick-Fil-A Chicken Biscuit is next up on the list of the best fast-food breakfast sandwiches. Chick-Fil-A is known for having some of the best chicken sandwiches around, so it’s no surprise they offer a delicious chicken biscuit. The Chick-Fil-A Chicken Biscuit offers breakfast-seekers that same quality chicken patty but transformed into a morning bite with its warm biscuit in place of a bun.
“While it may not be as classic as sausage or ham on a breakfast sandwich, this option is just as good as any breakfast sandwich. Chick-Fil-A’s breakfast menu has a few great chicken-based options. The chicken breast is hand-breaded and pressure-cooked with peanut oil and served on a flakey buttermilk biscuit. The sandwich stands at 460 calories, but there are loads of customization options to suit your taste,” explains Restaurant Clicks.
The Chick-Fil-A Chicken Biscuit is simple but incredibly tasty. Chicken biscuits are more of a Southern breakfast item, but when they’re done right, plain chicken biscuits are absolutely delicious for breakfast.
“If you want something a bit lighter than the aforementioned options, head over to Chick-Fil-A for a Chicken Biscuit. There’s no frills here – just the chicken and the biscuit, but it’s plenty seasoned that you don’t need much more. Many people order their favorite sauce to dip it in (we recommend Chick-Fil-A sauce) if you need a little extra flavor,” writes Fast Food Menu Prices.
Whether you’re dipping your chicken biscuit or you’re adding to it, a Chick-Fil-A Chicken Biscuit is a great way to start the day. It’s just enough to get a little something on your stomach first thing in the morning, but it’s not going to leave you feeling stuffed. The only drawback is that Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sundays, a popular day for breakfast.
“The Chicken Biscuit is the most popular breakfast menu item at Chick-fil-A. First, a seasoned boneless chicken breast, hand-breaded and pressure-cooked in peanut oil. Then, the fried chicken is served on a freshly baked buttermilk biscuit. Chick-fil-A’s breakfast menu is available from open until 10:30 am, although some locations may have slightly different hours,” adds Shopfood.
3. Wendy’s Breakfast Baconator
The third spot on the list of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches belongs to the Wendy’s Breakfast Baconator, which is a gigantic breakfast sandwich, but as the experts explain, this breakfast version of the famous Baconator burger is absolutely stellar.
“If you are hungry, this is the meal for you. Freshly cracked eggs, six strips of crispy Applewood smoked bacon, sausage, American cheese, all served with a swiss cheese sauce. At 730 calories, its almost half of the recommended calories per day. It’s got a little bit more carbs than an omelet or Greek yogurt parfait so be warned… The flavor is also off the charts,” writes Wide Open Eats.
The Breakfast Baconator is not for the faint of heart, so you better bring your appetite if you plan on tackling one of these bad boys first thing in the morning. One thing is for sure, you’ll get your serving of bacon.
“Wendy’s really knows how to commit to bacon, and I like its style. This indulgent breakfast burger, which is utterly filled with Swiss cheese sauce as well as melted slices of cheese, is as delectable as it is heavy. I appreciate the use of fresh fried eggs rather than scrambled eggs because it just tastes better. The bun on my sandwich was soft and yet it held up, even with all the runniness from the cheese,” furthers Thrillist.
Wendy’s adds melty cheese sauce to the Breakfast Baconator, leaving you with a melty pile of bacon, sausage, and eggs. Again, be sure to bring your appetite with you.
“Wendy’s made waves years ago when it introduced the Baconator; a hamburger piled high with cheese and bacon. It was every bacon lover’s dream. Wendy’s took this a step further down the road by introducing the Breakfast Baconator, and it is every bit as indulgent and delicious as its dinnertime counterpart. You will not leave the restaurant hungry after you have eaten the Breakfast Baconator. Wendy’s fills it with a grilled sausage patty, American cheese, bacon, a free-range egg, another slice of American cheese, and more bacon. The restaurant tops it all off with Wendy’s cheese sauce and serves it on a hamburger bun,” adds Restaurant Clicks.
4. Burger King Fully Loaded Croissan’Wich
Burger King truly revolutionized fast food breakfast sandwiches when it introduced the Croissan’Wich several decades ago. Burger King found a way to take the Croissan’Wich one step further to ensure customers wouldn’t leave hungry in the mornings. “An all-too-common occurrence when getting a fast-food breakfast sandwich is finding yourself still hungry after eating. I know this has happened to me more times than I would care to admit. When I need something to fill me up, I turn to the Fully Loaded Croissan’wich from Burger King. This sandwich is perfect for any meat lover, as it comes with black forest ham, savory sausage, and thick-cut smoked bacon. All this served with eggs, and melted American cheese is sure to fill you up in the morning hours,” raves Restaurant Clicks.
If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast and don’t have time to stop at a diner or make yourself breakfast, the Burger King Fully Loaded Croissan’Wich might be just what you need. The buttery croissant combined with a plethora of breakfast meats makes one heck of a hearty meal to start your day.
“Heading back to Burger King again we have the Fully Loaded Croissan’wich, which is one heck of a sandwich that includes, well, everything. A buttery croissant is loaded up with fluffy eggs, cheese, crispy bacon, savory sausage, and ham. This is a great choice if you’re indecisive — why not just have it all in one sandwich? What’s more, the breakfast sandwich has a whopping 31 grams of protein,” writes The Daily Meal.
One of the secrets of the Croissan’Wich is the use of 100 percent butter. Anyone who watches Rachel Ray knows that ‘butter makes it better’ and it seems as though the masterminds behind Burger King’s breakfast menu got the memo.
“The Croissan’wich is advertised as being made with 100 percent butter, which is reassuring. Inside, you’ve got your standard fast-food breakfast sausage and bacon as well as ham, eggs, and American cheese. There is a lot going on here. The croissant is extremely croissanty… That said, it tastes pretty good. That 100 percent butter gives the croissant a really nice taste, probably the second-best bun on this list… the sausage is balanced, which leads to an alternating to soft-soft and soft-crunchy mouthfeel (I’m so sorry for saying mouthfeel, everyone!) to go with gooey cheese,” furthers My Recipes.
5. McDonald’s Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McMuffin
Rounding out the list of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches is another McDonald’s breakfast sandwich, but this time it’s the Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McMuffin. This tasty little sandwich is essentially an Egg McMuffin that replaces Canadian bacon with a sausage patty. It’s genius, and delicious.
“Yes, McDonald’s was the first fast-food restaurant to jump into the breakfast business and we all grew up on this sandwich, but there is a reason it has been around for so long: The sausage was tasty and you get a real fried egg — not one of those ‘folded’ egg substitute patties… So yes, there are other options out there, but this is still a great way to quell those morning tummy grumblings,” writes Cleveland.
“I expected this McDonald’s staple to be high on my list but didn’t think it’d take the top spot. In the end, the sausage, egg, and cheese McMuffin proved to be the epitome of fast-food breakfast. McDonald’s nailed the three main ingredients. Every bite had a medley of flavors and textures: the crunchy English muffin, the soft egg and cheese, and the chewy sausage. There wasn’t a single thing I’d change,” adds Insider.
One of the best parts of the Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McMuffin is it’s low on calories – comparatively speaking. Still, nothing beats waking up early on Saturday mornings and grabbing a McMuffin on your way to a fun day outdoors.
“McDonald’s has long been a favorite of the early morning adventurer, and their breakfast offerings are the stuff of legends. Over the years, they have perfected the art of the breakfast sandwich, and so many options are now on the menu. Perhaps none are as famous as the McMuffin, though, and it is the perfect way to get breakfast while saving some calories for later. McDonald’s serves the Sausage McMuffin with Egg and Cheese with a freshly cracked egg and melted American cheese. The sandwich contains only 480 calories, making it a healthier choice for breakfast. And if you’re stopping at McDonald’s, make it a meal with a hash brown and a drink,” notes Restaurant Clicks.
You might also be interested in:
- Best Fast Food Hash Browns
- Best Fast Food Coffee
- Best Fast Food Breakfast
- Best Fast Food Onion Rings
Sources:
- Eat This, Not That
- Fast Food Menu Prices
- Thrillist
- The Daily Meal
- Shopfood
- My Recipes
- Insider
- Restaurant Clicks
- Wide Open Eats
- Cleveland
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
I am surprised that anything Burger King has made the list. Everything I’ve ever eaten there was always a mouth full of grease and oil!! 🤮
You got this all wrong! Hardee’s is the way to go. Best breakfast sandwich of them all.
I agree.
The Jack-in-the-Box Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich is by far the most tasty.
I agree or jack in the box’s loaded breakfast sandwich too. No need for 2 mcmuffins to be on the list when they are pretty much the same sandwich.
Or the loaded breakfast sandwich from jack in the box.
Carl Jr’s Biscuit Breakfast is bigger and better than McDonald’s by a long shot!!!
Agree that the egg McMuffin is a very good breakfast sandwich actually had it for breakfast today. However you neglected to mention the Hardee’s breakfast biscuit. That is a well made buttery fresh biscuit with whatever you pair it with
You obviously overlooked Arby’s sourdough breakfast sandwiches. Better than any you listed by far
I am with Wanda. Have y’all never been to Hardee’s? I would drive past 5 McDonalds to get a Hardee’s biscuit. Breakfast=biscuit=Hardee’s. Y’all need to come down south.
You really need to try the Whataburger Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit. FABULOUS!
The loaded breakfast sandwich from Jack in The box should be on here. No need for two mcdonalds breakfast sandwiches that are basically the same except the meat. Have any of these “experts” even tried it?
Hardees absolutely best with no close second. Best biscuit by far. CFA crumbs all over your car. Go to Hardees. Also Wendys honey butter chicken biscuit way better than CFA
I can’t believe Hardee’s didn’t make the list. They, by far have the best fast food breakfast. No one can beat their biscuit and gravy. NO ONE !
Every morning Warren Buffet gets an Egg McMuffin at his local McDonalds – is it a way to wealth? Hard to argue with what works for him, and works, and works, and…..
I find that every fast food restaurant has at least one tasty product they excel in. McDonald’s excels in service although I find their food very pedestrian. Burger King has a delicious French flair with its croissants. Wendy’s is a joke! Recently we wished to try the Wendy’s breakfast sandwiches so stopped at a Wendy’s for an eat in treat. When we entered the restaurant, the first thing we noticed was there were only a few customers. One man at the wicket was complaining about how long it was taking for his take out order. He said to me “when you go to a fast food place you expect to get fast food, I’ve been waiting 25 minutes for mine and it still isn’t ready, now I will be late for work”! We ordered our breakfast sandwiches and sat down waiting for them to be prepared. After 15 minutes we received our orders. Remember there were just a very few people in the restaurant. Would you believe they made a mistake in my wife’s order? She said “I’ll just eat it, we don’t have another 25 minutes to wait for them to correct it”. The very strange thing about the whole situation was that they had a full complement of staff all standing around doing nothing but staring at their electronic screens, no cooking was being done. It was so bad that my wife and I burst out laughing. Talk about a bizarre place
Hardee’s puts those places to shame.best tasting stick to your ribs breakfast choices.the others taste like microwave crap..