We’ve all heard the old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s not just a myth or a saying, there is plenty of science to back up these claims. Breakfast is named rather aptly as it literally breaks your fast while replenishing your body’s energy supply. And yet, so many people struggle to fit a good breakfast into their day.
Some skip it entirely, while others manage to make some quick toast or grab a piece of fruit. While this is better than nothing, it’s not usually good enough. Fortunately, fast food is so commonplace these days that there’s always a quick solution even when you wake up five minutes before you have to leave the house.
Even picky eaters have options because there is so much out there for breakfast these days.
For starters, you’ve got your classic bacon, egg, and cheese combination, often served on an English muffin. All fast food joints try to emulate this sandwich and try to constantly out-do each other because it’s such a popular choice.
If this isn’t your thing, though, breakfast menus have expanded considerably over the years and there’s no sign of stopping just yet. Also popular are hashbrowns, breakfast wraps, waffles, pancakes, and pastries.
Some restaurants have even tried thinking way outside of the box with waffle sliders and breakfast burgers, many of which have been a resounding success.
Even for the health-conscious last-minute breakfast eaters, you can usually find something that’s passable. Wraps are lower in carbs and whole wheat options offer some nutrition. If you want eggs, make sure you find a place that uses real, fresh eggs to get the maximum benefit.
While we're talking about health, don't forget that there are some healthy fast food options, including salads and keto fast food.
Table of Contents
Top Ten Fast Food Breakfasts
- McDonald’s McGriddle
- White Castle Belgian Waffle Breakfast Slider
- Panera Bread Bacon Scrambled Egg and Tomato Wrap
- Chick-Fil-A Chick-n-Minis
- Sonic Breakfast Toaster
- Burger King Croissain’wich
- Jack in the Box Jumbo Breakfast Platter
- Carl’s Jr. Breakfast Burger
- Dunkin Donuts Croissant
- McDonald’s Egg McMuffin
1. McDonald’s McGriddle
Mcdonald’s has been highly praised for its ingenuity since the introduction of the McGriddle. With so many places trying to outdo each other with the same sandwiches with the same combinations, this one stands out.
The bacon, egg, and cheese combo is nothing new, but with the McGriddle they’re sandwiched between two soft, warm griddle cakes – akin to small pancakes – with a sweet maple flavor. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory and makes for an exceptional breakfast experience. Many appreciate the sweet maple flavor without having to deal with gooey, drippy maple syrup.
The griddle cakes contain no artificial flavors or colors, and no artificial preservatives. While McDonald’s is hardly known for its healthy food, the natural side of these griddle cakes is a nice touch.
2. White Castle Belgian Waffle Breakfast Slider
White Castle is known as the slider expert, offering many different types of unique and delicious sliders. Among their selection is the classic egg, bacon, and cheese combination between two sweet, fluffy slices of Belgian waffle in their Belgian waffle breakfast slider.
You can customize your breakfast a little with the choice of bacon or sausage, and three different kinds of cheese to choose from – American, jalapeno, or smoked cheddar. If you want a full breakfast they offer these sliders in a combo with their hashbrown nibblers and a coffee. This little combo is the perfect, quick way to start your day with some sweet and savory at the same time.
If you’re wondering about the authenticity, it may be nice to know that White Castle uses genuine Belgian waffles, imported from their partner in Belgium. This means you’re getting the real deal and the flavor will not be lacking.
3. Panera Bread Bacon Scrambled Egg and Tomato Wrap
Panera Bread has a variety of unique sandwiches and breakfast options, but their breakfast wrap with bacon, scrambled eggs, and tomato is a real standout. This combination is not a new concept, but they’re mixing it up a little by adding grape tomatoes instead of regular ones. These offer a slightly different taste and texture, especially when combined with the emerald greens, Vermont white cheddar, and a mustard horseradish sauce.
They finish it off with salt and pepper seasoning and use a whole grain wrap – which many prefer due to it’s slightly healthier nature. Panera Bread offers its catering service to any group of five or more. This means you can treat everyone at the family gathering or order a tasty, healthy breakfast for your morning work meeting, even if your company is small.
4. Chick-Fil-A Chick-n-Minis
Chick-Fil-A is widely known for its high-quality, incredible tasting chicken. Many locations are also commended quite often for their amazing customer service and compassion. While many don’t usually equate chicken with breakfast, Chick-Fil-A has challenged the status quo a little by creating a few breakfast items centered around chicken.
One of the best in this category is the Chick-n-Minis. This simple breakfast is made from warm, bite-sized chicken nuggets inside warm mini rolls that have been lightly seasoned with a honey butter spread. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like an appetizing combination but this meal is a favorite among customers. Each order comes with four of these mini nugget sandwiches. You can also choose from a variety of extra sauces for dipping if you want, including ranch, BBQ, buffalo, etc.
5. Sonic Breakfast Toaster
The Sonic breakfast toaster is another breakfast option that offers something slightly outside the fast food breakfast norm. The sandwich includes your choice of sausage, bacon, or ham, coupled with fluffy eggs, and warm, melty cheese between two pieces of thick, delicious Texas toast.
This is a great choice for those who are particularly ravenous in the morning as the toast is a bit heftier than your classic English muffin. If you want a little something more, they also offer orders of French toast sticks with maple syrup and small cinnamon bites with cream cheese frosting that you can get on the side.
6. Burger King Croissan’wich
Burger King has made their own go at being original, introducing a breakfast sandwich on a croissant. They have a few variations of this and for the most part, it’s been successful. The original croissan’wich includes sausage, egg, and cheese between a fluffy croissant cut in half.
The croissant is soft, buttery, light, and slightly sweet which is definitely a different type of breakfast experience.
Other variations include different combinations of bacon, ham, sausage, egg, and cheese. Their pre-determined options are what they deem the most common and popular flavor profiles, including things like double sausage or a fully loaded croissan’wich with one of everything.
7. Jack in the Box Jumbo Breakfast Platter
Jack in the Box has outdone themselves with their popular jumbo breakfast platter. This amazing breakfast plate includes a wonderful breakfast variety – scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, mini pancakes, and your choice of sausage or bacon.
It’s an excellent choice when you’re extremely hungry, or you just can’t decide what to get! It’s also a good one to share – perfect for a quick breakfast date or fueling up before a work meeting.
8. Carl’s Jr. Breakfast Burger
Carl’s Jr. offers a breakfast burger that’s exactly what it sounds. This sandwich features an all-beef patty between a classic seeded burger bun. Also included are your favorite breakfast staples – bacon, egg, American cheese, a few of their hash rounds, and ketchup.
It’s not your most typical breakfast but it’s a fun, delicious take on everyone’s favorite, classic hamburger. The beef patty goes unexpectedly well with the classic breakfast flavors from the eggs and bacon and the hash rounds add a fantastic crunch.
9. Dunkin Donut’s Croissant
Dunkin Donuts is a staple fast food spot across America, offering your classic selection of coffee and donuts. Beyond these basics, though, are some tasty sandwiches, wraps, and other hearty foods. While their breakfast selection is impressive, the croissant breakfast sandwich is a favorite.
It’s a classic combination of tasty sausage, fluffy egg, and American cheese between a fresh croissant. It’s not fancy but they do it well. Especially when paired with their classic, ever-popular coffee, you can’t go wrong when you need a quick, yummy breakfast on the go.
10. McDonald’s Egg McMuffin
Last but not least is the classic sandwich that started it all – the Egg McMuffin. The simple combination of egg, cheese, and bacon sandwiched in a toasted English muffin felt revolutionary in the beginning. Since its inception, it seems every restaurant – fast food and otherwise – have tried to emulate it in some way.
Some are successful, some fail miserably, and many have come up with their versions, but sometimes you just need a taste of the original. Pair it with a hot cup of coffee and your morning is off to a great start.
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