Alright, let’s discuss breakfast sandwiches. There is something magical about them, right? Whether you’re starting your laid-back weekend morning or grabbing a quick something on the go before rushing out the door on week days, that ideal stack of bread (or occasionally not bread!), egg, cheese, and protein just does the trick. And truthfully, whereas the fast food restaurants have had their grip on us for years – I mean, McDonald’s, correct? the frozen food section has seriously leveled up. More Americans than ever are opting for these handy, protein-rich options from the freezer, and I am completely on board.
I went on a tasty adventure not long ago: to immerse myself in the land of frozen breakfast sandwiches and unearth the true gems. We’re talking about the kind that won’t only get you by but that will leave you looking forward to breakfast. The kind that will make you consider twice before stopping at the drive-thru. It’s not about anticipating some gourmet brunch; we’re discussing the optimal expression of quick, easy, and delicious. My priority? Sausage, egg, and cheese, on a biscuit or a croissant. And lots of cheese? Absolutely not up for discussion. All of these should be easily found in large grocery stores and, most importantly, microwaveable for that quintessential convenience factor.
Selecting the contenders was a delightful challenge, first and foremost because the freezer aisle is just cram-packed with options these days. You’ve got your traditional biscuits and croissants, of course, but flatbreads, English muffins, even breadless versions using egg patties. From national behemoths such as Jimmy Dean (gosh, their section is enormous!) to store brands and smaller brands, there are options galore. My aim was to try a few and find out which ones really delivered on:
- Taste — Is the sausage tasty? Is the egg savory and tender? Does the cheese melt well and actually have a cheesy taste?
- Texture — Is the bread firm but soft? Does the sausage provide a good bite?
- Appearance — Does it look good coming straight out of the microwave?
- Cheese factor — Is it present, is it melted, and does it bring everything together?
These were the standards I used to sift through the heroes and the zeros.
1. Jimmy Dean Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches
Jimmy Dean is almost the frozen breakfast face, and for a very good reason. This sandwich sang: cozy, filling, and slightly retro. It’s got that familiar, drive-thru-ish taste particularly the sausage, which is full of good seasoning. The egg was somewhat rubbery, but still good. The cheese? Extremely gooey and abundant, and that makes all the difference.
The biscuit was slightly spongy but still tasted good. It wasn’t a picture-perfect biscuit, but the colors and layers were appealing. For $8.99 for four, it’s an excellent value and a safe bet to have on hand for hectic mornings.
2. Red’s Turkey Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissant
This one lost on appearance the croissant was a light color, and the fillings were somewhat lacklustre. But when warmed up, it completely surprised me. The croissant was the flakiest and most buttery of any frozen croissant I tasted, and it maintained its shape nicely even after it cooled.
The sausage was delicious in flavor and texture, and it could have easily been mistaken for pork. The egg tasted fresh and the cheese held everything together. It did melt out a bit, but what was left was yummy. With 15 grams of protein and only 280 calories, this was an excellent croissant choice.
3. Mason Dixie Buttermilk Sandwich with Sausage, Egg & Cheese
This one tasted most homemade. It’s the most expensive at $4.49 for a single one, but it’s worth it. All the ingredients tasted first-rate, and the sandwich appeared and felt like something you could make from scratch.
The biscuit was slightly misshapen, but golden crust and lots of flavor. The sausage was well-seasoned and the egg was fluffy, not rubbery. It was a bit too salty, but overall, this sandwich had an indulgent feeling, high-class.
4. Jimmy Dean Croissant Sausage, Egg & Cheese
Yet another Jimmy Dean hit, this croissant version gave us a classic combination properly done. The croissant was soft and buttery, and while you can never quite get the same thing from a frozen one as you would from a bakery, this one was darn close.
The pork sausage, egg, and cheese all stood on their own, and the package came together quite well. I had hot sauce to give it some kick, but even without it, this one’s a great choice.
5. Great Value Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissant
Walmart’s in-house brand surprised me. I didn’t have high hopes, but this sandwich had that greasy-spoon cafe feel uncomplicated and delicious. It seemed as if someone actually put some thought into the balance of flavor and texture.
Even though I’m not a fan of microwaving plastic, heating it in its wrapper gave great results. The cheese melted just right, and the croissant was soft and satisfying. Definitely a wallet-friendly winner.
6. Breakfast Best Biscuit Sandwiches from ALDI
This one had a big nostalgia factor. It was uncomplicated biscuit, egg, cheese, sausage and made me think of road trips and fast-food stops. The texture was a good crumbly, and the taste was better than it had any right to be as a freezer find.
Microwaving it yourself avoids heat-lamp sogginess, a big bonus. This sandwich tasted fresh, full, and comfortably like home.
7. Sandwich Bros. Egg & Cheese Flatbread Pocket
This one deviates from the biscuit/croissant mold and employs flatbread instead. It’s essentially a warm little pocket of egg and cheese a breakfast grilled cheese with an eggy twist, sort of.
The pita remained soft and didn’t disintegrate, and the stringy cheese had a homey, comforting feel to it. It’s a great choice for vegetarians or anyone seeking something a bit off the beaten path.
8. Trader Joe’s Eggwich Breadless Breakfast Sandwich
No bread here this one uses egg patties as the “bun.” And unlike some eggwiches that just feel like protein swaps, this one actually tasted like something you’d cook at home. Wrapping it in a damp paper towel while microwaving helped keep the eggs fluffy.
The sausage was well-seasoned, and the egg patties were not dull in taste. For anyone avoiding carbs but wanting a satisfying breakfast, this is an excellent choice for the freezer.
