Breakfast is regarded as the most important meal of the day, and it is only fitting to learn how to do it right. The breakfast sandwich offers individuals an opportunity to kick off their mornings on a high note. The best part about it is that it doesn’t have to be made from scratch on the day of consumption—it holds rather well in the freezer, making weekday breakfasts a breeze.
Classic breakfast sandwich
The traditional or classic breakfast sandwich is made up of rather simple ingredients. It starts with a fried or scrambled egg, breakfast meats like ham or bacon, and melted cheese, all stacked inside slices of bread (or a roll, bagel, or muffin, depending on one’s preferences).
While the classic hits the spot on its own, there are tons of variations of the humble breakfast sandwich that one could try. Not only do these help switch things up a little, but they may just be what one needs for the ultimate start to their morning.
Homemade breakfast sandwich ideas
All it takes is a little creativity to jazz up a breakfast sandwich recipe and customize it to meet one’s preferences. That being said, there are plenty of home cooks and aspiring chefs who have taken on this task already, coming up with some lip-smacking options for breakfast sandwiches.
1. Hash brown breakfast sandwich
Give the old slice of bread a rest, and use hash browns to make the breakfast sandwich instead. Those looking to play the long game can certainly make the hash browns from scratch, but the frozen variety also holds up pretty well.
Start by assembling the ingredients—frozen hash browns, sausages, bacon, eggs, cheese, salt, and pepper. Then, place the bacon strips on a baking sheet and let them crisp in a preheated oven. Put the hash browns in a frying pan and allow them to cook. Flip them halfway, and add the cheese on top of them. In the meantime, prepare the bacon and sausages to roughly meet the size of the hash brown patties.
Once the hash browns are done, cook the sausages in the same pan, followed by the eggs. Note that since there are no burger buns to soak up the yolks, it may be better to cook the eggs well. With all the components of the sandwich ready, it’s time to assemble the dish. Layer the prepared ingredients in the hash browns, and enjoy.
2. Avocado, eggs, and cheese breakfast sandwich
Enhance the flavors a little more by adding a touch of freshness to the sandwich. While the hero ingredients for this recipe remain the same (eggs, meat, cheese, and bread), it is elevated to the next level with the addition of flavor in the form of spreads and vegetables.
To make this, collect the ingredients—eggs, bacon and/or sausage patties, cheese, spreads (think of options like cream cheese, salsa, or hummus), fresh onions, roasted bell peppers, avocado, and English muffins.
Prepare the eggs and meat to one’s liking, and assemble. Keep it basic, or add in all of the ingredients for a delicious and flavorful start to the morning.
3. Croissant breakfast sandwich
Give chefs a run for their money with this quick and simple recipe for a breakfast sandwich. Instead of bread or a traditional English muffin, use a croissant to prepare the sandwich. Start by cutting the sandwich in half and then toasting it lightly on the pan. For the meat element, use whatever is on hand—deli meat, bacon, sausages, etc. Cook (if needed) and add it to one-half of the croissant.
When it comes to eggs, the sky is truly the limit. Go with classic fried eggs, scramble it up, or try to make a French omelet for a fancier finish. Cook and add it to the meat, and grate some cheese over it. Place this on a baking sheet, and let it broil in the oven until the cheese melts. Add toppings of choice, such as salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, etc. Place the top of the croissant back to make a sandwich, and enjoy.
4. Breakfast sandwich with a goat cheese spread
Take the scenic route to breakfast with this simple but incredible breakfast sandwich that can easily be made ahead of time. What truly stands out about this is the goat cheese spread, which is a mix of ingredients like goat cheese, chives, garlic, onion powder, olive oil, and salt.
For the sandwich, start by preparing the eggs in an omelet style, with some spinach for freshness and nutritional value. To assemble the sandwiches, start by slathering the goat cheese spread on an English muffin and then adding the egg. Top this with some tomato slices, red onion, avocado, and microgreens, if desired. Place the top of the muffin back on, and it is now ready to serve.
To make this ahead of time, assemble the sandwiches without the avocados and the microgreens. Wrap them in foil and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Tips to make the perfect breakfast sandwich
Learning some expert tips can help individuals make a perfect breakfast sandwich each time.
- Use good quality ingredients, especially the bread.
- Incorporate sauces and spreads for a pop of color and flavor. Some classic options include mayonnaise, chipotle sauce, Dijon mustard, barbecue sauce, hummus, tzatziki, pesto, etc.
- Get creative with cheese options. Use spicy varieties like pepper jack for a strong and noticeable flavor or creamy options like Mozzarella for a more subtle taste. Other varieties, like gouda, goat cheese, Swiss, provolone, and cheddar, also work really well in these sandwiches.
- Always rely on proper food pairings to achieve a balance of flavors. For instance, meats like prosciutto pair well with arugula fig jam, while honey ham gets along famously with whole-grain mustard and sharp cheddar.