12 Best Fast Food Breakfast Sandwiches Ranked in 2025
When you’re on the hunt for the best fast food breakfast sandwiches, it can be hard to narrow down your search with such a huge variety available. Are you feeling a croissant bun, a simple flatbread or a fluffy biscuit today? Do you want bacon, sausage or just egg as the protein? And which of the drive-throughs in your area truly deserve the title of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about 22.7% of fast food meals are eaten at breakfast — far fewer than lunch (43.7%) or dinner (42%). That means the best fast food breakfast sandwiches are fighting harder than any other menu item to earn their place in morning routines.
So, the next time you’re racing the clock before the breakfast cut-off and need a reliable order, let this guide on the best fast food breakfast sandwiches point you toward the menu items that actually deliver.
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- The 12 Best Breakfast Sandwiches at Fast Food Restaurants Ranked
- How We Ranked the Best Fast Food Breakfast Sandwiches
The 12 Best Breakfast Sandwiches at Fast Food Restaurants Ranked
12. Sonic Breakfast Toaster (with Bacon or Sausage)
Built on the promise of a hearty but simple breakfast, the Sonic Breakfast Toaster tries to be one of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches, but honestly, it falls a little short in our eyes. It’s got all the makings for a great start to your day — thick-cut slices of Texas toast with scrambled eggs, melted cheese and your choice of bacon or sausage sandwiched in between — but we found that the execution often falls short.
The bread is supposed to be toasted until golden brown, while the saltiness of the meat is supposed to be balanced by the creamy eggs and cheese. Despite this, we found that the main complaint among our testers for the best fast food breakfast sandwiches was that the bread is closer to standard white slices than true Texas toast.
This results in a weak structure and an unsatisfying bite. To add to this, the sausage variation in particular tips into artificial saltiness, overshadowing the eggs and cheese.
But what are the pros? We liked that this Sonic breakfast menu order feels like a familiar grilled cheese, but taken up a notch. Plus, the breakfast toaster is consistently generous in size and it’s pretty affordable, too.
However, one of our main parameters for the best fast food breakfast sandwiches is for them to hold together well, as this sandwich regularly falls apart and the cheese struggles to hold everything together; we had to relegate it to 12th place.
11. Taco Bell Breakfast Crunchwrap (with Bacon or Sausage)
Taco Bell’s Breakfast Crunchwrap immediately stood out to us in our research into the best fast food breakfast sandwiches for its unconventional form. It’s made by stuffing layers of scrambled eggs, cheese, crispy hash browns, a choice of bacon or sausage and the brand’s signature creamy jalapeño sauce between flour tortillas, before being sealed and pressed until golden-brown.
The Breakfast Crunchwrap is a fun Taco Bell-ification of the traditional breakfast buns and biscuits. However, don’t let the novelty fool you! Despite being one of the best Taco Bell orders early in the morning, this was definitely not one of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches on this list in terms of balance.
The hash brown is often more soggy than crisp and it can come across as too salty when paired with the well-seasoned meat. The jalapeño sauce is the real sticking point, though; its punchy heat tends to overwhelm the milder eggs, leaving the wrap unbalanced.
Some tasters tried customizing with guacamole to turn it into a healthier option, but the fact that you need to make those changes just to approach a healthy fast food breakfast highlights a bigger issue: Taco Bell’s Breakfast Crunchwrap doesn’t quite hold its own without modifications.
10. Jack in the Box Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich
The Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich is Jack in the Box’s answer to the simple philosophy of “more is more,” and it’s the type of breakfast food idea that’s reserved only for the hungriest of clientele.
The oversized bun is filled with two fried eggs, two slices of melty American cheese, two pieces of ham and two strips of bacon. The result is a tower of protein and dairy that’s sure to keep you full until your next meal.
In the over-saturated landscape of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches, we liked that this one stays true to its name — it really is the “ultimate sandwich” in both portion and indulgence.
On the other hand, “overwhelming” is another word that comes to mind when we think about this sandwich. We found that the flavor profile can often lean too far into richness and the double eggs and cheese add even more heaviness to the salty ham, smoky bacon and thick bread.
There’s no denying that the Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich would surely cure late-night munchies and early morning hangovers, but is it one of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches out there? Not by a long shot. It earns points for construction and novelty, but it ultimately sacrifices balance for sheer size.
9. Burger King Fully Loaded Croissan’wich with Egg
Layers of egg, bacon, ham, sausage and cheese. A buttery and warm croissant bun. These are all the makings of the perfect fast food breakfast sandwich, right? Well, this is what we’re promised with the Burger King Fully Loaded Croissan’wich With Egg, but is it what you actually get?
What really sets this order apart from the usual biscuits and buns in the best fast food breakfast sandwiches category is the croissant and its tender, flaky quality. On paper, the Fully Loaded Croissan’wich With Egg makes a strong case as one of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches for big appetites with its sheer size and indulgence factor. But we have to remember: more is not always better.
We found that while the buttery pastry holds up well, the fillings often overwhelm each other, turning the sandwich into a mess of salty and heavy flavors. Portion sizes can also vary and reviewers noted that sandwiches can arrive squished, with the eggs in particular tasting flat and under-seasoned.
Its long stay on the Burger King breakfast menu speaks to its popularity, but in the wider context of this list of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches, it remains a guilty pleasure rather than a top-tier contender in our eyes.
8. Subway Ham, Egg and Cheese
The Ham, Egg and Cheese Sandwich is by far the most popular Subway breakfast order and while it normally comes on a flatbread, we found that the most requested bread choice was actually the chain’s signature Italian herb and cheese bread.
The sandwich layers salty ham, creamy egg and melted cheese between two toasted pieces of bread and the real joy starts when you get to personally choose all your favorite veggies and sauces to add in. As one of the healthiest breakfast choices on this list, even with the herb and cheese bread used, we couldn’t help but give it extra points for the sheer customization options.
But as far as the best fast food breakfast sandwiches go? Well, the biggest con we found was that the execution depends heavily on the “sandwich artist” behind the counter, meaning your experience may range from satisfying to sloppy. More often than not, the portion size was also a little on the small side.
Despite this, for diners who prefer a fresher, more customizable meal compared to the typical offerings, Subway’s entry stands out among the best fast food breakfast sandwiches for its flexibility and scale, but what it made up for in variety and freshness, it lacked in consistency.
7. Panera Asiago Sausage and Egg Sandwich
If you’re after a slightly more gourmet experience when searching for the best fast food breakfast sandwiches, checking out the Panera breakfast menu is a great idea. While there are a few good options, our favorite Panera breakfast sandwich is the Asiago Sausage and Egg Sandwich.
Built on a freshly baked Asiago cheese bagel, this sandwich is stuffed with a juicy sausage patty, a folded scrambled egg, plenty of melted American cheese and a drizzle of house-made garlic aioli.
We liked that this bagel has chew and character and the addition of the Asiago crust contributes to a cheesy sharpness that you won’t find in any of the other options on this list of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches. But is this sandwich the best Panera sandwich? Our reviewers thought so; for bagel lovers, there was a unanimous agreement that it was the most reliable choice among the best fast food breakfast sandwiches they tested.
The aioli lends a richness and depth to the sandwich that plain mayonnaise just can’t replicate and we found that all the ingredients taste like they’re a lot higher quality than some of the other options available. Still, execution isn’t flawless. We found that the bagel, while flavorful, sometimes dominates the fillings, leaving the sandwich on the drier side unless the aioli is spread generously.
This sandwich is also pricier than the majority of the other options on this list of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches, but the portion is hearty enough to carry most people to lunchtime. Fans of chewy bread textures and bold cheese will enjoy it, but those seeking a softer, fluffier option may find it a bit too heavy.
6. Wendy’s Sausage, Egg and Cheese Biscuit
Simple and straightforward, the Wendy's breakfast menu knows how to do breakfast sandwiches the right way. Made with a fresh-cracked egg, a peppery grilled sausage patty and a slice of melted American cheese, all sandwiched inside a fluffy buttermilk biscuit, our reviewers consistently placed this classic among the best fast food breakfast sandwiches ranked.
We liked that the biscuit is lighter and less greasy than Burger King’s version and it is a fairly affordable option considering the fair portion size and consistent quality. However, we couldn’t help but notice that this sandwich rarely inspires strong reactions.
We found that while nothing is wrong with it, no single element pushes it above “standard.” The sausage seasoning is good, the cheese is passable, but no part of this sandwich really stood out to our taste testers.
Overall, this is one of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches to pick if you want a solid breakfast biscuit sandwich, but all in, we found that there were better options if you’re looking for a top-tier breakfast. Among the best fast food breakfast sandwiches, this one plays it safe — and it succeeds just enough to stay in the conversation.
5. Carl's Jr. Breakfast Burger
A burger for breakfast? Say less. The Carl's Jr. Breakfast Burger is definitely one of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches you can get if you’re feeling a burger before noon and you’re not willing to make compromises. The Carl's Jr. breakfast menu is just as indulgent as the main menu, so there’s no shortage of options if you’re hungover or just craving something hearty.
This decadent sandwich layers a charbroiled beef patty with crispy Cherrywood bacon, a fried egg, a slice of American cheese, crispy Hash Rounds and ketchup, all inside a seeded bun. We liked that it goes above and beyond the usual fare you’d expect from breakfast food, taking all the best bits of a late-night burger and slotting it into the world of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches.
The result is smoky, crunchy and surprisingly cohesive, thanks to the unexpected but very delicious addition of ketchup. However, we found that this boldness isn’t for everyone. It’s undeniably heavy — more of a “weekend-recovery” sandwich than an everyday commuter breakfast in our eyes.
But if you’re in the mood for something OTT, this is one of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches for you. Plus, if you love the idea but want something lighter, don’t forget the “Low-Carb It” option from the Carl's Jr. secret menu, which can turn this carb-loaded burger into a lettuce-wrapped, low-carb breakfast that cuts the heaviness without losing flavor.
4. Starbucks Double-Smoked Bacon, Cheddar and Egg Sandwich
Starbucks may be better known for its coffee, but have you ever tried the double-smoked bacon, cheddar and egg sandwich from the Starbucks breakfast menu? If not, it might be time for you to give this humble bestseller a go.
The croissant bun is buttery and flaky and it holds within it six-hour hickory-smoked bacon, a fried egg and melted sharp cheddar cheese.
We liked that the bacon truly stands out in this sandwich and it’s smokier and meatier than what you’ll find in many of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches. Combined with the croissant’s softness and the cheddar’s creamy bite, this sandwich delivers a flavor that’s unexpectedly refined for something pre-packaged.
Of course, all of Starbucks’ food comes with caveats. Because the sandwiches are prepackaged and reheated, the croissant bun is often squished flat and it lacks that freshness you’d get with some of the other croissant buns on this list of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches. It’s also a little more expensive than typical fast food, while still being cheaper than many bakery-café options.
For regulars of this coffee chain, this sandwich is a convenient add-on that doesn’t feel like a compromise and it easily deserves a mention alongside the best Starbucks orders — though it’s not quite on the podium for the best fast food breakfast sandwiches because of that lack of freshness.
3. Dunkin’ Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sandwich
We’re down to the top three best fast food breakfast sandwiches. Just shy of the top two spots on this list is a delicious choice from the Dunkin' Donuts breakfast menu, specifically, the Sausage, Egg and Cheese sandwich.
Think: the croissant bun you’ve probably been craving this whole time, plus all the fixings of a breakfast worth writing home about. Scrambled egg, a slice of melted American cheese and a peppery sausage patty are tucked inside a buttery, flaky croissant, creating one of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches for people who want flavor without any gimmicks.
We liked that Dunkin’ uses its main strength — baking pastries — to make this a standout among the best fast food breakfast sandwiches. The croissant is more of a highlight than just a vehicle and the texture and flavor go above and beyond anything standard biscuits or seeded buns can offer. Even though the formula itself is anything but revolutionary, we found that reviewers all agreed this is one of the best fast food breakfast options on this list.
However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows in the reviews. We found that the croissant’s richness can overwhelm your taste buds if you’re not in the mood for something that buttery and heavy and the execution can vary. Sometimes the pastry is perfectly golden and other times it leans into over-toasted territory.
Portion-wise, this sandwich delivers strong value for money and in terms of keeping you full until your next meal, this is one of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches available. The only real let-down was the execution.
2. Chick-fil-A Chicken, Egg and Cheese Biscuit
Love fried chicken? We’ve got you. Chick-fil-A wasn’t shy when it was brainstorming its early morning menu and it shows with the Chicken, Egg and Cheese Biscuit. Rated by reviewers as one of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches out there, this sandwich features a boneless chicken breast that’s freshly breaded and fried, a fluffy folded egg and a slice of melted cheese, all inside a buttery buttermilk biscuit.
We liked that the chicken is in the spotlight on the Chick-fil-A breakfast menu and it didn’t let us down with how juicy and well-seasoned it is. This is one of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches for people who want something distinctive — especially since fried chicken rarely appears in this format — and its slightly smaller size means you’re not sent into a food coma before noon.
Still, balance can be tricky. This Chicken, Egg and Biscuit Sandwich costs about the same as the larger sandwich options on this list of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches, so it’s certainly not the cheapest fast food breakfast available. Plus, we found that the biscuit, while fresh, can lean on the dry side unless the cheese fully melts into the egg.
1. McDonald’s Egg McMuffin
The McDonald’s Egg McMuffin is the OG that set the template for all the best fast food breakfast sandwiches to follow. And, after all these years, it still holds the crown. Built on a toasted English muffin, it layers a freshly cracked egg, lean Canadian bacon, a slice of American cheese and a swipe of butter.
We liked that it’s easily portable and not too filling and above all, it’s engineered to be consistent, whether you’re in Chicago or Cape Town. The English muffin is the telltale sign that someone’s ordered from the McDonald's breakfast menu and it is chewy and structured.
But, really, the consistency with this sandwich is what truly earns it a spot at the top of the rankings for the best fast food breakfast sandwiches. It’s a textbook case of less-is-more: no excess, no mess, just a compact and balanced bite.
That simplicity, however, has its limits. We found that in recent years, the sausage patty has lost some of its punch and the muffin can arrive over-toasted depending on the location. The creeping price increase now means it’s also no longer one of the cheapest McDonald's items on the menu. Yet, the nostalgia, portability and global consistency prove why it remains the best fast food breakfast sandwich in the game.
How We Ranked the Best Fast Food Breakfast Sandwiches
Now, don’t be fooled. This article about the best fast food breakfast sandwiches didn’t come to fruition through simply scrolling a menu and circling whatever looks good. At Cozymeal, research is at the core of everything we do!
We dug deep into fast food community forums, read endless expert reviews and conducted countless taste tests to build a ranking that reflects what people actually order and actually enjoy.
Consistency was our biggest factor; if a sandwich could only impress on a “good day,” it didn’t make the cut for the best fast food breakfast sandwiches out there. Value, structure and overall balance were also weighed heavily, because the best fast food breakfast sandwiches should feel like a full meal, not just a hurried snack.
We also considered variety and staying power. The best fast food breakfast sandwiches had to stand out in more than just portion size — they needed distinctive qualities that set them apart in a crowded market. By narrowing down the contenders and filtering out the weak links, we’ve built a list of fast food breakfast sandwiches ranked on their creativity, flavor and reliability, so you’re never left not knowing what to order.
At the end of the day, the best fast food breakfast sandwiches for you are the ones that are satisfying, won’t break the bank and are convenient for your schedule. The closing advice we would give you is to try the options that caught your eye on this list of the best fast food breakfast sandwiches ranked, then narrow down your shortlist from there.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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