3 frozen breakfast sandwiches that taste just as good as the famous McDonald's ones

I heated them in the oven (because I don't own a microwave), and sampled my way through all 11 sandwiches to find the ones that rival those famous ones at McDonald's. These are my top three picks, plus one very honorable mention.

I am The Kitchn's Director of Groceries & Shopping, which means I oversee all grocery and shopping content, including reviews like this one. I've been with the company since 2021, and I've been a breakfast fan since birth. I purchased, heated, and sampled every single frozen breakfast sandwich in this taste test. All of the honest opinions are my own.

When people think of a frozen breakfast sandwich, they're probably picturing the bright red Jimmy Dean box. It seemed like every single store I went to carried this brand - and it's easy to see why. This was one of the most balanced bites of the bunch. Where others lacked cheese or overloaded on breading, JD had a spot-on ratio.

The croissant isn't as flaky as other brands (or what you might find in a French bakery). The doughy texture is more like a cross between a croissant and a roll. And it works, especially when combined with the pork and chicken sausage patty and a pleasantly spongy egg blanketed in American cheese.

Plus, $11.46 for eight sandwiches is a fraction of what you'd pay at the drive-thru.

Buy: Jimmy Dean Croissant Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwiches, $11.46 for 8 sandwiches at Amazon

Clara's has been around for roughly a decade, but this was my first time trying the West Coast wholesale brand, which sells its breakfast sandwiches and more handheld foods directly to neighborhood grocery stores and delis. (You may find them in the freezer or fridge cases, depending on where you shop.)

I don't know what kind of sorcery is going on with the R&D team, but they've created a sourdough English muffin with a slightly crispy crust and pillowy-soft inside. The egg patty is thin, but substantial. I could have gone for a slightly thicker round of bacon (or even a second slice) to balance out the generous layer of melty Provolone, which added a rich, nutty flavor to the mix.

Buy: Clara's Kitchen Bacon Breakfast Sandwich, $4.79 for 1 sandwich at Instacart

A moment of appreciation for this biscuit! This buttermilk biscuit has restaurant roots, and you can taste it. It's buttery and pillowy, with a subtle cheesy flavor. (Yes, the cheddar is in the biscuit.)

The egg was surprisingly fluffy for being pre-cooked and frozen. A culinary feat, really! And the sausage was meaty, juicy, and nicely seasoned. If you've yet to experience the hype, just know any day that starts with one of these is going to be a good one.

Buy: Mason Dixie Biscuit Sandwich, $5.39 for 1 sandwich at Amazon

While the biscuit isn't as buttery as Mason Dixie's, what's inside really stood out. Of the 11 brands I tried, Applegate's egg was the most well-seasoned with a little bit of salt and plenty of black pepper (you can see flecks in the actual egg itself). It had some help from two trusty sidekicks, too: a nicely melted white cheddar, and a so-juicy chicken sausage patty with a touch of sweetness, thanks to the maple syrup and sugar. If you spot this on your next grocery run, don't hesitate to give it a try.

Buy: Applegate Naturals Chicken & Maple Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich, $8.49 for 2 sandwiches at Kroger

What's your favorite frozen breakfast sandwich? Tell us about it in the comments.

The Weekly Checkout

Sign up for The Weekly Checkout to get the most up-to-date grocery news, tips, and highlights.

Subscribe to Cubby!

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: 3 Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches That Taste Even Better Than the Famous McDonald's Ones

House Tour: Olivia Konys' Maximalist 300-Square-Foot Artist's Apartment

Further Reading

My Toilet Had Brown Stains I Couldn't Get Rid Of – Then I Found This Amazing Trick

I Thought the Perfect Nursery Glider Didn't Exist, Until I Bought This Chair (It's My 3rd Glider and the Best By Far)

I Wrote a Book About Bunk Beds -From Sizes to Styles, Here's Everything You Need to Know (Including My Favorite Bunks!)