Breakfast Sandwich

Win the morning with this savory, protein-rich, drippy Breakfast Sandwich with bacon and avocado.

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This breakfast sandwich, or the B.E.C. (bacon, egg, and cheese), is a true New York classic. I have enjoyed this handheld breakfast my whole life, and I still make it anytime my family visits from out of state. You can throw it together quickly and take it with you on a busy day, and it’ll certainly fill you up for hours.

The humble breakfast sandwich is said to have originated in London in the 1800s. It was popular among the working class for its convenience and heartiness. Made with common, often inexpensive breakfast ingredients like bread, eggs, cheese, and meat, it gained popularity in the United States after the Civil War.

You will love this breakfast sandwich because it is delicious, filling, and simple. It also can be easily modified to your liking. For starters, choose how you like your eggs prepared. I love Over-Medium Eggs. They are a tad runny, but won’t make a huge mess when you bite into the sandwich. When I am making these for a crowd, Scrambled Eggs are the easiest. Toast the English muffins while you whip up the eggs, cover in butter, and add the cheese right away to ensure proper melting. Then, build your sandwich with either bacon or avocado, or both! The flavors and consistencies work together perfectly.

Is This Breakfast Sandwich Healthy?

This breakfast sandwich is packed with protein—17 grams, to be exact! It’s also versatile and can be adjusted to your dietary preferences. For example, choose egg whites over whole eggs, low-fat mozzarella, and turkey bacon if you want a lower-calorie breakfast sandwich. For a gluten-free sandwich, choose a spinach wrap or gluten-free toast for the bread. You can easily make a vegetarian sandwich by omitting the bacon, or using a meatless bacon substitute.

What Else Can I Add To My Breakfast Sandwich?

Aside from switching up your cheese, meat, veggies, and eggs, this breakfast sandwich was made to be personalized. I love adding maple syrup to mine; the sweetness is perfect with this savory sandwich. Some people add hot sauce, salt and pepper, or a fruity jam. This one restaurant serves it with bacon jam—SO good. You can also elevate your breakfast sandwich with Guacamole instead of plain avocado.

INGREDIENTS

4 English muffins, halved
4 large eggs
4 slices cheddar cheese
4 slices cooked bacon
Butter for toasting muffins
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Mashed avocado, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

Toast
Prepare and toast English muffins.

Cook
Fry eggs with seasoning.

Assemble
Layer cheese, eggs, and bacon on muffins.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How To Make Ahead And Store

While this breakfast sandwich is best when it’s fresh, you can make certain elements ahead of time. Fry up your bacon up to 5 days before you make the sandwich, and store it in the fridge in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. When you’re ready to make the sandwich, fry up your egg, reheat the bacon in the air fryer until crispy, toast the muffin, and assemble the sandwich. If you have leftovers, you can store your assembled breakfast sandwich in the fridge for up to 2 days, wrapped in parchment and placed in an airtight container.
To reheat, I recommend opening the sandwich, removing the avocado, and air-frying the sandwich open-faced at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. You can also reheat it open-faced in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, until the muffins are toasted and the cheese is melted.

What Bread Can I Use Aside From English Muffins?

I love having my breakfast sandwich on a soft roll or an “everything” bagel. It is also tasty on homemade biscuits. Whole wheat toast is a great healthy option, as well.

I’m Serving These For A Brunch Party. How Long Can Breakfast Sandwiches Sit Out For?

Breakfast sandwiches can sit at room temperature for up to two hours. If the brunch party goes longer than that, make sure to refrigerate the sandwiches promptly.

Serving Suggestions

This breakfast sandwich is a complete meal on its own, but can also be part of a larger breakfast. I always serve these with a fresh Fruit Salad, or something heartier like a Corn and Mango Salad. If you want to get creative, skip the bread and enjoy your eggs and cheese in between two waffles. Go for these amazing Hash Brown Waffles, Blueberry Paleo Protein Waffles, or these Gluten-Free Waffles.