Breakfast sandwiches are typically made using breakfast meats (generally cured meats such as sausages, patty sausages,bacon, country ham,scrapple,Spam, andpork roll), breads,eggs andcheese. Thesesandwiches were typically regional specialties untilfast food restaurants began servingbreakfast. Because the common types of bread, such asbiscuits,bagels, andEnglish muffins, were similar in size to fast foodhamburgerbuns, they made an obvious choice for fast food restaurants. Unlike other breakfast items, they were perfect for the innovation of thedrive-through. These sandwiches have also become a staple of manyconvenience stores.
Although the ingredients of the breakfast sandwich have been common elements of breakfast meals in the English-speaking world for centuries, it was not until the 19th century in the United States that people began regularly eating eggs, cheese, and meat in a sandwich.[1]Bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches became increasingly popular after theAmerican Civil War, and were a favorite food of pioneers during American westward expansion.
There are several types of bread used to make breakfast sandwiches:
Hard roll: The traditional breakfast sandwich of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut consists of a hard roll; eggs; cheese; and sausage, bacon, or ham. This is considered one of the earliest forms of the breakfast sandwich in the United States. InNew Jersey, a common breakfast sandwich is the Jersey breakfast which consists ofpork roll, egg, and cheese on a hardKaiser roll.[2] InIreland, abreakfast roll contains fillings such as sausages, bacon,white orblack pudding, butter,mushrooms,tomatoes andtomato sauce orbrown sauce.[3] In some cases ahash brown orfried egg may be added; these fillings vary between cooks and restaurants.
Biscuit: Consists of a large sliced biscuit, on which meat, cheese, or eggs are served. Popular biscuits include: Sausage biscuit,[4] bacon,tomato, andcountry ham. Some fast food restaurants serve small friedchicken fillets on biscuits.Scrambled eggs and/orAmerican cheese are often added.
Bagel sandwiches: Due to their connection withGerman andJewish ethnic groups, bagel sandwiches often have fillings that are popular in these communities. Deli meats,Canadian bacon,lox or othersmoked fish, andcream cheese are popular.
English muffin: Generally contains egg and cheese with either breakfast sausage or ham. Often served in US fast food outlets such asMcDonald's andStarbucks.
Toast: Toasted bread is one of the oldest forms of breakfast sandwich, and the closest to the originalsandwich in form. While a variety of items can be served on toast, eggs and bacon are the most commonly associated with breakfast.
Specialty breads:Burger King uses acroissant to make a breakfast sandwich marketed as theCroissan'wich, or as a croissant sandwich in some regions. McDonald's offers its traditional biscuit fillings on sandwiches made from maple-flavored pancakes calledMcGriddles.Dunkin' Donuts has awaffle sandwich that is similar to the McGriddles. These can be found at American fast foodfranchises worldwide.Kangaroo Brands makes a variety of breakfast sandwiches withpita bread.
