Step 1: Prepare the Protein (if needed)

• If using breakfast sausage: If using bulk sausage, cook it in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. If using pre-cooked sausage patties, simply warm them up according to package instructions. Crumble or chop the cooked sausage into smaller pieces if desired.
• If using bacon: Cook bacon in a skillet or in the oven until crispy. Drain off excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces. Oven-baked bacon is less messy and cooks more evenly. To bake bacon, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place bacon strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy.
• If using Canadian bacon or ham: Dice Canadian bacon or ham into small pieces. You can lightly sauté it in a skillet for a minute or two to warm it up and enhance the flavor, but this is optional as it’s already cooked.
• If using turkey or chicken breast: Ensure your turkey or chicken breast is already cooked. Dice or shred it into bite-sized pieces. If using leftover grilled chicken, consider quickly reheating it in a skillet with a little olive oil to prevent dryness.
• If using plant-based sausage: Cook plant-based sausage crumbles or patties according to package directions. Crumble or chop as needed.
• If using tofu scramble: Press excess water from the tofu. Crumble it into a skillet and cook over medium heat. Season with turmeric (for color), nutritional yeast (for cheesy flavor), salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook until heated through and slightly browned.
• If using black beans: Rinse and drain black beans. Mash them slightly with a fork in a bowl. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and a dash of hot sauce if desired.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetables (Optional but Recommended for Flavor)

• If you are adding vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms, now is the time to sauté them. Heat a little olive oil or cooking spray in a skillet over medium heat.
• For onions and bell peppers: Sauté diced onions and bell peppers for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and slightly caramelized. This brings out their sweetness and reduces their raw bite.
• For mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms for 5-7 minutes, or until they release their moisture and become tender and browned.
• For spinach: Add spinach to the skillet during the last minute or two of sautéing the other vegetables, or sauté it separately until wilted. Spinach cooks down quickly.

Step 3: Prepare the Egg Mixture

• In a large bowl, crack the eggs. Whisk them together thoroughly until the yolks and whites are fully combined and slightly frothy. This ensures a smooth and even texture in your egg patties.
• Season the eggs generously with salt and black pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning, as it will flavor the entire egg mixture. You can also add other seasonings at this point, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning, depending on your desired flavor profile.
• If using shredded cheese, you can stir it into the egg mixture now. This will create cheesy egg patties. Alternatively, you can add cheese slices later during assembly.
• If you are incorporating sautéed vegetables, gently fold them into the egg mixture.
• Finally, add your cooked protein choice (sausage, bacon, ham, turkey, chicken, plant-based sausage, tofu scramble, or black beans) to the egg mixture and stir to combine everything evenly.

Step 4: Cook the Egg Patties

• Oven Method (Recommended for large batches and even cooking): Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper. Pour the egg mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the eggs are set and no longer jiggly in the center. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Let the eggs cool slightly in the baking dish before cutting into squares or circles to fit your chosen bread/rolls.
• Skillet Method (For smaller batches or individual patties): Heat a lightly oiled skillet or griddle over medium heat. For individual patties, you can use large rings (like cookie cutters or canning rings) placed in the skillet to help shape the eggs. Pour about ½ cup of egg mixture into each ring. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the eggs are set and cooked through. Remove the rings and continue cooking if needed. If you don’t have rings, you can simply pour portions of the egg mixture onto the skillet to create free-form patties.

Step 5: Assemble the Breakfast Sammies

• While the egg patties are cooling slightly, prepare your bread/rolls. If using English muffins or bagels, split them in half and lightly toast them if desired. Toasting adds warmth and texture and prevents the sandwiches from getting soggy.
• If you cooked the eggs in a baking dish, use a biscuit cutter or knife to cut out egg patties that are slightly larger than your bread/rolls. This ensures the egg fills the sandwich nicely.
• Assemble your breakfast sandwiches. Place an egg patty on the bottom half of each bread/roll. If you haven’t already added cheese, place a slice of cheese on top of the egg patty. You can also add any additional toppings at this stage, such as sliced tomatoes or avocado (if serving immediately). Top with the other half of the bread/roll.

Step 6: Wrap and Store (for Make-Ahead Sammies)

• For immediate consumption: Serve your breakfast sammies warm and enjoy!
• For make-ahead storage: Let the assembled sandwiches cool completely. Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or foil. For extra protection against freezer burn, you can then place the wrapped sandwiches in a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Freezing: These breakfast sammies freeze exceptionally well. Store them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
• Refrigerating: If you plan to eat them within a few days, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Step 7: Reheat and Serve

• From Freezer: Remove the frozen sandwich from its wrapping. You can reheat it directly from frozen.

  • Microwave: Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Cooking times may vary depending on your microwave strength. Check for hot spots and continue heating in short intervals if needed.
  • Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the frozen sandwich in foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. This method takes longer but results in a less soggy sandwich.
  • Air Fryer: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This method gives a nice crispy texture to the bread.

• From Refrigerator: Remove the refrigerated sandwich from its wrapping.

  • Microwave: Microwave on high for 30-60 seconds, or until heated through.
  • Oven or Air Fryer: Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through.