Think outside the carton with no-egg breakfasts

Breakfast and eggs go together like bacon and, well, eggs.

Why? Because historically when we got our eggs from the birds in the backyard instead of the carton in the grocery store, eggs were collected first thing in the morning. That made them a handy food to fix to start the day.

Today eggs are synonymous with breakfast. So what do we do when they aren’t an option?

Americans are experiencing two related crises with eggs. There’s the price. Walmart was showing them at more than $4 per dozen on Monday. Unfortunately, there was a second problem – those eggs were mostly out of stock. Both problems stem from nationwide outbreaks of avian flu.

So no breakfast sandwiches? No omelets? Are we doomed to cornflakes and toaster pastries?

Have no fear. A savory breakfast is still an option, even without a runny yolk.

Drive-thru style breakfast sandwiches

McDonald’s really set us on a cultural path for a one-handed breakfast on the go with the Egg McMuffin. Without the egg, however, we can still get a quick and tasty sandwich that gives the same feel.

Toast an English muffin and butter it. Add some cheese. Yes, American is the fast-food classic, but if we are trying to go for more flavor to mask our missing egg, try a sharper cheddar or maybe a slice of pepper jack.

The original McMuffin relies on a thin slice of Canadian bacon. That’s still a good (and affordable) option, but a more flavorful punch can come from a sausage patty or some crispy bacon. Chicken and steak are also good breakfast proteins if you have leftovers.

Cream cheese – whether plain or flavored – is a great addition that can give that creamy mouthfeel of a jammy egg. If you like a southwest flair, so does a smear of refried beans. These are also great ways to go for a vegetarian spin.

Outside the wrapper

And let’s remember that there’s a world outside of English muffins too. Bagels, biscuits and waffles are all great platforms for a sandwich that drives home the breakfast feel. Many of these open up different flavors that are very morning-coded.

Bagels are cream cheese’s best friend. Add salmon, maybe with some onion, tomato and capers, for a New York staple.

Biscuits are amazing when coated with a hefty helping of sausage gravy, but in an on-the-go sandwich, you can get a similar flavor with a sausage patty and some whipped cream cheese. And let’s not forget – it’s hard to beat the simple perfection of butter and jam.

Many a kid has been sent out the door with a hasty peanut butter and jelly sandwich built on the scaffold of frozen waffles. Nutella and some sliced banana is another tasty and easy option.

Grilled cheese with bacon (or another breakfast meat) can also satisfy that crunchy, buttery, salty craving that hits in the morning.

Getting toasted

And let’s not overlook toast.

Millennials have taken a lot of heat in recent years for their love of avocado toast, but that’s likely to take as tariffs with Mexico continue to hang in the balance. There’s a lot more toast out there to try without eggs or avocados.

Toasted bread topped with ricotta (or any spreadable, mild cheese) and fresh or cooked fruit is a filling and fun way to start a morning. If you’ve never had a thick slice of warm, crusty bread with a generous spread of apple butter, you just don’t know what you’re missing.

Eggs may be our default position for breakfast, but there’s a whole world outside the carton. The price or shortage can be a reason to crack into some other options.