Last Updated on June 18, 2025 by clubtraderjoes
The Ultimate Survival Guide for Busy Mornings (When “Breakfast Is the Most Important Meal” Meets “I Have 3 Minutes Before the Bus Arrives”)
I am not a traditional breakfast cereal guy. I don’t think I’ve eaten a bowl of cereal since my college years. I like food with a lot of protein in it and it is reflected in this list. So, if you are looking for cereal or granola, you won’t find it in this list unfortunately. In the meantime, stock up on these filling breakfast foods to power you through your day!
1. Chicken Breakfast Sausage Patties
Rating: 8/10 Stars
Perfect for: Anyone who wants protein without the pork guilt trip
These little protein powerhouses are the overachievers of the breakfast world. At 13 grams of protein per serving and only 140 calories for two patties, they’re basically the gym membership you actually use. Unlike their pork cousins that sometimes have mysterious chewy bits (we’ve all been there), these maintain their dignity with consistent texture and spot-on breakfast sausage flavoring.
Dietary wins: No pork, potentially kosher-friendly (check your local rabbi), keto-approved and they are gluten free.
Busy parent hack: Crumble into breakfast burritos, stuff into English muffins, or eat straight up while standing in the kitchen pretending you have time to sit down.
2. Double Chocolate Croissants
Rating: 10/10 Stars!
Perfect for: When you want to feel European but your planning skills are decidedly American.
Yes, these require overnight rising (because apparently we’re all supposed to be breakfast fortune tellers), but the payoff is worth the strategic planning. These aren’t just croissants with chocolate, they’re croissants that sold their soul to chocolate and came back stronger. The chocolate is baked right into the dough, creating what can only be described as “sophisticated chaos in pastry form.”
Dietary reality check: Not vegan, not gluten-free, not low-sugar, not apologetic about it. Take that! They are Kosher if you are keeping track.
Weekend warrior move: Perfect for impressing houseguests or bribing teenagers.
3. Multigrain Toaster Waffles
Rating: 8/10 Stars
Perfect for: Parents who want to feel good about feeding their kids “multigrain” anything
These are the reliable friend of the breakfast world—they show up, do their job, and don’t cause drama. Pop them in the toaster, slather with whatever syrup situation you have going on, and boom—breakfast achieved. Your kids won’t even notice they’re eating something with nutritional value.
Dietary wins: Vegetarian-friendly, quick as lightning
Pro tip: Keep them stocked for emergency breakfast situations (which, let’s be honest, is every morning)
4. Gluten-Free English Muffins
Rating: 8/10 Bells
Perfect for: Gluten-free folks who refuse to settle for cardboard-flavored substitutes
Finally, a gluten-free bread product that doesn’t require a motivational speech to eat! Made primarily with rice flour, these albino-looking muffins actually toast up nicely and won’t crumble into sad little pieces when you try to butter them. They’re priced higher than regular muffins, but when you’re gluten-free, you learn to appreciate the small victories.
Dietary wins: Gluten-free (obviously), decent calorie count
Reality check: They look weird but taste surprisingly normal
5. Egg Bites (Cheese, Spinach & Kale and Cheddar Bacon)
Rating: 8/10 Stars
Perfect for: Commuters who want to feel fancy without the $6 coffee shop markup
These little protein powerhouses come in two varieties: the virtuous Cheese, Spinach & Kale (made with egg whites for 150 calories) and the indulgent Cheddar & Bacon (240 calories of pure breakfast bliss). Both heat up in 60 seconds flat and taste as good as—or better than—their expensive coffee shop cousins. At $2.49 per package, you’re saving enough money to actually afford that latte.
Dietary wins: High protein, vegetarian options available, kosher.
Busy parent hack: Grab-and-go perfection. Pop in the microwave, let cool for exactly one minute (unless you enjoy molten cheese burns), and you’re out the door.
6. Dutch Griddle Cakes
Rating: 8/10 Stars
Perfect for: Lazy Sunday mornings when you want pancakes but not pancake drama
These frozen pancakes from the Netherlands are basically what would happen if a pancake and a waffle had a sophisticated European baby. They heat up quickly, have that satisfying dense-but-fluffy texture, and don’t require you to stand over a hot griddle flipping things while your coffee gets cold.
Dietary considerations: Contains wheat, eggs, milk—basically all the classics
Serving suggestion: Don’t drown them in syrup—they’re already sweet enough
7. Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix (Seasonal)
Rating: 8/10 Bells
Perfect for: Fall enthusiasts and anyone who wants orange pancakes
When pumpkin season hits Trader Joe’s (aka September through December), this mix is your ticket to feeling festive without starting from scratch. The mix actually contains real dried pumpkin, giving your pancakes that Instagram-worthy orange color and legitimate pumpkin pie spice flavor.
Dietary note: Contains wheat, so not gluten-free
Kid approval rating: High (they love the color, even if they pick out the “spicy” bites)
8. Eggwich Breadless Breakfast Sandwich
Rating: Keto hero with cheese drama
Perfect for: Low-carb warriors and people who think bread is overrated
This is basically a breakfast sandwich where eggs are playing dress-up as bread. It’s brilliant in theory: 16 grams of protein, only 3 grams of carbs. In practice, the cheese has commitment issues and tries to escape during microwaving, creating what can only be described as a “cheese crime scene” in your kitchen.
Dietary wins: Gluten-free, low-carb, high-protein
Dietary fails: Not kosher, not vegan, not neat to eat
9. Egg Frittata with Swiss and Cauliflower
Rating:8/10 Stars
Perfect for: When you want to feel fancy but only have 90 seconds
At 45% egg and 30% Swiss cheese, this is basically a crustless quiche that doesn’t judge you for eating it straight from the microwave. It’s surprisingly satisfying and tastes way more gourmet than something you nuked for a minute and a half has any right to taste.
Dietary wins: High protein, vegetarian, kosher
Portion reality: The box claims it serves two, but let’s be honest—it’s really a single-serving situation
10. Meatless Breakfast Sausage Patties
Rating: 8/10 Stars (for the plant-based crowd)
Perfect for: Vegetarians, vegans, and curious omnivores
The reformulated version has won over even the skeptics. Made with wheat gluten instead of soy protein, these actually taste like breakfast sausage without requiring you to suspend disbelief. The sage and fennel flavors come through beautifully, and they cook up with a satisfying texture that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Dietary wins: Vegan, plant-based protein powerhouse
Truth bomb: They’re better than some actual meat sausages
The Bottom Line
When your alarm goes off and you realize you have exactly 12 minutes to feed everyone and get out the door, these products are your breakfast battalion. They’re not all perfect, but they’re all practical. And sometimes, practical is the most delicious thing of all.
Pro Shopping Tip: Stock your freezer with 2-3 of these options so you can rotate based on your morning chaos level. Monday mornings call for the Eggwich (protein armor for the week ahead), while Sunday mornings deserve those Double Chocolate Croissants (because weekends are for living your best life).
Remember: The best breakfast is the one that actually gets eaten. Everything else is just Instagram potential.
