Homemade Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich: The Ultimate Make-Ahead Breakfast Sandwich for Tailgates & More
Love the convenience and comforting flavors of Burger King’s Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich? Prepare yourself, because this homemade version isn’t just a copycat — it’s a significant upgrade that promises fresher ingredients, superior taste, and the unparalleled satisfaction of a meal crafted with care. Get ready to elevate your breakfast game!
There’s a special magic that happens when good food meets good company, especially at an early morning tailgate. For us, even when our beloved Huskers are facing their toughest season in history, the spirit of camaraderie and the promise of delicious food never wavers. It’s a tradition deeply rooted in community, shared passion, and, of course, a fantastic breakfast spread. Last weekend’s game was a testament to this enduring spirit. As the sun peeked over the horizon, casting a warm glow on our bustling parking lot, we gathered, fueled by hearty homemade breakfast sandwiches and ready to cheer on our team with full bellies and high spirits.
Creating a memorable tailgate experience is about more than just the game; it’s about tradition, community, and providing truly satisfying food. Our homemade Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wichs were the undeniable star of the show. These aren’t just any breakfast sandwiches; they’re meticulously prepared to be both incredibly tasty and remarkably easy to serve in a lively, pre-game environment. The rich, flaky croissants, savory, perfectly seasoned sausage, fluffy eggs, and melted American cheese create a symphony of flavors and textures that truly elevate the typical breakfast fare. Imagine biting into a warm, buttery croissant, layered with juicy sausage, tender egg, and gooey cheese – pure bliss!
The early morning crisp air, the enticing aroma of grilling sausage, and the rising sun illuminating our giant Cinnamon Roll Husker “N” set the perfect scene. It’s moments like these that remind us why we love tailgating, regardless of the scoreboard. The shared laughter, the anticipation of the game, and the comfort of good food forge bonds that last long after the final whistle.
Our Ultimate Tailgate Breakfast Menu
Our breakfast tailgate menu was carefully curated to offer a variety of crowd-pleasing options, ensuring everyone found something delicious to enjoy. From savory and substantial to sweet treats and refreshing beverages, here’s what made our spread an unforgettable experience for our friends and family:
- **Homemade Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wichs:** The undisputed main attraction, offering a warm, hearty start to the game day. These gourmet breakfast sandwiches are a step above anything you’d find at a drive-thru.
- **Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls:** A sweet complement to our savory sandwiches, perfect for those with a sweet tooth or as a dessert-like treat.
- **Peanut, Candy Corn M&M Mix:** A fun, energizing snack mix that’s easy to munch on while socializing and waiting for kick-off.
- Homemade “Dump Salsa” & Tortilla Chips: A surprising yet delightful savory addition, providing a fresh, zesty counterpoint to the richer breakfast items.
- **Bacon Wrapped Grilled Shrimp:** For those who appreciate a touch of gourmet flair, these savory bites are always a crowd-pleaser and surprisingly easy to prepare.
- {The Best} Bloody Mary’s: The essential adult tailgating beverage, perfect for a lively morning and a classic accompaniment to breakfast.
Crafting Your Perfect Homemade Croissan’wich: A Smart Make-Ahead Strategy
The true brilliance of these homemade sausage, egg, and cheese croissant sandwiches lies in their simplicity and the strategic advantage of preparing most components in advance. This make-ahead breakfast sandwich strategy is a game-changer for busy mornings, whether you’re orchestrating a bustling tailgate, hosting a leisurely brunch, or simply craving a quick, gourmet breakfast during the week. Our primary goal was to minimize on-site cooking and assembly time at the tailgate, allowing us to spend more moments enjoying the company, soaking in the pre-game atmosphere, and less time fussing over hot griddles.
Perfectly Cooked Eggs, Every Single Time
For the eggs, I employed a method designed to yield uniform, perfectly round patties, ideal for stacking neatly and consistently onto a croissant. I began by whisking a generous quantity of extra-large eggs with a splash of whole milk, which contributes to a richer flavor and a lighter, fluffier texture. This mixture was then poured into a large skillet set over medium heat. Covering the skillet is key, as it allows the eggs to cook evenly through gentle steaming. Every couple of minutes, I’d carefully “swirl” the pan, encouraging any remaining liquid egg to flow towards the edges and cook, then use a rubber spatula to gently detach the cooked edges. Once the eggs were fully set with no liquid remaining, I used a drinking glass or a circular cookie cutter – roughly the same diameter as our sausage patties – to cut out perfect egg circles. These individual egg patties were then stacked in a covered baking dish, with layers of waxed paper in between to prevent sticking, and refrigerated until we were ready to head out for the tailgate. This advance preparation meant perfectly portioned, ready-to-heat eggs that maintained their shape and texture.
Selecting and Preparing the Savory Sausage Patties
The quality of your sausage truly elevates these homemade breakfast sandwiches to another level. We are incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful local market in my hometown that prides itself on freshly cut meats and exceptional, artisanal breakfast sausage patties. For our tailgate, I selected two varieties: a classic, savory pork sausage and a delightful pork and bacon blend, offering a nuanced flavor profile. To further streamline the tailgate cooking process and reduce grease, we partially grilled the sausage patties the night before. This crucial step not only alleviates much of the mess and splatter at the event but also significantly speeds up the final cooking time. Once cooled, these pre-cooked, flavorful patties were packed securely, ready for their brief final sizzle on the grill.
Flaky Croissants: The Essential Foundation of Flavor
No Croissan’wich is truly complete without a genuinely flaky, golden, and buttery croissant. For our large gathering, buying in bulk was a practical necessity, so we sourced a generous supply of fresh, large croissants from Costco. To make assembly incredibly efficient at the tailgate, we pre-sliced all the croissants in half at home. This simple step eliminated any need for knife work in the bustling, often cramped, tailgate environment, ensuring a smooth and quick assembly line for our gourmet breakfast sandwiches. The delicate texture of the croissant provides a perfect contrast to the hearty fillings.
Tailgate Assembly: Bringing it All Together for Game Day
At the tailgate, the final assembly of our homemade Croissan’wichs was incredibly easy and surprisingly quick, thanks to all the pre-preparation. We fired up the grill, finishing off the partially cooked sausage patties until they were sizzling, perfectly browned, and thoroughly heated through. The smoky char from the grill added another layer of deliciousness. Then, while still hot, we topped each juicy sausage patty with one of our pre-cut egg circles and a generous slice of American cheese. The residual heat from the grill and the sausage quickly warmed the egg and melted the cheese into a gooey, irresistible blanket. Once everything was piping hot and melty, these savory stacks were immediately nestled into the waiting, pre-sliced croissants.
An unexpected but thoroughly welcome benefit of serving these warm sandwiches on a chilly morning was how they doubled as excellent hand warmers! There’s nothing quite like a warm, satisfying homemade breakfast sandwich to keep you cozy and content while cheering on your favorite team, even when the temperatures drop. They are truly the perfect portable breakfast for any outdoor event.
The ultimate taste test came from my son, Spencer, who gave these homemade Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wichs his resounding thumbs-up! It’s always incredibly rewarding to see your culinary efforts appreciated, especially by the younger generation who often have discerning palates when it comes to breakfast staples.
The Joy of Community: Friends, Family & The Football Spirit
Beyond the delicious food, the very best part of any tailgate gathering is undeniably the people. It warms my heart to see Spencer surrounded by his friends and Sigma Chi Fraternity brothers, all enjoying the food and the festive atmosphere. These pre-game gatherings are far more than just rituals; they are invaluable opportunities to create lasting memories, strengthen bonds, and share in the excitement of game day, regardless of the team’s performance. The laughter, the stories, and the shared anticipation make these moments truly special.
It was a true delight to have my husband’s cousin, Paul, and his wife, Gail, make the trip all the way from Story City, Iowa, for the game. As passionate Iowa State fans, their presence at a Huskers tailgate was a significant and cherished gesture, beautifully highlighting the power of family connections that transcend team loyalties and rivalries. Their enthusiasm and good company added an extra layer of joy to our early morning celebration.
Nothing says “tailgate morning” quite like grilling with a refreshing Bloody Mary in hand, and Paul and Brian perfectly embodied that classic spirit. Their laughter, engaging conversations, and good humor were infectious, adding immeasurably to the relaxed and celebratory mood of our gathering. These are the moments that truly make tailgating a cherished tradition.
And a truly special treat for me was the visit from my cousins, who traveled all the way from Nicolaus, California! It’s not often we get to see them, so sharing a tailgate meal and catching up amidst the excitement of game day was an absolute highlight. (And yes, that “antifreeze” in the brown bags was all in good fun and part of the festive atmosphere! 😉 ) The pure joy of these family reunions, often sparked by a shared love for sports and, of course, delicious food, is truly priceless and creates memories that will be cherished for years to come.
The Recipe: Homemade Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wichs
For our large tailgate, we prepared a whopping 25 of these incredibly delicious homemade breakfast sandwiches, ensuring there was enough for everyone to enjoy. However, for your convenience and ease, I’ll share the detailed “how-to” recipe specifically scaled for a batch of 8 sandwiches, which is perfectly sized for a family breakfast or a smaller, intimate gathering. Get ready to impress your loved ones with this easy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying make-ahead breakfast sandwich recipe!
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Print Recipe
Homemade Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich
Ingredients
- 9 extra large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 8 Pork Breakfast Sausage Patties hamburger sized
- 8 slices American cheese
- 8 Croissants sliced in half
Instructions
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Whisk the 9 extra large eggs and 1/2 cup whole milk together in a bowl until well combined. Pour the egg mixture into a large skillet (about 10-12 inches) set to medium heat. Cover the skillet with a lid.
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Every couple of minutes, gently “swirl” the pan around to move any liquid egg towards the outer rim of the skillet, then run a rubber spatula around the entire edge to prevent sticking and allow uncooked egg to flow underneath. Cover and continue to cook until there is no liquid egg left, and the egg sheet is fully set and firm (this ensures a dense, easy-to-cut egg patty). Using a glass or circular cookie cutter that is about the same diameter as your sausage patties, carefully cut 8 circles of eggs out of the cooked sheet. Gently pick them up and place them in a baking dish, dividing the layers with waxed paper to prevent them from sticking together. Refrigerate these cooked egg patties until you are ready to use them.
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Grill or cook the 8 pork breakfast sausage patties until they are cooked through and nicely browned (if pre-cooking, simply finish heating them through on the grill). Once the sausage patties are hot, top each with one of your prepared egg circles, then immediately place a slice of American cheese on top of the egg. Continue to heat on the grill or in the skillet until the cheese is beautifully melted and the egg patty is hot.
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Serve these hot sausage, egg, and cheese stacks immediately on your pre-sliced croissants. Enjoy your superior homemade breakfast sandwich that’s perfect for a crowd or a delightful morning treat!
Nutrition
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These homemade breakfast sandwiches are more than just a meal; they’re a tradition, a comfort, and a delicious testament to the joy of making something truly special for loved ones. Whether you’re making them for a grand tailgate, a festive brunch, or a simple, comforting family breakfast, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles and profound satisfaction. Give them a try, and savor the remarkable difference that fresh, thoughtfully prepared, homemade ingredients make!