When hunger strikes, many of us turn to fast food for a quick meal. But how do we feel about the ingredients? For many, knowing that a place uses real eggs matters. Some fast food chains opt for egg substitutes, while others hold on to the real deal.
Take McDonald’s, for instance. They use actual eggs for their breakfast items—cracking fresh eggs for McMuffins and using liquid eggs for scrambled dishes. Taco Bell also made a commitment in 2016 to use only cage-free eggs in the U.S. They have some added ingredients in their cooked eggs, but their core offerings like the Breakfast Crunchwrap feature real eggs.
Wendy’s debuted fresh Grade-A eggs in their breakfast menu when it launched in 2020. Whataburger claims to use farm-fresh eggs, and Panera Bread uses real eggs in their breakfast sandwiches. They even pushed for more transparency in the industry regarding egg sourcing.
Yet, not all chains are as straightforward. Some, like Chick-fil-A, still rely on fake eggs, but they aim to switch to all real eggs by 2026. Burger King uses an egg mixture with additives for its Croissan’wiches. This might make them less appealing for those seeking quality breakfast options.
What’s the difference between real and artificial eggs?
Many popular chains use egg substitutes. For example, Dunkin’ uses an egg product mixed with ingredients like soybean oil. Starbucks also relies on egg patties that include artificial flavors. If you’re curious about what’s in your favorite breakfast sandwich, most fast food restaurants have ingredient lists available online.
Fake eggs usually contain some egg mixed with other ingredients to prolong shelf life. This can mean added sodium and potentially fewer health benefits compared to real eggs. While processed eggs help with speed and consistency in kitchens, they usually don’t match the quality of fresh ingredients.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what you want to eat. Whatever you choose, it’s essential to know what’s in your food.
