12 Trader Joe's Breakfast Finds That Are a Better Deal Than Any Drive-Thru

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While some people prefer savory protein-packed items in the early hours, others have a bit more of a sweet tooth.

Luckily, fans know one of the best Trader Joe's hacks is stocking up on their affordable pre-made breakfast items.

From frozen burritos and quiche to egg bites and seasonal baking mixes, the grocer's shelves cover both camps, and every pick on this list costs less than $6.

These 12 budget-conscious Trader Joe's breakfast options will have you starting your day on the right foot and are great alternatives to eating out first thing in the morning.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $4.49

A savory, well-rounded breakfast is as easy as an eight-ounce Trader Joe's Chicken Sausage Breakfast Burrito. Sage and thyme are sprinkled into chicken sausage, potatoes, scrambled eggs, onions, and white cheddar cheese.

This soft flour tortilla-wrapped beauty is a fan favorite and is under $5.

You'll find it in the refrigerated section rather than the freezer. To heat it, loosely rewrap it and microwave it on high for 90 seconds. 

For a crispier tortilla, bake it at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or cover it loosely with foil for a softer finish. 

Price: $2.99

The idea that you can enjoy a buttery, fluffy, egg with broccoli and cheddar inside a flaky pastry crust is such a delight, especially when it's as easy as three minutes in the microwave.

Trader Joe's six-ounce quiche is a delicious and affordable start to the day.

The filling combines eggs, broccoli and both mild and sharp cheddar, seasoned with onions, garlic, salt and black pepper. If you have more time, bake it at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes for a crispier crust. It's also a vegetarian-friendly pick. 

Fans cheered when it returned to shelves in 2023 after being discontinued earlier that year.

Price: $3.79

Looking for a fun breakfast item on the go? The Spinach & Kale and Cheddar Cheese & Uncured Bacon Egg Bites are an absolute mouthful.

Each protein-packed package comes with two cups of fluffy, decadent eggs whipped with cottage cheese and butter and mixed with their respective toppings.

You'll find them in the refrigerated section, and they heat up in about a minute, so they're easy to grab before you head out the door. 

Shoppers often compare them with Starbucks' sous vide egg bites, which cost more per order. Eat them on their own, or use them to build a quick breakfast sandwich or bowl.

Price: $5.49

Those who stick to a gluten-free or protein-rich diet will appreciate the Eggwich Breadless Breakfast Sandwich.

Instead of using a biscuit or other bread item to hold the ingredients together, turkey sausage and American cheese are layered between two scrambled egg patties.

Each box holds two sandwiches, and each one has 190 calories, 16 grams of protein and 3 grams of carbs, which also makes it popular with low-carb eaters. You'll find it in the freezer section. 

A toaster oven gives the best texture, but the microwave works fine when you're short on time. Reviewers describe the eggs as light and super fluffy.

Price: $3.49

If you're looking for a tasty breakfast beverage with a big impact, the Banana & Almond Butter Protein Smoothie is a great option.

At $3.49, this 16-ounce smoothie has 14 grams of pea protein and a smooth finish.

It's made with a coconut water base, banana puree, almond butter, vanilla and a pinch of sea salt. Each bottle has 320 calories and 12 grams of sugar, which comes naturally from the banana rather than added sugar. 

It's also dairy-free and vegan-friendly. One reviewer found it light but filling, with an almond flavor that stands out. It works as a quick breakfast, afternoon snack or post-workout drink.

Price: $3.99

Trader Joe's sells some pretty convincing vegan "sausage" patties. Soy protein and wheat gluten are combined to create the patties, and a blend of herbs and spices is added to the formula to give it a balanced, savory flavor.

These patties are great on biscuits, English muffins, breakfast burritos, and more.

Trader Joe's relaunched the patties in late 2023 with a fully vegan recipe. It dropped the egg whites from the original version, removed the sugar and swapped caramel coloring for fruit juice. 

The seasonings are now spelled out on the label: sage, fennel seed, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.

Price: $3.49

There's nothing quite like the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg in the kitchen in the mornings, and with Trader Joe's delicious Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix, you can have just that.

Add eggs, oil, and water to complete the recipe, and pop it in the oven for a cozy breakfast.

Each box makes one loaf of bread or a dozen muffins. Shoppers wait all year for this seasonal mix, which usually lands in stores in early to mid-September. 

If your loaf turns out dry, fans suggest adding an extra egg, mixing in a mashed banana or swapping the oil for pumpkin puree. Chocolate chips, chopped apples and cream cheese frosting are popular extras.

Price: $4.49

Korea is known for serving fresh hotteok, which are fluffy pancakes stuffed with sweet filling and normally eaten for dessert, but it turns out they also make for a fantastic breakfast.

You can find the Cinnamon Filled Korean Pancakes in the freezer aisle for a warm and gooey donut alternative.

Each 12.7-ounce box holds four pancakes, or about $1.12 apiece. They're made in South Korea and stuffed with a cinnamon-spiced sweet potato filling. Cook them in an ungreased pan over medium heat until crisp and golden, or heat one in the air fryer at 350 degrees for five minutes. 

Price: $5.99

If you're looking for a no-cook option, a giant, beautiful, crunchy-sugar-topped blueberry muffin is a great option for a sweet treat to start your day.

The sour cream in this gluten-free recipe makes these muffins extra moist and fluffy, and they come in four-packs at Trader Joe's for just $1.50 each.

The batter uses white and brown rice flours and is packed with blueberries. For a firmer outside, one reviewer recommends warming a muffin in a toaster oven for a couple of minutes. Because the blueberry muffins can mold quickly, it's also smart to freeze any extras in an airtight bag.

Price: $5.99

Another great take-and-bake option is Trader Joe's four-pack of almond croissants. Filled with a creamy marzipan filling and topped with crunchy almonds, these croissants are just $1.49 each.

They're ready in just 20 to 25 minutes in a conventional oven, or you can cook them in the air fryer for an even faster breakfast.

You'll find them in the freezer aisle. Plan ahead, though, since the dough needs to proof at room temperature overnight before baking and roughly triples in size. 

Fans say they taste fresher than some bakery croissants, and they cost less too. Pair one with coffee for a cafe-style morning at home.

Price: $5.79

Another budget-friendly find is Trader Joe's Tortilla Española. This is known as a Spanish omelet, which is similar to a frittata, and is made with a base of fluffy eggs topped with potatoes and thinly sliced onions.

Each box comes with six servings of this delicious breakfast option.

It's made in Spain by a Trader Joe's supplier that specializes in the dish, and it takes just a few minutes on the stovetop to heat up. It also works as a tapas-style appetizer. 

Price: $3.49

Are you a cereal junkie? Trader Joe's carries a peanut butter chocolate cereal that truly rivals your favorite name-brand counterparts in taste and crunch.

This option is just $3.49 for 10 ounces, and is both gluten-free and kosher.

Made with organic cornmeal, the puffs lead with rich chocolate flavor and a hint of peanut butter. Tasting Table ranked it second among 13 Trader Joe's cereals, praising its crunch and noting it tastes less sweet and artificial than the name brands. 

Fans say it holds up well in milk and works as a dry snack, too. It also has a short list of organic ingredients.

Trader Joe's has a loyal following, and it's easy to see why, as you can save more on groceries and treat yourself or your family to a really great breakfast or brunch quickly and easily.

Every item on this list costs less than $6, and several multipacks work out to about $1.50 or less per serving, including the almond croissants, gluten-free muffins and Korean pancakes. Frozen picks like the quiche, Eggwich and Korean pancakes can wait in your freezer until you need them, so you can skip the drive-thru on hectic weekdays.

While pre-made breakfasts are a great go-to item for busy mornings, you can also make breakfast at home to maximize your savings. The Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix is an easy middle ground, since one box makes a dozen muffins to enjoy throughout the week.