Copycat Starbucks Bacon Gouda Breakfast Sandwiches

Skip the Starbucks run and save time and money by making these copycat bacon gouda breakfast sandwiches right at home. They’re layered with fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, melted gouda, and toasted ciabatta rolls, and they’re perfect for making ahead for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.

Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Bacon Gouda Recipe

This copycat Starbucks bacon gouda sandwich is easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. The eggs cook in ring molds so they fit neatly on the ciabatta rolls, and the bacon bakes in the oven until it’s crisp without much hands-on work.

My tricks for making it taste just like Starbucks are using two slices of gouda per sandwich, and steaming the eggs. The cheese melts around the extra fluffy eggs and bacon, giving every bite that creamy, smoky flavor that makes the original so popular. 

These sandwiches are also perfect for busy mornings. You can assemble a batch ahead of time, wrap each one individually, and freeze them before the final toast. Then all you have to do is reheat one when you want a quick breakfast that tastes way better than something random from the freezer aisle.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 4 ciabatta rolls
• 8 eggs
• 8 slices gouda cheese
• 8 slices bacon, cooked crispy
• Salt, to taste

How To Make Starbucks Bacon Gouda Breakfast Sandwiches

Step 1: Cook The Bacon

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lay the bacon flat in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes, until the bacon is crispy. Transfer the bacon to a wire rack to drain and set it aside while you make the eggs.

Step 2: Whisk The Eggs

Crack the eggs into a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Season with salt to taste. Don’t overdo the salt since the bacon and gouda both add plenty of savory flavor.

Step 3: Cook The Eggs In Ring Molds

Heat a medium pan over medium-low heat. Lightly spray 2 ring molds with cooking spray and place them in the pan. Pour enough egg mixture into each ring mold to fill it about ¾ full.

Cover the pan and add a small amount of water to create steam. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the eggs are set and fluffy. Remove the cooked egg rounds and repeat until you have enough egg portions for each sandwich.

Step 4: Assemble The Sandwiches

Slice each ciabatta roll in half. Add 1 slice of gouda cheese to the bottom half of each roll, then add one egg round, 2 slices of crispy bacon folded in half, another slice of gouda, and the top half of the roll.

Step 5: Toast Until Melted

Place the assembled sandwiches in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is warm. Serve immediately while the sandwich is hot, the bacon is crisp, and the gouda is melted.

My Tested Expert Tips For The Best Starbucks Bacon Gouda Breakfast Sandwich

• Use ciabatta rolls for the closest texture. Ciabatta is sturdy enough to hold the egg, bacon, and cheese, but still soft enough for a breakfast sandwich. It also toasts really well without turning too dense.
• Bake the bacon instead of pan-frying it. Baking bacon gives you more even strips and makes it easier to cook enough for multiple sandwiches at once. It also keeps the stovetop free for the eggs.
• Drain the bacon on a wire rack. A wire rack keeps the bacon crisp because air can circulate around it. Paper towels work, but they can trap steam and soften the bacon faster.
• Cook the eggs over medium-low heat. Lower heat makes the eggs softer and more tender. High heat can brown the bottoms too quickly before the center is set.
• Use ring molds for neat egg rounds. Ring molds help the eggs fit the sandwich better, which makes the final sandwich look and eat more like the Starbucks version. Spray the molds first so the eggs release cleanly.
• Steam the eggs for a fluffy texture. Adding a small amount of water to the pan and covering it helps the eggs cook gently from the top and bottom. This gives you a softer, thicker egg round instead of a thin fried egg.
• Don’t fill the ring molds all the way. Fill them about ¾ full because the eggs can puff slightly as they steam. Overfilling can cause the egg to spill over the sides.
• Season the eggs lightly. Bacon and gouda are both salty, so the eggs don’t need much. A small pinch of salt is enough to bring out the flavor without making the sandwich too salty.
• Use two slices of gouda. One slice is good, but two slices make the sandwich meltier and more satisfying. Putting cheese above and below the egg also helps hold the sandwich together.
• Fold the bacon in half. Folding the bacon helps it fit neatly on the roll and gives you bacon in more bites. It also keeps the strips from hanging too far over the edges.
• Toast after assembling. Heating the full sandwich in the oven melts the cheese and warms the bread without drying out the egg too much. It also gives the ciabatta a lightly crisp edge.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating Instructions

These Starbucks bacon gouda sandwiches are perfect for meal prep because they store, freeze, and reheat really well. For the best texture, assemble them before the final oven toasting step if you plan to freeze them. That way, the bread doesn’t get overcooked when you reheat the sandwich later.

• Make them ahead: Cook the bacon and eggs, then let both cool completely before assembling. This keeps steam from getting trapped inside the bread and making the sandwiches soggy. Assemble each sandwich with the ciabatta roll, egg, bacon, and gouda cheese, then wrap each one tightly in foil.
• Refrigerate: Keep the wrapped sandwiches in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Place the foil-wrapped sandwiches in a freezer-safe zip-top bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheat from the refrigerator: Place a sandwich in a 350°F oven for 8-12 minutes, or until warmed through and the cheese is melted. You can also reheat it in an air fryer at 325°F for 5-8 minutes, depending on the size of the sandwich.
• Reheat from frozen: Thaw the sandwich overnight in the refrigerator for the best texture, then reheat it in the oven or air fryer until hot and melted. You can reheat it straight from frozen, but it will take longer and may heat less evenly.
• Microwave: The microwave works if you’re short on time, but the bread will be softer. For the best quick method, microwave the sandwich wrapped in a paper towel in short intervals until the center is warm, then finish it in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer for a few minutes to crisp the bread.

Starbucks Bacon Gouda Breakfast Sandwich FAQs

What is on the Starbucks bacon gouda sandwich?

The Starbucks bacon gouda sandwich is made with bacon, gouda cheese, and egg on a toasted roll. This homemade version uses ciabatta rolls, fluffy steamed egg rounds, crispy bacon, and two slices of gouda cheese for an easy copycat breakfast sandwich.

What kind of bread does Starbucks use for the bacon gouda sandwich?

Starbucks uses an artisan-style roll for its bacon gouda sandwich. For a homemade version, ciabatta rolls are the best choice because they’re sturdy, slightly chewy, and toast really well without falling apart.

What cheese does Starbucks use on the bacon gouda sandwich?

Starbucks uses gouda cheese on the bacon gouda sandwich. Gouda melts smoothly and has a creamy, slightly smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with bacon and eggs.

How do you make eggs for a Starbucks bacon gouda sandwich?

The easiest way to make Starbucks-style eggs is to cook them in ring molds over medium-low heat with the pan covered. Adding a small splash of water to the skillet creates steam, which helps the eggs cook into soft, fluffy rounds that fit neatly on the sandwich.

What can I use if I don’t have egg ring molds?

If you don’t have ring molds, cook the eggs in a small non-stick skillet and cut them into squares or rounds to fit the ciabatta rolls. You can also bake the whisked eggs in a small baking dish, then slice them into portions for each sandwich, kind of like my sheet pan eggs.

Can I use scrambled eggs instead of egg rounds?

Yes, scrambled eggs work, but egg rounds make the sandwich easier to assemble and more similar to the Starbucks version. If you use scrambled eggs, cook them softly so they stay tender when the sandwich is toasted or reheated.

What kind of bacon works best for breakfast sandwiches?

Regular-cut bacon works best because it crisps easily and folds neatly inside the sandwich. Thick-cut bacon is delicious too, but it should be cooked very crisp so it’s easier to bite through.

Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?

Yes, turkey bacon works well if you want a lighter sandwich. Cook it until crisp before assembling, so it adds texture and doesn’t make the sandwich soft.

Can I use a different cheese instead of gouda?

Yes, you can use cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, provolone, Havarti, or American cheese, but gouda will give you the closest flavor to the Starbucks bacon gouda sandwich. Smoked gouda is also a great option if you want a stronger smoky flavor.

Is the Starbucks bacon gouda sandwich good for meal prep?

Yes, this sandwich is great for meal prep because the ingredients hold up well and reheat nicely. The best method is to cook the eggs and bacon, let everything cool, assemble the sandwiches, then refrigerate or freeze them before toasting.

How do you keep homemade breakfast sandwiches from getting soggy?

Let the eggs and bacon cool completely before assembling, use sturdy bread like ciabatta, and avoid adding wet sauces or toppings before storing. If freezing, wrap the sandwiches tightly and reheat them in the oven or air fryer for the best texture.

How do I make this bacon gouda sandwich taste more like Starbucks?

Use ciabatta rolls, gouda cheese, crispy bacon, and soft steamed egg rounds. Toasting the assembled sandwich at the end also helps melt the cheese and warm the bread, which gives it that coffee shop-style texture.

Starbucks Copycat Recipes To Try Next

• Starbucks potato cheddar and chive bakes
• Starbucks cheese danish
• Starbucks grilled cheese
• Starbucks lemon loaf
• Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins