McDonald’s introduced the egg white delight sandwich in 2013 as a healthier breakfast option made with egg whites instead of whole eggs. The sandwich was part of McDonald’s efforts to add more menu items for health-conscious customers. So is the egg white delight still available at McDonald’s in 2023? Let’s take a look.
The History of the Egg White Delight
The egg white delight sandwich debuted on McDonald’s national menu in April 2013. It featured a 100-calorie English muffin, egg whites, white cheddar cheese, and Canadian bacon. By using egg whites instead of whole eggs, McDonald’s was able to cut the calories and fat in the sandwich compared to its other breakfast sandwiches.
When it launched, McDonald’s promoted the egg white delight as a “perfectly portioned” breakfast sandwich. It was designed to appeal to customers looking for a lighter and more protein-packed morning meal.
The debut of the egg white delight was part of a broader shift at McDonald’s to add healthier menu options. It came shortly after McDonald’s started prominently featuring healthier choices like salads and milk on its menu boards. Adding an egg white sandwich enabled McDonald’s to cater to changing consumer preferences for more nutritious fast food.
The Discontinuation of the Egg White Delight
The egg white delight was an attempt by McDonald’s to appeal to health-conscious diners. However, it ultimately did not last on the McDonald’s national menu.
By 2015, McDonald’s had phased out the egg white delight sandwich nationwide. It was removed from menus as McDonald’s cut down on its total number of menu items to simplify operations. The egg white delight appears to have not been popular enough to make the cut.
McDonald’s later focused its breakfast efforts on more indulgent sandwiches, like the bacon, egg and cheese biscuit and chicken McGriddle. The demand for low-calorie breakfast options at McDonald’s does not seem to have been strong enough at the time to keep the egg white delight on the menu.
The Return of Lower-Calorie Breakfast Items
While the original egg white delight is gone, McDonald’s has brought back lighter breakfast fare in recent years:
- Egg white-only McMuffins returned for a limited time in 2019.
- A new Egg White Delight McMuffin with egg whites, white cheddar, and Canadian bacon was added in 2020.
- McDonald’s recently introduced McGriddles made with English muffins for a lighter option.
So while the original egg white delight sandwich is no longer sold, McDonald’s does appear to be focused on providing lower-calorie breakfast sandwich options again. The demand for more nutritious fast food seems to be stronger now than when the egg white delight first debuted.
The Availability of Egg White Sandwiches at McDonald’s Today
Here is a summary of the egg white breakfast sandwiches currently available at McDonald’s:
| Sandwich | Description | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Egg White Delight McMuffin | Egg whites, white cheddar cheese, Canadian bacon on an English muffin | 250 |
| Bacon, Egg White & Cheese Biscuit | Egg whites, white cheddar cheese, bacon on a buttermilk biscuit | 350 |
| Sausage, Egg White & Cheese Biscuit | Egg whites, white cheddar cheese, sausage on a buttermilk biscuit | 360 |
While not labeled as an “Egg White Delight,” the McMuffin version appears to be the closest currently available sandwich to the original. It has the same ingredients and fewer calories than a traditional Egg McMuffin.
The biscuit sandwiches provide another lower-calorie egg white breakfast option at McDonald’s. However, with the addition of bacon or sausage, the biscuit sandwiches do have higher calorie counts than the original egg white delight.
The Availability of the Egg White Delight Varies By Location
It’s important to note that McDonald’s breakfast menu can vary depending on location. Not all locations will have the full range of egg white sandwiches listed above.
The egg white McMuffin appears on most McDonald’s menus. But the biscuit versions may only be available regionally or at participating locations. You’ll want to check your local McDonald’s menu boards to see if they offer the egg white biscuit options.
There are also test markets where McDonald’s is trying out new variations of the egg white delight sandwich. For example, a version with sausage or bacon may be tested in a few cities before rolling out nationwide.
So the availability of the exact original egg white delight is limited. But you typically have at least one lower-calorie egg white sandwich choice at McDonald’s, with the McMuffin version being the closest match.
Ordering Tips for the Healthiest Sandwich
If you want to order the healthiest egg white sandwich possible at McDonald’s, here are some tips:
- Opt for the Egg White Delight McMuffin to limit the calories and fat. Avoid additional meats like bacon or sausage if you are trying to cut calories.
- Order your sandwich without butter on the English muffin or biscuit to further reduce fat and calories.
- Skip any cheese or switch to American cheese to lower the sodium content.
- Pair your egg white sandwich with sides like fruit slices, yogurt, or oatmeal for a balanced breakfast.
- For coffee, request skim or nonfat milk rather than whole or cream.
- Avoid adding sugary syrups to coffee drinks that will boost the calorie count.
Customizing your order is key if you want a lighter meal. While not exactly the original, you can get close to the egg white delight with smart tweaks.
The Nutrition Facts of the Original Egg White Delight
Here is the full nutrition information for the original McDonald’s egg white delight sandwich:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 30mg |
| Sodium | 820mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 3g |
| Protein | 18g |
As you can see, the original egg white delight had just 250 calories with 18g of protein. It made for a much lighter but still satisfying breakfast sandwich compared to McDonald’s other offerings.
Copycat Egg White Delight Recipe
Since the original sandwich is no longer sold nationwide, you can recreate it yourself at home. Here is a copycat recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 English muffin, split and toasted
- 2 egg whites
- 1 slice Canadian bacon
- 1 slice white cheddar cheese
Directions
- Spray a small pan with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the egg whites and scramble until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Place one half of the English muffin on a plate. Top with the scrambled egg whites, Canadian bacon, and slice of cheese.
- Finish with the other half of the English muffin.
- Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, until the cheese is melted.
This will give you a good approximation of the classic McDonald’s sandwich. Leaving out the butter and using cooking spray helps reduce the calories.
Conclusion
While the original egg white delight is no longer sold at McDonald’s, you can still find similar egg white breakfast sandwiches on its menu. Options like the Egg White Delight McMuffin provide a lower calorie, more nutritious alternative to traditional McDonald’s breakfast offerings.
To get the healthiest sandwich possible, customize your order and opt for no butter, limited cheese, and no sugary coffee drinks. You can also easily make a copycat egg white delight at home when craving the original.
So next time you are at McDonald’s for breakfast, look for one of their egg white sandwiches to enjoy a lighter take on this fast food favorite.