Oprah Winfrey is known for her incredibly successful talk show and media empire. She has influenced pop culture and introduced the world to new books, ideas, and products. Given her Midwestern roots and love of comfort foods, many people wonder – what are Oprah’s favorite English muffins?
The Origins of Oprah’s English Muffin Fandom
Oprah has spoken in interviews about eating English muffins since she was a child. She recalls her grandmother making them for her for breakfast. The nooks and crannies were perfect for holding melted butter and jam. So from an early age, Oprah associated English muffins with comfort and home.
As an adult, Oprah has mentioned English muffins many times on her show when talking about her favorite breakfasts. She’ll frequently have them toasted with almond butter or avocado. She likes the convenience of being able to quickly toast them and create a satisfying morning meal.
Oprah’s Criteria for the Perfect English Muffin
When choosing an English muffin, Oprah has some specific criteria to get the right balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior:
- It must have a good rise with nooks and crannies to hold toppings
- The texture should be slightly chewy but not too dense
- It needs to get crispy on the outside when toasted but not burn
- The flavor should be slightly sweet and complement both savory and sweet toppings
- It must be large enough to create a satisfying breakfast but not too big
She wants a reliable product that delivers a great experience every time. Oprah has high standards when it comes to her favorite foods!
The Top Contenders for Oprah’s Favorite Brand
Over the years, Oprah has mentioned several brands of English muffins that meet her high criteria:
Thomas’ Nooks & Crannies English Muffins
This classic brand has been around since the late 1800s. Thomas’ popularized the nooks and crannies English muffin style. Oprah has said this is the brand she grew up eating as a child. It remains a reliable choice that likely elicits nostalgia.
Trader Joe’s English Muffins
Oprah has raved about Trader Joe’s version for its great taste and texture. She loves the price point of this grocery store option. Trader Joe’s sources their flour from the UK which could contribute to its authentic English muffin profile.
Dave’s Killer Bread Organic English Muffins
For a more nutritious option, Oprah has recommended Dave’s Killer Bread organic whole grain English muffins. This brand offers higher fiber and protein. Oprah appreciates the quality ingredients and satisfying texture of these muffins.
The Winner: Thomas’ Classic Nooks & Crannies
While Oprah enjoys all three of these English muffin brands, when push comes to shove, her favorite appears to be Thomas’. Here are some of the key reasons this beloved brand remains Oprah’s go-to:
- It’s the taste and texture she remembers from childhood
- The consistent nooks and crannies are perfect for spreading on toppings
- They have just the right balance of chewiness and structural integrity
- Their larger size means they can be split to make a hearty breakfast
- They toast up with crispy edges every time
Thomas’ checks all the boxes for Oprah’s ideal English muffin experience. The nostalgia factor seems to seal the deal. While Oprah enjoys exploring new brands, she will always return to her first love Thomas’ to satisfy her English muffin craving!
Oprah’s Go-To Ways to Top Thomas’ English Muffins
Here are some of Oprah’s favorite ways to dress up her beloved Thomas’ English muffins:
Fresh Fruit
Oprah will often top her Thomas’ muffin halves with fresh berries, banana slices, or peach chunks. She likes the sweetness and pop of color fruit provides.
Nut Butter
Nut butters like almond or cashew butter make for a deliciously nutty, protein-packed topping. They spread beautifully into the nooks and crannies.
Smoked Salmon
For a savory breakfast, smoked salmon with cream cheese or avocado gives you protein and healthy fats. Oprah enjoys the combination of smoky fish with the sweet muffin.
Egg Sandwiches
Oprah has said she loves using Thomas’ split English muffins as the base for egg sandwiches with veggies and cheese. It makes for a satisfying hot breakfast.
Carbs with Carbs
Sometimes Oprah keeps it simple with just butter or jam. The Thomas’ English muffin itself is so tasty that it doesn’t need anything extra! The carb-on-carb combination is comfy and delicious.
Oprah’s Tips for Making Your Own English Muffins
While Oprah remains loyal to her Thomas’, she has shared some tips over the years for those who want to try making homemade English muffins:
- Use bread flour to get the right texture. All purpose won’t have enough protein.
- Pay attention to fermentation time to develop the signature flavor.
- Cook them slowly on a griddle instead of quick baking to achieve the flat shape.
- Split them wide with a fork rather than a knife to get the peak nooks and crannies.
- Toast them twice, once after splitting and again after topping to get the crispiest edges.
Oprah says the process is time-consuming but rewarding if you love the taste of English muffins. Making them from scratch allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor.
Where You Can Find Oprah’s Favorite English Muffin Brands
| Brand | Locations |
|---|---|
| Thomas’ | Grocery stores nationwide |
| Trader Joe’s | Trader Joe’s stores |
| Dave’s Killer Bread | Whole Foods, Safeway, Kroger, other major grocers |
Thomas’ has wide availability at any grocery store around the country. Trader Joe’s and Dave’s Killer Bread can be found at their respective stores – check your local listings to see if they have a location near you. With these options, you can enjoy Oprah’s favorites!
Trying a Taste Test of Oprah’s Preferred English Muffin Brands
To decide which English muffins live up to Oprah’s hype, I conducted a taste test of Thomas’, Trader Joe’s, and Dave’s Killer Bread. Here are my reviews of each one:
Thomas’ Nooks & Crannies
Right away I understood why these are Oprah’s long-time favorite. The Thomas’ had a perfectly balanced flavor – slightly sweet with a subtle molasses taste. The texture was chewy but light. When toasted, the nooks and crannies roasted up crisp and were great for holding toppings. This was the clear winner for me.
Trader Joe’s Multigrain English Muffins
I liked the heartier texture and nuttier flavor of the Trader Joe’s multigrain variety. They were dense but still absorbed toppings well when toasted. I could see these being great for an egg sandwich. The whole wheat made them very filling.
Dave’s Killer Bread Organic English Muffins
Dave’s Killer Bread lived up to its name and delivered. The seeds added a pleasant crunch. The organic whole grain had an amazing depth of nutty flavor. While tasty, these were a little more dry than Thomas’ – I’d suggest extra butter or oil when toasting. Overall a great option for higher fiber.
The Takeaway: Thomas’ Deserves Its Reputation
After tasting my way through Oprah’s favorites, I can see why she’s loyal to the original Thomas’ English Muffins. They simply can’t be beat for their magical balance of taste, texture, and nostalgia. The nooks and crannies are perfect for filling with your favorite toppings. While the Trader Joe’s and Dave’s Killer Bread varieties were both tasty in their own right, Thomas’ was the clear winner.
Next time I’m in the mood for an English muffin, I’m going straight for the OG Thomas’. They will forever remind me of Oprah’s Midwestern breakfasts. Thank you for the wise recommendation, Oprah!