Breakfast on the go doesn't have to break the bank. We checked real UK prices across the major chains to find the cheapest morning options — and several genuinely good breakfasts come in under £2.50. Whether you want a quick bakery item or a proper hot McMuffin, here's where your morning money goes furthest.
Cheapest UK breakfast items (under £2.50)
| Item | Chain | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sausage Roll | Greggs | £1.70 |
| All Butter Croissant | Greggs | £1.75 |
| Hash Brown | Popeyes | £1.79 |
| Hash Browns (6 pieces) | Subway | £1.84 |
| Bagel | McDonald's | £1.89 |
| Porridge | McDonald's | £1.99 |
| Free Range Egg Pot | Greggs | £2.00 |
| English McMuffin | McDonald's | £2.19 |
| Plain Bagel | Tim Hortons | £2.19 |
| Hash Brown | McDonald's | £2.39 |
| Breakfast Butty (Bacon) | Wendy's | £2.47 |
| Scrambled Eggs | McDonald's | £2.49 |
Greggs is the budget breakfast king
For sheer value, Greggs is hard to beat. The legendary Sausage Roll at £1.70 is the single cheapest hot breakfast item in our UK data, and the All Butter Croissant (£1.75) and Free Range Egg Pot (£2.00) round out a sub-£2 morning. See the full Greggs menu for current prices.
Best value at McDonald's
If you want a sit-down chain breakfast, McDonald's offers the most sub-£2.50 choices of any big-burger brand. The Bagel (£1.89) and Porridge (£1.99) are the cheapest, while the iconic English McMuffin lands at £2.19. Browse the McDonald's menu for the full breakfast range.
Don't miss breakfast cut-off
The cheapest breakfast is no use if you arrive after it stops serving. Most McDonald's branches end breakfast at 11:00am (10:30am at some locations), and other chains vary. We cover the exact timings in our guide to McDonald's breakfast hours so you don't roll up to a lunch menu.
Tips for a cheap fast food breakfast
- Single items beat meals. Buying a bagel or hash brown on its own is far cheaper than a bundled breakfast meal.
- Bakery chains win on price. Greggs consistently undercuts the burger chains in the morning.
- Coffee is the budget-killer. A barista coffee can cost more than the food — bring your own, or grab a chain's cheapest filter coffee, to keep the bill down.
- Check the app. McDonald's and Greggs both run app rewards that can make a cheap breakfast even cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest fast food breakfast in the UK? The Greggs Sausage Roll at £1.70 is the single cheapest hot breakfast item in our UK data, with the All Butter Croissant (£1.75) close behind.
What is the cheapest breakfast at McDonald's UK? The Bagel at £1.89 and Porridge at £1.99 are the cheapest McDonald's breakfast items, with the English McMuffin at £2.19.
What time does fast food breakfast end in the UK? Most McDonald's branches stop serving breakfast at 11:00am (10:30am at some), but it varies by chain and location — see our breakfast hours guide.
All prices are taken from current UK menus tracked in our database. Promotional app deals can push these even lower.
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