Cooking Hormel breakfast combo bars is quick and easy! These convenient breakfast bars come packed with protein and delicious flavors to start your day off right. In this article, we’ll provide instructions for preparing Hormel breakfast combo bars in the microwave or toaster oven so you can enjoy a handy hot breakfast in minutes.
Introducing Hormel Breakfast Combo Bars
Hormel breakfast combo bars first launched in 2020 and have quickly become a popular grab-and-go breakfast option. These bars are soft-baked and filled with savory breakfast ingredients like eggs, cheese, potatoes, bacon, sausage, or ham. Each bar provides a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat to keep you satisfied throughout the morning.
Hormel offers several varieties of breakfast combo bars to suit different tastes:
- Egg & Cheese
- Egg, Bacon & Cheese
- Egg, Sausage & Cheese
- Egg, Ham & Cheese
- Egg & Potato with Bacon
- Egg & Potato with Sausage
No matter which flavor you choose, Hormel breakfast combo bars offer the satisfying flavors of breakfast in a microwavable bar that’s perfect for busy mornings. The bars are fully cooked so all you need to do is heat and eat.
Nutritional Information
One of the best things about Hormel breakfast combo bars is their nutrition profile. Here is the nutritional information for a standard 2.3 oz breakfast combo bar:
| Nutrient | Per Bar |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 155mg |
| Sodium | 530mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 15g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 2g |
| Protein | 12g |
As you can see, each bar packs 12g of protein and around 220 calories. They make a satisfying breakfast with nutrient-dense ingredients from eggs, cheese, meat, and potatoes. The bars are lower in carbohydrates than many breakfast sandwiches or burritos.
Microwaving Hormel Breakfast Combo Bars
The quickest and easiest way to prepare a Hormel breakfast combo bar is in the microwave. Here is a simple microwave cooking method:
- Remove the breakfast bar from the plastic packaging.
- Place the bar on a microwave-safe plate or paper towel.
- Microwave on HIGH power for 45-60 seconds. The exact time may vary based on your microwave wattage.
- Let the hot breakfast bar sit for 1 minute before eating to allow the heat to evenly distribute.
- Enjoy your warm, ready-to-eat breakfast!
Microwaving is a simple way to heat up a breakfast bar in under a minute. The bars may be slightly soft coming straight from the microwave but will firm up after cooling slightly. Be cautious when taking your first bites since the filling will be molten hot.
Microwave Cooking Tips
- Use a paper towel or plate to prevent mess in the microwave.
- Heat the bars just until warm, not piping hot, to avoid overcooking.
- Add 15 seconds at a time to reach your desired temperature.
- Let bars rest 1 minute before eating so filling can firm up.
With just a bit of trial and error, you’ll find the ideal microwave time for perfectly hot and melty breakfast bars.
Heating in the Toaster Oven
For a more evenly heated breakfast bar with a toasted exterior, the toaster oven is a great cooking option. Here is a simple toaster oven method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F.
- Unwrap the breakfast bar and place on a small baking sheet or oven-safe plate.
- Toast for 4-5 minutes until hot and lightly browned.
- Allow to cool for 2 minutes before carefully eating.
The exact toasting time may vary based on your toaster oven. Start checking at 4 minutes for doneness. The bars should be fully hot with a crispy, lightly browned exterior.
Toaster Oven Tips
- Use an oven-safe dish to catch any melty cheese drips.
- Watch closely to avoid over browning or drying out the bar.
- Feel free to top with extra cheese or hot sauce!
The toaster oven gives you more control to achieve the perfect warm, crispy breakfast bar. Play around with cook times to get the results you crave.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Like any leftover, Hormel breakfast bars can be stored and reheated with a few easy tips:
- Storage: Place leftover bars in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Microwave: Reheat refrigerated bars in the microwave for 30-45 seconds until hot. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
- Toaster Oven: Reheat chilled bars in a 350°F toaster oven for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
- Avoid heating breakfast bars in the oven or toaster which can dry them out.
With proper refrigerated storage, Hormel breakfast combo bars can be reheated for several days of grab-and-go convenience.
Serving Suggestions
Hormel breakfast bars taste delicious on their own but can also be accompanied by various breakfast side items. Consider pairing your breakfast bar with:
- Fresh fruit like banana, berries, or orange slices
- Yogurt or cottage cheese
- Oatmeal or cold cereal
- Hash browns or breakfast potatoes
- Bacon, sausage, or ham
- Toast or English muffin
- Juice, milk, or coffee
Get creative with mix-and-match breakfast sides to customize your perfect breakfast combo. The bars provide protein, eggs, and cheese while sides can add fruit, grains, and other favorites.
Recipe Ideas
Beyond a simple grab-and-go breakfast, Hormel combo bars can also be incorporated into fun recipes. Here are a few recipe ideas:
Breakfast Bar Sandwiches
Sandwich a heated breakfast bar between slices of toast, biscuits, or English muffins. Top with eggs, cheese, or meat as desired.
Breakfast Bar Tacos
Crumble up a heated breakfast bar and serve in flour tortillas or taco shells. Top with typical taco fillings like salsa, avocado, peppers, onions, etc.
Loaded Breakfast Potatoes
Chop up breakfast bars and mix into fried breakfast potatoes. Top with cheese, bacon, and scallions.
Breakfast Bar Egg Bake
Layer crumbled bars, eggs, cheese, and veggies in a casserole dish and bake until set. Finish off with fresh herbs.
Breakfast Bar Omelet Filling
Chop bars into an egg omelet along with veggies, cheese, or other fillings. Add hot sauce for a kick.
Breakfast bars are very versatile, so get creative with ways to incorporate them into your morning routine. They make excellent quick fillings to load up breakfast favorites.
FAQs
Are Hormel breakfast combo bars pre-cooked?
Yes, Hormel breakfast bars are fully cooked and just need to be heated through before eating. No additional cooking is required.
Can you eat Hormel breakfast bars cold?
Hormel breakfast bars can technically be eaten straight from the package without heating. However, they are best when warmed which brings out the flavor and makes the filling soft and gooey.
How long do Hormel breakfast bars last?
Properly stored in the refrigerator, Hormel breakfast bars will stay fresh for 3-5 days after opening the package. Make sure to seal up any leftover bars.
Are Hormel breakfast bars gluten-free?
No, Hormel breakfast bars contain gluten from wheat-based ingredients like flour so they are not suitable for gluten-free diets.
Can you freeze Hormel breakfast combo bars?
Hormel does not recommend freezing their breakfast bars for best quality. The eggs and bread may become spongy or dry. Bars are best kept refrigerated.
Conclusion
Hormel breakfast combo bars provide a quick, portable breakfast option that’s packed with protein, eggs, cheese, and other good stuff. They can be heated in just 60 seconds in the microwave or toaster oven. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. In addition to enjoying these bars on their own, get creative by adding them into sandwiches, tacos, bakes, and more. Hormel bars are the perfect solution for an easy morning meal on busy work days.
