The study of 2,000 adults revealed crumpets and lasagne also featured in the top 20 list.
Other popular winter warmers included shepherd’s pie, sausage mash with onion gravy and cheese toasties.
It also emerged 72 per cent said comfort foods were one of their favourite things about the colder seasons, tucking into one of the hearty dishes four times a week.
And 46 per cent will turn to them when they are in need of a pick-me-up while a bad day at work is the perfect excuse for a third.
Jonathan Warburton, chairman of Warburtons, which commissioned the research, said: "As the temperatures drop outside, our habits change – including what we eat.
“Comfort foods do what they say on the tin - provide a bit of comfort - and that’s exactly what we all need right now.”
Wholesome meals for Winter
The study also found 35 per cent typically eat comfort foods when they’re feeling cold, but 56 per cent will even cook them during the summer months.
When quizzed on the recipes they use, 35 per cent inherited them from their mum, while a quarter said they have all been self-taught.
While 52 per cent still cook the meals they used to eat as a child.
After a bad day at work (29 per cent), birthdays (21 per cent) and when receiving sad family news (20 per cent) are found to be the times when people will most likely turn to these wholesome meals.
And as the cold mornings hit, 41 per cent seek comfort from a cup of tea while more than a fifth (21 per cent) like to munch on a crumpet.
The study, commissioned to mark National Crumpet week, via OnePoll, found butter was the winning topping for these doughy winter warmers.
With jam, honey and even marmite also featuring high on the list.
Comfort food means family
But it seems Brits aren’t afraid of mixing things up with their crumpet toppings as baked beans, macaroni cheese and even chilli con carne making the top 10 list of unusual flavours.
More than half (51 per cent) prefer their crumpets crispy on the edges but soft on the inside while 37 per cent like them crispy all over – with three to four minutes being the optimum toasting time for 41 per cent.
And the more butter the better for 52 per cent who like to fill the holes to the brim, but 42 per cent only like a small amount.
Jonathan Warburton added: “It was heart-warming to see that so many people associate comfort foods with childhood or home cooking – which, to me, means family.
“We know crumpets are favourites for many people across the UK, whether that’s for breakfast or a midnight snack, so it was a no-brainer for us to launch a week dedicated them.
Brits top 20 comfort foods
- Bacon sandwich
- Apple crumble
- Roast chicken dinner
- Toast with butter
- Cheese toastie
- Hot chocolate
- Roast beef dinner
- Lasagne
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Sausage and mash with onion gravy
- Beans on toast
- Crumpets with butter
- Cheesecake
- Macaroni cheese
- Shepherd’s pie
- Roast lamb dinner
- Jacket potato with cheese
- Tomato soup
- Steak pie and mash
- Sticky toffee pudding
