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But First We Brunch » Recipes » Breakfast & Brunch

Homemade Egg McMuffins (Better than McDonald's)

Published: Sep 9, 2024 by Cynthia Christensen · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

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5 from 2 votes
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A stack of homemade egg McMuffins on a white napkin.
The authors hand holding an egg McMuffin with a bite taken out of it.
Pinterest image of a stack of homemade egg McMuffins.

Start your day right with a Homemade Egg McMuffin that's fresher, tastier, and more affordable than the drive-thru version! With a perfectly cooked egg, melty cheese, and ham on a toasted English muffin, this easy-to-make breakfast sandwich is perfect for busy mornings, and unmatched for make ahead convenience!

A stack of homemade egg McMuffins on a white napkin.

Save This Recipe! 💌

I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later, plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!

I have to tell the truth: I love a McDonald's drive-thru moment, but for some people, that's just not the way they want to go. Following in the delicious footsteps of my McGriddle recipe, these Homemade Egg McMuffins, with a fluffy egg and melty cheese, are an easy and more delicious alternative and a great addition to your breakfast or brunch.

Confession time: A very, very long time ago I took a job on the early shift at McDonald's. After watching one video, I was thrown right onto the Egg McMuffin station. I worked from 6 AM to 10:30 AM pushing out probably a couple hundred Egg Mcmuffins. 

At the end of the shift, the manager said "it's like you were born to make Egg McMuffins" aaaaand I never went back. I don't think I even picked up my check. Young, broke, and perhaps stupid, but with a professional obsession with Egg McMuffins. And now I’m going to pass my knowledge onto you. After all, I was born for this 😆

Jump to:
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • Egg Variations
  • Instructions
  • Make ahead instructions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Great on the side
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Ingredients & Substitutions

This homemade egg mcmuffin recipe uses simple ingredients. Best of all, nothing on our list of ingredients is very expensive, so that's more money in your pocket! Let's go over each one and how you can change up your egg sandwiches if you wish:

Ingredients needed to make homemade egg McMuffins.
  • English muffins - Humble brag, but I really do have the best no yeast English muffin recipe, but store-bought toasted english muffins, a nice crusty roll, ciabatta, or brioche bread would be great.
  • Ham - I actually use a slice of Canadian bacon because it fits perfectly on the McMuffin, but you can use breakfast sausage patties, crispy bacon, or thinly sliced ham on yours.
  • Cheese - A classic egg mcmuffin uses a slice of american cheese. It melts perfectly, adds just the right touch of creaminess and salt, and is the tasty glue that holds everything together, but feel free to use the sliced or shredded cheese of your choice. I rather like cheddar cheese too.
  • Eggs - There's nothing like a perfectly fried egg on a breakfast sandwich, but not everyone likes eggs. One of my favorites to grab at the drive-thru window is the Sausage McMuffin, which is just sausage and cheese on an English muffin. It just hits right.

See recipe card at the bottom of the post for quantities.

Love a sandwich? My day always starts out on a good foot if I start with a delicious breakfast sandwich. Try my Pancake Breakfast Sandwich or my Fried Egg BLT of you feel the same!

Egg Variations

The "hardest" part of this recipe is the egg, but it doesn't have to be difficult. Here are a few ways different egg recipes to make this breakfast sandwich work for you:

  • Baked eggs - If making a big batch, try baking a dozen eggs in a muffin tin like my mini frittatas.
  • Poached - A lot of my chef friends absolutely love a drippy egg on a breakfast sandwich. You can add one of my foolproof poached eggs, cooked to the doneness you prefer (I like it just jammy).
  • Scrambled - You can make a simple scrambled egg and lay a scoopful onto your McMuffin.

Make it a biscuit sandwich - As delicious as this is with English muffins, it is equally drool worthy served on a big cathead biscuit. Try my Sausage egg and cheese biscuit and see for yourself!

Instructions

This is such a simple recipe that it almost doesn't need pictures, but I am a visual teacher and learner. Let's see how to make a McDonald’s Egg Mcmuffin in your own kitchen!

Toasted English muffins on a sheet tray with parchment paper for making homemade egg McMuffins.

Step 1: Toast your English muffins in your toaster, in a toaster oven, or 6 inches from your oven's broiler element until golden brown. I like to butter mine before broiling them.

English muffins on a sheet tray with a slice of cheese for homemade egg McMuffins.

Step 2: While still warm, place a slice of cheese on the bottom half of the muffin.

Using a skewer to break the yolk of an egg in an egg ring to make homemade egg McMuffins.

Step 3: Heat a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Spray a ring cutter, cookie cutter, egg ring, or even a wide mouth mason jar lid with nonstick cooking spray, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil, and crack in a large egg. Use a toothpick or skewer to break up the egg yolk if you want it to cook.

Cooking eggs in a mold to make homemade egg McMuffins.

Step 4: Add 1 teaspoon of water and place a lid on the pan. Cook for one minute.

Removing the ring bold to finish cooking eggs for homemade egg McMuffins.

Step 5: Use tongs to remove the ring and flip the egg. Cook for another minute, or to your desired doneness.

Flipping a piece of ham in a pan to make homemade egg McMuffins.

Step 6: In the same pan, heat the ham or Canadian bacon until warm.

Placing a slice of ham on top of an English muffin with cheese and egg to make homemade egg McMuffins.

Step 7: Lay an egg and a slice of ham on each muffin bottom.

Placing the top half of english muffin onto homemade egg mcmuffins.

Step 8: Place the top half of the English muffin on and serve.

Homemade egg McMuffins on a sheet pan covered in parchment paper, one with a bite taken out.

Hint: If making a big batch and you want to warm them all up a bit and melt the cheese further, place on a baking tray and cover with aluminum foil and heat in a 350°f oven for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and sandwiches are hot.

A perfect match - Nothing goes better with a bacon egg and cheese sandwich than a crispy hash brown. Mine are simple, delicious, and addictive!

Make ahead instructions

My favorite thing is to meal prep a bunch of breakfast sandwiches ahead. It helps me be prepared for crazy mornings where everyone is going in different directions and needs a grab-and-go meal.

Using parchment paper to wrap up a homemade English muffin for for the freezer.

Step 1: When completely cool, wrap each sandwich in parchment paper, wax paper, or butcher paper.

Placing parchment wrapped egg McMuffins into zip top bags for breakfast meal prep.

Step 2: Place each sandwich in a freezer safe zip top bag and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat: Place sandwiches in the refrigerator to thaw overnight, unzip the baggie, and microwave one sandwich for 1 minute on full power, or until hot. If heating from frozen, I would recommend you use your thaw/defrost function in 30 second intervals until soft, then reheat. Microwaves vary, so you may have different timing.

The authors hand holding an egg McMuffin with a bite taken out of it.

Recipe FAQs

Do I need to butter the English muffin?

McDonald’s uses butter on their muffins and you can as well. I butter them before oven toasting, but if you are using a toaster, spread on butter after toasting.

How do I store leftover Egg McMuffins?

Store homemade egg McMuffins in the refrigerator, wrapped well, for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How do I reheat my breakfast sandwich?

Follow the make ahead instructions or wrap a sandwich in a paper towel and microwave on full power for 30 to 45 seconds, or until hot.

Great on the side

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Did you try this recipe?
Leave a comment with a ⭐️ rating below to tell me all about it, and don't forget to tag me on Instagram!
I appreciate you!
-Cynthia

📖 Recipe

A stack of homemade egg McMuffins on a white napkin.

Homemade Egg McMuffins (Better than McDonald's)

Start your day right with a Homemade Egg McMuffin that's fresher, tastier, and more affordable than the drive-thru version! With a perfectly cooked egg, melty cheese, and ham on a toasted English muffin, this easy-to-make breakfast sandwich is perfect for busy mornings, and unmatched for make ahead convenience!
5 from 2 votes
Author: Cynthia Christensen
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Brunch, meal prep
Cuisine American
Servings 6 sandwiches
Calories 351 kcal

Equipment

  • Ring cutter ~OR~
  • Wide mouth mason jar rings
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 

  • 6 English muffins split
  • 6 large eggs
  • 6 slices ham or Canadian bacon
  • 6 slices American cheese
  • Butter optional

Instructions

  • Toast your English muffin halves either one at a time in your toaster, or place in a toaster oven, or 6 inches from your oven's broiler element until golden brown. Butter them, if desired.
  • While still warm, place a slice of cheese on the bottom half of the muffin.
  • Heat a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Spray a ring mold, cookie cutter, or even a mason jar lid with nonstick spray, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil, and crack in an egg. Use a toothpick or skewer to break up the yolk if you want it to cook.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of water and place a lid on the pan. Cook for one minute. Use tongs to remove the ring and flip the egg. Cook for another minute, or to your desired doneness.
  • In the same pan, heat the ham or Canadian bacon until warm.
  • Lay an egg and a slice of ham on each muffin bottom. Place the top half of the English muffin on and serve.

Save This Recipe! 💌

I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later, plus you'll get great new recipes from me every week!

Notes

Before serving: If making a big batch and you want to warm them all up a bit and melt the cheese further, place on a baking tray and cover with aluminum foil and heat in a 350°f oven for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and sandwiches are hot.
Storage: Store homemade egg McMuffins in the refrigerator, wrapped well, for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Follow the make ahead instructions below or wrap a sandwich in a paper towel and microwave on full power for 30 to 45 seconds, or until hot.
Make ahead instructions: When completely cool, wrap each sandwich in parchment paper, wax paper, or butcher paper. Place each sandwich in a freezer safe zip top bag and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Place sandwiches in the refrigerator to thaw overnight, unzip the baggie, and microwave one sandwich for 30 seconds on full power, or until hot. If heating from frozen, heat for 90 seconds on 50% power, flip your sandwich over and give it another 30 seconds to a full minute on full power, or until fully heated through. Microwaves vary, so you may have different timing.
Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 224mg | Sodium: 1019mg | Potassium: 251mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 468IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 279mg | Iron: 2mg

The nutritional and caloric information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It does not assert or suggest that readers should or should not count calories, and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s or doctor’s counseling.

Tried this recipe?I would love for you to leave a comment!

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Comments

    5 from 2 votes

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  1. Karen Boos in PA says

    November 02, 2024 at 10:12 am

    Hi Cynthia, Please clarify in the cooking step, when adding the tsp of water, am I adding the water to the ‘pan’ or adding water ‘on top of the egg in the ring’? My son is addicted to McD Egg McMuffins and I would love to prepare them at home. Thank you for sharing the recipe!

    Reply
    • Cynthia Christensen says

      November 02, 2024 at 11:12 am

      You add the water to the pan and put on the lid. The water will evaporate and create steam that will help cook the egg a little bit bit quicker!

      Reply
      • Karen Boos says

        November 03, 2024 at 9:48 am

        5 stars
        Hi Cynthia! Your recipe is spot-on perfection!!! I made 4, my son had 2 and my husband & I each had one! They were delicious and simple! I’ll be referencing your blog for more recipes!!! Thank you again! Happy Fall!

        Reply
        • Cynthia Christensen says

          November 03, 2024 at 12:29 pm

          Amazing!

          Reply
  2. Cynthia Christensen says

    September 19, 2024 at 4:01 pm

    5 stars
    I've had to replenish my freezer supply twice because my family keeps eating them!

    Reply
Picture of the author with a banner, stating welcome to my blog I am Cynthia.

In our house we get up with the sun, and most of us don't stop working until late in the night, so breakfast and brunch are our family meals. So join me at the kitchen counter, where I cook up delicious food for my busy family, starting first thing in the morning!

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