Homemade Egg McMuffin® Copycat Recipe (Better Than the Drive-Thru!)
If you’ve ever grabbed a warm, toasty Egg McMuffin® on a busy morning and thought, “I wish I could make this at home,” you’re in the right place. Today I’m sharing my simple, homemade Egg McMuffin® copycat recipe that’s perfect for busy weekdays, lazy weekends, and even meal prep. It uses easy ingredients, basic kitchen tools, and comes together in about the same time it takes to sit in the drive‑thru line.A Quick Background: McDonald’s & The Iconic Egg McMuffin®
McDonald’s is one of the most recognizable fast food restaurants in the world, and in the U.S. it’s practically part of morning routine culture. When they introduced the Egg McMuffin® in the 1970s, it changed breakfast on-the-go forever. The Egg McMuffin® became iconic because it’s:- Warm and toasty – a golden, lightly crisp English muffin
- Salty and savory – Canadian bacon with a gentle smokiness
- Creamy and melty – American cheese oozing around a just‑set egg
- Handheld and tidy – easy to eat in the car, at your desk, or on the couch
Why Make a Copycat Egg McMuffin® at Home?
There are a few reasons I love this DIY breakfast sandwich:- Control the ingredients: Choose your bread, cheese, and meat. Use organic eggs if you like.
- Save money: Making breakfast sandwiches at home is usually cheaper than fast food, especially for families.
- Customize it: Add veggies, change the cheese, swap the meat, or make it meatless.
- Meal prep friendly: Make several at once and reheat for quick grab‑and‑go breakfasts.
Copycat Egg McMuffin® Recipe
 |
| This homemade Egg McMuffin copycat features a toasted English muffin, perfectly cooked egg, Canadian bacon, and melty cheese—an easy breakfast classic made at home |
Serving size: 1 sandwich
Approximate prep + cook time: 20–25 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 English muffins, split (regular or whole wheat)
- 4 large eggs
- 4 slices Canadian bacon (or ham)
- 4 slices American cheese (or cheddar)
- 1–2 tablespoons butter (or oil) for cooking
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: nonstick spray for egg rings or pan
- Thin tomato slices
- Spinach or arugula
- Hot sauce or sriracha
- Avocado slices
Food Safety Tips
Food safety is important, especially with eggs and meat:- Cook eggs until the whites are fully set and the yolks are at least thickened. If you like a firmer yolk, cook longer.
- Heat Canadian bacon or ham until steaming hot all the way through.
- Keep cooked ingredients out of the “danger zone” (40°F–140°F) for more than 2 hours.
- If meal prepping, cool sandwiches quickly, wrap well, and refrigerate within 2 hours.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Toast the English Muffins
1. Split the English muffins with a fork (this helps keep those nice nooks and crannies).2. Toast them in a toaster or on a dry skillet until lightly golden and crisp.
3. Lightly butter the cut sides if you like extra flavor.
Step 2: Warm the Canadian Bacon
1. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.2. Add the Canadian bacon slices in a single layer.
3. Cook 1–2 minutes per side, until lightly browned at the edges and hot in the center.
4. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
Step 3: Cook the Eggs (McMuffin-Style)
For that classic round shape, you can use egg rings or even wide-mouth mason jar rings (metal only) as molds. If you don’t have any, skip to the “No Egg Ring? No Problem” section below.1. Lightly grease the skillet and the inside of your egg rings with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Place egg rings in the skillet over medium-low to medium heat.
3. Crack one egg into each ring. Pierce the yolk gently with a fork if you want it more evenly set, like the fast food version.
4. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Add about 1–2 tablespoons of water to the skillet (outside the rings), then cover with a lid. The steam helps cook the tops of the eggs.
6. Cook for about 3–5 minutes, until the whites are fully set and the yolks are cooked to your liking.
7. Carefully remove the lid, then use a spatula to lift off the egg rings (run a knife around the edge if they stick).
Step 4: Add the Cheese
1. Place a slice of American cheese on the bottom half of each warm English muffin.2. Set the hot egg directly on top of the cheese so it starts to melt.
Step 5: Assemble the Sandwich
1. Top each cheesy egg with a slice of Canadian bacon.2. Add any extras (spinach, tomato, hot sauce, etc.).
3. Place the top half of the English muffin on, and gently press down.
You should have a warm, melty, savory breakfast sandwich that smells a lot like that familiar Egg McMuffin® we all know.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Sandwich)
These numbers will vary based on brands and exact ingredients, but here’s a rough estimate for one sandwich made as written:- Calories: ~320–360
- Protein: ~18–22g
- Carbohydrates: ~28–32g
- Fat: ~12–16g
- Fiber: ~2–4g (depends on the English muffin)
- Sodium: varies based on meat and cheese brand
No Egg Ring? No Problem (Even Simpler Version)
If you don’t have egg rings, you can still make great copycat Egg McMuffin® sandwiches with basic tools.Easy Scrambled Egg Version
1. Beat 4 eggs in a bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper.2. Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat with a bit of butter.
3. Pour in the eggs and cook gently, stirring, until just set but still soft.
4. Shape the scrambled eggs roughly into 4 piles in the pan, or cut into quarters like a folded omelet.
5. Place each egg portion on the cheese-topped muffin half and assemble as usual.
Sheet Pan Meal Prep Version
Perfect if you want a whole week of breakfast ready:1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease an 8x8 or 9x13 baking dish (depending on how thick you want the eggs).
3. Whisk 8–10 eggs with salt and pepper. Optional: add chopped veggies or shredded cheese.
4. Pour into the dish and bake 15–20 minutes, until set in the center.
5. Cool slightly, then cut into 8 squares.
6. Layer each square on toasted English muffin halves with cheese and Canadian bacon.
7. Wrap individually for the week (see reheating tips below).
Yes. Cook bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels, and layer it in your sandwich. It won’t taste exactly like the original Egg McMuffin®, but it’s delicious.
What kind of cheese works best?
American cheese melts the most like the restaurant version. Cheddar, Colby Jack, or pepper jack are tasty twists if you prefer a stronger flavor.
Can I make this lower in calories?
Use a whole-wheat or “light” English muffin, lean ham, and a thin slice of reduced-fat cheese. You can also skip the butter and use cooking spray.
Time-Saving Tips & Reheating
Want your “McMuffin mornings” to be even easier? Try these ideas:- Make-ahead: Assemble sandwiches, let them cool, then wrap each in foil or parchment and place in a zip-top bag in the fridge (up to 3–4 days) or freezer (up to 1–2 months).
- Reheat from fridge: Microwave 30–60 seconds, or wrap in foil and heat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes.
- Reheat from freezer: Thaw overnight in the fridge if possible, then reheat as above. If reheating straight from frozen, microwave 1½–2 minutes (loosely wrapped) or bake in a 350°F oven about 20 minutes, wrapped in foil.
- Air fryer reheat: 320°F for 6–8 minutes from fridge, or 10–12 minutes from frozen, wrapped loosely in foil at first so the bread doesn’t get too hard.
Allergy-Friendly & Special Diet Swaps
Everyone’s needs are a little different. Here are some easy ways to adjust this copycat Egg McMuffin® recipe.Gluten-Free
- Use gluten-free English muffins or gluten-free sandwich thins.
- Check labels on Canadian bacon/ham to be sure there are no gluten-containing additives.
Dairy-Free
- Use a dairy-free cheese slice that melts well.
- Cook with oil or dairy-free butter instead of regular butter.
Vegetarian
- Skip the Canadian bacon and use:
- Veggie sausage patty
- Grilled tofu slice
- Extra cheese and veggies (spinach, tomato, avocado)
Vegan
To make a fully vegan version:- Use a vegan English muffin.
- Swap eggs for a tofu “egg” patty or a prepared plant-based egg substitute.
- Use vegan cheese slices and plant-based “ham” or “bacon.”
Low-Carb / Paleo-Inspired
- Skip the English muffin and make a “naked” breakfast stack with egg, meat, cheese, and avocado.
- Serve the egg and toppings in a lettuce wrap or over sautéed greens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular bacon instead of Canadian bacon?Yes. Cook bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels, and layer it in your sandwich. It won’t taste exactly like the original Egg McMuffin®, but it’s delicious.
What kind of cheese works best?
American cheese melts the most like the restaurant version. Cheddar, Colby Jack, or pepper jack are tasty twists if you prefer a stronger flavor.
Can I make this lower in calories?
Use a whole-wheat or “light” English muffin, lean ham, and a thin slice of reduced-fat cheese. You can also skip the butter and use cooking spray.
Share Your Copycat Egg McMuffin® Creations!
I’d love to know how this homemade Egg McMuffin® copycat recipe turns out in your kitchen. Did you add hot sauce? Extra cheese? Make it vegetarian or gluten-free?- Leave a comment with your favorite twist.
- Share this recipe with a friend who’s always running through the drive‑thru in the morning.
- If you make it, snap a photo and tell us how you customized your sandwich.
Important Disclaimers
This is a copycat recipe created for home cooks. Egg McMuffin® and McDonald’s® are registered trademarks of McDonald’s Corporation. This recipe is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with McDonald’s in any way. It is based solely on my own observations and taste testing, and no knowledge of the actual restaurant recipe is implied or claimed.
Simply Copycat Recipes is an Amazon affiliate. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you if you choose to buy recommended products through our links. This helps support the site and keeps the recipes coming. Thank you for your support.
Comments
Post a Comment