These homemade McGriddle muffins are the perfect blend of sweet and savory in one fluffy, golden bite. Savory breakfast sausage, sharp cheddar cheese, and a touch of maple syrup are baked into protein-packed muffins that taste like your favorite fast food breakfast but way better. I started making these on Sunday mornings when I wanted something quick and filling that I could also grab throughout the week, and they've been a game-changer for busy mornings.
If you love easy, make-ahead breakfasts like Baked Ham And Cheese Croissants or Raspberry Danish, these muffins will quickly become a staple. Serve them warm alongside something light like Crispy Feta Fried Eggs for a breakfast that feels indulgent but takes almost no effort.
Why You'll Love This Homemade McGriddle Muffins
These homemade McGriddle muffins are incredibly easy to make and perfect for meal prep. The recipe makes 12 muffins, so you can bake a batch on the weekend and have breakfast ready for the entire week. They're high in protein with 14 grams per muffin, making them a filling option that keeps you satisfied until lunch. They're also naturally gluten-free if you use a gluten-free pancake mix, and you can customize them to fit your dietary preferences. Plus, they freeze beautifully, so you can make a double batch and have breakfast ready whenever you need it.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Homemade McGriddle Muffins
- Homemade McGriddle Muffins INGREDIANTS
- How to Make Homemade McGriddle Muffins
- Ingredient Swaps and Variations
- What to Serve with Homemade McGriddle Muffins
- EQUIPMENT
- How to Store Homemade McGriddle Muffins
- Serving Suggestions
- Expert Tips
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Homemade McGriddle Muffins
Homemade McGriddle Muffins INGREDIANTS
Here's everything you need to make these savory, sweet, protein-packed McGriddle muffins.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
- Ground breakfast sausage (turkey or pork): The savory base of the muffins. Turkey sausage is leaner, but pork sausage has more flavor. Use whichever you prefer.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness and protein.
- Gluten-free protein pancake mix (e.g., King Arthur Baking brand): Creates the fluffy, slightly sweet muffin base. You can use regular pancake mix if you're not gluten-free.
- Almond milk (or milk of choice): Adds moisture to the batter. Use any milk you like, dairy or non-dairy.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds sharp, melty, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the sausage and maple syrup.
- Maple syrup (plus more if you like them sweeter!): Adds that signature sweet flavor that makes these taste like McGriddles. Start with 2 tablespoons and add more if you like them sweeter.
How to Make Homemade McGriddle Muffins
These easy, savory breakfast muffins come together in just a few simple steps.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it's ready when you are.
- Cook the sausage: In a large pan over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. The sausage should be browned and cooked through with no pink remaining. Drain any excess fat, then transfer the cooked sausage to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine ingredients: Add the pancake mix, eggs, almond milk, shredded cheddar cheese, and maple syrup to the bowl with the sausage. Stir everything together until fully combined. The batter will be thick and chunky with sausage and cheese throughout.
- Prepare muffin tin: Spray a 12-cup muffin tin generously with avocado oil or grease it with your choice of fat. This helps the muffins release easily after baking. Divide the muffin batter evenly between the 12 muffin cups, filling them all the way to the top for nice, tall muffins.
- Bake: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the muffins are fluffy, golden on top, and cooked through. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Cool and serve: Let the muffins cool in the tin for 10 minutes to set, then remove them and serve. Drizzle with more maple syrup on top if you like them extra sweet. and butter, letting the butter melt completely into a silky sauce.
Ingredient Swaps and Variations
These McGriddle muffins are easy to customize based on what you have or what you prefer.
Sausage: Use ground chicken, beef, or plant-based sausage if you prefer. You can also use pre-cooked sausage crumbles to save time.
Pancake mix: Use Kodiak Cakes mix, Bisquick, or Homemade McGriddle Muffins pancake mix. Regular or gluten-free both work.
Milk: Use whole milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk. Any milk works in this recipe.
Cheese: Swap cheddar for mozzarella, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
Sweetener: Use honey or agave nectar instead of maple syrup if you prefer.
Add-ins: Mix in diced bell peppers, jalapeños, or cooked bacon for extra flavor.
What to Serve with Homemade McGriddle Muffins
These homemade McGriddle muffins are hearty and filling on their own, but pairing them with a few simple sides can round out your breakfast spread beautifully. Serve them with fresh fruit like sliced strawberries, blueberries, or a mixed fruit salad for a refreshing contrast to the savory muffins. They pair perfectly with scrambled eggs, a veggie omelet, or fried eggs for extra protein. For a lighter option, add a side of Greek yogurt with honey or a green smoothie packed with spinach and banana. If you want a more indulgent breakfast, serve them alongside crispy hash browns, roasted breakfast potatoes, or turkey bacon.
EQUIPMENT
Here's the simple gear that makes these muffins come together easily.
Muffin pan (12-cup): For baking the muffins into perfect portions.
Wooden spoon: For breaking up the sausage as it cooks.
Mixing bowl: For combining all the ingredients.
Avocado oil or cooking spray: For greasing the muffin tin so the muffins don't stick.
How to Store Homemade McGriddle Muffins
These muffins are perfect for meal prep and keep well for days.
Room Temperature: Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds.
Freezer: Freeze the muffins individually wrapped in plastic wrap or in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat directly from frozen in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.
Reheating: Microwave individual muffins for 30 to 45 seconds, or reheat in the oven at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
These McGriddle muffins are delicious on their own, but here are a few ways to round out your breakfast.
Serve them with a drizzle of extra maple syrup on top. Pair them with fresh fruit, a smoothie, or a side of scrambled eggs. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream for extra creaminess. Serve them alongside hash browns or roasted potatoes for a hearty breakfast spread.
Expert Tips
Here are a few tricks to make sure your muffins turn out fluffy, flavorful, and perfectly balanced.
Drain the sausage well: Excess fat can make the muffins greasy, so drain the sausage thoroughly after cooking.
Fill the muffin cups to the top: This gives you nice, tall, bakery-style muffins.
Don't overmix the batter: Stir just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make the muffins tough.
Use a good nonstick spray: This ensures the muffins release easily from the pan.
Adjust the sweetness: Start with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and add more if you like them sweeter. Taste the batter before baking if you're unsure.
FAQ
How do Homemade McGriddle Muffins have syrup in them?
McDonald's McGriddles Muffins Muffins have syrup baked directly into the pancake buns. They create tiny pockets of crystallized maple syrup that melt when you bite into them, giving you that sweet burst of flavor. In these homemade McGriddle muffins, the maple syrup is mixed into the batter, so you get that sweet flavor throughout the muffin. You can also drizzle extra syrup on top for an even sweeter experience.
Is a Homemade McGriddle Muffins just a pancake?
A Homemade McGriddle Muffins is essentially a pancake-style bun with syrup baked into it, used as the "bread" for a breakfast sandwich. It's not a traditional pancake, it's thicker, denser, and has a slightly different texture. These homemade McGriddle muffins take that same concept and turn it into a savory breakfast muffin with sausage, cheese, and maple syrup all baked together in one portable bite.
What does McDonald's put in their Homemade McGriddle Muffins?
McDonald's McGriddles typically include griddle cakes (pancake-style buns) with maple syrup crystals baked in, along with fillings like sausage, bacon, egg, and cheese. The combination of sweet and savory is what makes them so popular. These homemade muffins recreate that flavor combination using pancake mix, sausage, cheddar cheese, and maple syrup, all baked into one convenient muffin.
Where does McDonald's get their muffins?
McDonald's sources their English muffins and other baked goods from large commercial bakeries that supply their restaurants. The exact suppliers can vary by region. However, these homemade McGriddle muffins are made fresh in your own kitchen, so you know exactly what's in them and can customize them to your taste. Plus, they're just as delicious and way more budget-friendly.
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Pairing
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Homemade McGriddle Muffins
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the breakfast sausage in a large skillet for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat and transfer the sausage to a large mixing bowl.
- In the same bowl, add the pancake mix, eggs, almond milk, shredded cheddar cheese, and maple syrup. Stir until well combined, ensuring no dry spots remain.
- Lightly spray a 12-cup muffin tin with avocado oil (or your preferred cooking spray). Divide the muffin batter evenly among the cups, filling each one to the top.
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the muffins cool in the tin for 10 minutes before removing. Serve warm with extra maple syrup if desired.
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