Craving that iconic McDonald’s Egg McMuffin but want to skip the drive-through? This homemade version delivers all the nostalgic flavors of the original with perfectly round eggs, savory Canadian bacon, and melty American cheese nestled between a toasted English muffin. The best part? You can make a batch ahead of time for quick breakfast meals all week long, saving both time and money while enjoying a fresher, more customizable version at home.
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Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to achieving that authentic McDonald’s taste lies in the round egg technique and the specific order of assembly. By breaking the egg yolk and using the steam method with canning jar rings, you create the exact texture and shape that makes this sandwich so recognizable. The brief resting period after assembly allows the cheese to melt perfectly and the flavors to meld together.
What are the Ingredients in a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin?
This is what you need to make a homemade egg McMuffin:
- English muffins – Provides the classic base and hold all ingredients together
- Large eggs – Creates the signature round patty when cooked in rings
- Canadian bacon – Adds savory, smoky flavor and authentic taste
- American cheese slices – Melts perfectly and provides creamy texture
- Butter – For toasting muffins and cooking bacon with rich flavor
- Salt and black pepper – Seasons the eggs to enhance overall taste
- Water – Creates steam for even egg cooking
How to Make an Egg McMuffin
Here are the steps for this egg McMuffin recipe:
- Split open English Muffins and toast them in a toaster or toaster oven.
- In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook the Canadian bacon on both sides for about 1 to 2 minutes in two teaspoons of butter until it begins to brown.
- While the Canadian bacon is cooking, remove the English muffins from the toaster and spread softened butter on both halves.
- Place the one slice of Canadian bacon on the bottom half of the English muffin.
- Add one tablespoon of butter to the same pan where you cooked the bacon.
- Place the quart-sized canning lids screw-size up (or use an egg ring) into the skillet.
- Spray the canning lid with non-stick spray. Crack an egg into each of the rings.
- Break the yolk with a fork. Pour about 1/2 cup of water into the skillet and place a lid on top. Cook until the eggs are set, about two minutes. The cracked egg will make this just like the McDonald’s egg rings.
- Gently remove the eggs from the rings, and place one fried egg on each piece of Canadian bacon.
- Top each egg with one slice of cheese, and top cheese with the top of the English muffin.
- Wrap each egg McMuffin with foil or parchment paper. Wait about 30 seconds before serving.
What can you serve with your Egg McMuffin?
If you are looking for copycat hash browns, you want to recreate the McDonald’s menu at home. Aldi grocery store sells its brand in the freezer section. These are an excellent substitution for the famous McDonald’s hash browns.
Special Egg McMuffin Tools
To make this work, you will need round eggs. You can accomplish this task in three different ways. Have you ever wondered how to make those McDonald’s egg rounds? These tools will help you make those egg rounds at home.
- Use egg rings—special Teflon rings you set in your skillet. Then, crack the eggs into the rings and cook them on the stovetop.
- Canning jar rings—These can work as special egg rings. Before using them, you need to spray them with non-stick spray; otherwise, they will stick.
- The Egg McMuffin Maker—This special kitchen appliance will toast the English muffins, cook the ham, and cook your eggs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they do! McDonald’s uses real fresh eggs in their McMuffins. Did you know you can request an egg round in any of their other breakfast sandwiches?
They use Canadian bacon. Canadian bacon is made from pork loin. It is a cured pork loin.
The humble egg McMuffin got its start in 1972. Herb Peterson, created this recipe when he wanted to create a breakfast sandwich. By 1973, the McDonald’s Egg McMuffin became popular, and it has been on the menu ever since.
You can use quart-sized canning jar lids. Before you use a canning jar lid, be sure to spray the canning jar lid with plenty of non-stick spray. You could also remove both ends of a can of tuna, and wash the can very well, and then you would have your own homemade egg mold.
How to Store and Reheat Homemade Egg McMuffins
You can make and enjoy these for the whole week, or you can make a batch and freeze them.
- Refrigerator Storage: Wrapped sandwiches can be stored in airtight containers for 3 days. When properly wrapped, the assembled sandwiches maintain their quality.
- Reheating Method: Microwave for 90 seconds from refrigerated, checking halfway through. Remove foil before microwaving and rewrap if desired.
- Freezing: Double-wrap in plastic wrap or store in airtight containers for up to 1 month. Reheat frozen sandwiches in the microwave for 60-90 seconds.
Love McDonald’s? Try these copycat recipes!
- McDonald’s Sausage Burrito
- Mcdonald’s Egg White Delight
- McDonald’s Cappuccino
- McDonald’s Smoothie
- How to Make a McDonald’s Big Mac
- McDonald’s Hamburger Recipe
- Fish Sandwich Sauce
- Mcdonald’s Secret Sauce Recipe
- Sausage McMuffin
- McDonald’s Yogurt Parfait
Popular Breakfast Recipes
Be sure to look for more copycat restaurant breakfasts and favorite recipes.
Easy Homemade McDonald’s Egg McMuffin Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons softened butter butter has divided uses
- 4 English Muffins
- 4 slices Canadian Bacon
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 slices American cheese
Instructions
- Split open English Muffins and place them into a toaster, toast the English Muffins.
- In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook Candian bacon on both sides for about 1 to 2 minutes in two teaspoons of butter. The bacon should begin to just brown.
- While the Canadian bacon is cooking, remove the English muffins from the toaster and spread softened butter on both halves.
- Place the 1 slice of Canadian bacon on each English Muffin bottom.
- Add about 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet where you cooked the bacon.
- Place the quart-sized canning lids screw size up (or you can use an egg ring) into the skillet.
- Spray the canning lid with non-stick spray. Crack an egg into each of the rings.
- Break the yolk with a fork. Pour about 1/2 cup of water into the skillet, and place a lid on top. Cook until the eggs are set, it should take about two minutes.
- Gently remove the eggs from the rings, and place one egg on each piece of Canadian bacon.
- Top each egg with one slice of American cheese, top cheese with the top of the English muffin.
- Wrap each egg McMuffin with foil or parchment paper. Wait about 30 seconds before serving.
Great I love McDonald’s egg McMuffin and I always wanted to make them myself and I also love McDonald’s burritos i’m tired of going to the restaurant I wanna make things myself the easy way
Great idea to use the large canning rings to make “round” eggs! I split, butter and lightly toast my English muffins under the broiler element of my oven , turn the oven off and spread a little Kraft Sandwich Spread (or thousand island dressing) on the top half and add a slice of cheese, return to the oven while the egg is cooking, then assemble. WAY better than I’ve ever had at McD’s!
Thank you for all the great recipes, Stephanie!
Absolute dupe for my favorite fast food breakfast! I eat a McDonald’s McMuffin at least once a week and now I don’t have
To leave my house to do it! Winner! I’ll definitely make a batch ahead of time for the week for my family and I so we can grab and go!
These are grea! Just made a batch for the freezer. Second time I have followed your recipe. Thank you.
I am making a batch for the freezer today. I have found in the past that when I’m heating one up if the cheese is already on there it melts all over the place. Going to make a batch without cheese then add cheese after reheating.
That is a good idea; for me, I sometimes take the cheese and break it into smaller pieces and put those pieces towards the center of the muffin to keep the cheese from going all of the place.
I was craving breakfast for dinner, which isn’t hubby’s favorite thing. Except… he loves Egg McMuffins! Found this recipe, and in no time at all, we had the most delicious version ever! I used Thomas’s whole wheat muffins and since I’m not a fan of American cheese, I bought deli sliced cheddar. I’m not a fan of Mickey D’s, but these were tender and amazing. There’s no comparison. I am so excited to have found this recipe!
Better than the real deal!
The mason jar libs are the perfect hack for the replicated fast food egg shape. It worked out perfectly. Added some shallot pepper and basil, sausage patty & cheese on a toasted ciabatta bun. Thanks for the recipe!
Taste just like McDonald’s. It was quick, easy & VERY delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.
Taste just like McDonald’s. It was quick, easy & VERY delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Quick, easy and delicious. Thanks so much for the recipe.
These are the real McDonald! Quick and easy to make. Rather than poaching the eggs, I just removed the rings and flipped until done.
That could work too 😉 I am glad you liked them!
Yummy! Could these be made ahead of time and then frozen?
I don’t see why not.
wohh exactly what I was searching for, thanks for putting up.
Thank you for this. I loved making these.
I find a better way to make the round egg, is to use a pyrex-type custard cup. Butter or spray with cooking spray, break the egg into it, and lightly scramble, or just poke the yolk and white to break membranes. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and cook in the microwave for 45 to 60 seconds, depending on the wattage of your microwave. Use a hotpad to transfer to your McMuffin. Perfect Fit! And, the egg remains tender and light.
I didnt know about wrapping the sandwich it made a difference.
I see that your ingredient list includes 4 slices of American cheese but the instructions call for only two slices. Was that a mistake?
Love this recipe!