How to Make a Delicious Homemade McGriddle at Home
If you enjoy the McDonald’s McGriddle, you understand the unique appeal of biting into the soft, sweet, maple-flavored pancake buns, perfectly paired with savory sausage or crispy bacon. The McGriddle is the ultimate breakfast sandwich, blending sweet and savory flavors in a way that makes every bite irresistible. But what if I told you that you could create your very own McGriddle at home, using fresh ingredients, customizable fillings, and all the deliciousness of the original?
In this post, I will provide a step-by-step guide to making a homemade McGriddle. Whether you desire one for breakfast or brunch, this recipe will enable you to savor a homemade rendition of your fast-food favorite swiftly.
Why Make a McGriddle at Home?
Making a McGriddle at home allows you to control the quality of the ingredients and adjust the flavors to your liking. You’ll skip the long drive-thru lines, avoid processed ingredients, and can even get creative by adding your twists to the classic recipe.
Here’s why making a McGriddle at home is a win:
- Healthier Ingredients: You can choose organic eggs, nitrate-free bacon, or grass-fed sausage.
- Cost-effective: Save money by making this delicious breakfast sandwich at home.
- Customizable: Add your favorite cheese, spices, or extra fillings like avocado or hash browns.
- Freshness: Enjoy a hot, fresh sandwich right off the skillet, which always tastes better than something reheated.
Homemade McGriddle Recipe
Ingredients:
To get started, here’s what you’ll need:
For the Pancake Buns:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (to drizzle on pancakes or use maple syrup crystals if available)
For the Fillings:
- 2 large eggs
- 4 slices of cooked bacon or 2 sausage patties (or both, depending on preference)
- 2 slices of American cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter (for cooking eggs)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Pancake Buns
The pancake buns are what make a McGriddle stand out. Soft, sweet, and infused with maple syrup, these buns are crucial for that authentic McGriddle experience. Here’s how you make them:
Prepare the Pancake Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, buttermilk (or regular milk), melted butter, and vanilla extract (optional) until smooth and combined.
- Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
Cook the Pancakes:
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter or cooking oil.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake. These will be your pancake buns, so make sure they’re small and round.
- As the pancakes cook, drizzle a small amount of maple syrup over the top of each one. This creates that signature syrupy sweetness you love in a McGriddle. If you have maple syrup crystals (also known as maple flakes), sprinkle a few into the batter while cooking to achieve the famous syrup pockets.
- Cook for about 2-3 minutes, until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to set. Flip and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove the pancakes from the skillet and set them aside. You should have around 4 pancake buns, enough for two sandwiches.
Step 2: Prepare the Fillings
Now that your pancake buns are ready, it’s time to prepare the delicious fillings.
Cook the Eggs:
- In the same skillet, melt a small amount of butter over medium heat.
- Crack the eggs into the skillet and cook them to your preferred style. You can scramble them, fry them sunny-side up, or even fold them to mimic the McDonald’s version. For a McGriddle-style egg, lightly scramble the eggs and then fold them into a neat square shape.
- Season the eggs with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the Bacon or Sausage:
- If you’re using bacon, cook the slices in the skillet until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
- For sausage patties, cook them in the skillet until browned and fully cooked through (or heat precooked patties according to the package instructions).
Step 3: Assemble Your McGriddle
Now comes the fun part — putting it all together!
- Start by placing a slice of American cheese on one of the warm pancake buns. The warmth of the bun will slightly melt the cheese, making it extra gooey and delicious.
- Next, add your meat of choice. If you’re feeling indulgent, go for both bacon and sausage!
- Add the cooked egg on top of the meat, folding it so it fits nicely on the sandwich.
- Finish by topping the sandwich with the second pancake bun.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Your homemade McGriddle is now ready to be devoured! For the full McDonald’s experience, wrap the sandwich in parchment paper and heat it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften everything and meld the flavors together.
Tips for the Perfect Homemade McGriddle:
- Maple Syrup Crystals: If you can get your hands on maple syrup crystals, they will give your pancakes that authentic McGriddle flavor, creating little pockets of syrupy goodness. You can often find these online or in specialty stores.
- Egg Rings for Perfect Shape: If you want your eggs and sausage to be the perfect round shape like McDonald’s, use an egg ring or a metal cookie cutter while cooking them.
- Meal Prep: You can make these sandwiches ahead of time and freeze them for a quick breakfast option. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to eat, unwrap and microwave for about 1-2 minutes, or until hot.
- Customize: This is your McGriddle, so feel free to get creative! Swap the American cheese for cheddar, or add extra fillings like avocado, spinach, or a drizzle of hot sauce. You could even experiment with flavored sausages, like maple or spicy varieties.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
This homemade McGriddle captures the perfect balance between sweet and savory, offering a delicious, satisfying breakfast sandwich that rivals the fast-food version. Plus, you get the added bonus of fresh, high-quality ingredients and the freedom to customize it to your liking. Once you try this homemade version, you might never go back to the drive-thru again!
Whether you’re making it for a family breakfast or prepping ahead for busy mornings, the McGriddle is a breakfast that will bring joy to your kitchen
Gridle Cake Breakfast Sandwich
Equipment
- 1 Blackstone Griddle https://amzn.to/3XSERMm
Materials
Pancake Buns
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup buttermilk or regular milk
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup to drizzle on pancakes or use maple syrup crystals if available
Filling
- 2 large eggs
- 4 slices of cooked bacon or 2 sausage patties or both, depending on preference
- 2 slices of American cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter for cooking eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Pancake Buns
- To prepare the pancake batter, start by whisking together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the egg, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Slowly blend the wet ingredients into the dry ones until the batter is smooth.
- To prepare the pancakes, warm a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and apply a thin layer of butter or oil. For each pancake, ladle approximately 1/4 cup of the batter to form small rounds. As the pancakes cook, lightly drizzle them with maple syrup or sprinkle maple syrup crystals on top to create a unique syrup-filled pocket.
- Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges start to set (about 2-3 minutes), then flip and cook the other side until golden brown (about 1-2 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
Cook Eggs and Meat
- Cook the eggs: In the same skillet, melt a little butter over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the skillet, and cook them to your preferred doneness (scrambled, fried, or folded for a more McDonald’s-style egg). Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the bacon/sausage: If using sausage patties, cook them in the skillet until browned and cooked through, or heat precooked patties according to package instructions. Cook bacon to desired crispness, then set aside.
Assemble
- Take one pancake bun and place a slice of cheese on top while it’s still warm.
- Add the sausage patty or bacon, followed by the cooked egg.
- Top with the second pancake bun, creating a sandwich.
Serve
- Enjoy your homemade McGriddle! You can wrap it in parchment paper and heat it in the microwave for a few seconds to replicate the soft texture of the fast-food version.