Homemade McGriddle Recipe: Better Than the Drive-Thru

Alright, let’s be real—McDonald’s McGriddle is kind of a breakfast legend. It’s that perfect combo of fluffy pancake buns, gooey cheese, a fried egg, and crispy bacon or sausage… all with that hint of maple syrup sweetness baked right in. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to hit the drive-thru to get your fix. You can totally make a homemade McGriddle right in your own kitchen, and honestly? It’s even better.

I tried this copycat McGriddle recipe at home one weekend, and my kitchen smelled like a diner in the best way possible. The first bite? Golden pancake edges, a little maple syrup sweetness, salty bacon, melty cheese—it’s like breakfast had a party. And I promise, you don’t need chef-level skills to whip this up. Just a griddle, a biscuit cutter (or even a mason jar lid), and about 30 minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll grab from the pantry and fridge. This makes 4 McGriddle sandwiches—perfect for a family breakfast or meal prep:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons white sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ¼ cups milk
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
4 tablespoons butter, melted
4 tablespoons pure maple syrup (keep some separate)
4 large eggs
4 slices of cheese (American cheese is classic, but cheddar works too)
4 cooked bacon slices or sausage patties

Step 1: Mix the Pancake Batter

Start by sifting your flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt into a mixing bowl. (Pro tip: sifting keeps your pancakes extra fluffy instead of dense.)

Next, stir in milk, vanilla extract, melted butter, and one egg. Mix until smooth. The batter should be thick, kind of like milkshake consistency—don’t over-mix or you’ll lose that fluff factor.

Step 2: Cook the Pancake Buns

Here’s where the magic happens. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-low and spray with non-stick spray. Spray the inside of your biscuit cutter too, then set it down in the pan.

Scoop some batter into the cutter. Before it sets, drizzle about 2 teaspoons of maple syrup into the center, then swirl it lightly with a toothpick. That’s the secret to that signature McGriddle sweetness baked into the bun.

Cook until little bubbles form and the edges look dry (about 2 minutes). Carefully lift the biscuit cutter off and flip the pancake. Cook the other side until golden. Repeat until you’ve got 8 pancake buns.

Step 3: Cook the Eggs and Meat

While your pancakes are working, cook your bacon or sausage patties in a separate skillet. If you’re team bacon, go for crispy. If you’re team sausage, make sure they’re fully browned.

For the eggs, reuse that biscuit cutter trick. Crack one egg into the ring mold over medium heat, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let it set. Once the sides are firm, gently flip it. Repeat until all 4 eggs are cooked.

Step 4: Build Your Homemade McGriddle

Now for the fun part—assembly!

Start with one pancake bun.
Add a slice of cheese (let it melt a little).
Place the egg on top.
Add your bacon or sausage.
Cap it off with another pancake bun.

That’s it. You’ve just built a copycat McDonald’s McGriddle sandwich that looks and tastes like the real deal—maybe even better.

Freezer-Friendly Meal Prep

Here’s the part that makes weekday mornings way easier. These pancake buns freeze like a champ. Once they’ve cooled, layer them with wax paper and stash in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to a month.

When you’re ready for breakfast, just pop them in the toaster or toaster oven until warm. Build your sandwich fresh, and boom—you’ve got a McGriddle without leaving the house.

Recipe Tips and Variations

The best part about making this at home is customizing it:

No maple syrup? Skip it and just enjoy fluffy pancake buns.
Meatless option: Omit the bacon or sausage and go veggie.
Dairy-free version: Use almond, oat, or soy milk, swap butter for oil, and leave out the cheese.
No biscuit cutter? Mason jar lids or any ring mold will do the job.
Egg variation: Don’t want the fried egg? Scramble and fold instead for that McDonald’s-style folded egg.
Shortcut hack: Use boxed pancake mix if you’re short on time—it still turns out tasty.

Final Thoughts

I’ll be honest—the first time I tried making a homemade McGriddle, I wasn’t sure it would hit the same as the McDonald’s version. But once that cheese started melting into the egg and the syrupy pancake bun got that golden crust, I was sold. It’s got that sweet-and-savory thing going on that just works every time.

And hey, making them at home means you’re not limited to 10:30 a.m. breakfast hours (still not over that, McDonald’s). Saturday morning, midnight snack, meal prep for the week—your kitchen is now officially open for McGriddles 24/7.

So grab your skillet, pour that batter, and treat yourself. Because let’s face it—breakfast sandwiches this good deserve a spot in your regular rotation.