For decades, McDonald’s has been the undisputed king of fast-food breakfast. From the moment the very first mcdonalds breakfast menu item—the Egg McMuffin—was invented in 1972 by franchisee Herb Peterson, the Golden Arches fundamentally changed how America eats in the morning . It is the ultimate combination of convenience, consistency, and comfort food. Whether you are rushing to work, recovering from a late night, or simply craving that specific combination of salty, sweet, and savory, the breakfast menu offers something for everyone.
But with so many options, from biscuits to bagels and platters to poutines, navigating the menu can be tricky. Some items are all-time greats, while others might leave you disappointed. We have analyzed expert rankings, chef recommendations, and sales data to bring you the definitive list of the top 10 must-try items from the mcdonalds breakfast menu.
10. Fruit and Maple Oatmeal
For those seeking a lighter start to their day, the Fruit and Maple Oatmeal is a surprisingly solid choice. It features two servings of whole-grain oats blended with cream and brown sugar, typically topped with diced apples, cranberries, and raisins . While reviews note it leans toward the sweeter side, the texture is creamy and comforting. It is the perfect “better-for-you” option when you want a break from greasy spoons but still need a warm, filling breakfast. Just make sure to check that you got your fruit toppings!
9. Hotcakes
There is something deeply nostalgic about tearing open a packet of syrup and dousing a stack of McDonald’s hotcakes. This order comes with three golden, fluffy pancakes, a pat of whipped butter, and sweet maple-flavored syrup . They are soft, tender, and satisfying. While some food critics have noted that the hotcakes themselves are no longer made fresh and can sometimes be chewy, they remain a beloved classic . For the full experience, consider adding a sausage patty for that perfect salty-sweet contrast.
8. Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel
If you are looking for the most substantial, hunger-crushing item on the menu, the Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel is your winner. This sandwich is a behemoth: a hearty, toasted bagel piled with a tender steak patty, scrambled egg, melty cheese, slivered grilled onions, and a creamy breakfast sauce . It is rich, savory, and almost resembles a diner-style steak sandwich more than a typical fast-food breakfast. Time Out notes that the thick bagel holds up perfectly to the heavy fillings, making it the closest thing to a hamburger you will find on the breakfast menu . It is a weekend brunch indulgence disguised as a morning commute staple.
7. Sausage Burrito
Don’t let its humble appearance fool you; the Sausage Burrito is a value-packed flavor bomb. While Time Out criticizes it as being too small, it remains a fan favorite for its portability and taste . The flour tortilla is stuffed with a mix of scrambled eggs, sausage, melty cheese, and a touch of spices. The key to elevating this item is a simple hack: order it with a side of Picante sauce or a packet of hot sauce. Dunking this little guy transforms it from a simple snack into a zesty morning treat.
6. Bacon, Egg and Cheese Bagel
New Yorkers might scoff, but the Bacon, Egg and Cheese Bagel at McDonald’s is surprisingly excellent. It features a toasted and chewy bagel that holds its own against dedicated coffee shops, filled with smoky bacon, a folded egg, and cheese . The combination of the dense, salty bagel with the creamy egg and crispy bacon is textural perfection. For the best experience, ask for the bagel “extra toasted” to ensure it has that delightful crunch that stands up to the ingredients .
5. Hash Browns
You cannot discuss the mcdonalds breakfast menu without mentioning the Hash Brown. These golden ovals of grated potato are the perfect sidekick to any sandwich. They are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and buttery on the inside . While the prices have fluctuated over the years, the taste remains iconic. A pro-tip from Time Out suggests getting a packet of hot sauce and a plate, then mashing the hash brown up with the sauce for a spicy, starchy breakfast that costs next to nothing . It is the best $1 item on the menu.
4. McGriddles (Sausage, Egg & Cheese)
The McGriddles is a feat of food engineering. It replaces the traditional bread with two soft griddle cakes infused with the taste of maple syrup. The Sausage, Egg & Cheese version is the reigning champion of this lineup. The sweetness of the syrup pockets embedded in the cakes melds perfectly with the salty, savory sausage and fluffy egg . It tastes like you are eating pancakes and a sausage sandwich at the same time, without the mess of dipping. It is sweet, savory, and utterly satisfying.
3. Sausage McMuffin with Egg
Often cited as the perfect representation of the McDonald’s breakfast brand, the Sausage McMuffin with Egg is a masterclass in simplicity. It features a warm, toasted English muffin, a round “cracked” egg, a slice of American cheese, and a juicy, well-spiced sausage patty. Unlike the folded eggs used in biscuits, the fresh-cracked egg on the McMuffin gives it a superior texture . It is hearty, balanced, and slightly elevated compared to some of the greasier options, earning it a top spot in almost every ranking .
2. Egg McMuffin
You have to respect the original. The Egg McMuffin didn’t just appear on the mcdonalds breakfast menu; it practically invented the modern fast-food breakfast category. This sandwich is surprisingly refined: a perfectly toasted English muffin, lean Canadian bacon, a freshly grilled egg with a broken yolk, and a slice of melted cheese . It is lighter than the sausage options but packed with protein and flavor. It remains the fifth-best selling menu item in the company’s history for a reason—it is timeless proof that quality ingredients and simplicity win the race .
1. The Deluxe Bacon and Egg Biscuit (And the Standard Bacon, Egg & Cheese)
Topping our list is the dark horse champion, recently hailed by Tasting Table as the absolute best item on the entire McDonald’s menu . While the standard Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit is a perennial favorite, the now sometimes-available “Deluxe” version takes the crown.
Celebrity chef J. Kenji López-Alt has famously declared the standard Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit as his go-to order . Why? It is the perfect vehicle for McDonald’s greatest hits. The biscuit is sturdy, flaky, and crispy on the outside—ideal for holding the “perfectly dialed in” folded egg, the melty cheese, and the smoky bacon .
However, the “Deluxe” version elevates this further by adding shredded lettuce. This might sound odd, but it adds a crucial freshness and crunch that cuts through the richness of the biscuit and egg, essentially turning it into a breakfast BLT . Whether you get the standard or the deluxe, this sandwich represents the best of what the mcdonalds breakfast menu has to offer: craveable, comforting, and surprisingly well-balanced.
Honorable Mention: The Canadian Exclusive Breakfast Poutine
For those north of the border, McDonald’s Canada has recently reimagined breakfast with the Breakfast Poutine. This limited-time offering features crispy potato bites, a savory scramble of eggs, sausage, tomatoes, and green chilies, all topped with cheese curds and a rich hollandaise-style sauce . It is a bold, indulgent twist on a Canadian classic and proof that McDonald’s continues to innovate.
Items to Skip
While the menu is full of stars, there are a few duds. Experts agree that the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes is one to avoid. At over 1,300 calories, it is less a meal and more of a challenge, with lukewarm eggs and chewy microwaved hotcakes that don’t justify the price . Similarly, the Plain Bagel is a missed opportunity, served dry with only butter when it desperately begs for cream cheese .
Conclusion
The mcdonalds breakfast menu is a tapestry of American fast-food history. From the revolutionary Egg McMuffin to the indulgent McGriddles, there is a bite for every craving. Next time you find yourself in line before 10:30 a.m., skip the complicated platters and stick to the sandwiches—specifically the Biscuit or the Sausage McMuffin—and don’t forget to grab a hash brown on the side.
