In my expert opinion, McDonald’s breakfast is one of the greatest things on the planet. Ever since I tried my first Egg McMuffin as a kid, I was hooked. Since then, the breakfast menu has greatly expanded. Regardless of your taste, you can find some breakfast deliciousness at Mickey D’s.
Furthermore, now McDonald’s is offering all-day breakfast. The powers that be heard our cries, so even if you can’t wake up early or you like breakfast for dinner, you can satisfy your cravings. Unfortunately, though, not every breakfast item is offered all day.
In this article, I’ll give you all the information you need to know about McDonald’s breakfast. I’ll describe and evaluate each item on the breakfast menu.
Additionally, I’ll let you know when regular breakfast is usually offered, and what breakfast items you can get outside of the normal breakfast hours.
The McDonald’s Breakfast Menu
Below, I'll break down all of the items on the McDonald’s breakfast menu. The prices do vary based on location, and sadly, menu items vary by location. However, these are the current staples of the McDonald’s breakfast menu.
Keep in mind that some areas will offer unique items to cater to the tastes of the local population. For example, you can get lobster rolls in the Northeast and cranberry-orange muffins in the Midwest.
Additionally, some regions will try out various menu items before they’re rolled out nationally. In February of 2016, McDonald’s began testing low carb breakfast bowls and incorporating Chobani Greek yogurt into the Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait at locations in Los Angeles and San Diego.
The breakfast bowls that are being tested are an egg white and turkey sausage bowl with spinach and kale, and a scrambled egg and chorizo bowl with a hash brown, salsa, and Pico de Gallo.
If these items are successful, you’re bound to see them at more locations in the future.
With all that out of the way, it's time for me to guide you through the national McDonald's breakfast menu.
It's divided by “regular” and “healthy” items. I tried to list the items in order of popularity. For each item, I’ve given the following info:
- Price
- A description
- A score based on taste (from 0-5 sausage patties)
- My review, semi-ironically entitled "The Skinny"
- Nutritional Content
Regular Breakfast Items
These are the breakfast menu items for those who are less concerned about nutritional content and more concerned with flavor.
Hash Browns
Cost: $1.00
What is it?
Fried Russet potatoes. The hash browns come in one piece; it’s like an oval-shaped patty. This makes them easier to eat, especially while driving. You can hold them in your hand and eat them without utensils.
Score: 4 sausage patties
The Skinny:
If you like potatoes, a little crunch, and fried goodness, you’ll enjoy McDonald’s breakfast hash browns. While the hash browns are satisfying on their own, they can be enhanced with some ketchup. Also, they can be a touch on the greasy side, so hold them from the wrapper while you’re eating them if you want to avoid greasy fingers.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 150 | 1 g | 9 g | 15 g | 530 mg |
Egg McMuffin
Cost: $2.79
What Is it?
The Egg McMuffin is the most famous of the McDonald’s breakfast offerings. It’s a poached egg with Canadian bacon and melted cheese on an English muffin.
Score: 4.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
I’m skeptical of anybody who doesn’t like McDonald’s Egg McMuffin. The combination of the egg, cheese, Canadian bacon, and English muffin are completely harmonious. Each layer provides a different texture and flavor that works well together. It’s satiating yet not too heavy.
If you’ve never had McDonald’s breakfast, I recommend opting for this breakfast entree for your first time. It’s a safe choice.
Nutritional Content
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 300 | 17 grams | 12 grams | 29 grams | 720 mg |
Sausage McMuffin
Cost: $1.00
What Is it?
The Sausage McMuffin is an English muffin topped with a sausage patty and American cheese. Basically, it’s an Egg McMuffin with sausage instead of the poached egg and Canadian bacon.
Score: 3.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
At $1.00, the Sausage McMuffin provides tremendous value, given that it’s roughly the same size and almost as filling as the Egg McMuffin, but it’s offered for a fraction of the price. The sausage is packed with flavor, but this is the simplest of the breakfast sandwiches. It’s a good option for sausage lovers who want a basic meal.
Nutritional Content
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 400 | 14 grams | 25 grams | 28 grams | 750 mg |
Sausage McMuffin With Egg
Cost: $2.79
What Is it?
As the name implies, it’s a Sausage McMuffin with egg. It’s a sausage patty, cheddar cheese, and poached egg on an English muffin.
Score: 4 sausage patties
The Skinny:
This is just an Egg McMuffin substituting sausage for the Canadian bacon. Because Canadian bacon is healthier, the Sausage McMuffin with Egg has more fat and sodium than the Egg McMuffin. However, if you’re just focused on taste, you can’t go wrong with this breakfast sandwich. The poached egg cuts through the saltiness of the sausage, and the English muffin soaks up some of the grease. Each layer is tasty on its own, and you get your meat, dairy, and carbs all in one bite.
Nutritional Content
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 470 | 30 grams | 21 grams | 29 grams | 810 mg |
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit
Cost: $2.99
What Is it?
A folded egg, American cheese, and Applewood smoked bacon on a buttered buttermilk biscuit.
Score: 4.5 Sausage Patties
The Skinny:
This is your classic breakfast sandwich, and McDonald’s breakfast does it right. Many people prefer the biscuit to the English muffin. If you’re considering a biscuit sandwich, this is a good one to try. It’s nothing original, but taste trumps originality.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 440 | 19 g | 24 g | 37 g | 720 mg |
Sausage Biscuit
Cost: $1.00
What Is it?
A sausage patty on a buttered buttermilk biscuit
Score: 3 sausage patties
The Skinny:
This sandwich is cost-effective, but it’s a tad boring compared to the rest of McDonald’s breakfast menu. Just a sausage patty on a biscuit. At least the Sausage McMuffin comes with cheese. But, if you like biscuits and sausage, you’ll be content with this option.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 440 | 17 g | 30 g | 29 g | 720 mg |
Sausage Biscuit With Egg
Cost: $2.69
What Is it?
A sausage patty and folded egg on a buttered buttermilk biscuit
The Score: 3.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
This is the enhanced sausage biscuit. You get extra protein and flavor with the egg. Personally, I prefer the McDonald’s poached egg to the folded egg, but there’s nothing wrong with the folded egg. It’s a step up from a hospital omelet, but I’m not sure if that’s a ringing endorsement.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 510 | 11 g | 33 g | 35 g | 1090 mg |
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese McGriddles
Cost: $3.19
What Is it?
A folded egg, Applewood smoked bacon, and American cheese on griddle cakes with sweet maple baked inside them.
The Score: 4.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
The griddle cakes on McDonald’s breakfast menu are ridiculously good. They offer a touch of sweetness with the maple-infused flavor, but the sweetness isn’t overpowering. As I previously mentioned, bacon, egg, and cheese are the quintessential breakfast sandwich combo, but the griddle cakes make this entree special.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 440 | 19 g | 19 g | 48 g | 1260 mg |
Sausage McGriddles
Cost: $2.69
What Is it?
A sausage patty on maple-flavored griddle cakes
The Score: 3.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
If you’re contemplating indulging in the excitement of the McGriddle, you might as well have more than just a sausage patty in your sandwich. This is only a good option if you don’t like the other breakfast sandwich toppings.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 440 | 11 g | 25 g | 44 g | 1280 mg |
Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McGriddles
Cost: $3.19
What Is it?
A folded egg, sausage patty, and American cheese on maple-flavored griddle cakes
The Score: 4.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
When I’m feeling extra hungry and gluttonous, this is my go-to breakfast at Mickey D’s. You have the sweet from the griddle cakes, the salty from the sausage, plus the richness of the egg and cheese. I’d give this sandwich 3 thumbs up if I had 3 thumbs.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 560 | 20 | 32 g | 48 g | 1280 mg |
Big Breakfast
Cost: $3.39
What Is it?
Scrambled eggs, a sausage patty, buttermilk biscuit, and hash browns
The Score: 3.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
When I’m getting a fast food breakfast, I prefer my breakfast in hand-held form. The Big Breakfast resembles a cafeteria breakfast. However, it’s a good cafeteria breakfast, and you get a full meal for a low price.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 730 | 25 g | 48 g | 49 g | 1420 mg |
Big Breakfast With Hotcakes
Cost: $5.19
What Is it?
Scrambled eggs, sausage patty, hash browns, hotcakes, and a buttermilk biscuit
The Score: 3.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
This is the least healthy of all of the McDonald’s breakfast menu options. Perhaps you find that appealing. You can get a day’s worth of fat in one meal. That’s always fun.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 1050 | 33 g | 56 g | 104 g | 1960 mg |
Hotcakes
Cost: $2.19
What Is it?
Three maple-flavored hotcakes with butter
The Score: 3.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
Don’t expect light, fluffy hotcakes like the ones you find at more upscale establishments. These are pretty basic, but they taste good, especially with butter and syrup. And the maple flavor is a nice touch.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 320 | 8 g | 7 g | 54 g | 530 mg |
Hotcakes and Sausage
Cost: $2.99
What is it?
Three maple-flavored hotcakes with butter and a sausage patty
The Score: 3.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
This meal feels boring to me. If you want hotcakes and sausage, you may as well go for a Sausage McGriddle. That’s more fun, and it’s easier to eat while driving.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 510 | 15 g | 25 g | 55 g | 1290 mg |
Sausage Burrito
Cost: $1.00
What Is it?
Scrambled eggs, peppers, onions, and cheese wrapped in a tortilla
Score: 3 sausage patties
The Skinny:
You probably don’t think of burritos when you think of McDonald’s, and neither do I. The sausage burrito looks sad, but it tastes decent. And it comes with McSalsa. That’s McBueno.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 300 | 12 g | 16 g | 49 g | 1420 mg |
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Bagel
Cost: $3.29
What Is it?
A folded egg, Applewood bacon, and American cheese on a bagel
The Score: 3.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
Similar to the hotcakes, don’t expect the greatest bagel from McDonald’s. The bacon, egg, and cheese taste good, but I think most people will prefer these toppings on the biscuit. I’m sure my dad, a native New Yorker, would eat the entire sandwich, but he wouldn't give the bagel itself high marks.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 570 | 26 g | 27g | 55 g | 1290 mg |
Steak, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit
Cost: $3.79
What Is it?
Seasoned steak patty, grilled onions, a folded egg, and American cheese on a buttered buttermilk biscuit
The Score: 4 sausage patties
The Skinny:
The steak patty somewhat resembles a thicker sausage patty, but it has a little more kick, thanks to the seasoning. The grilled onions add some crunch and extra flavor. This sandwich provides a hearty combination of goodness.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 520 | 25 g | 30 g | 37 g | 1440 mg |
Healthy Options
If you want a fast, budget-friendly breakfast, but you’re trying to eat something on the healthy side, McDonald’s has some options for you.
Fruit and Maple Oatmeal
Cost: $1.99
What Is it?
Whole grain oats, a touch of cream, red and green apples, cranberries, and two types of raisins. Available with or without brown sugar.
Score: 3.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
Normally I find oatmeal relatively bland, but McDonald’s breakfast menu serves up this dish packed with yummy flavors. The fruit is surprisingly good, the cream adds some richness, and the maple provides some additional sweetness. And it only has 4 grams of fat.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 290 | 5 g | 4 g | 58 g | 160 mg |
Egg White Delight McMuffin
Cost: $2.79
What Is it?
Grilled egg whites, extra lean Canadian bacon, and white cheddar on a buttered English muffin.
The Score: 2.5 sausage patties
The Skinny:
I don’t know if I can endorse this one. It may be healthier than the Egg McMuffin, but it doesn’t taste as good. With fat comes flavor, and this sandwich could use some flavor enhancement. It’s similar to the Egg McMuffin, but it’s not as tasty.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 250 | 17 g | 8 g | 28 g | 720 mg |
Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait
Cost: $1.00
What Is it?
Low-fat vanilla yogurt layered with blueberries and strawberries. Topped with crunchy granola.
The Score: 4 sausage patties
The Skinny:
A surprisingly good treat on McDonald’s breakfast menu that is also healthy. I don’t know exactly where McDonald’s gets its fruit and how the fruit is preserved, but the fruit tastes good. The sweetness of the fruit works well with the tartness of the yogurt. And the granola adds some crunch. Not bad at all.
Nutritional Info
| Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Sodium |
| 150 | 4 g | 2 g | 30 g | 80 mg |
Breakfast Hours
The full breakfast menu isn’t available all day, only during the designated breakfast hours. Outside of the designated breakfast hours, you can only get breakfast grub from the all-day breakfast menu, which has a fraction of the breakfast options.
Breakfast hours vary by location, but here are the typical McDonald’s breakfast hours:
- Monday-Friday: 5:00 AM-10:30 AM
- Saturday-Sunday: 5:00 AM-11:00 AM
However, you may be able to get breakfast earlier at 24-hour McDonald’s.
The All-Day Breakfast Menu
McDonald’s answered my prayers and started offering all-day breakfast in the fall of 2015. Here are the items on the typical all-day breakfast menu. These are usually the only breakfast items you can purchase outside of the designated breakfast hours:
- Egg McMuffin
- Sausage McMuffin
- Sausage McMuffin With Egg
- Hotcakes
- Hotcakes and Sausage
- Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfair
- Sausage Burrito
- Fruit and Maple Oatmeal
- Hash Browns
Beverage Choices
While I’m more focused on my breakfast food, I know some people take their beverages very seriously.
For those of you who need a coffee drink to start your day, McDonald’s has a number of options for you. It expanded from just its basic coffee when it launched its line of McCafe drinks in 2009.
Here are all your drink options and their prices.
| Drink | Small | Medium | Large |
| Premium Roast Coffee | $1.00 | $1.49 | $1.69 |
| McCafe Latte | $2.39 | $2.89 | $3.39 |
| McCafe Mocha | $2.39 | $2.89 | $3.39 |
| McCafe Caramel Mocha | $2.39 | $2.89 | $3.39 |
| McCafe Hot Chocolate | $2.09 | $2.59 | $3.09 |
| Premium Roast Iced Coffee | $1.00 | $1.99 | $2.49 |
| McCafe Iced Mocha | $2.39 | $2.89 | $3.39 |
| McCafe Frappe Mocha | $2.39 | $2.89 | $3.39 |
| McCafe Frappe Caramel | $2.39 | $2.89 | $3.39 |
| McCafe Frappe Chocolate Chip | $2.39 | $2.89 | $3.39 |
| 1% Low Fat Milk Jug | $2.29 | $2.79 | $3.29 |
| Fat Free Chocolate Milk Jug | $2.29 | $2.79 | $3.29 |
| Smoothies (Mango Pineapple, Strawberry Banana, or Blueberry Pomegranate) | $2.29 | $2.79 | $3.29 |
| Minute Maid Apple Juice Box | $2.29 | $2.79 | $3.29 |
| Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice | $1.99 | $2.49 | $2.89 |
| Dasani Water | $1.99 | $2.49 | $2.89 |
| Soft Drinks | $1.99 | $2.49 | $2.89 |
Breakfast Extra Value Meals
On top of the menu items, you can add a hash browns and a small coffee by ordering a breakfast entree and making it a meal. You can substitute the coffee for a juice or another beverage for an additional fee, usually the difference in price between a small coffee and your drink of choice.
Generally, when you order a combo meal, you're basically paying for your entree and hash browns, and then getting your coffee for free. So it may make sense to order the extra value meal, depending on what you want.
Here are the meals normally offered:
- Egg McMuffin Meal
- Sausage McMuffin With Egg Meal
- Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit Meal
- Sausage Biscuit With Egg Meal
- Bacon, Egg, & Cheese McGriddles Meal
- Sausage, Egg, & Cheese McGriddles Meal
- Sausage McGriddles Meal
- Two Sausage Burritos Meal
McDonald's Breakfast Master Tips
As a self-proclaimed McDonald's breakfast expert, here's my advice on how to maximize your McDonald's breakfast experience.
#1: Be Punctual
This advice is for those of you who want an item that's only offered during the designated breakfast hours. It's a fast-food tragedy to arrive at McDonald's at 10:45 AM and be told that you can't order McGriddles.
Set an alarm. Push yourself to achieve your goal of getting to the golden arches during breakfast time. Then, you can reward yourself with a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit, or any other delicious breakfast treat you desire.
#2: Consider Your Goals
Think about what you're trying to get out of this meal.
Do you just want the tastiest meal possible?
If you're solely concerned with taste, then think about your preferences. Personally, I think you'll have the tastiest meal by getting a breakfast sandwich and hash browns. Determine which breakfast sandwich to order by answering the following questions:
- Do you prefer sausage or bacon?
- Would you rather have your sandwich on an English muffin, biscuit, or McGriddles?
- Do you prefer a poached egg or folded egg?
Your answers will determine the best McDonald's breakfast sandwich for you. If you prefer sausage, biscuits, and folded eggs, then you immediately know that the Sausage Biscuit With Egg is the ideal choice for you and your taste buds.
Do you want a cheap meal?
If cost is a consideration, then first look at the cheapest entrees. Hopefully, at least one will sound appetizing to you. You can get two Sausage McMuffins or Sausage Biscuits and a hash browns for $3.
Also, if you're trying to limit your cost, I recommend sticking with a cup of water for your beverage. If you need some caffeine, go for the regular coffee as opposed to one of the fancier McCafe drinks.
Are you trying to be healthy?
If you want a healthier meal, order one of the "healthy" options or an Egg McMuffin, which is less unhealthy than the other breakfast sandwiches. You're probably also going to want to pass on the hash browns. I'm sorry. I know they're delicious.
#3: Remember: It's Fast Food, NOT Fine Food
Some food snobs will harshly judge the McDonald's breakfast because it doesn't use the same high-quality ingredients as upscale sit-down restaurants. Yes, McDonald's may use lower quality eggs than you'll find in your $14 brunch frittata, but McDonald's eggs taste good to me and millions of people.
If you can only indulge in fresh, organic ingredients, then Mickey D's probably isn't the place for you. But if you're looking for a fast, satisfying meal at a very reasonable price, then you can't go wrong with McDonald's breakfast.
My dream is that McDonald's will give me free breakfast for life for my endorsement.
