The Egg McMuffin, made right
You've had the original a hundred times. This is what it should have been: real butter, good egg, proper back bacon, and thirty seconds more patience.
The Egg McMuffin is the most successful breakfast sandwich ever invented, and one of the most easily improved at home. The original was created in 1971 to replicate eggs Benedict for the drive-through, and the format works because every element is essential: a toasted English muffin, a perfect circle of egg, a slice of melted cheese, a piece of back bacon. The home version takes twelve minutes, costs under three dollars, and tastes like food instead of a corporate facsimile. The egg ring is non-negotiable: it gives you the round shape that turns a fried-egg sandwich into a McMuffin.
Method
Toast the muffin.
Split the English muffin and toast both halves cut-side down in a dry pan over medium heat for 2 minutes until golden. Remove and butter generously while hot.
Cook the bacon.
In the same pan over medium-high heat, cook the back bacon for 2 minutes per side until lightly coloured and slightly caramelised at the edges. Remove and set aside.
Fry the egg in a ring.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Lightly butter a metal ring mould or round pastry cutter (about 9cm diameter) and place it in the pan. Crack the egg into the ring. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and cook for 3–4 minutes until the white is fully set and the yolk is still runny.
Add the cheese and assemble.
Lay the cheese slice on top of the cooked egg while still in the pan. Re-cover for 30 seconds to melt. Stack on the bottom muffin half: bacon, then cheese-topped egg. Cap with the top half. Press gently and eat immediately.
Frequently asked questions
- What is back bacon?
- Also called Canadian bacon. It is lean cured pork loin, similar to ham, cooked through and lightly browned. American streaky bacon works as a substitute but the flavour is different, saltier, crispier, less round.
- Do I need a special egg ring?
- Any metal ring works: a pastry cutter, a Mason jar lid ring, or a small tin can with both ends removed. Even folding aluminum foil into a square works in a pinch.
- Can I make this ahead?
- Yes. Wrap fully assembled sandwiches in foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen at 350°F (180°C) for 12 minutes wrapped, then 3 minutes unwrapped to crisp.
- How do I get the egg perfectly round?
- Butter the inside of the ring before placing it in the pan, crack the egg directly inside, and cover the pan with a lid so the white sets evenly without the yolk overcooking. 3–4 minutes total.
- Is American cheese essential?
- For the authentic taste, yes, it melts perfectly. Mild cheddar is a close substitute and arguably tastes better. Avoid sharp cheeses; they overpower the bacon.
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