McDonald’s McGriddles vs McMuffin
McDonald’s offers a wide variety of breakfast items made with smoked bacon or a savory sausage patty, egg, and a and slice of melty American cheese. This report hones in on the similarities and differences between McGriddles vs McMuffin breakfast sandwiches.
Read the complete comparison and detailed analysis of nutritional values, ingredients, and allergens in each sandwich then decide whether you want to order your breakfast on a pancake-style McGriddle or an English muffin.
Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles has the highest fat, carbs, protein, and calories.
What’s on McGriddles and McMuffins?
McDonald’s offers various McGriddles and McMuffin sandwich options. Choose from sausage, bacon, egg, and cheese.
Here is a quick overview of what’s on each breakfast sandwich options.
Summary of What’s on Each Sandwich Option
|
McMuffins | |
|
Egg McMuffin |
Egg, Canadian Bacon, American Cheese, Salted Butter, Clarified Butter, English Muffin |
|
Sausage McMuffin |
Sausage Patty, American Cheese, Salted Butter, English Muffin |
|
Sausage McMuffin with Egg |
Egg, Sausage Patty, American Cheese, Salted Butter, Clarified Butter, English Muffin |
|
McGriddles | |
|
Sausage McGriddles |
Sausage Patty, Griddle Cakes |
|
Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles |
Egg, Sausage Patty, American Cheese, Clarified Butter, Griddle Cakes |
|
Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles |
Egg, Applewood Smoked Bacon, American Cheese, Clarified Butter, Griddle Cakes |
McGriddles and McMuffins Nutritional Information
Nutrition information in this guide is based on standard product formulations and single serving sizes measured as one sandwich.
Calories
Of the six selected breakfast sandwiches, total calories range from 310 to 550. McDonald’s Egg McMuffin, made with Canadian bacon, egg, and cheese, has the fewest calories.
Here is a summary of the total calories in each McGriddle and McMuffin sandwich, listed in order from lowest calorie sandwich to highest calorie sandwich.
Total Calories by Sandwich Type
|
Menu Item |
Calories |
|---|---|
|
Egg McMuffin |
310 |
|
Sausage McMuffin |
400 |
|
Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles |
430 |
|
Sausage McGriddles |
430 |
|
Sausage McMuffin with Egg |
480 |
|
Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles |
550 |
*Total Calories are based on standard recipe formulations. Actual calories may vary by location and due to how the sandwich is prepared at the restaurant.
Calories in a Griddle Cake vs English Muffin
As illustrated above, total calories vary based on which fixings are selected. If you choose all the same fixings – a sausage patty, for example – there is a difference of 100 calories between the griddle cake and toasted English muffin.
Said differently, the warm griddle cakes with sweet taste of maple have 240 total calories. By comparison, McDonald’s English muffin has 140 calories.
Total Calories in Each Bread Option
|
McGriddles Cakes |
English Muffin |
|---|---|
|
240 calories |
140 calories |
Note that if you order the English muffin as a side dish or appetizer, it’s reported to contain 160 calories. The additional 20 calories are due to the addition of salted butter.
Calories by Macronutrient
When reviewing fast food menu items, we recommend taking note of the composition of calories. In other words, it’s a good idea to understand the proportion of total calories by macronutrient (i.e., fat, carbs, and protein).
The next section of this nutrition guide does just that. Let’s review the percentage of total calories in two sets of McDonald’s fast-food breakfast sandwiches that are most comparable.
Calories in Sausage McGriddles vs Sausage McMuffin
Sausage McGriddles have 430 total calories, 30 more than the 400 total calories in a Sausage McMuffin. In both sandwiches, the greatest proportion of calories is derived from fat.
Both sandwiches are made with a sausage patty, which contains 190 calories on its own.
There is a 100 calorie difference between the type of bread. The English Muffin has 100 fewer calories compared to the Griddle Cakes.
However, the lower calorie bread used in the Sausage McMuffin is offset by the inclusion of American Cheese and salted butter.
Here is a data table that illustrates the amount of calories by macronutrient and for each food component of the two breakfast sandwiches.
Composition of Calories by Sandwich
|
Sausage McGriddles |
Sausage McMuffin | |
|---|---|---|
|
By Macronutrient (% of Total) | ||
|
Total Calories |
430 |
400 |
|
Calories from Fat |
220 (51%) |
230 (58%) |
|
Calories from Carbs |
165 (38%) |
115 (29%) |
|
Calories from Protein |
45 (10%) |
55 (14%) |
|
By Food Item | ||
|
Bread |
240 |
140 |
|
Sausage Patty |
190 |
190 |
|
Cheese |
n/a |
50 |
|
Salted Butter |
n/a |
20 |
Calories in Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles and McMuffins
Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles have 550 total calories. By comparison, a Sausage Egg McMuffin contains 480 total calories.
The greatest proportion of calories is derived from fat.
Both sandwiches contain a sausage patty, slice of cheese, and egg. A McMuffin also includes salted butter and clarified butter.
The following table summarizes the number of calories by macronutrient and for the food products in each of the two breakfast sandwiches.
Composition of Calories by Sandwich
|
Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles |
Sausage McMuffin with Egg | |
|---|---|---|
|
By Macronutrient (% of Total) | ||
|
Total Calories |
550 |
480 |
|
Calories from Fat |
300 (55%) |
280 (58%) |
|
Calories from Carbs |
175 (32%) |
120 (25%) |
|
Calories from Protein |
75 (14%) |
80 (17%) |
|
By Food Item | ||
|
Bread |
240 |
140 |
|
Sausage Patty |
190 |
190 |
|
Folded Egg |
70 |
— |
|
Egg |
— |
80 |
|
Cheese |
50 |
50 |
|
Salted Butter |
— |
20 |
|
Clarified Butter |
0 |
0 |
Calories by macronutrient are rounded estimates based on nutrition facts provided by McDonald’s. Calories may vary due to how McD’s breakfast items are prepared at the local restaurant.
Nutrition Facts
Any reference to percentage daily values (% DV) in this fast food review illustrates how much a nutrient per serving contributes to a daily diet of 2,000 calories. Individual needs vary and your daily value may be higher or lower.
Breakfast Sandwiches are High in Saturated Fat
According to the U.S. FDA, consumers can use the daily value (%DV) listed on a nutrition facts label to make informed decisions about their diet.
Here are a few key tips to consider when reviewing daily values to compare fast food menu items:
Based on the 20% DV threshold, take note that the amount of both saturated fat and sodium in all six of the fast food breakfast sandwiches is considered high.
% Daily Value by Sandwich
Here is a summary of the daily value of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars in each of the McGriddles and McMuffin sandwiches (based on a 2,000 calorie diet):
% Daily Value Per Serving
Red indicates a high %DV.
|
Saturated Fat |
Sodium |
Added Sugars | |
|
Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles |
67% |
56% |
25% |
|
Sausage McMuffin with Egg |
62% |
36% |
1% |
|
Sausage McMuffin |
51% |
33% |
1% |
|
Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles |
46% |
54% |
25% |
|
Sausage McGriddles |
45% |
43% |
25% |
|
Egg McMuffin |
31% |
33% |
2% |
%DV based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Calorie needs vary and your %DV may be higher or lower. Provided for informational purposes only. Consult with your physician for dietary or healthcare advice.
Nutritional Value Summary
Here is a summary of the nutrition facts for each McGriddles option.
Nutritional Information in McGriddles
|
Sausage McGriddles |
Bacon, Egg, Cheese McGriddles |
Sausage, Egg, Cheese McGriddles | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Calories |
430 |
430 |
550 |
|
Fat |
24g |
21g |
33g |
|
– Saturated Fat |
9g |
9g |
13g |
|
– Trans Fat |
0g |
0g |
0g |
|
Cholesterol |
35mg |
215mg |
235mg |
|
Sodium |
990mg |
1230mg |
1290mg |
|
Total Carbs |
41g |
44g |
44g |
|
– Fiber |
2g |
2g |
2g |
|
– Total Sugar |
14g |
15g |
15g |
|
– – Added Sugar |
13g |
13g |
13g |
|
Protein |
11g |
17g |
19g |
Nutritional Information in McMuffin Sandwiches
|
Egg McMuffin |
Sausage McMuffin |
Sausage McMuffin with Egg | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Calories |
310 |
400 |
480 |
|
Fat |
13g |
26g |
31g |
|
– Saturated Fat |
6g |
10g |
12g |
|
– Trans Fat |
0g |
0.5g |
0.5g |
|
Cholesterol |
250mg |
55mg |
280mg |
|
Sodium |
770mg |
760mg |
830mg |
|
Total Carbs |
30g |
29g |
30g |
|
– Fiber |
2g |
2g |
2g |
|
– Total Sugar |
3g |
2g |
2g |
|
– – Added Sugar |
1g |
1g |
1g |
|
Protein |
17g |
14g |
20g |
Check McDonald’s website for special promotions, including McDonald’s Value Menu which offers various options to save money when ordering. For example, the Sausage McMuffin is currently marked as a Value Menu. Customers receive can buy one sandwich and add a second for only $1.
Ingredients and Allergens
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients used in the various food items used to make these breakfast sandwiches.
Griddle Cakes
McDonald’s describes its McGriddles to have a taste of maple. Note, however, that the list of ingredients does not include maple syrup.
McGriddles cakes have no artificial preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors from artificial sources.
Ingredients in griddle cakes:Water, Enriched Flour, Sugar, Dextrose, Palm Oil, Brown Sugar, Baking Powder, Modified Tapioca Starch, Rice Flour, Whey Powder, Salt, Natural Flavors, Buttermilk Powder, Soybean Oil, Caramel Color, Soy Lecithin.
English Muffin
Ingredients in English muffin:Enriched Flour, Water, Yeast, Yellow Corn Meal, Sugar, Soybean Oil, Salt, Dough Conditioners, Wheat Gluten, Cultured Wheat Flour, Citric Acid, Baking Soda, and Fumaric Acid.
Sausage Patty
Ingredients in sausage:Pork, Water, Salt, Spices, Dextrose, Sugar, Rosemary Extract, and Natural Flavors.
Thick Cut Applewood Smoked Bacon
Ingredients in McDonald’s bacon:Pork Bellies Cured with Water, Salt, Sugar, Natural Smoke Flavor, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, and Sodium Nitrite.
McGriddles Folded Egg
McGriddles sandwiches are made with a folded egg.
Ingredients in folded egg:Eggs, Nonfat Milk, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Citric Acid.
McMuffin Egg
By comparison, a McMuffin sandwich is made with a freshly cracked fried egg.
Ingredients in egg:USDA Grade A Eggs.
Pasteurized Process American Cheese
Ingredients in cheese:Milk, Cream, Water, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Citric Acid, Enzymes, Soy Lecithin, and Color Added.
Salted Butter
Ingredients in salted butter:Cream and Salt.
Clarified Butter
Ingredients in clarified butter:Pasteurized Cream (butterfat).
Allergens
Individuals with food allergies or sensitivities should inform the manager before ordering at McDonald’s restaurants.
Here is a list of the allergens in each food item:
Normal kitchen operations of fast food restaurants include shared preparation areas. As a result, even foods made without allergens may contain sesame, tree nuts, or other common allergens due to cross-contamination.
McDonald’s Menu with Prices
As a final point of comparison, McDonald’s customers review menu prices before submitting a big breakfast order.
Here are the prices and summary nutritional information for McDonald’s breakfast menu items.
| Updated Feb 2025 | Price | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hash Browns | $2.19 | 140 | 8g | 18g | 2g | 310mg |
| Hotcakes | $4.19 | 580 | 15g | 101g | 9g | 530mg |
| Hotcakes & Sausage | $5.29 | 770 | 33g | 102g | 15g | 810mg |
| Hotcakes & Steak | $5.89 | 740 | 26g | 103g | 23g | 940mg |
| Fruit & Maple Oatmeal | $2.99 | 320 | 4.5g | 64g | 6g | 150mg |
| Biscuit | $1.79 | 270 | 12g | 36g | 5g | 820mg |
| Egg Biscuit | $2.29 | 340 | 17g | 37g | 11g | 910mg |
| Sausage Biscuit | $2.49 | 460 | 30g | 37g | 11g | 1090mg |
| Steak Biscuit | $2.99 | 430 | 23g | 37g | 18g | 1220mg |
| Egg & Cheese Biscuit | $2.99 | 390 | 21g | 39g | 13g | 1110mg |
| Steak & Egg Biscuit | $5.79 | 500 | 28g | 39g | 24g | 1320mg |
| Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit | $4.89 | 460 | 26g | 39g | 17g | 1330mg |
| Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit | $4.79 | 580 | 39g | 39g | 19g | 1390mg |
| Steak, Egg & Cheese Biscuit | $5.99 | 550 | 32g | 40g | 27g | 1520mg |
| English McMuffin | $1.49 | 160 | 3.5g | 27g | 5g | 270mg |
| Egg McMuffin | $4.79 | 310 | 13g | 30g | 17g | 770mg |
| Sausage McMuffin | $2.49 | 400 | 26g | 29g | 14g | 760mg |
| Crispy McChicken McMuffin | $4.29 | 410 | 16g | 41g | 25g | 1000mg |
| Sausage, Egg & Cheese McMuffin | $4.79 | 480 | 31g | 30g | 20g | 830mg |
| Steak & Egg McMuffin | $5.79 | 450 | 24g | 30g | 28g | 960mg |
| Bacon, Egg & Cheese McMuffin | $4.89 | 360 | 19g | 30g | 18g | 770mg |
| Sausage McGriddle | $3.89 | 430 | 24g | 41g | 11g | 990mg |
| Crispy McChicken McGriddle | $4.49 | 480 | 19g | 55g | 24g | 1440mg |
| Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle | $4.99 | 430 | 21g | 44g | 17g | 1230mg |
| Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle | $4.99 | 550 | 33g | 44g | 19g | 1290mg |
| Steak, Egg & Cheese McGriddle | $5.49 | 520 | 26g | 45g | 27g | 1420mg |
| Sausage Burrito | $2.39 | 310 | 17g | 25g | 13g | 800mg |
| Bagel | $1.99 | 270 | 3.5g | 51g | 9g | 550mg |
| Egg & Cheese Bagel | $4.29 | 520 | 24g | 55g | 21g | 1100mg |
| Bacon, Egg & Cheese Bagel | $5.89 | 590 | 30g | 56g | 25g | 1320mg |
| Sausage, Egg & Cheese Bagel | $5.89 | 710 | 42g | 56g | 27g | 1380mg |
| Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel | $6.69 | 680 | 35g | 57g | 34g | 1510mg |
Ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts are based on available information as of the date this article was published and/or updated. Restaurants and food manufacturers may change their recipes without notice. Check directly with the food provider for the most accurate and up-to-date information. NutritionandIngredients.com does not provide health or wellness advice or dietary recommendations. Our aim is to research commercially processed food and publish articles for informational purposes only. Unless otherwise stated, % Daily Value is based on 2,000 calories per day, but calorie needs vary by individual. Always consult your physician for any healthcare or dietary advice.
Nutrition facts and ingredients source: McDonald’s