$6.49
~480 Cal
17g
Fresh Cracked
A freshly cracked USDA Grade A egg, lean Canadian bacon, melted American cheese, and real butter on a warm toasted English muffin. McDonald’s original breakfast sandwich since 1972.
| Quick Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sandwich Price | $4.29 (national average) |
| Meal Price | $6.49 (sandwich + Hash Browns + coffee) |
| Calories (Sandwich) | 310 Cal |
| Calories (Meal) | ~480 Cal (with black coffee) |
| Protein | 17g |
| Cholesterol | 250 mg (83% DV) |
| Key Allergens | Wheat, Egg, Milk, Soy (May Contain: Sesame) |
| Egg Type | Freshly cracked USDA Grade A whole egg |
| Invented By | Herb Peterson, 1972, Santa Barbara, California |
| Breakfast Hours | 5:00 AM – 10:30 AM (most locations) |
The McDonald’s Egg McMuffin® is where fast-food breakfast started. Invented in 1972 by franchisee Herb Peterson at his restaurant in Santa Barbara, California, the Egg McMuffin was inspired by eggs Benedict — Peterson wanted to create a portable, affordable version that working Americans could eat on the go. Ray Kroc, then-chairman of McDonald’s Corporation, was reportedly skeptical at first but approved the sandwich after tasting it. By 1975, the Egg McMuffin was rolled out nationally, effectively inventing the concept of fast-food breakfast as we know it.
What makes it different from other breakfast sandwiches? The egg is freshly cracked — a real USDA Grade A whole egg cracked directly at the restaurant and cooked in a circular egg ring on a flat grill. It’s not a pre-formed frozen egg patty or a liquid egg mixture. That distinction matters, and it’s one of the reasons the Egg McMuffin has remained on the menu for over 50 years.
This guide covers the current Egg McMuffin price, full nutrition facts, complete ingredient list, allergen information, meal options, and how to customize it through the McDonald’s App.
👉 View Full: McDonald’s Menu with Prices | McDonald’s Breakfast Menu
Egg McMuffin® Price & Calories — Sandwich & Meal
| Item | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Egg McMuffin® (Sandwich Only) | $4.29 | 310 Cal |
| Egg McMuffin® Meal | $6.49 | ~480 Cal |
| Sausage McMuffin® with Egg | $4.69 | 480 Cal |
| Sausage McMuffin® (no egg) | $2.29 | 400 Cal |
| Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit | $4.89 | 460 Cal |
| Egg McMuffin® (2 for deal, when available) | ~$6.00 | 620 Cal |
What’s in the Egg McMuffin® Meal?
- Egg McMuffin®: Freshly cracked egg, Canadian bacon, American cheese, butter on a toasted English muffin (310 Cal)
- Hash Browns: Crispy, golden potato hash brown patty (+140 Cal)
- McCafé® Premium Roast Coffee: Small hot coffee, black (+5 Cal) — or choose orange juice, iced coffee, or a Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Ingredients in the Egg McMuffin®
The Egg McMuffin has one of the most straightforward ingredient lists on the McDonald’s menu — real egg, real butter, lean meat, and a simple English muffin. Here’s the full breakdown:
| Component | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Egg | Freshly cracked USDA Grade A whole egg, cooked in an egg ring on a flat grill. Contains: Egg |
| English Muffin | Enriched wheat flour, water, yeast, yellow corn meal, sugar, soybean oil, salt, wheat gluten, dough conditioners. Contains: Wheat. May Contain: Sesame |
| Canadian Bacon | Lean pork, water, sugar, salt, sodium lactate, sodium phosphate, sodium nitrite (preservative) |
| American Cheese | Pasteurized process — milk, cream, water, sodium citrate, salt, cheese cultures, soy lecithin. Contains: Milk, Soy |
| Salted Butter | Cream, salt. Contains: Milk |
| Clarified Butter | Pasteurized cream (pure butterfat, free from milk solids — used for grilling). Contains: Milk |
Is the Egg in the Egg McMuffin Real?
Yes — and this is one of the biggest differences between the Egg McMuffin and other McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches. The egg is a real, whole USDA Grade A egg — cracked directly at the restaurant and cooked fresh using a circular egg ring on a flat grill. This is not a folded egg (used in McGriddles) and not a scrambled egg mixture (used in breakfast burritos). The freshly cracked round egg is exclusive to the Egg McMuffin — it’s why the egg fits so perfectly on the English muffin and has that classic slightly-runny yolk center.
🍽 Egg McMuffin® Nutrition Facts
At just 310 calories and 17g of protein, the Egg McMuffin is one of the lightest and most balanced breakfast options at any fast-food chain. The main nutritional flag is cholesterol — at 250 mg (83% DV) — which comes from the whole egg yolk. If cholesterol is a concern, you can request egg whites only at some locations.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 310 Cal | — |
| Total Fat | 13g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 31% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | — |
| Cholesterol | 250 mg | 83% |
| Sodium | 770 mg | 33% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 30g | 11% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g | 6% |
| Total Sugars | 3g | — |
| Added Sugars | 1g | 2% |
| Protein | 17g | — |
| Calcium | 170 mg | 15% |
| Iron | 3 mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 200 mg | 4% |
| Vitamin D | 2 mcg | 15% |
How Does the Egg McMuffin Compare to Other Breakfast Sandwiches?
| Sandwich | Calories | Protein | Fat | Sodium | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egg McMuffin® (McDonald’s) | 310 | 17g | 13g | 770 mg | $4.29 |
| Sausage McMuffin® w/ Egg | 480 | 21g | 30g | 850 mg | $4.69 |
| Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissant (BK) | 340 | 14g | 20g | 720 mg | $4.99 |
| Bacon, Gouda & Egg Sandwich (Starbucks) | 370 | 20g | 19g | 720 mg | $5.45 |
| Egg & Cheese Wake-Up Wrap (Dunkin’) | 180 | 8g | 10g | 470 mg | $2.99 |
| Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit (Chick-fil-A) | 420 | 18g | 23g | 1,150 mg | $4.49 |
Allergen Information: Egg McMuffin®
| Allergen | Present? | Found In |
|---|---|---|
| 🌾 Wheat | ✅ Yes | English muffin (wheat flour, wheat gluten) |
| 🥚 Egg | ✅ Yes | Freshly cracked whole egg |
| 🥛 Milk | ✅ Yes | American cheese, salted butter, clarified butter |
| 🫘 Soy | ✅ Yes | Cheese (soy lecithin), muffin (soybean oil) |
| 🌿 Sesame | ⚠️ May Contain | English muffin (shared production facility) |
| 🥜 Peanuts | ❌ No | — |
| 🌰 Tree Nuts | ❌ No | — |
| 🐟 Fish | ❌ No | — |
Egg McMuffin® Customization Guide
| Modification | Effect | How to Order |
|---|---|---|
| No Canadian bacon | Makes it vegetarian (lacto-ovo), saves ~30 cal | “No bacon, please” |
| No cheese | Saves ~50 cal, removes milk/soy allergens | “No cheese” |
| No butter | Saves ~30 cal, reduces saturated fat | “No butter on the muffin” |
| Egg whites only | Cuts cholesterol to ~5 mg, saves ~30 cal | Ask at counter (select locations) |
| Add sausage patty | +170 cal, more savory, heavier meal | “Add sausage” (+$1.00–$1.50) |
| Extra cheese | +50 cal, more melt | “Extra cheese” (small upcharge) |
| Sub round egg for folded egg | Different texture — less runny, drier | Default is round; no need to ask |
🥤 Egg McMuffin® Meal Options
The standard Egg McMuffin Meal includes Hash Browns and a small McCafé® Premium Roast Coffee. But you can swap sides and drinks for a more balanced or indulgent breakfast:
| Meal Build | Total Calories | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard: McMuffin + Hash Browns + Black Coffee | ~480 Cal | Classic, balanced breakfast |
| Lighter: McMuffin + Apple Slices + Water | ~325 Cal | Calorie-conscious |
| Protein-Heavy: McMuffin + Extra Sausage + OJ | ~620 Cal | Active mornings, gym days |
| Sweet Tooth: McMuffin + Hotcakes + Iced Caramel Coffee | ~850 Cal | Indulgent weekend breakfast |
🥚 Egg McMuffin® FAQ
What is the Egg McMuffin® made of?
Is the egg in the Egg McMuffin real?
How many calories are in an Egg McMuffin?
Can I make the Egg McMuffin vegetarian?
Is the Egg McMuffin available all day?
Can I customize the Egg McMuffin?
Does the Egg McMuffin contain preservatives?
Is the English muffin toasted?
How much protein is in the Egg McMuffin?
Is the Egg McMuffin gluten-free?
Is there a meal version?
Is the Egg McMuffin part of any deals?
Who invented the Egg McMuffin?
Can I get it delivered?
Final Thoughts
The Egg McMuffin® is more than just a breakfast sandwich — it’s the item that literally invented fast-food breakfast over 50 years ago. At $4.29 and only 310 calories, it remains one of the most balanced, protein-rich breakfast options available at any quick-service restaurant. The freshly cracked real egg, lean Canadian bacon, and real butter on a simple toasted English muffin deliver a classic flavor that hasn’t needed reinvention.
For the best value, order through the McDonald’s App and take advantage of BOGO deals and MyMcDonald’s Rewards — a free Egg McMuffin costs only 1,500 points, making it the cheapest rewards redemption on the menu. And if you have allergies, be aware that it contains wheat, egg, milk, and soy, with possible sesame cross-contact.