Mini McGriddle Bites (Easy McDonald’s Copycat Muffin Recipe)
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Mini McGriddle Bites are an easy way to bring that classic McDonald’s sweet-and-savory breakfast home. These soft pancake muffins are packed with sausage, melty cheese, and a hint of maple syrup in every bite. If you love quick breakfasts that feel like a treat, this recipe is about to earn a permanent spot in your rotation.
I have made these Mini McGriddle Bites so many times that I could probably do it without looking at the recipe.
I make them for busy school mornings, lazy weekends, and even for brunch when friends are coming over.
If you enjoy recipes like Coconut French Toast or my favorite Southwest Ham and Egg Casserole, you will definitely want to check those out, too.
One little trick that always works in my kitchen is not overthinking the batter because a few lumps actually give these the best texture.
Table of contents
Why I Love This Recipe
I absolutely adore this Mini McGriddle Bites recipe because it’s incredibly versatile and easy to whip up.
Whether I’m preparing for a hectic Monday morning or hosting a weekend brunch, these bites never fail to impress.
The combination of savory sausage, gooey cheese, and sweet maple syrup offers a perfect balance of flavors that satisfy every palette in my household.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s dive into the heart of this recipe – the ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in delivering that scrumptious taste we all crave.
- Hungry Jack pancake mix: I love using this pancake mix because it’s fluffy and consistent. However, feel free to use any pancake mix you have on hand.
- Water: This brings the pancake mix to life.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp, cheesy element that goes beautifully with the sausage.
- Maple syrup: For that signature hint of sweetness that’s reminiscent of the classic McGriddle.
- Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage: The ultimate comfort sausage, but you can replace it with any variety, such as spicy, mild, or vegetarian.
How to Make Mini McGriddle Bites
Preparing these bites is as easy as 1-2-3!
Pro Tips for the Best McGriddle Bites
Do not overmix the batter because that is the fastest way to make these dense.
A lumpy batter is exactly what you want.
I also make sure my sausage is fully drained before adding it because extra grease can change the texture. I
In my kitchen, I like using a small cookie scoop to portion the batter so every bite bakes evenly.
How to Serve McGriddle Bites Mini Muffins
To elevate your Mini McGriddle Bites experience:
- Stick Prevention: Make sure you use parchment paper liners or grease the muffin pans well. Silicone pans are an excellent non-stick option.
- Storage: These bites can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or frozen for longer. A quick reheat in the oven or microwave brings them back to life.
- Cheese Variations: Switch things up by trying different cheeses like mozzarella, pepper jack, or Swiss.
- Sausage Substitutes: Feel free to experiment with various sausages that cater to your taste or dietary preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute the Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage with any sausage of your choice. Whether you prefer spicy, mild, or even a vegetarian sausage, it will still turn out delicious.
Yes, you can prepare Mini McGriddle Bites in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze them for longer storage. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat them in the oven or microwave.
Definitely! While cheddar cheese adds a classic flavor, you can experiment with other cheeses like mozzarella, pepper jack, or Swiss to suit your taste preference.
Yes, you can substitute Hungry Jack pancake mix with any other pancake mix you have on hand. Just follow the corresponding instructions for mixing the batter.
Using mini muffin liners or greasing the muffin pans well can help prevent sticking. Silicone muffin pans are also a great non-stick alternative.
That’s all the questions for now. If you have others, please leave them in the comments, and I will get back to you.
Whether you’re looking to shake up your usual breakfast routine or need a crowd-pleasing dish for a brunch gathering, these Mini McGriddle Bites check all the boxes.
If you try them and love them, please leave a 5-star review below so that other readers will know your experience.
They’re sweet, savory, and seriously delicious.
Mini McGriddle Bites
Ingredients
- 2 cups Hungry Jack pancake mix
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 pound Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage, browned and drained
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place liners into two mini muffin pans or grease well.
- In a medium bowl, combine the pancake mix and water until just combined. (You will still see some lumps.) Stir in cooked and drained sausage, cheese, and maple syrup.
- Spoon the batter evenly into the mini muffin pans.
- Bake for 15 minutes until lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts
⭐ Leave a comment and rating below — it helps other readers!
👩🍳 Did you make any changes or substitutions?
I’d love to hear how it turned out in your kitchen.
📌 Save this recipe so you can make it again.
📧 Want more easy family dinners like this in your inbox?
Join my free Dinner Idea Box newsletter for simple family dinners every week.
More Easy Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved these Mini McGriddle Bites, here are a few more easy breakfast recipes that are just as simple, delicious, and perfect for busy mornings.
These are delicious! Incredibly easy to make. Huge hit at my house! 😊
How many mini McGriddles does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 48 McGriddle bites! They’re so good.
Could I use Colby Jack cheese instead?
Sure! You definitely can. That sounds delicious.
Use REAL maple syrup for best flavor. These are great, better than mcgriddles
Yum! That makes me want to run to my kitchen and make some right now!
Oh, man…These were absolutely amazing! The whole family approved all the way down to my 18-month-old. Thank you for sharing such a yummy recipe!
I love this recipe and have made it 3 times in the past month. I made them into full sized muffins, not mini. The first time, I made two pans, one I sprayed with avocado oil spray and one I lined with muffin tin liners. Both pans stuck a lot. The muffin liners were actually worse for me. The second time I made them, I sprayed the pan with avocado oil spray and floured the pans. They came out better but still stuck quite a bit. I just finished a batch and this time I oiled the pan with the spray and dusted the pans with additional dry pancake mix. They came out of the pans beautifully. I let them sit in the pan about 10 minutes after coming out of the oven. I ran a knife around each muffin and they lifted right out. I hope that helps others. I make these muffins and freeze them for breakfast throughout the week. They heat up in the microwave very nicely. I use Kodiak pancake mix and maple syrup. Thanks so much 🙂
Could I swap the Hungry Jack pancake mix with Kodiak High Protein pancake/waffle mix?
Yes you can! Any type of waffle mix will work in this recipe.
Can egg be added to this recipe?
Yes! You can add eggs to this recipe if you’d like.
Would these bake up the same if I left out the cheese?
Yes! They’ll bake up the same without cheese.
how long would you cook them for full size muffins?
I don’t have mini muffin pans. Could I make these in a regular muffin pan?
Yes! They work great in a regular muffin pan. Cook them for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
I’d like to make ahead for tailgate this Sunday. How should I reheat and for how long?
Next time I will either add more maple syrup or use the maple flavored breakfast sausage.
Can you freeze?
Yes! You certainly can freeze these. They’re delicious
Can I use a different meat aka Bacon?
Yes! It’s okay to substitute fully cooked crumbled bacon in this recipe
Made these for a brunch potluck this morning. Huge hit. Was providing take-home ziplock bags for the extras, people liked them so much. Gotta love four ingredients, too. This one’s a keeper. Will probably try them as regular-sized muffins, too. Thanks!
Hi there! I can’t wait to try this! Wondering if I can skip the liners and spray nonstick?
Yes! You can spray the pan really well with nonstick spray then bake these. I have had really good luck with silicone muffin pans with this recipe too.
Can I use an off brand of pancake mix?
Yes! Any type of pancake mix will work great in this recipe.
Oh my goodness! The maple syrup pulls these all together into an amazing bite! The whole family loved them! My two granddaughters didn’t want to wait for them to cool off before eating! Thanks! Wouldn’t change a thing.
Hi Jan, I’m so glad that you and your family loved these McGriddle Bites! We love the maple syrup in them too.
Made the mini muffins
They stuck to the cupcake papers
The taste was good but too messy with them stuck to the paper
Sorry to hear that the McGriddle bites stuck to the cupcake liners. I have the best hack for that – use parchment paper liners. I get them from Amazon and nothing sticks at all!