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McGriddles
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A bacon, egg & cheese McGriddle | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nutritional value per 1 sandwich (175 g) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 450 kcal (1,900 kJ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
48 g (16%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sugars | 15 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dietary fiber | 2 g (10%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
21 g (32%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturated | 9 g (45%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trans | 0 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||
19 g | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other constituents | Quantity | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cholesterol | 230 mg (76%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy from fat | 190 kcal (790 kJ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
May vary outside US market | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults.[2] Source: [1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The McGriddles sandwich (colloquial singular form McGriddle) is a type of breakfast sandwich sold by the international fast food restaurant chain McDonald's. Introduced in 2003,[3] it is available in the following markets: United States, Canada, Japan, Guatemala, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia.

Product description
[edit]The standard McGriddles sandwich consists of fried bacon, a folded scrambled egg,[4] and American cheese between two maple-flavored griddle pancakes embossed with the McDonald's logo.
Variants
[edit]History
[edit]The McGriddles was conceptualized in 1999 by Gerald Tomlinson, at the time executive chef of McDonald's, as a variant of the McMuffin series with pancakes. A technology patented by a supplier which allowed the crystallization of syrup was necessary for production, where the crystals are mixed and heated to ensure all syrup goes into the pancakes. The product was introduced in June 2003.[9]
When McDonald's launched its all-day breakfast menu in October 2015, McGriddles sandwiches were initially excluded from the menu, but were eventually added in September 2016.[10][11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles". Nutrition & Ingredients. McDonald's. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ Moskin, Julia (January 10, 2007). "The Breakfast Wars". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ Peterson, Hayley (January 28, 2015). "Here's What To Order At McDonald's If You Want 'Real' Eggs". Business Insider. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ Carlin, Shannon (January 31, 2016). "McDonald's All-Day Breakfast Menu Is About To Get Even Better". Refinery29. Archived from the original on October 1, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ Scharnberg, Kirsten (March 16, 2006). "Spam: Hawaii's Signature Pig-out". Daily Press (Virginia). Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ Wang, Christine (September 29, 2016). "McDonald's tests Chicken McGriddle in Ohio: Report". CNBC. Archived from the original on July 3, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ "Chicken McGriddles Are Coming to Florida". Fortune. January 4, 2017. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- ^ Kluger, Jeffrey (October 6, 2003). "Inside the Food Labs". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Archived from the original on March 16, 2025. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ "Hash browns, McGriddles left off McDonalds' all-day breakfast menu". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ "McDonald's Nationwide All-Day Breakfast Menu Including McGriddles Launches Tomorrow". Consumerist. September 20, 2016. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
External links
[edit]McGriddles
View on GrokipediaProduct Description
Composition
The McGriddles sandwich is composed of two small griddle cakes, functioning as the top and bottom "buns," which are soft pancakes infused with maple flavoring and embossed with the McDonald's golden arches logo. These cakes provide a sweet foundation that contrasts with the savory fillings, creating a distinctive sweet-savory profile central to the sandwich's design. The maple flavor comes from embedded syrup crystals in the batter that melt during reheating, rather than being drizzled on top after preparation.[2][9][10] Typical fillings include a fluffy folded egg, a slice of American cheese, and either a round sausage patty or thick-cut bacon strips, all sandwiched between the griddle cakes. The sausage patty consists of pork seasoned with salt, spices, dextrose, sugar, rosemary extract, and natural flavors, while the bacon is cured pork bellies with water, salt, sugar, natural smoke flavor, sodium phosphate, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrite. The folded egg is prepared from liquid whole eggs, and the cheese is pasteurized process American cheese made from milk, cream, water, and enzymes. This assembly emphasizes the structural role of the pancakes in holding the hot, melty components together without traditional bread. Common allergens include wheat, egg, milk, and soy.[2][1] A standard sausage, egg, and cheese McGriddles version weighs approximately 199 grams, reflecting its compact yet substantial build suitable for portable consumption. The overall composition prioritizes a balance of texture, with the soft, warm pancakes complementing the crisp bacon or juicy sausage and the creamy cheese.[11]Preparation
The griddle cakes for McGriddles are pre-cooked off-site at facilities operated by Conagra Brands and shipped frozen to McDonald's restaurants in plastic bags for storage.[12] In the restaurant, employees thaw and warm the cakes on a flat-top griddle or via microwave to activate the maple flavoring from the embedded syrup crystals, ensuring consistent infusion without sogginess.[10] The cakes, stamped with the McDonald's "M" logo during manufacturing, are lightly toasted on the griddle to achieve a soft yet structured texture.[10] Assembly begins with the warmed bottom griddle cake placed on a preparation surface. Pre-cooked sausage patties or bacon strips, flash-frozen by suppliers and reheated on the griddle until heated through, are added next to maintain crispness and prevent excess moisture from softening the cake.[13][12] A pre-folded fluffy egg, prepared from liquid eggs pre-cooked and flash-frozen off-site, is then reheated on the griddle before being placed atop the meat.[13] Finally, a slice of American cheese is positioned on the egg to melt slightly from residual heat, and the top griddle cake is placed to complete the sandwich, with the entire assembly wrapped immediately to preserve warmth and structural integrity.[2] Quality control during preparation emphasizes uniform heating to ensure the maple crystals dissolve evenly across both cakes, avoiding uneven flavor distribution, while quick assembly minimizes contact time between moist fillings and the porous cake surface to prevent sogginess.[10] Employees follow standardized procedures to verify doneness through visual checks and internal temperature logs, aligning with McDonald's food safety protocols for reheated items.[14]History
Invention and Initial Launch
The McGriddles were conceptualized in 1999 by McDonald's executive chef Gerald Tomlinson during a brainstorming session focused on developing innovative breakfast items that blended sweet and savory flavors to expand beyond traditional savory options like the Egg McMuffin. Tomlinson identified a consumer demand for sweeter breakfast choices and proposed using soft pancakes as sandwich "buns" infused with maple flavor, marking a departure from standard English muffin-based products.[15] The item was developed under the leadership of McDonald's Worldwide Chief Concept Officer Tom Ryan, who oversaw the project's refinement and launch as part of efforts to boost breakfast sales.[4] Development involved initial prototypes, such as muffin-shaped pancakes mixed with sausage bits, which proved unappealing, followed by refinements to create flat griddle cakes with embedded maple syrup crystals using patented sugar crystallization technology from suppliers. In the early 2000s, testing phases emphasized perfecting the pancake bun's texture and flavor integration to ensure portability and mess-free consumption, including a collaborative "flapjack summit" with condiment and bread suppliers.[16] These efforts addressed challenges like syrup leakage, resulting in a consistent sweet-savory profile distinct from conventional breakfast sandwiches. The product debuted nationally in the United States in June 2003, beginning with limited testing in select markets across the country for over a year prior to full rollout.[16] Early promotions emphasized the novelty of maple-flavored pancakes as buns, positioning McGriddles as a fun, indulgent breakfast innovation.[16] Initial sales were strong, driving an 11% increase in McDonald's overall revenue and a 12.5% profit gain within months of launch, which prompted its rapid integration as a permanent menu item by late 2003.[17] This success underscored the appeal of the sweet-savory concept in boosting breakfast category performance.[10]Menu Evolution
Following its national launch in 2003, the McGriddles underwent significant menu integration as McDonald's introduced all-day breakfast nationwide on October 6, 2015, though the initial rollout excluded the item due to preparation complexities involving its unique griddle cake buns.[18][19][20] This simplified menu focused on core items like McMuffins to streamline operations across franchise locations. In July 2016, McDonald's announced the expansion of its all-day breakfast to include McGriddles, with a national rollout beginning in late August and completing by September, following successful tests that addressed logistical challenges such as oven warming for the buns.[21][22] These adjustments improved efficiency for all-day service, allowing franchisees greater flexibility in menu offerings while maintaining speed.[23] By 2019, operators could opt for reduced all-day selections to further optimize kitchen workflows.[23] The COVID-19 pandemic prompted temporary disruptions in 2020, as McDonald's suspended all-day breakfast in March to simplify operations amid staffing shortages and supply chain issues, effectively removing McGriddles from availability for several months.[24][25] The item returned later that year as restrictions eased, but the full all-day format was not reinstated.[26] As of early 2025, social media activity from McDonald's hinted at potential partial returns of all-day breakfast elements, though no official nationwide revival has occurred.[27] In November 2025, the chain integrated McGriddles into its Extra Value Meals lineup with a $5 Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles option, aimed at boosting breakfast traffic amid value-focused promotions.[28] The item's enduring popularity, evidenced by its role in driving breakfast sales growth since the mid-2000s, has influenced ongoing menu innovations like expanded sandwich varieties.[29]Variants
Core Variants
The core variants of the McGriddles lineup consist of two primary breakfast sandwiches that have been staples on McDonald's menus since their introduction, featuring the signature maple-flavored griddle cakes as the "buns" with distinct protein fillings. These options are designed to offer a sweet-savory contrast, combining the fluffy pancakes with classic breakfast proteins, eggs, and cheese.[2][1] The Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles features a savory sausage patty, a fluffy folded egg, and melty American cheese sandwiched between the soft, warm griddle cakes infused with a sweet maple taste. The sausage patty contributes a spiced, robust flavor profile that complements the sweetness of the cakes, making it the original variant launched in 2003 as part of McDonald's effort to innovate breakfast offerings by merging pancake elements with traditional sandwich components. This version contains 550 calories and is prepared using ingredients free of artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors from artificial sources in the griddle cakes.[2][30][2] The Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles substitutes the sausage with thick-cut Applewood smoked bacon strips, paired with the same fluffy folded egg and American cheese between the maple-flavored griddle cakes. Introduced shortly after the original sausage version in 2003, this variant highlights the bacon's smoky, crispy texture and flavor, providing a lighter, less spiced alternative while maintaining the iconic sweet-savory balance. It totals 430 calories and shares the same commitment to no artificial preservatives or flavors in the cakes.[1][31][1] These core variants differ primarily in their protein choices, with the sausage offering a bolder, spiced savoriness that pairs intensely with the maple notes, whereas the bacon delivers a subtler smokiness and crispiness for a more varied texture. Both are permanent menu items available primarily in the United States and Canada, served during breakfast hours at participating locations via in-store, drive-thru, or mobile order options.[6][32]Regional and Seasonal Variants
In the United States, McDonald's has offered regionally specific McGriddles adaptations to cater to local tastes. In Hawaii, a Spam, egg, and cheese variant was introduced as a promotional item in 2004, featuring the canned pork product popular in the islands between the signature maple-flavored griddle cakes.[33] The Chicken McGriddles, consisting of a breaded chicken patty between maple griddle cakes, underwent several limited-time trials across U.S. states during the 2010s before gaining broader traction elsewhere. Initial testing occurred in 11 locations in central Ohio starting in February 2016, where it was well-received for combining sweet and savory elements.[34] The trial expanded to select markets in Florida and Georgia in early 2017, available on the all-day menu until April of that year.[35] In Canada, the Chicken McGriddles launched nationwide as a limited-time offering on March 9, 2020, but has since become a permanent breakfast menu staple.[36] It returned to U.S. menus for a limited time starting June 24, 2025, priced at $2.50 per sandwich and available through July 21 in participating locations, including as part of promotions pairing it with items like the McChicken Biscuit.[37][3] Internationally, McGriddles have appeared in seasonal or trial formats to test market interest. In Australia, the core sausage, egg, and cheese McGriddles underwent trials at select Sydney locations starting in May 2025, generating significant buzz on social platforms before a nationwide permanent rollout on July 9, 2025.[38] These adaptations highlight McDonald's strategy of localizing the product for time-limited promotions or regional preferences while building on the standard griddle cake foundation.Nutritional Profile
Macronutrients and Calories
The Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles provides 550 calories per serving, while the Bacon, Egg & Cheese variant contains 430 calories, reflecting differences in protein sources and overall composition.[2][1] These values are based on standard U.S. formulations as of 2025, with daily value percentages calculated according to FDA guidelines for a 2,000-calorie diet. The macronutrient breakdown emphasizes carbohydrates from the maple-flavored griddle cakes, fats from meats and cheese, and protein from eggs and meats. The Bacon, Egg & Cheese version offers a slightly leaner profile due to the lower-fat bacon compared to sausage. Below is a comparison of key macronutrients and calories for the two core variants:| Nutrient | Sausage, Egg & Cheese (550 kcal) | % DV | Bacon, Egg & Cheese (430 kcal) | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Carbohydrates | 44 g | 16% | 44 g | 16% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g | 7% | 2 g | 7% |
| Total Sugars (from maple flavoring) | 15 g | - | 15 g | - |
| Total Fat | 33 g | 42% | 21 g | 27% |
| Saturated Fat | 13 g | 65% | 9 g | 45% |
| Sodium | 1290 mg | 56% | 1180 mg | 51% |
| Protein | 19 g | 38% | 17 g | 34% |
| Cholesterol | 235 mg | 78% | 215 mg | 72% |