Skip the drive-thru and start your morning with homemade McGriddle Smashburgers. These easy breakfast sandwiches pair maple-kissed pancakes with savory, juicy smashed sausage patties and melty cheese for a delicious breakfast burger that’s perfect for busy weekdays or relaxed weekend brunches. Making them at home gives you full control over ingredients, so you can swap items to suit dietary needs or taste preferences.
Burgers work any time of day, and this McGriddle-style sandwich is a fun, irresistible twist on a classic fast-food favorite. It’s straightforward to prepare, customizable, and faster than a typical takeout stop. Use your preferred breakfast sausage, cheese, and pancake mix to create a breakfast sandwich that suits your household.
Ingredients
This recipe brings pantry staples and breakfast favorites together in under thirty minutes. The basic ingredient list is easy to shop for and flexible to adapt.
- Breakfast sausage – Use your favorite variety. Sage, maple, or spicy sausage all work well. Form into four even patties for stacking.
- Cheese – Choose dairy or dairy-free slices depending on your preference. A melty slice on top of the sausage adds a creamy, savory contrast to the sweet pancake.
- Eggs – Cooked to your liking. A runny yolk adds richness and a saucy texture that makes the sandwich especially satisfying.
- Gluten-free pancake mix – Make the pancakes according to package directions. Josie’s Best The Pancake is one option if you need a mix made in an allergen-free facility, but any preferred mix works.
- Maple syrup – A drizzle in the pancake batter and on top of the cooking pancakes adds a subtle caramelized sweetness that defines the McGriddle flavor.
How to Make McGriddle Smashburgers
Heat your griddle or large skillet and have your coffee ready. Follow these concise steps to assemble fully loaded McGriddle Smashburgers that will disappear fast.
Time needed: 20 minutes
Maple-brushed pancakes become the “buns” for cheese-topped sausage patties and a perfectly cooked egg.
- Preheat
Preheat your griddle or skillet to medium heat. Form the breakfast sausage into four even patties.
- Cook the sausage
Place sausage patties on the hot surface. Cook the first side 4–5 minutes, flip, and cook until browned and cooked through. Top each patty with a slice of cheese and transfer to a plate to rest.
- Make the pancakes
Prepare pancake batter according to package instructions. Pour portions onto the griddle and drizzle a little maple syrup on each. Cook 3–5 minutes per side or until bubbles appear and the edges set. Remove pancakes and keep warm.
- Cook the eggs
Cook eggs however you prefer—fried, over-easy, poached, or scrambled. Aim for a yolk consistency you enjoy; a slightly runny yolk creates a saucy bite.
- Assemble
To build each sandwich, place a pancake on the plate, add two sausage patties, top with the egg, and finish with a second pancake. Serve immediately.
Variations
- Vegetarian – Substitute plant-based breakfast sausage for a meat-free version.
- Turkey – Use turkey sausage for a leaner option while keeping the same assembly.
- Cheese options – Try dairy or dairy-free cheeses depending on your dietary needs; both melt well on hot sausage patties.
- Egg styles – Scrambled, poached, or fried—cook eggs the way you prefer to suit texture and presentation.
Storage
You can make the sausage patties and pancakes ahead of time. Cool fully, then store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Reheat in a skillet or on the griddle to restore crisp edges, or freeze tightly wrapped for up to three months. Assemble sandwiches just before serving for best texture.
Top Tip for McGriddle Smashburgers
Texture makes the sandwich memorable: get crispy edges on the sausage and a lightly golden crust on the pancakes. Keep the griddle hot and let it recover to temperature between cooking components so each element develops a nice crust.
McGriddle Smashburgers
Maple-brushed pancakes serve as buns for cheese-topped breakfast sausage and an egg for a sweet-and-savory breakfast sandwich.
Author: Danielle Cochran
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 10 mins | Servings: 2
Course: Breakfast
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Griddle or large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 4 slices cheese (dairy or dairy-free)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup pancake mix, prepared according to package directions
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Heat the griddle to medium.
- Prepare pancake batter and set aside.
- Form the breakfast sausage into four patties.
- Cook sausage patties 4–5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through; top with cheese and set aside.
- Pour pancake batter on the hot griddle and drizzle a bit of maple syrup on each. Cook 3–5 minutes per side until golden.
- Cook eggs to your preferred doneness.
- Assemble sandwiches: pancake, two sausage patties, egg, pancake. Serve immediately.