Which McDonald's Breakfast Has Real Eggs?

October 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to McDonald's, the Egg McMuffin uses a freshly cracked, USDA Grade A egg cooked in an 'egg ring' right on the grill. This is in contrast to other menu items that use pre-made liquid or folded egg patties.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down McDonald's breakfast eggs, revealing which menu item uses a freshly cracked egg versus the pre-made or folded versions. Understand the preparation differences to choose the real egg option every time.

Key Points

Egg McMuffin Has Real Eggs: The Egg McMuffin is the only standard item featuring a freshly cracked, USDA Grade A egg, cooked on-site in an egg ring.
Not All Eggs Are Freshly Cracked: Other breakfast items use pre-cooked, flash-frozen liquid or folded egg patties that are reheated at the restaurant.
Folded Eggs are for Biscuits and McGriddles: The square folded egg patty is used for McGriddles and biscuit sandwiches, while the sausage burrito uses a pre-mixed and cooked scrambled egg product.
Request a 'Round Egg': To get a freshly cooked egg on any breakfast sandwich, simply ask for a 'round egg' instead of the standard folded patty.
All Eggs Are 'Real': The distinction is not between real and fake, but between freshly cracked vs. pre-cooked and reheated egg products, all of which use real eggs.
Taste and Texture Differences: Freshly cracked eggs offer a more traditional fried egg taste and texture, while reheated, folded patties can be flatter and more uniform.

Deciphering the McDonald's Egg Menu

Many fast-food enthusiasts wonder about the origin of their morning meal, especially the eggs. McDonald's, a breakfast staple, uses different types of egg patties across its menu, leading to confusion among customers seeking a freshly prepared option. The secret lies in understanding how each egg is cooked and served, which varies depending on the specific sandwich or platter. Knowing these details can help you make an informed choice when ordering your next breakfast.

The Real Egg Answer: The Egg McMuffin

The short and simple answer to the question "Which McDonald's breakfast has real eggs?" is the classic Egg McMuffin. This iconic sandwich features a USDA Grade A egg that is cracked fresh into an 'egg ring' on the griddle. This preparation method is what gives the egg its distinct round shape, mimicking a freshly fried egg cooked at home. The 'round egg' is the only option on the menu that uses a true, from-the-shell, egg cracked and cooked to order, ensuring maximum freshness.

The Other Egg Options: Folded, Scrambled, and Liquid

While the Egg McMuffin is the only one featuring a freshly cracked egg, other menu items still use real egg, just prepared differently off-site. The other primary preparations are:

Folded Eggs: These are a liquid egg mixture, pre-cooked into a folded patty shape, and then flash-frozen before being reheated on the grill at the restaurant. This is the familiar, flat, square-shaped egg patty found in sandwiches like the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit and various McGriddles. They are a real egg product, but not a fresh, on-site creation.
Scrambled Eggs: For platters like the Big Breakfast, McDonald's uses a liquid egg product cooked on the griddle with butter. Like the folded eggs, this is a real egg product, though it is not freshly cracked from the shell in the restaurant.
Liquid Egg Mixture (Burrito): The eggs used in the Sausage Burrito are a pre-cooked liquid egg mixture, combined with other ingredients like sausage, tomatoes, green chilies, and onions, then flash-frozen and reheated at the store.

Can you customize your order to get a real egg?

Yes! For those who prefer a fresher egg on their other breakfast sandwiches, it's possible to make a simple request. Customers can ask for a 'round egg' to replace the standard folded egg patty on any sandwich. This is a great tip for elevating the taste and texture of your favorite biscuit or McGriddle sandwich, as the freshly cracked egg offers a more authentic, less processed flavor. The staff can simply cook a fresh egg in an egg ring, just as they would for an Egg McMuffin, and substitute it for the pre-made patty. This request is often granted for no extra charge.

Comparison Table: McDonald's Egg Types


Menu Item	Egg Type	Preparation	Freshness
Egg McMuffin	Round Egg	Freshly cracked on the griddle in a ring	Excellent
McGriddles (Bacon, Sausage)	Folded Egg	Pre-cooked, flash-frozen liquid egg patty	Reheated
Biscuit Sandwiches	Folded Egg	Pre-cooked, flash-frozen liquid egg patty	Reheated
Big Breakfast Platter	Scrambled Eggs	Liquid egg product, cooked on the griddle	Cooked Fresh (from liquid)
Sausage Burrito	Liquid Egg Mixture	Pre-cooked, flash-frozen mix with other ingredients	Reheated

The takeaway for your next McDonald's run

When you crave the freshest egg possible from McDonald's, the Egg McMuffin is your go-to menu item. However, the good news is that you don't have to be limited to just one sandwich. By simply asking for a 'round egg' on your other breakfast favorites, you can upgrade your experience and enjoy a freshly cooked egg no matter which breakfast sandwich you choose. The differences in preparation, from freshly cracked to pre-cooked and folded, are the key to understanding your options and finding the breakfast that best suits your preferences. All eggs are real, but their journey from farm to your sandwich varies significantly. This knowledge empowers you to customize your meal and enjoy a fresher taste. You can review all the latest nutrition facts on the official McDonald's website.

Conclusion

Ultimately, every egg served at McDonald's is a real egg product, though the preparation and freshness vary dramatically. The Egg McMuffin stands alone as the only standard breakfast item to feature a freshly cracked egg cooked directly on-site. The folded, scrambled, and burrito egg mixes, while made with real eggs, are pre-prepared and reheated. By understanding these distinctions, you can make a more informed choice or even ask for a simple customization to enjoy a freshly cooked 'round egg' on any of your favorite sandwiches.

The Final Word

For the best, most authentic egg flavor and texture at McDonald's, the Egg McMuffin is the undisputed champion. It's the only option guaranteed to have a freshly cracked egg. However, your preference for a fresher egg doesn't have to stop there; a friendly request can ensure you get the same 'round egg' on a different sandwich, allowing you to personalize your breakfast without compromising on quality or taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Egg McMuffin is the only standard McDonald's breakfast item that features a freshly cracked, Grade A egg cooked on the grill in an egg ring.

The Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit uses a pre-cooked, folded egg patty, made from a liquid egg mixture that is flash-frozen and reheated in the restaurant.

Yes, you can request a 'round egg' (the freshly cracked one from the Egg McMuffin) to be used on your McGriddle instead of the standard folded egg patty.

Yes, the eggs in the Sausage Burrito are real eggs, but they are part of a pre-cooked liquid egg mixture combined with other ingredients and flash-frozen before being reheated.

For the Big Breakfast platter, McDonald's uses a liquid egg product that is cooked fresh on the griddle with butter at the restaurant.

McDonald's uses different egg preparations to efficiently manage high volume and ensure consistency across a variety of menu items, balancing speed with specific product requirements.

Yes, many people find that the freshly cracked 'round egg' has a superior, more traditional egg flavor and texture compared to the reheated, folded egg patties.