McDonald's Breakfast Menu: Full Prices, Best Items & Hours (2026)

# McDonald's Breakfast Menu: Full Prices, Best Items & Hours (2026)

By Daniel Rozin | A Versus B | December 31, 2026

McDonald's invented the fast food breakfast category in 1972 when Herb Peterson, a McDonald's franchisee in Santa Barbara, developed the Egg McMuffin. McDonald's breakfast is now the largest fast food breakfast operation in the US by revenue, served at all 14,000+ US locations. Breakfast is available until 10:30 AM at most locations (11:00 AM on weekends at select locations). McDonald's ended its all-day breakfast in 2020 to simplify operations. An Egg McMuffin costs $4.49, a Sausage McGriddle is $4.19, a Big Breakfast with Hotcakes is $7.49, and Hash Browns are $1.99. Here is the full McDonald's breakfast menu with 2026 prices.

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McDonald's Breakfast Menu Prices (2026)#

Egg McMuffin Sandwiches#

The Egg McMuffin is McDonald's signature breakfast: Canadian-style bacon (round ham), a freshly cracked Grade A egg cooked in a round ring, American cheese, and a toasted English muffin. 310 calories for $4.49 — one of the lowest-calorie, highest-protein breakfast sandwiches in fast food.

McGriddle Sandwiches#

The McGriddle replaces the standard bun with two pancake-style "griddle cakes" that have maple syrup baked in — small pockets of sweet syrup throughout the bun. The Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle is the most popular item: savory sausage + egg + cheese inside a sweet, syrupy pancake sandwich. It divides opinion — most people who try it become loyal regulars.

Biscuit Sandwiches#

Biscuits at McDonald's are buttermilk biscuits, flaky and buttery, made at each location daily. The Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit at $4.69 is one of the most popular breakfast orders — the biscuit's flakiness complements the crispy bacon better than the McMuffin format.

Hotcakes & French Toast#

The McDonald's Hotcakes (3 large pancakes with butter and maple syrup) are a childhood staple. At $3.49 for three pancakes, they're among the cheapest full breakfast items in fast food. The serving also includes a pat of butter and two syrup cups.

Big Breakfast Platters#

The Big Breakfast includes a scrambled egg, sausage patty, Hash Browns, and a biscuit. Add Hotcakes to the Big Breakfast for $1.70 more to get the fullest McDonald's breakfast experience for under $8.

McCafé Coffee & Drinks#

McDonald's Coffee: McDonald's coffee ($1.39–$2.19) is freshly brewed from 100% Arabica beans and is consistently rated as a top fast food coffee in consumer surveys. Premium espresso-based McCafé drinks use the same machines as specialty coffee chains.

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McDonald's Breakfast Hours#

Hours vary by location — some 24-hour locations begin breakfast service earlier. Check the McDonald's app for your specific location's hours. McDonald's ended all-day breakfast in 2020 and has not reinstated it as of 2026.

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Best Breakfast Items at McDonald's#

1. Egg McMuffin — $4.49. The original fast food breakfast sandwich and still the best calorie-per-dollar breakfast in fast food at 310 calories. Canadian bacon, fresh cracked egg, American cheese, toasted English muffin. Simple, consistent, and genuinely good.

2. Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle — $5.49. McDonald's most divisive and most beloved breakfast item. Two pancake griddle cakes with maple syrup baked in, holding a sausage patty, egg, and cheese. The sweet-savory combination is jarring the first time and addictive every time after.

3. Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit — $4.69. The biscuit format is the best bread vehicle for bacon. Crispy bacon, egg, and American cheese on a flaky buttermilk biscuit. The version most people order when they want something different from the McMuffin.

4. Hash Browns — $1.99. McDonald's Hash Browns are one of the most recognized fast food items in the world: a formed potato patty, fried to a crispy golden exterior, soft and starchy inside. Under $2, consistent across every location, 150 calories. The perfect add-on.

5. McCafé Coffee (large) — $2.19. The lowest cost large cup of chain coffee in the US. 100% Arabica, freshly brewed, available with free refills during the same visit at McCafé locations. At $2.19, better value than Starbucks or Dunkin' for black coffee.

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McDonald's Breakfast Value Tips#

Use the McDonald's app: App-exclusive breakfast deals include free hash browns with any purchase, $1 Egg McMuffins, and BOGO McGriddles. The app delivers 20–40% savings on breakfast regularly.

Order a McMuffin, not a combo: A standalone Egg McMuffin at $4.49 with a $1.39 small coffee = $5.88 for a complete breakfast. Adding hash browns brings the total to $7.87 — the same price as the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes but with less food. Choose your format based on hunger.

Arrive before 10 AM on weekdays: The most popular items sell out at high-volume locations near 10:30 AM. Hash Browns in particular may run low in the last 15 minutes of breakfast service.

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Is McDonald's Breakfast Worth It in 2026?#

McDonald's breakfast is the best combination of price, speed, and quality in the US fast food breakfast segment. The Egg McMuffin at $4.49 remains the gold-standard value breakfast sandwich 50+ years after its introduction. The McGriddle is a uniquely McDonald's experience that no competitor has successfully replicated. For coffee, McDonald's large black coffee at $2.19 is the cheapest quality large coffee in chain dining. The only genuine drawback is the 10:30 AM weekday cutoff — missing breakfast by minutes at McDonald's is a universal frustration that has spawned memes, complaints, and the original all-day breakfast demand. Until McDonald's reinstates all-day breakfast, set an alarm.

A Versus B covers menus, prices, and comparisons across the most popular restaurant chains. All prices reflect 2026 US national averages and may vary by location.