13 Ordering Tips For The Best McDonald's Breakfast

McDonald's may not be the home-cooked, hot breakfast you're used to eating at Nana's house, but when it comes to fast and tasty convenience, the restaurant holds its own. And while many are quite content to enjoy most McDonald's breakfast menu items as they come, there are ways you can actually make a classic McDonald's breakfast that much better. 

Whether you're in the mood for something sweet or are looking to upgrade your usual Monday morning routine, we've got more than a few ways to improve your fast food feast to make it something you look forward to waking up to. In the upcoming post, we're gathering all the best tips on how to level up your next McDonald's breakfast using tried-and-true recommendations from customers, and even a few pointers from former employees.

Bear in mind that the information provided here is subject to change — company policy, preparation practices, pricing, and availability mentioned were accurate as of October 2026, and may vary based on location. Ready to make your next early drive-thru pull-up that much more satisfying? Join us as we uncover 13 ordering tips for the best McDonald's breakfast. 

In 2018, the Triple Stack was released by McDonald's as an answer to former customer-made "hacks." Having the Triple Stack as an official menu item not only made things a bit easier for people who'd rather not bother with customizations, but undoubtedly took a load off McDonald's employees as well. Sadly, the oh-so-delicious Triple Stack has been discontinued as of the time of publication, but that doesn't mean customers have to go without.

So, what was a Triple Stack, anyway? It was a McDonald's breakfast sandwich containing two sausage patties layered with two slices of American cheese, bacon strips, and one egg placed on top of your choice of a McGriddle cake, English muffin, or biscuit. And though having the Triple Stack as part of the official menu certainly leads to a little less anxiety when placing an order, this protein-rich breakfast sandwich can still be made to order provided you're willing to speak directly to an employee about how to customize the sammie.

To enjoy a McDonald's Triple Stack these days, you'll need to ask for a Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McMuffin with an extra sausage patty, another slice of cheese, and bacon. Granted, this will prove costlier than the official Triple Stack was when it was available at around $4 to $5 in most areas, but might still prove a worthy venture, especially for mornings when you wake up really (really) hungry.

Looking to lower your carb intake? Though McDonald's probably isn't the first place you think of when it comes to snagging a low-carb breakfast, the chain actually has a couple of decent keto-friendly options as long as you're okay with getting a little creative. 

Try ordering any of McDonald's breakfast sandwiches with either two egg patties or two sausage patties to be used as buns. The former means you'll need to order a Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McMuffin with an extra egg round and no bread, while the latter entails ordering an extra sausage patty and, again, no bread. 

Once you receive your order, simply rearrange the sandwich pieces so that whichever protein-infused patties you selected to replace your bread with are on the exterior. Take things up a notch by adding extra cheese, swapping the sausage for ham or bacon, or piling on even more eggs and meat if that's what suits your fancy. Yeah, your wallet will likely take a beating depending on how many customizations you make, but when it comes to low-carb eating, this has to be one of fast food's tastiest sandwich alternatives. 

It may come as no surprise to some, but McDonald's usually allows patrons to switch up the type of bread used for their chosen breakfast sandwich, leading to creative options that might make your taste buds happier than what's standard. McDonald's has several bread options, although you should keep in mind that not all varieties may be available everywhere, at all times. As of the time of publication, the options for McDonald's breakfast sandwiches in my Wisconsin area include a bagel, English muffin, biscuit, and even McGriddle cakes.

We've seen people suggest several McDonald's breakfast sandwich combinations using different bread types, most of which involve McDonald's McGriddle cakes. One Redditor, for example, gives two thumbs up for McDonald's steak and eggs over on McGriddle cakes.  

Another Reddit poster suggests trying the egg and cheese, also on McGriddle cakes. Just be sure to study the menu ahead of time to ensure you aren't reinventing the wheel — it might not make sense to order a Sausage, Egg and Cheese Biscuit on a bagel, for instance, because the Sausage, Egg and Cheese Bagel already exists on the menu.

While we're on the topic of switching things up, it helps to know that McDonald's not only allows you to swap bread across meals, but also the type of egg used. This means you could technically order a round egg with your McDonald's Big Breakfast instead of scrambled eggs, and that the folded egg that comes standard on the breakfast biscuit sandwiches could be replaced with either scrambled eggs or a round egg. 

For those of you who love fresh eggs, we'd suggest asking for a round egg to accompany your meal, as these are usually cracked onto the grill right from the shell. According to the McDonald's website, the scrambled eggs arrive in liquid form, while folded eggs come frozen. Just know that there may be an upcharge for the switch, depending on how you order – prices may vary from free to $2 or more and may differ based on whether you order in the app, at the kiosk, or in person. To know for sure, try giving your nearest McDonald's a call — this will get you the most accurate, up-to-date information concerning swaps at your McDonald's location.

Though most of us have woken up with a hankering for a large breakfast at some point in our lives, on other days, a simple egg may be all we need. Fortunately, it's totally possible to order an egg à la carte at McDonald's, though prices will vary based on location and how many you order.

I tried this hack for myself at our local Mickey D's through the app and actually had no such luck — you get an à la carte egg by ordering a breakfast sandwich and removing the bread and other toppings, sure, but the app will still make you pay the full price of the sandwich. As a result, an order like this is probably best done in the drive-thru or at the counter, though prices will still likely fluctuate from store to store.

Now, if a single egg seems a little too light for your morning appetite, consider adding a side of bacon, sausage, or a hash brown to help bulk up your meal. Think of it like piecing together your own little breakfast, McDonald's style. Cool, huh?

Okay, so this tip is admittedly a lot simpler than many of the others on this list, but trust us, it's still every bit as delicious. To add even more flavor and texture to your favorite McDonald's breakfast sandwich, try ordering a hash brown alongside. Once you receive your order, open the sandwich, slide the hash brown in, and there you have it — an upgraded breakfast sandwich with all the flavors you love, packed in one.

It's worth noting that most McDonald's breakfast sandwich combo meals already come with a hash brown, meaning you won't necessarily have to fork over the extra money to get it. This is particularly helpful if you usually order your sandwich as part of a combo anyway, and don't forget, there's also a drink included. And though we realize hash brown-stuffed breakfast sandwiches may not suit everyone's tastes, it's a hack too good not to mention, especially considering its ease and affordable price.

Apparently, requesting extra-crispy (or well done) hash browns is a thing, and many long-standing McDonald's hash brown fans won't eat them any other way. When ordering a McDonald's hash brown, you've likely noticed how pale, limp, and seemingly undercooked this popular offering can sometimes be. And though most of us still love the deliciously unique flavor of McDonald's hash browns despite the flaws, that lack of crunch can still be a major letdown. 

Thankfully, there's an easy fix — all you need to do is ask for your hash brown to be cooked extra-crispy. According to fans of the hack, McDonald's employees usually do this with no problem, and the flavor payoff is totally worth it.

Now, before you hop in your car, there are a few caveats to this McDonald's breakfast ordering tip. First, be aware that ordering your hash brown well done may take some extra time on the part of the employees, so don't be surprised if you have to wait a few minutes longer for workers to complete your specialized order. Also, some customers have claimed that asking for the hash brown well done has led to potato patties that are overly crunchy and hard, so while worth a try, this hack doesn't come without risk.

Did you know there's a way to amp up the flavor of your McDonald's breakfast sandwich even without the usual costs associated with upgrades and customizations? It's true — simply pair the sandwich with your favorite sauce or condiments, most of which McDonald's offers for free. There are a variety of condiments available, though if your McDonald's app is anything like ours, you might have trouble getting these extra condiments added to your order by phone. 

​If you're willing to order in person, you can usually request condiments to accompany the McDonald's breakfast of your choosing. One interesting McDonald's breakfast sandwich addition we've seen cropping up among fans is jelly — there are countless testaments from folks who love pairing its sweet flavor with the savoriness of McDonald's breakfast sandwiches. Maple syrup is another tasty, yet somewhat offbeat upgrade — it brings a certain decadence to the sandwich that doesn't feel over the top. Not into the whole sweet and savory thing? We get it. In that case, consider ordering the Big Mac Sauce or a spicier option instead. 

Perhaps don't attempt to order the chain's former Breakfast Sauce, however — sadly, this uber-popular McDonald's sauce has been discontinued in many locations, at least for now.  Still, adding condiments to McDonald's breakfast sandwiches often changes their flavor profile to something that's pleasantly out of the ordinary — experiment with them all to see what new combos you can come up with.

We've already discussed how McDonald's round eggs can double as keto-friendly breakfast buns, but what about ordering an extra egg to make your McDonald's breakfast sandwich more filling? We've seen several people online heartily endorse this tip, claiming the extra protein gives the sandwich more oomph and makes it way more satisfying. 

This double-egg McDonald's breakfast hack is perfect for those on their way to the gym or simply looking to up their macros without breaking the bank or bewildering McDonald's employees with confusing customizations while trying to place an order. Still, it's important to keep in mind that, like most upgrades, prices for adding an extra egg to your breakfast sandwich will vary. In central Wisconsin, the addition usually tacks on an extra $2, meaning your usual sandwich may cost you a little more than you're used to when all is said and done.

Craving something sweet but don't necessarily want to down three McDonald's hotcakes? A single order of McGriddle cakes might be the lighter answer. Frugal fans state that buying McDonald's McGriddle cakes à la carte serves as a cheaper version of "hotcakes" and is the perfect hack, especially considering the price. This humble order can cost as little as $1 to $2 according to a post on Reddit, compared to the $3 or more for standard hotcakes. The best part is that these cakes don't even need syrup — they're already scrumptiously sweet as is.

Look, we know this hack won't be everyone's cup of tea, especially for those who love indulging in McDonald's iconic classic flapjacks. Still, the tip is worth keeping in your back pocket, particularly if you have kids — with McGriddle cakes acting as tiny handheld breakfasts, sticky fingers and syrup-drenched car seats might prove a thing of the past. 

The McDonald's Big Breakfast with Hotcakes meal costs around $6.99 at the time of publication in the central Wisconsin area, which is a steal, considering that hotcakes on their own cost over $4 in my area ($5 if you want them with sausage). The best thing about the meal is that you can split the offering among two people, though how you go about it is completely up to you.

One way to divide the McDonald's Big Breakfast with Hotcakes meal is to stuff the biscuit with egg and sausage while reserving the hotcakes and hash brown as a separate indulgence. Don't forget that you can sub in a round egg for the scrambled or folded egg if you order in person, and can even ask for a piece of cheese if you really want to take your makeshift sausage biscuit sandwich to the next level.

The other way to split a McDonald's Big Breakfast With Hotcakes is similar — use the hash brown and sausage to make a biscuit sandwich, while reserving the eggs and pancakes for someone else. We're sure there are other ways you could parcel out your Big Breakfast With Hotcakes, but the point is, at a price this affordable, you can more than get your money's worth when ordering this budget-friendly option meal at McDonald's.

Now that you know you can split a Big Breakfast With Hotcakes meal from McDonald's between two people, we'd also like to mention other ways you can enjoy this feast of a meal in a way that can help you break out of your usual routine. Rather than dividing the food into two separate meals, try using the whole meal to make sweet and savory pancake tacos instead.

Sounds unusual? Well, it is, but most agree it's actually darn delicious. To pull it off, order a Big Breakfast With Hotcakes and use the fluffy cakes as shells. Tear your sausage and hash brown into tiny pieces and stuff them into your pancake along with the eggs. Top it off with maple syrup and voilà — you've got makeshift pancake tacos packed with all the cozy, comforting flavors you love.

​Of course, you'll still have a biscuit leftover, but that doesn't mean you should let it go to waste. Consider using the biscuit as part of a new recipe or freezing it for later, when you want a light snack.

Once again, you potato fans are in for a real treat with yet another unique take on the classic McDonald's breakfast sammie.  Remember those well-done hash browns we talked about? How about using them to make a hash brown sandwich? We'll admit, this is one of the messier ordering tips on the list since hash browns don't always make the sturdiest foundation for heavy toppings. Nevertheless, those who have tried the hack not only claim it works, but that is incredibly delicious as well.

For the best results, try opting for lighter, less dense meat options like bacon strips or Canadian bacon before layering it onto your hash brown "buns." As always, feel free to customize your eggs here, as folded, round, or scrambled eggs will each yield a slightly different taste. Enjoy this hash brown sandwich alone, and definitely not in front of anyone you wish to impress — messy breakfasts like this are probably best scarfed down in private.