10 Homemade English Muffin Recipes

There’s something magical about the nooks and crannies of a perfectly toasted English muffin, isn’t there? I still remember my childhood mornings in my grandma’s cozy kitchen, where she’d split open fresh English muffins—store-bought back then—and slather them with butter and jam. The way they soaked up every bit of flavor while staying crispy on the edges was pure comfort food bliss. Those memories sparked my love for baking them from scratch, especially now as I experiment in my own home kitchen.

Lately, I’ve been on a mission to perfect homemade English muffins because, let’s face it, the store versions are often loaded with preservatives and lack that fresh-baked chew. With rising food costs and a growing interest in mindful eating, making them at home is not only therapeutic but also customizable to our tastes and dietary needs. Over the past few weeks, I’ve whipped up batches infused with everything from fruits to herbs, turning breakfast into an adventure.

Classic Homemade English Muffins

These timeless English muffins are the foundation of any good breakfast, with that signature soft interior and crisp exterior perfect for toasting. Ingredients (makes 8): 1 cup warm milk, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp active dry yeast, 3 cups flour, 2 tbsp butter (softened), cornmeal for dusting. Steps: Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm milk, let sit 5 minutes. Mix in salt, butter, and flour to form a soft dough. Knead 5 minutes, let rise 1 hour. Roll out to ½-inch thick, cut into rounds, dust with cornmeal, and cook on a griddle over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side until golden. Benefits: No additives, customizable nooks for toppings, and cheaper than store-bought—plus, the homemade yeast flavor elevates any meal.

Whole Wheat English Muffins

For a nutritious twist, these whole wheat muffins pack fiber and heart-healthy grains without sacrificing texture. Ingredients (makes 8): 1 cup warm water, 1 cup warm milk, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp yeast, 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp olive oil, cornmeal. Steps: Activate yeast in water and milk with honey. Combine flours, salt, and oil into a dough, knead 8 minutes, rise 1 hour. Pat to ½-inch, cut rounds, dust with cornmeal, griddle 6 minutes per side. Benefits: Boosts daily fiber intake for better digestion, lower glycemic index for steady energy, and a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with nut butters.

Sourdough English Muffins

Elevate your muffins with tangy sourdough discard for a fermented, gut-friendly base. Ingredients (makes 8): 1 cup sourdough starter (discard), 1 cup milk, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 cups flour, 2 tbsp butter, cornmeal. Steps: Mix starter, milk, sugar, salt, flour, and butter into dough. Knead lightly, rise overnight in fridge. Roll to ½-inch, cut, dust, and griddle 7 minutes per side. Benefits: Probiotics from fermentation aid digestion, deeper flavor profile, and naturally leavened for easier gut tolerance.

Cinnamon Raisin English Muffins

Sweet and spiced, these are like breakfast cinnamon rolls in muffin form. Ingredients (makes 8): 1 cup warm milk, ¼ cup raisins (soaked), 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp yeast, 3 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp butter, cornmeal. Steps: Plump raisins in warm water, drain. Activate yeast in milk with sugar and cinnamon. Mix in flour, salt, butter, and raisins; knead, rise 1 hour. Cut rounds, griddle 5-6 minutes per side. Benefits: Antioxidants from raisins and cinnamon support immunity, natural sweetness reduces sugar needs, ideal for cozy mornings.

Cheddar Cheese English Muffins

Savory and melty, these cheese-packed muffins are a grilled cheese dream. Ingredients (makes 8): 1 cup warm milk, 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp yeast, 3 cups flour, 2 tbsp butter, cornmeal. Steps: Mix yeast into milk with sugar. Add cheese, flour, salt, and butter; knead until cheesy strands form, rise 1 hour. Shape, dust, griddle 6-7 minutes per side until cheese oozes. Benefits: Protein boost from cheese for satiety, calcium for bones, and endless sandwich potential without bland bases.

Blueberry English Muffins

Bursting with juicy berries, these muffins bring summer to your toaster. Ingredients (makes 8): 1 cup warm buttermilk, 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen), 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp yeast, 3 cups flour, 2 tbsp oil, cornmeal. Steps: Toss blueberries in 1 tbsp flour. Activate yeast in buttermilk with sugar. Mix into dough with remaining flour, salt, oil, and berries; rise 1 hour. Cut gently, griddle 5 minutes per side. Benefits: Antioxidants from blueberries fight inflammation, low-cal fruit sweetness, and a pop of joy in every bite.

Vegan English Muffins

Plant-based perfection using simple swaps for everyone to enjoy. Ingredients (makes 8): 1.5 cups warm almond milk, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp yeast, 3.5 cups flour, 2 tbsp coconut oil, cornmeal. Steps: Dissolve yeast and syrup in milk. Mix flour, salt, and oil into dough, knead 5 minutes, rise 1 hour. Roll, cut, dust, griddle 6 minutes per side. Benefits: Dairy-free for allergies, heart-healthy oils, versatile for vegan toppings like avocado.

Gluten-Free English Muffins

Light and bouncy without gluten, using a simple blend for authenticity. Ingredients (makes 8): 1 cup warm milk (dairy-free ok), 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp yeast, 2 cups gluten-free flour blend, ½ cup almond flour, 2 tbsp psyllium husk, 2 tbsp oil, cornmeal. Steps: Bloom yeast in milk with sugar. Combine dry ingredients, mix with wet, rest 10 minutes to thicken, rise 45 minutes. Shape, griddle 7 minutes per side. Benefits: Inclusive for celiac diets, psyllium adds fiber for gut health, no dense texture issues.

Pumpkin Spice English Muffins

Fall flavors in muffin form, spiced and moist for seasonal bliss. Ingredients (makes 8): ¾ cup warm milk, ½ cup pumpkin puree, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tbsp yeast, 3 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp butter, cornmeal. Steps: Warm milk with pumpkin and sugar, activate yeast. Mix spice, flour, salt, butter; knead, rise 1 hour. Cut, griddle 6 minutes per side. Benefits: Beta-carotene from pumpkin for immunity, cozy spices aid digestion, low-fat comfort food.

Garlic Herb English Muffins

Herbaceous and garlicky, perfect for savory breakfasts or pizza bases. Ingredients (makes 8): 1 cup warm water, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp dried Italian herbs, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp yeast, 3 cups flour, 2 tbsp olive oil, cornmeal. Steps: Infuse water with garlic and herbs, activate yeast with sugar. Add flour, salt, oil; rise 1 hour. Roll, cut, griddle 5-7 minutes per side. Benefits: Anti-inflammatory garlic and herbs boost immunity, oil for healthy fats, transforms into versatile flatbread.

These 10 recipes prove that homemade English muffins are endlessly versatile, healthier, and way more fun than anything from a package. Grab your griddle, experiment with your favorite add-ins, and start your mornings with that fresh-baked pride—your taste buds (and family) will thank you!