Making English muffins at home is easier than you think, and the result is so much better than store-bought! This English Muffin recipe will help you make them just right. They’re soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. Toast them up, spread them on some butter or jam, or use them for an epic breakfast sandwich, however, if you enjoy them, they’re a total treat.
The magic of an English muffin is all in those airy pockets that soak up butter perfectly. These pockets form from bubbles created during the dough’s rise. The longer you let it rise, the better the texture and flavor! Plus, cooking them on a griddle instead of baking gives them their signature golden crust and soft inside.
This recipe has been in my friend's family for years, and it never disappoints. Whether we enjoy them fresh or freeze extras for later, they disappear fast! They’re also great for weekends because you can make the dough ahead and cook it fresh in the morning. If you’ve never made English muffins before, don’t worry! This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require fancy tools. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll love them as much as I do!
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⭐Why You'll Love This English Muffin
- Easy to Make: The recipe is simple and doesn’t require any fancy equipment. You just need basic ingredients, and it’s a straightforward process. You’ll feel so accomplished when you make them from scratch!
- Perfect Texture: You’ll love the nooks and crannies inside the muffins. They’re great for holding onto spreads and toppings, making each bite more delicious!
- Customizable: You can top them with anything you love! Butter, jam, peanut butter, or even eggs and cheese for a sandwich. The possibilities are endless!
- Great for Any Time of Day: These muffins are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even with a cup of tea in the afternoon. They’re so versatile, and you can enjoy them however you like.
🧾English Muffin Ingredients
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this English Muffin Recipe:
- Lukewarm Milk: I use warm milk because it helps wake up the yeast and get it working. It also makes the dough soft and gives the muffins a slight richness without being heavy, which I really enjoy in a muffin.
- Sugar: The sugar isn’t just for sweetness. It gives the yeast something to feed on, helping the dough rise. It adds a touch of sweetness, which I think balances perfectly with the savory flavor of the muffins.
- Yeast: The yeast is the secret to that soft, fluffy texture I love in English muffins. It helps the dough rise, creating that airy, light crumb that makes the muffins perfect for toasting.
- Oil: I always add a bit of vegetable oil to keep the muffins soft and tender. It helps the dough stay moist and makes it easier to handle. Plus, it adds a nice smoothness to the muffins.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the base of the dough, and it gives the muffins structure. Without it, there would be nothing to hold everything together! It combines with the yeast to give the muffins that lovely rise and soft inside.
- Salt: The salt is a must for balancing out the sweetness and bringing out all the flavors. It makes the muffins taste even better by enhancing everything else, which is exactly what I want.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make English Muffin
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Mix lukewarm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Stir, cover, and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2. Add oil, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix into a soft dough, then knead for 10 minutes until smooth.
3. Place the dough in a bowl, coat it with oil, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled.
4. Punch down the dough, knead briefly, divide into four, shape, and flatten. Let rise for 30-45 minutes, then cook on a medium-low griddle for 15 minutes, flip, and cook for 5-10 minutes.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Let the dough rise fully: Be patient and let the dough rise until it’s doubled in size. It’s crucial for that light, airy texture. Rushing this step can lead to dense muffins.
Be gentle with the dough: When shaping the dough, try not to overwork it. Just gently form it into balls and flatten them slightly. Overhandling the dough can make the muffins dense, so a light touch is key.
Cover while rising and cooking: Keep the dough covered while it’s rising and while cooking. It helps the muffins stay warm and soft, and cook evenly, giving you that perfect muffin texture.
Cook on low heat: Always use medium-low heat when cooking the muffins. If the pan is too hot, they’ll brown too quickly on the outside while staying raw inside.
Storage: Store leftover English muffins in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze them for longer storage.
🧁 More Muffin Recipes to Try!
If you enjoy these English Muffins, you'll also love these tasty muffin recipes:
🍰More Breakfast Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite breakfast recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
English Muffin Recipe
Ingredients
- 120 ml Milk - Lukewarm
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Yeast
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 170 g Flour
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the lukewarm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently, cover the bowl, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Add the oil, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a bowl, pour oil over the dough, cover it with a cling film, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Remove the cling film, punch down the dough, and place on a large wooden board.
- Knead the dough for 10-20 seconds and divide into 4 pieces.
- Gently roll into balls, then lightly flatten the tops.
- Place the muffins on a pan, cover, and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Heat a griddle pan over medium-low heat, place the pan over the griddle pan and cook the muffins for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up.
- Flip and cook another side for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove from the pan, place on a plate, and allow the English muffins to cool down.
- Cut the muffins in half and enjoy with your favorite toppings!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
Such a fantastic English Muffin recipe! They look golden and pillowy, can’t wait to try this for breakfast!