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Home » Breakfast » English Muffins From Scratch

English Muffins From Scratch

May 2, 2016 by Tracy | Updated September 12, 2020 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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english muffins on a tea towel and one split open and buttered with Pinterest pin text.
Making your own English Muffins from scratch is easier than you'd think and sooo tasty without sacrificing any of the nooks or crannies! #fromscratch #englishmuffins #homemade #homemadebread
english muffins on a tea towel and one split open and buttered and pinterest text.

Making your own English Muffins From Scratch is easier than you'd think and sooo tasty without sacrificing any of those famous nooks or crannies!

an open toasted english muffin with butter on a tea towel with muffins stacked behind

You guys. These English Muffins From Scratch are truly the key to my gluten-loving heart. Yes, like all homemade bread, it's easier to just buy it. But if you're here, that's not what it's about. It's about taking those simple ingredients, and your two hands, and making something amazing. And these English Muffins, every time I make them, I get excited.

Recipe Video

Ingredients Needed

flour, butter, milk, yeast, egg, salt, and sugar on counter

Even better, the ingredients needed are staples in our house.

  • All Purpose Flour - Or bread flour. We've made them with both and both are delicious!
  • Sugar - Regular granulated.
  • Milk - 2% is preferred although whole is also fine.
  • Unsalted Butter - You can substitute salted butter, but then just adjust the amount of salt, see recipe notes.
  • Active Yeast - You can also substitute instant yeast if that's all you have, but that just means that you don't have to activate it first.
  • Egg and kosher salt

Do you have everything on hand already? Yes? Perfect!

Equipment Needed:

Some of these items aren't absolutely necessary, but they will help make your life easier.

Kitchen Aid - Or another stand mixer. You could also use a hand mixer (we love this one, and then use a dough hook for the hand mixer).

Kitchen Scale - For under $20, this is something I think should be in everyone's kitchen! It's amazing the number of things that you can use it for!

Baking Sheet - This is a great, inexpensive one.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making your own English Muffins from scratch is easier than you'd think and sooo tasty without sacrificing any of the nooks or crannies!

You definitely don't need a stand mixer, but it will make life easier.

Step 1: Because with one, all you need to do is activate the yeast, and then just add the rest of the ingredients, butter, salt, sugar, egg, and flour.

Tip: No stand mixer? No problem. You can totally use a hand mixer with a hook attachment or mix it well all by hand.

Making your own English Muffins from scratch is easier than you'd think and sooo tasty without sacrificing any of the nooks or crannies!

Once it's all mixed, you'll have a really sticky dough. Using a spatula will help get it out of your stand mixer!

Step 2: Once it's all mixed together, transfer it to a well oiled large bowl to let the dough rise.

Tip: For easy oiling, we love a Misto!

Making your own English Muffins from scratch is easier than you'd think and sooo tasty without sacrificing any of the nooks or crannies!

Step 3: Let the dough rise and then you'll have this beautiful soft, still sticky, dough.

Step 4: Shape the dough and then add to a cornmeal dusted large non-stick pan or griddle. Add some that

Tip: Here is where a kitchen scale is really helpful for to be able to make your doughs uniform. My pan would only fit about 5 (the rest I put on a baking pan) and then let rise another 20 minutes.

Making your own English Muffins from scratch is easier than you'd think and sooo tasty without sacrificing any of the nooks or crannies!

Step 5: Cook on medium low heat for about 10-12 minutes before flipping to cook another 8-10 mins on the other side. Complete with all doughs.

Making your own English Muffins from scratch is easier than you'd think and sooo tasty without sacrificing any of the nooks or crannies!

Step 6: Cool on a cooling rack!

Making your own English Muffins from scratch is easier than you'd think and sooo tasty without sacrificing any of the nooks or crannies!

And you're done! Yes, it takes more time than opening a bag of those "famous" ones, but there's something about making your own bread that is just so exciting. And these English Muffins are one of my favorite breads to make.

Our Other Favorite Breads

Easy White Sandwich Bread

Easy Dinner Rolls From Scratch

No Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread

NY Deli Rye Bread

Easy Crusty Baguette

Whole Wheat Honey Oat Bread

Making your own English Muffins from scratch is easier than you'd think and sooo tasty without sacrificing any of the nooks or crannies!

Look at all that space for nooks and crannies! A little toasting, butter, and ahhh English Muffins From Scratch!

FAQs

Active or Instant Yeast?

Either! If you use instant then there's just no need to activate it.

Can I mix the dough without any mixers?

Yes. It will take longer, but totally doable. Just make sure that everything is mixed really well! Use a spatula and then oil your hands lightly and do the final mixing with your hands.

Can I freeze them?

Yes! We love freezing them to have them on hand whenever we want them- for up to 3 months.

How long do they last?

At room temperature, about 2-3 days and in the fridge, about 2 weeks.

How do I make sure I get all of the nooks and crannies?

Don't use a knife! Use a fork to gently split the muffin - that way you'll get the most nooks and crannies!

Enjoy! As always, if you make this recipe or any of my others, I love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, email me, or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

English Muffins From Scratch

Making your own English Muffins From Scratch is easier than you’d think and sooo tasty without sacrificing any of the nooks or crannies!
4.8 from 30 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12 Muffins
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • Stand mixer optional
  • kitchen scale optional

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups lukewarm milk
  • 2 1/4 tsp 1 pkg active yeast
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • Olive oil for bowl and hands
  • Cornmeal for pans

Instructions

  • Place milk in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and sprinkle yeast over top. Let sit for 10 minutes to activate and then add the butter, salt, sugar, egg, and flour.
  • Mix on low until the flour is incorporated and then switch to medium and beat for 5 minutes. The dough will be very soft and sticky.
  • Oil a large bowl and then scrape dough out into it, cover, and let rise for about 2 hours.
  • Oil your hands (to prevent the dough from sticking) pinch pieces of dough off (2 oz, if you have a kitchen scale or about the size of the center of your palm), form a ball, and place on a (cooled) griddle pan or in a large saute pan that is generously dusted with cornmeal.
  • Put the remainder on a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal, or if you have another large saute pan, prep a second pan.
  • Let rest for 20 minutes.
  • Turn burner to medium low and cook until golden brown, about 10 -12 minutes on the first side and 8-10 min on the second side. (If they brown too quickly, reduce the heat.)
  • Heat 2nd pan and cook or carefully transfer the rest from the baking sheet so as not to deflate them and cook until done.
  • Let cool completely on a rack before splitting open with a fork.

Notes

English Muffins will keep at room temp for 2-3 days, in the fridge for 2 weeks, and frozen for 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 261mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 124IU | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 2mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Allison

    October 12, 2021 at 10:35 am

    5 stars
    Very delicious and easy recipe! They turned out fabulous and this was my first successful attempt with yeast. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      October 12, 2021 at 10:49 am

      Yay!! That's so wonderful to hear, Allison!!

      Reply
  2. BJ

    March 01, 2021 at 5:47 pm

    5 stars
    My first attempt at English muffins and they came out great!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      March 01, 2021 at 8:47 pm

      That's great!!

      Reply
  3. Melissa

    January 10, 2021 at 4:08 pm

    Can you sub out and use almond milk instead of regular milk?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      January 10, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      Hi Melissa! Definitely, although it may slightly adjust the flavor. I haven't made it with it yet, but you can sub almond milk for regular milk 1:1, no problem.

      Reply
  4. Deb

    January 09, 2021 at 12:01 pm

    5 stars
    I like the way these came out. I learned what to do better next time, low and slow on the heat, yum.

    Reply
    • Tracy

      January 09, 2021 at 12:23 pm

      Great, Deb! Good point - I will make sure that's more clear in the instructions!

      Reply
  5. Rae

    November 26, 2020 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    I wish I could leave some pictures here of what I ended up with because everyone who saw them is still laughing. I followed the recipe exactly, preparing the dough with my Kitchenaid mixer. They came out beautiful and very tasty, looking exactly like an English muffin should... only about four times the size of one. I don't know what was up with my yeast, but my dough would not stop growing! I used muffin rings and filled them halfway as per the instructions, so about 3 ounces of dough. They about quadrupled in size from the time they started resting to the time they were cooked through. But the result was otherwise absolutely perfect, with a perfectly chewy dough that was fluffy at the same time. I'll be trying this recipe again, but putting maybe just a single ounce of dough in my moulds!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      November 26, 2020 at 10:54 pm

      Rae!! Oh my gosh PLEASE send me a picture, I would love to see it and laugh along! Sounds like you definitely had some extra feisty yeast!! Ha! tracy@servedfromscratch.com

      Reply
  6. Sunny

    August 29, 2020 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    WOW!! Made these this AM for Egg & Sausage McMuffins for my husband's breakfasts this week. They turned out amazing!! These should freeze really well too!! Thanks for the recipe!!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      August 29, 2020 at 9:49 pm

      Sunny! Thank you so much for letting me know! And wow what a lucky husband!!

      Reply
  7. Lucy

    May 25, 2020 at 7:34 am

    I am making assumptions that you are using bread flour, unsalted butter and active dry yeast? Cant wait to make them!!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      May 25, 2020 at 10:07 pm

      Hi Lucy! Thank you so much for commenting! You are right except I actually used all purpose flour - I noted everything in the recipe. You could use bread flour too though!

      Reply
  8. Maryann

    May 02, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    5 stars
    So I made these yesterday and they turned out great. The recipe was easy to follow but didn't tell me how many English Muffins I should end up with (or did I miss it somehow?). I couldn't find my scale so I had to guess at 2 ounces which I did not do well! I ended up with a lot of little English Muffins! But I learned a lot, they were delicious and I plan to make them again!

    Reply
  9. Brittnea

    March 29, 2020 at 1:51 pm

    Hi,
    Is it possible to make these without a stand mixer and use a hand mixer instead?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      March 29, 2020 at 2:16 pm

      Hi Beittnea! You can definitely make it without a stand mixer, but don’t use a hand mixer. Instead, you’ll have to mix it all by hand which will take a little more elbow grease, but totally worth it! Enjoy!

      Reply
  10. Taylor Kiser

    February 17, 2019 at 4:49 pm

    5 stars
    These English muffins look so delicious! So easy to make at home!

    Reply
  11. Cristie

    February 17, 2019 at 4:48 pm

    Oh wow, I have never thought of making them myself. They look just like the bought ones! Cant wait to try this now. Homemade is always best right 🙂

    Reply
  12. Valentina

    February 17, 2019 at 4:44 pm

    5 stars
    My favorite part of an English muffin are all those nooks & cannies. The texture of these looks SO devine!

    Reply
  13. Tawnie Kroll

    February 17, 2019 at 4:27 pm

    THESE LOOK PERFECT!! Cannot wait to make!

    Reply
  14. Pam Greer

    February 17, 2019 at 4:11 pm

    5 stars
    I had no idea it was so easy to make homemade English muffins!! Those look like they cooked up perfectly!

    Reply
  15. Bonnie

    January 27, 2019 at 7:38 am

    I’m going to try these although I’ve not had very good luck with yeast dinner rolls. I make wonderful cinnamon rolls that turn out perfect every time,. Hoping they turn out as good as yours look!
    As for your Kitchen-aid mixer, I understand completely. I have two and did have three until one stopped working. Unfortunately my husband isn’t like yours and he took it to goodwill before I could get it fixed! It’s amazing how often I use both of mine, and if one broke down, I’d be out buying another immediately!

    Reply
  16. Taylor

    January 23, 2019 at 12:56 am

    5 stars
    These are absolutely FANTASTIC!! I finally had some free time to bake this week and I was craving an egg white, ham, and cheese sandwich and on homemade English muffins? To.Die.For! I will definitely be making these again.

    Reply
  17. Tisha

    January 10, 2019 at 9:26 am

    5 stars
    Oh I have to make these!!! Love English Muffins with a some butter on them!

    Reply
  18. Shanika

    January 10, 2019 at 9:19 am

    5 stars
    I love English Muffins and I'm sure that they taste much better from scratch! Yum!

    Reply
  19. Nicole C Tingwall

    January 10, 2019 at 9:02 am

    5 stars
    We have english muffins every weekend and these couldn't look any easier or more delicious! Can't wait to add them to my menu!

    Reply
  20. Elaine Benoit

    January 10, 2019 at 8:43 am

    5 stars
    My mom used to make English muffins from scratch, but I haven't made them in a while! Your recipe looks so delicious! There is nothing more delicious than homemade English muffins.

    Reply
  21. Jill

    January 10, 2019 at 8:15 am

    5 stars
    I always think English muffins are a good idea but then am always disappointed by the store versions. Great process photos. I'll have to try your recipe!

    Reply
  22. Veena Azmanov

    December 15, 2018 at 10:17 am

    5 stars
    This is so simple and easy to make. Sure to try them out for my family They will surely love them.

    Reply
  23. Lisa Bryan

    December 15, 2018 at 9:52 am

    5 stars
    Wow, the texture on these looks perfect. I've never made English muffins at home but now I'm intrigued!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      December 16, 2018 at 7:01 pm

      It's a fun project to do if you have the time!

      Reply
  24. Elaine Benoit

    December 15, 2018 at 8:52 am

    5 stars
    I think I would have had a hard time if my husband wouldn't want me to buy a new mixer. I totally understand his take on why not. But 6 years is a long time and I always think, if it broke once, it's going to break again, so there goes more money. 🙂 But with all that said, these English muffins look outstanding. My mom used to make her own for many years, but I hadn't tried it in a long time!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      December 16, 2018 at 7:02 pm

      Right? But hey, looks like he was right as it's still going strong now 9 years in... so I guess it's a win!

      Reply
  25. Natalie

    December 15, 2018 at 8:46 am

    5 stars
    I love English muffins! They look perfect for brunch!

    Reply
  26. Ginny

    December 15, 2018 at 8:25 am

    5 stars
    You've made my day! Those English Muffins look great!

    Reply
  27. Kara

    September 29, 2018 at 10:48 am

    Very excited to try this! Are you able to rest the dough overnight in the fridge, or will that overprove? I’d love to make them fresh for breakfast, but a two hour rise doesn’t help that 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracy

      September 29, 2018 at 12:16 pm

      You know, I haven't tried that but that's a great time saving idea! It should be fine - although it'll change the flavor slightly, but they should still be delicious! Let me know how they turn out! 😀

      Reply
  28. April

    March 02, 2018 at 6:44 am

    Can’t wait to make these! Is a cast iron skillet ok for browning the muffins?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      March 02, 2018 at 7:41 pm

      Oh definitely!! I hope you enjoy them! Let me know how they turn out! 😀

      Reply
  29. Bam's Kitchen

    May 08, 2016 at 6:23 am

    Is it too late to request these for Mothers Day morning? I have printing off recipes and putting them on my boys desks...big hints. LOL I have never made them from scratch but this looks so fun to do and delicious. Great idea to make some ahead and freeze them so any time you want you can have a delicious homemade English muffin.

    Reply
  30. Naina

    May 04, 2016 at 10:23 am

    I've been wanting to make English muffins for a long time too as I can't buy them here! So happy to have this recipe Tracy! Thank you!! What kind of yeast did you use? I have fresh yeast, will that work?

    Reply
    • Tracy

      May 06, 2016 at 7:42 am

      Hi Naina! I use active dry yeast for these- I've never baked with fresh yeast before though! I'm sure it would- do you have a good conversion from dry to active? I'm so curious about the difference!

      Reply
  31. Julie at Hostess At Heart

    May 03, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    I just love English muffins and only hope mine would come out at beautiful as yours did!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      May 06, 2016 at 7:42 am

      Aw thanks, Julie! 🙂

      Reply
  32. Anne Murphy

    May 03, 2016 at 9:50 am

    I love homemade English muffins! (One of the things I have to work on, now that I'm gluten free... ) So much flavor.

    I never used a stand mixer - *until* I fell and hurt my hand - and several years into not baking bread (I'm stubborn) accepted that hand kneading was not going to be easy for me again. But once I had it, I didn't know how I'd ever baked bread regularly without it!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      May 06, 2016 at 7:43 am

      Awww I'm sorry to hear about your hand, Anne, but what a positive outcome from it! 😉

      Reply
  33. Willow | Will Cook For Friends

    May 03, 2016 at 9:36 am

    I have been meaning to make English muffins from scratch for so long now, and have been putting it off putting it off putting it off... but you have totally inspired me! They look so much easier than I keep hyping them up to be, especially with the help of a mixer. (I was without a stand mixer for ages, didn't think I needed one, then got one as a Christmas gift one year. Now I'm like, why have I been choosing to live in the dark ages for so long?! They are so helpful!)
    And I totally agree with your husband's values about not just getting rid of something and replacing it when it can be repaired. It's definitely worth a little extra effort if you can get a few more years of use out of something!

    Reply
    • Willow | Will Cook For Friends

      May 03, 2016 at 9:37 am

      P.S. -- I just wanted to say I LOVE your blog banner / logo! It's so simple and cute!

      Reply
    • Tracy

      May 06, 2016 at 7:45 am

      Thanks, Willow! And oh my gosh doesn't the mixer just change your life?! They're such life savers - and hopefully now we'll have ours for many many more years. I hope you do make them - you wont regret it! 😉

      Reply
  34. Bella B (xoxoBella)

    May 03, 2016 at 8:43 am

    I am with you, I don't enjoy mixing by hand either. I have never made English muffins, but I would love to try.

    Reply
  35. Rebecca Hubbell

    May 03, 2016 at 8:13 am

    I absolutely love English Muffins, but I've never made them from scratch! I can't wait to try this recipe

    Reply
    • Tracy

      May 03, 2016 at 8:18 am

      Thanks, Rebecca!

      Reply
  36. Meghan | Fox and Briar

    May 02, 2016 at 11:25 am

    I am super impressed that you were able to get the Kiitchen Aid repaired though. That is something I would procrastinate on FOREVER. My Kitchen Aid is at least 30 years old (originally it was my Grandmas) and luckily (fingers crossed) has never had problems. And what better way to celebrate your repaired Kitchen Aid than with homemade English muffins!?! I made them a few years ago and it was amazing, must do it again, I think the English muffins are the best when it comes to morning bread options 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracy

      May 03, 2016 at 8:21 am

      Oh my gosh I LOVE that your have your Grandma's! I bet it hasn't had problems because 30 years ago they were probably built better! The repair people told us that the new ones are built with plastic gears, which is what eventually wore down on us. They replaced them with metal ones which should last a long time- hopefully as long as your Grandmas! 😀

      Reply

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