Egg McMuffin Vs Sausage McMuffin: Which Has More Protein?

While every person's body has different needs, getting nutritious fuel to power-start your day is always a good idea, whether that happens first thing in the morning or hours after you rise. Protein fits importantly into the equation, aiding things like blood sugar stabilization, muscle health, satiety, and sustaining your energy for the day's tasks. So long as you head out some time before noon, you can typically find protein-rich options at popular fast-food destinations. 

When folks need a quick drive-thru breakfast, the Golden Arches often spring to mind first. McDonald's morning lineup has a unique history spanning more than 50 years, and its starring items are, without doubt, the brand's tasty breakfast sandwiches, including the famous McMuffins. There's plenty of protein to be had in those quickie English muffin creations, and the further good news is McDonald's locations generally serve breakfast until 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m., depending on the location, so you can grab a tasty, filling bite on the go.

Two popular McMuffin options are the one that started it all, the Egg McMuffin, which was Mickey D's very first breakfast sandwich, and the Sausage McMuffin. Between these stars of the McDonald's morning menu, which is the more filling nosh to grab (aka, which has the most protein)? That would be the Egg McMuffin, whose egg inclusion pushes it over the top in terms of protein content.

With its toasted English muffin, freshly cracked egg, slice of Canadian bacon, and melted American cheese, the Egg McMuffin is one of the most popular items on McDonald's breakfast menu. The chain took this famous sandwich from good to great in 2015 when it switched from using liquid margarine to toasting the English muffins with real butter, adding richness and flavor depth and reducing the greasiness that is inherent with margarine.

Many contend that the Egg McMuffin is the best item on McD's breakfast menu. Whichever way your opinion sways in terms of how it stacks up against its breakfast sandwich peers, the Egg McMuffin unarguably wins the title of protein champion when compared to its sister menu item, the Sausage McMuffin. Serving up 17 grams of protein per sandwich, the Egg McMuffin truly presents a filling way to start the day (with 3 grams each from the Canadian bacon and cheese, and a whopping 7 from the egg).

While it already has a healthy amount, you can get even more protein with this popular sandwich. You can elevate the sandwich with some ordering tips to further turn up that macronutrient factor, and the customizations are all easy to execute right in the McDonald's app. For instance, you can double up on the egg or the Canadian bacon for an upcharge, and you can also add regular bacon (6 grams in and of itself) into the mix, also for an extra fee. Any or all of these add-ons will greatly increase the protein pack as you munch your fast-food sandwich.

McDonald's meaty Sausage McMuffin includes the same bread as the Egg McMuffin — an English muffin toasted in butter — and it's topped with a savory sausage patty and a slice of American cheese. This all adds up to 14 grams of protein per sandwich. This McMuffin's lack of a protein-rich egg inclusion is what puts it behind the Egg McMuffin in terms of that macronutrient.

As with the Egg version, you can similarly turn up the protein power on this one by customizing its ingredients to include double egg, double sausage, or added bacon, and you can further add the Canadian bacon found on its sister sandwich (one slice or two), all for an upcharge. Opting for any — or all — of these upgrades will turn your sandwich into a true breakfast protein powerhouse.

There is one other protein-fortifying option to consider. The McMuffin lineup additionally includes a version of the Sausage McMuffin that has egg, which is called the Sausage McMuffin with Egg. Opting for this sandwich delivers 20 grams of protein, thanks to the egg addition, so it's an alternative to consider if you want a protein-rich, sausage-based breakfast sandwich that doesn't require any customization or upcharges.