1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Effortless Cheddar Breakfast Bites

Effortless Cheddar Breakfast Bites

Featured in: Morning meals for weekdays and weekends

Dive into these fluffy, cheesy bites packed with real sausage and sweet maple. All you need is simple pancake batter, then toss everything into a mini muffin tray. They're warm, soft, and hit that perfect salty-sweet spot. Grab some syrup for dipping, enjoy them as a quick bite, or take a handful to go. The whole crew will want more of these easy, tasty snacks.

Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
A woman in an apron is preparing a meal in a sunny kitchen filled with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Updated on Thu, 29 May 2025 13:04:58 GMT
McGriddle Bites Pin it
McGriddle Bites | myhomemaderecipe.com

Want breakfast sandwiches but tiny and super easy? These McGriddle Bites hit that sweet-salty spot and are awesome for feeding a crowd fast. Each one's got pancake fluffiness, melting cheese, sausage, and a hint of maple that makes them taste classic and totally fun.

This idea popped up when I needed something to feed a pack of hungry cousins one holiday. Now, anytime we do brunch together, my family begs for them. Honestly, leftover ones are my favorite snack the next day.

Tasty Ingredients

  • Maple syrup: Adds sweet breakfast vibes to every bite. Go for the darkest stuff for boldest taste.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: Cheesy bits melt inside for extra yum. I usually pick sharp cheddar for a punch of flavor.
  • Breakfast sausage: Juicy and salty, use a good bulk sausage for best results.
  • Water: Needed to bring the batter together. Cold, filtered water helps it puff up.
  • Pancake mix: The classic for light, fluffy bites. Grab the just-add-water kind to keep it simple.

Simple Step-by-Step

Bake and Enjoy:
Pop the tray in the oven for about 12 to 15 minutes. You want golden tops and a clean toothpick in the middle. Let them chill a few minutes before you take them out. Eat them warm with or without extra syrup.
Get the Pan Ready:
Turn your oven on to 400°F. Slather nonstick spray or butter into a mini muffin pan. Fill cups to the top so you get nice muffin pops.
Add the Good Stuff:
Gently fold in sausage, cheddar, and maple syrup with a spatula. Make sure every scoop you put in the pan has a mix of everything.
Make the Batter:
In a big bowl, whisk pancake mix and cold water. Stop stirring as soon as it’s all together. The batter should be thickish—don’t over-mix!
Cook Your Sausage:
Bust up sausage into little pieces in a hot pan. Brown them for about 7 to 9 minutes. Drain off any fat and let it cool briefly before using.
A bowl full of doughnuts with some mountains behind them. Pin it
A bowl full of doughnuts with some mountains behind them. | myhomemaderecipe.com

I always love using the really dark maple syrup in these because it totally reminds me of Sunday breakfasts at my grandparents’ place. My little brother swears he can smell these cooking even before he's out of bed.

Keeping Them Fresh

Let the McGriddle Bites cool, then stash them in an airtight box in the fridge up to four days. Give them a quick heat-up in the microwave or oven when you need breakfast fast. Want them to last even longer? Freeze the bites on a tray, then bag them up for up to two months. Just thaw and warm when the craving hits.

Swaps and Alternatives

Don’t want pork? Try chicken or turkey sausage. A sprinkle of cooked bacon works too if you’re into smoky flavors. Not into cheddar? Try Monterey Jack or even pepper jack for a kick. Use whatever just-add-water pancake mix you like—just skip ones that need eggs or milk mixed in, or the texture won’t be right.

Tasty Ways to Serve

Pour extra maple syrup in a bowl for dipping, or serve fresh fruit on the side to balance things out. They're awesome with scrambled eggs or some Greek yogurt. Got lots of people? Set out different toppings and let everyone mix and match their bites.

Fun Backstory

The original McGriddle made pancakes, sausage, cheese, and egg into one easy-to-carry breakfast. These mini versions bring all that to your kitchen and are perfect for sharing. It’s the classic American sweet-and-salty combo in every poppable bite.

A big bowl filled with pastries. Pin it
A big bowl filled with pastries. | myhomemaderecipe.com

If you want a treat that’s easy and fun for breakfast, these McGriddle Bites are your answer. Bake them and you’re ready to eat!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of sausage?

Of course! Swap in any breakfast sausage you love. Mild, spicy, or even turkey sausage all work fine.

→ How should I store leftover bites?

Cool them off, then pop them in a sealed container in the fridge. Eat within three days.

→ Can these be frozen?

Yep, just let them cool, seal in a freezer bag, and freeze. Reheat in the microwave or oven when you want them.

→ Is it possible to make them ahead?

Make them the day before and stash them in the fridge. Heat them up quick and they’ll still be great.

→ What can I serve with these bites?

Try extra maple syrup, some fruit, or scramble a few eggs on the side for a full breakfast.

Effortless Cheddar Breakfast Bites

Golden little bites filled with sausage, cheddar, and maple, baked until light and fluffy. Super easy and really good.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Breakfast & Brunch

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 mini bites)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Filling & Flavor

01 60 ml maple syrup
02 115 g shredded cheddar cheese
03 450 g breakfast sausage

→ Pancake Batter Base

04 355 ml water
05 480 g pancake mix

Instructions

Step 01

Let those bites hang out for a bit before you pop them out of the pan. Enjoy them warm, and feel free to pour over some more maple syrup if you’re in the mood.

Step 02

Pop your bites into the hot oven and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes. They’re ready when they look golden and are set in the center.

Step 03

Grab your muffin pan and fill each cup almost to the top with your batter mixture.

Step 04

Fire up your oven to 200°C and give your mini muffin pan a quick coat with nonstick spray so nothing sticks.

Step 05

First, whisk pancake mix with water in a big bowl until it’s lump-free. Stir in that cooked sausage, pile in the shredded cheddar cheese, and give it a drizzle of maple syrup. Make sure it’s all blended and spread out.

Step 06

Toss the breakfast sausage into a skillet on medium-high heat. Chop it up into bits as it cooks. Once it’s browned, get rid of any extra fat and set the sausage aside.

Notes

  1. Halfway through, go ahead and spin the muffin tray around so everything bakes evenly.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven
  • Mini muffin pan
  • Whisk
  • Mixing bowl
  • Skillet

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Heads up: there's wheat, milk, and egg inside

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 110
  • Total Fat: 6.5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 12 g
  • Protein: 4 g