25 Best Items to Order on the McDonald’s Menu
With a separate breakfast, lunch, and McCafé menu, there are a ton of McDonald’s menu items to choose from. They have sweet treats, hearty burgers, bite-sized snacks, and a seafood option.
The best McDonald’s menu items on our list have been ranked based on flavor, popularity, and nutritional values. We’ve tried them, researched them, and compared them to the rest, as some items stand out from the crowd and continue to be fan favorites over decades of sales.
It’s not easy to choose a favorite since opinions may change based on mood and occasion, but we’ve taken it upon ourselves to analyze what we believe are the winners.
25. Filet O Fish
As one of the unique menu options, we couldn’t exclude the Filet-O-Fish from our list.
It’s the only seafood option on the McDonald’s menu, and although it has a specific fan base, it has remained popular since its debut in 1965.
Each fish patty is made with 100% wild-caught and sustainably sourced Alaskan Pollock.
The patty is breaded and fried for a crisp outer texture and a soft and flakey inner.
It is paired with a slice of American cheese and delicious tartar sauce, then served on a hamburger bun.
Each Filet-O-Fish has 390 calories as well as 19 grams of fat, 39 grams of carbs, and 16 grams of protein.
The calories of a Filet-O-Fish meal can range from 710 to 940.
24. Big Mac
The Big Mac is a classic McDonald’s burger that is essentially two burgers in one.
It slides a third bun between two McDonald’s 100% beef patties and tops it with pickles, lettuce, onions, and cheese.
Although the extra bun increases the calories and carbohydrate content of the burger, many people seem to think it’s a worthy trade.
The extra bun makes the sandwich more filling and creates a nice overall flavor balance.
A single Big Mac has 550 calories with 30 grams of fat, 45 grams of carbs, and 25 grams of protein.
It’s sold ala carte or as a meal with 870 to 1370 calories depending on the size and side options.
23. McChicken
The McChicken was the original chicken item on the McDonald’s menu, but it was quickly replaced by Chicken McNuggets after an unpopular start.
Eight years after its first fluke, it was reintroduced to the menu, and as chicken grew in popularity, so did the McDonald’s chicken menu.
The McChicken sandwich is a tasty snack or light meal and a great alternative to a beef burger.
It starts with a breaded chicken patty topped with shredded lettuce and creamy mayo, all served on a toasted burger bun.
Each McChicken sandwich has 400 calories and is only sold a la carte. It also has 21 grams of fat, 39 carbs, and 14 grams of protein.
22. McDouble
The McDouble takes a classic McDonald’s cheeseburger and ups the protein content.
It features two McDonald’s pure beef patties and a slice of American cheese, along with chopped onions, sliced pickles, ketchup, mustard, and a regular burger bun.
Although cheese lovers may prefer the second slice of cheese, the McDouble offers an excellent protein boost without the increased calories that come with adding more cheese.
Each McDouble contains 400 calories with 20 grams of fat, 33 grams of carbs, and 22 grams of protein.
This burger can only be ordered a la carte, but it’s the perfect amount for a light lunch or a mid-day snack.
21. Quarter Pounder with Cheese
The Quarter Pounder with Cheese is a filling option with a nice amount of protein and a good taste to boot.
It is part of the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder series that uses a quarter-pound beef patty in place of the standard version. It’s meatier, more filling, and more nutritious; what more could you want?
The 100% USDA Inspected beef patty is topped with two slices of melted American cheese for a delicious lunch or dinner option.
It also comes with onions and pickles and is served on a sesame seed bun.
Each Quarter Pounder with Cheese has 520 calories. There are also 26 grams of fat, 42 grams of carbs, and 30 grams of protein.
They’re sold individually or as a meal with between 840 and 1340 calories.
20. Hotcakes
Pancakes are a breakfast staple, and McDonald’s Hotcakes don’t disappoint. They’re warm and fluffy and will fill you up while satisfying even the biggest sweet tooth.
Each order comes with three fluffy hotcakes. They’re served with creamy salted butter and maple-flavored syrup.
Although real maple syrup would undoubtedly make them more amazing, for a fast-food breakfast menu, these hotcakes are perfectly delicious.
Each order of Hotcakes has 580 calories with 15 grams of fat, 101 grams of carbs, and 9 grams of protein.
Although they aren’t sold as a meal, they pair perfectly with a hot cup of McDonald’s coffee.
19. Big Breakfast
The Big Breakfast rightfully earned its name as one of the most popular McDonald’s breakfast items that are sure to fill you up.
You get your proteins and starches, all with a calorie count that won’t ruin the rest of your day.
Each Big Breakfast plate starts with fluffy scrambled eggs and a sausage patty. It also comes with a side of hash browns and a soft butter biscuit.
One Big Breakfast plate has 760 calories, including 48 grams of fat, 57 grams of carbs, and 26 grams of protein.
Grab a coffee or orange juice on the side, and you’ll be ready to tackle the day!
18. Sausage Burrito
The McDonald’s Sausage Burrito adds variety to their breakfast menu.
Although it’s relatively small and is filled with a mix of previously frozen ingredients, it stands out with its blend of peppers and pairs perfectly with the McDonald’s Picante sauce.
Each burrito contains a blend of eggs, sausage, chili peppers, onions, and cheese. All of this is wrapped in a flour tortilla and served with hot or mild Picante sauce upon request.
One burrito has only 310 calories with 17 grams of fat, 25 grams of carbs, and 13 grams of protein.
It can be ordered as a single burrito or in a meal that comes with two burritos and can range from 750 to 920 calories.
17. Cheeseburger
While the Cheeseburger is relatively simple compared to the other McDonald’s burgers on this list, it’s a classic staple worth mentioning.
The Cheeseburger was one of the original recipes that put McDonald’s on the map, and despite the many new options, it remains popular today.
It is part of McDonald’s value menu, which might be the reason for its longevity. However, it’s also tasty for its simplicity, and it comes with a special deal when ordered as a meal.
A single McDonald’s Cheeseburger has 300 calories with 13 grams of fat, 32 grams of carbs, and 15 grams of protein.
When ordered as a meal, you’ll get two Cheeseburgers, a side, and a drink.
Depending on your meal preferences, they can have between 920 and 1420 calories.
16. Hotcakes with Sausage
We’ve already raved about McDonald’s Hotcakes, so adding their Hotcakes with Sausage to the list is all about flavor dynamics.
While this breakfast item is simply an order of Hotcakes with a sausage patty on the side, we love having both sweet and savory items for breakfast, and this meal checks all the boxes.
Each order of McDonald’s Hotcakes and Sausage has 770 calories with 33 grams of fat, 102 grams of carbs, and 15 grams of protein.
This breakfast plate has nearly 200 calories more than ordering the hotcakes alone, but the added sausage increases the protein content and creates a good balance.
15. Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
Although oatmeal may not be everyone’s go-to when they visit McDonald’s, it’s a surprisingly delicious breakfast item, and we love the variety on their menu.
It has a fresh blend of fruit to complement a delectably sweetened oatmeal base, and it provides a healthier alternative to start the day off right.
Each Fruit & Maple Oatmeal bowl comes with warm whole-grain oats that have been sweetened with light cream and a touch of brown sugar.
Diced red and green apples, dried cranberries, and raisins are added on top for a well-balanced breakfast that doesn’t make you feel guilty.
Each bowl of McDonald’s Fruit & Maple Oatmeal has 320 calories, 26 grams of fat, 39 grams of carbs, and 17 grams of protein.
It is only sold ala carte, but it pairs great with coffee or tea in the morning.
14. Vanilla Cone
Getting a McDonald’s Vanilla Cone has a nostalgic kind of feeling. Perhaps it’s because of how frequently the ice cream machines are broken, but either way, there’s something soothing about that crunchy cone with smooth soft serve.
While it may not be considered a healthy snack, it’s easy enough to fit into a healthy diet without ruining the rest of your day.
A Vanilla Cone takes a sugar cone and tops it with a big, twisted pile of vanilla soft-serve ice cream.
Each cone has 200 calories, 5 grams of fat, 33 grams of carbs, and 5 grams of protein.
13. Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit
The Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuit is one of the top breakfast sandwiches at McDonald’s.
It has a classic combination of breakfast items to create a warm, fluffy, and filling meal that will please your tastebuds.
Each Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit starts with a fluffy butter biscuit. This biscuit is then filled with Applewood smoked bacon, a real folded egg, and melted American cheese to create a savory and filling sandwich.
One Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit contains 460 calories with 26 grams of fat, 39 grams of carbs, and 17 grams of protein.
It can also be ordered ala carte or as a meal ranging from 600 to 770 calories.
12. Double Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese
There’s no way to make a “Best of McDonald’s” list without including the Double Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
It’s the ultimate carnivore burger packed with protein and is filling enough for even the biggest appetites.
The Double Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese is made with two quarter-pound beef patties topped with thick-cut Applewood smoked bacon and two slices of melted American cheese.
All of this is served on a sesame seed bun and topped with sliced white onions, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup, and mustard.
One Double Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese has a total of 850 calories with 51 grams of fat, 44 grams of carbs, and 54 grams of protein.
Depending on the size and side options, meals can range from 1140 to 1640 calories.
11. Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich
The Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich is the ultimate chicken burger. It combines a chicken patty with crisp fresh vegetables and a hearty roll to create a juicy and filling meal.
This McDonald’s sandwich starts with a breaded crispy chicken fillet topped with shredded lettuce and Roma tomato slices. It’s then finished with some mayonnaise and served on a potato roll.
Each Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich has 530 calories with 26 grams of fat, 48 grams of carbs, and 27 grams of protein.
It can also be ordered as a meal, ranging from 850 to 1080 calories.
10. Chicken McNuggets
Chicken McNuggets were introduced as an alternative to beef to reduce the health effects of red meat and remain one of the most popular McDonald’s menu items to this day.
Chicken McNuggets are made with all-white meat chicken and without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
McDonald’s has also reassured customers that there is no pink slime like rumors once had many believe.
Each order comes with your choice of dipping sauces, which can be ordered as a side or a meal.
McDonald’s sauces include the following options:
- Big Mac Sauce
- Tangy Barbecue Sauce
- Spicy Buffalo Sauce
- Creamy Ranch Sauce
- Honey Mustard Sauce
- Honey
- Sweet ‘N Sour Sauce
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Tartar Sauce
There are five sizes of Chicken McNuggets. A 4-piece order has 170 calories, a 6-piece order has 250 calories, and a 10-piece order has 420 calories.
There are also orders made for sharing. The 20-piece order has 830 calories, and the 40-piece order has 1660 calories.
9. Baked Apple Pie
The McDonald’s Apple Pie is a classic dessert favorite. It’s warm, flaky, and has a sweet gooey filling.
It’s the all-American dessert for the world’s biggest fast-food chain, leading to countless regional and seasonal variations.
McDonald’s Baked Apple Pies are made with 100% American-grown apples and a sugar-coated crust.
A lattice adorns the top of the pie so that the upper portion of the filling gets cooked, and the whole thing is baked for the perfect crisp texture.
Each Baked Apple pie has 230 calories as well as 11 grams of fat, 33 grams of carbs, and 2 grams of protein.
They’re great in the morning with coffee and are the sweet treat that we’ll always say yes to.
8. Coffee
McCafé has become a fierce competitor to Starbucks. The café addition to the already popular fast-food chain, made its debut in Melbourne, Australia, in 1993.
It began as an effort to increase foot traffic for a single store, but it quickly grew to over 15,000 locations that can be found around the world today.
In the mid-2000s, McCafé stores grew rapidly by riding on the established McDonald’s brand, and they have since increased McDonald’s sales by approximately 15%.
Over 20 drinks are now available on the menu, as well as an assortment of hot and cold food items.
McDonald’s uses quality coffee beans, which tend to cost less than Starbucks, making them a real threat to the world’s largest coffee chain.
McCafé sells everything from hot black coffee to sweet iced coffee.
Although many of them could be worthy of making this list, we’ll stick to the Premium Roast Coffee, which is also served with McDonald’s breakfast meals.
Coffees at McDonald’s come in small, medium, or large sizes, none containing any calories when consumed black, without any cream or sugar.
7. Happy Meal
The Happy Meal is an iconic McDonald’s menu item. Although it is a meal rather than a specific menu item, it’s the signature go-to for kids and adults alike.
Happy Meal comes in three varieties: the main course of a Hamburger or 4-piece or 6-piece Chicken McNuggets.
They also come with a kids-size side of fries, 1% low-fat milk, and apple slices.
As an extra special treat, Happy Meals also come with a toy, which includes a rotating variety of options based on availability.
The 4-piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal has the least calories, with only 225 calories per meal.
The 6-piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal and the Hamburger Happy Meal follow with a total of 475 calories each.
6. Hash Browns
There’s just something about McDonald’s Hash Browns that have made them a favorite breakfast side.
Perhaps it’s because they’re perfectly crispy on the outside with a soft and warm potato filling, or they’re made from real potatoes grown on a family farm right here in the US.
They are SO good, and we hope McDonald’s never changes their recipe.
Hash browns can be ordered as a side during breakfast hours, and they are the default side for breakfast items ordered as a meal.
Each order comes with two golden patties and contains 140 calories in total. It also has 8 grams of fat, 18 grams of carbs, and 2 grams of protein.
5. Egg McMuffin
The Egg McMuffin is one of McDonald’s most classic breakfast sandwiches.
It combines a toasted and buttered English muffin and tops it with savory ingredients that make our mouths water.
Each Egg McMuffin is stacked with a thick slice of Canadian bacon as well as an egg and melted American cheese.
It’s tasty and satisfying, and it is perfect as a light breakfast or paired with hash browns and coffee as a meal.
One Egg McMuffin has 310 calories along with 23 grams of fat, 30 grams of carbs, and 17 grams of protein.
It can be purchased ala carte or as a meal, and meals can range from 460 to 630 calories.
4. Sausage Egg & Cheese McGriddle
The Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle made the number one spot on our best McDonald’s breakfast items list, but it doesn’t just stand out in the breakfast category.
McDonald’s McGriddle line has a unique combination of sweet and savory flavors and has become a favorite staple of the McDonald’s menu.
Each Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle starts with two sweet maple-flavored hotcakes.
Between them, you’ll find a savory sausage patty, a deliciously fluffy folded egg, and a slice of melted American cheese.
It’s not only delicious, but it is a great way to enjoy something sweet and filling on the go.
One Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle has 550 calories as well as 33 grams of fat, 44 grams of carbs, and 19 grams of protein.
It can be ordered ala carte or as a meal that can range from 700 to 870 calories.
3. Oreo McFlurry
The Oreo McFlurry is a McDonald’s classic. Although there are other McFlurry flavors, including the standard M&M McFlurry and the seasonal and regional flavors, the Oreo remains a crowd favorite.
The M&M McFlurry is frequently criticized for how hard the M&M candies get from sitting in ice cream.
The Oreo McFlurry, however, perfectly combines Oreo cookie crumbles with creamy vanilla soft serve for a smooth and sweet dessert with some crunch.
The Oreo McFlurry comes in two sizes: The regular size comes in a 12-ounce cup with 510 calories, and the smaller snack size is served in an 8-ounce cup with 340 calories.
2. Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe
The Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe made the number one spot on our best McDonald’s burgers list, and we think it’s for a good reason.
This McDonald’s burger has a good amount of protein without too many calories and includes a variety of fresh vegetables to add flavor depth and balanced nutrition.
The Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe starts with the famous quarter-pound beef patty.
It is then topped with two slices of American cheese and fresh lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mayo, ketchup, and mustard, all served on the larger and heartier sesame seed bun.
A single Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe has 630 calories, while a meal can range between 950 and 1450 calories.
Each burger also has 37 grams of fat, 44 grams of carbs, and 30 grams of protein.
1. Fries
McDonald’s World Famous Fries live up to their name. These crispy golden potatoes are one of the most celebrated sides, and they are delicious day or night as a snack or part of a meal.
They’re made from real, family-grown potatoes that include Russet, Burbank, and Shepody varieties.
There are 0 trans-fats per serving since McDonald’s switched its recipe to use a vegetable oil blend back in the 1990s.
McDonald’s Fries are sold in four different sizes: A kid’s size is the smallest with 110 calories, while a small has 220 calories, a medium has 320 calories, and a large has 490 calories.
Although there’s no trans-fat, an order can also have as much as 23 grams of fat, 66 grams of carbs, and 7 grams of protein.
Conclusion
There is no shortage of noteworthy items on the McDonald’s menu. From protein-packed breakfast sandwiches to bite-sized Chicken McNuggets or the delicious swirl of an Oreo McFlurry, McDonald’s continues to be the world’s leading fast-food restaurant for a reason.
With restaurants in 120 countries and regional specials in many of those locations, McDonald’s knows how to cater to what the customers are craving.
Use our list of the best McDonald’s menu items next time you want to try something new, as there’s a good option for every appetite!
For more information about McDonald’s, check out the articles below.
Related Articles:
6 Ways to Get Free Food at McDonald’s
What Are McDonald’s Shakes and Why Are They Not Called Milkshakes?
McDonald’s Desserts: What You Need to Know Before Ordering
How to Use McDonald’s App to Get Coupons and Order Online
McDonald’s Delivery: How to Order McDonald’s Online Using McDelivery
