Homemade English Muffins (Printable View)
Soft, airy homemade muffins with golden crusts and delightful chewy texture, ideal for toasting with your favorite spreads.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 cups bread flour
02 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk, lukewarm
03 - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
04 - 1 tbsp granulated sugar
05 - 1 tsp fine sea salt
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
→ For greasing and dusting
07 - 1 tbsp neutral oil or extra butter, for greasing
08 - 2 tbsp cornmeal or semolina, for dusting
# Cooking Steps:
01 - Dissolve yeast and sugar in lukewarm milk. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy and activated.
02 - Combine bread flour and salt in a large bowl. Create a well in the center, pour in the yeast mixture and melted butter. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
03 - Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with dough hook for 5–6 minutes.
04 - Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
05 - Punch down dough and transfer to a floured surface. Roll to 3/4 inch thickness. Using a 3-inch round cutter, cut out circles. Reroll scraps as needed to yield 8 muffins.
06 - Dust a baking sheet with cornmeal or semolina. Place muffins on the sheet, spacing slightly apart. Sprinkle tops lightly with additional cornmeal.
07 - Cover loosely and let proof for 25–30 minutes until slightly puffed.
08 - Preheat a large skillet or griddle over low-medium heat. Lightly grease with oil or butter.
09 - Cook muffins in batches for 7–9 minutes per side, flipping once, until deeply golden and cooked through. Internal temperature should reach 200°F. Adjust heat as needed to avoid burning before centers are done.
10 - Transfer to a rack to cool completely. Split with a fork to create signature nooks and crannies. Toast and serve with butter, jam, or preferred toppings.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They emerge from the skillet with those irresistible craggy interiors that catch melted butter and jam in every single bite
- The dough comes together with simple pantry staples but transforms into something that feels like a special breakfast treat
- You can freeze a batch and have fresh tasting English muffins ready to toast whenever the craving strikes
02 -
- Cooking over too high heat will burn the outsides before the centers finish cooking, so patience with lower heat is essential
- The fork splitting method is not just tradition, it actually creates those craggy nooks and crannies that make English muffins so special
03 -
- If your dough feels too sticky during kneading, add flour one tablespoon at a time rather than adding too much at once
- Letting the proofed muffins rest uncovered for 5 minutes before cooking helps develop a slightly dry surface that promotes even browning