English muffins are at the top of the breakfast sandwich pyramid, if you ask me. That’s why I made this build-your-own-style English muffin breakfast sandwich board! It’s easy to prep ahead, which makes it ideal for hosting brunch–no one wants to spend the whole party alone in the kitchen! 

It also makes breakfast super customizable for your guests–they can make their sandwiches vegetarian, protein-packed, pork-free, dairy-free, and/or gluten-free (if you serve gluten free English muffins). Just make sure to separate ingredients for your vegan and gluten-free guests!

For more DIY breakfast and brunch recipes, check out my Avocado Toast Board, Oatmeal Toppings Board, Pancake Board, and Bagel Brunch Board.

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Are English Muffins English?

It turns out that English muffins aren’t really English at all! What are English Muffins called in England, then? Ironically, English muffins are actually marketed as “American muffins” in the UK. What we know as English muffins, with all those delicious nooks and crannies, were created by British ex-pat Samuel Bath Thomas (yes, he founded what is now Thomas’ Bread) in the late 19th century as a toaster-friendly version of the beloved British crumpet.

For context, a crumpet is “a small, round cake-like bread with holes in one side that is eaten hot with butter.” Thomas’s “toaster crumpets” were made without baking soda, making them flatter and drier, and giving them the iconic holes inside the muffin rather than on the outside.

Types of English Muffins

English Muffin Flavors

• Whole wheat

• Corn bread

• Blueberry

• Cinnamon raisin

• Cranberry

• Sourdough

• Pumpkin Spice

Best English Muffin Brands

• Stone & Skillet

• Thomas’

• Bays

• Wolferman’s

• Trader Joe’s (I love their gluten-free English muffins too!)

You can also make your own with this English muffin recipe!

English Muffin Breakfast Sandwich Toppings

• English muffins, halved

• Eggs

• Avocado slices

• Orange slices

• Strawberries

• Pepper Jack slices

• Cheddar slices

• Sausage patties, cooked

• Baby spinach

• Bacon, cooked

• Strawberry jam

• Sliced salted butter, room temperature

Pro tip: split the muffins apart using a fork (instead of a knife) to preserve all the nooks and crannies

How to Make an English Muffin Breakfast Bar

• Place the butter and jam in separate small bowls. Place them on the top edge of the long side of the board. Add the orange slices and strawberries to the top right corner in separate sections.

• Add the English muffin halves, cut sides up, in a row across the middle of the board. Top some of the English muffins with butter slices.

• Add the spinach to the bottom right corner, then working from right to left, add the sliced cheeses, sliced ham, cooked sausage patties, and bacon.

• Add the sliced avocado and fried eggs right before serving.   

Pro tip: to make this board fun for kids, use cookie cutters to cut the ingredient into shapes! 

English Muffin Topping Combos 

On This Board

• Butter and strawberry jam

• Cheddar and sausage 

• Bacon, egg, and cheddar 

• Avocado and Pepper Jack 

• Spinach, egg, and cheddar

Not On This Board

• Sliced strawberries and honey

• Nutella and sliced strawberries

• Cheddar and apple slices

• Plain cream cheese and strawberry jam

• Veggie cream cheese with tomato and cucumber

• Peanut butter and banana slices

• Nutella and banana slices

• Brie and apple slices

How To Cook Eggs

For this board, the easiest way to serve the eggs is in single servings! But if you’re partial to a different kind of egg preparation, like scrambled, feel free to do what your heart desires. That said, scrambled eggs shouldn’t be served directly on the board–you’ll need a bowl!

Fried: To get the perfect circular shape, melt butter in a nonstick pan (you can also use olive oil or nonstick cooking spray!) Once the pan is hot, add nonstick egg rings to the pan, then carefully crack an egg into each egg ring. Cook until the egg whites are set and the eggs are cooked to your preference.   

Poached: To poach eggs, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and crack the eggs, one at a time, into a fine mesh strainer over a bowl to remove the loose whites. Add the strained eggs carefully to the boiling water (you’ll need to work in batches!), and cook to your preferences, about 3 minutes. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and pat dry with paper towels.   

Microwaved: This method is perfect if you’re crunched for time! Spray ramekins with nonstick cooking spray, then crack one egg into each ramekin. Cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then check for doneness. If necessary, microwave 10 seconds more until cooked to your preference. 

Other English Muffin Toppings Ideas

Seasonal

• Spring: Fresh herbs, asparagus tips, and strawberries

• Summer: Berries, grilled peaches, and burrata

• Fall: Pumpkin butter, apple slices, and cinnamon

• Winter: Cranberry sauce, pomegranate seeds, and spiced nuts

Global inspiration

• Mediterranean: Hummus, olives, and feta cheese

• Tex-Mex: Black or refried beans, salsa, and avocado

• Italian: Pesto, mozzarella, and tomato slices

Other English Muffin Recipes 

English muffins are not just for breakfast! I love using them as sandwich bread, burger buns, or just eating them as a snack. Try these:

• English Muffin Pizza (use my Pizza Toppings Bar for inspo!)

• English Muffin Tuna Melt

• English Muffin Grilled Cheese (and this fancy Brie and Apricot Grilled Cheese)

• English Muffin French Toast

Can you Freeze English Muffins?

Yes! Freezing English Muffins (and most baked items) is a great way to keep them fresh for up to 3 months. Just transfer them into a zip top bag first! And be sure to defrost before putting them in your toaster. 

Pro-tip: Even if you plan on eating them in short order (same!) and don’t need to freeze them, storing them in your fridge will keep them fresh for longer. 

English Muffin Sandwich Beverage Pairings

• Freshly squeezed orange or grapefruit juice

• Fruit smoothies (check out my Smoothie Bowl Recipe for inspo!)

• Coffee (with cream and sugar)

• Iced or hot tea

SHOW ME YOUR ENGLISH MUFFIN BOARDS

I hope this post inspires you to make this English muffin breakfast board. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful snacks and sweets you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share! 

And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.