Homemade English Muffins Recipe

5 from 10 votes

Homemade English Muffins cooked on the stovetop.

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Rising Time 2

Total Time 2 45

Servings muffins

Calories 163kcal

Combine milk, yeast and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly. Pour into a bowl in a stand mixer.
1 Cup Milk, 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar
Stir in one cup of flour and then add butter, egg, and salt.
2 tablespoons butter, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 - 3¼ cups flour
Mix in flour ½ cup at a time until dough comes together and forms a ball. You might not add the full amount of flour.
Knead for 5 minutes with machine.
Place dough in a large, greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled.
Divide dough into 12 pieces. Form into balls, and flatten. Place on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal.
cornmeal for dusting
Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes.
Preheat a cast iron skillet over low heat. Cook muffins for 3-4 minutes per side. Flip muffins as needed during cooking to avoid burning. Continue cooking until fully cooked. Test a muffin with a digital thermometer. The center of the muffin should be between 190-200°F.
Place on a baking racket to cool.
Once cool, split muffins with a fork.

Check for Proper Proofing – Before cooking, the muffins should be slightly puffy and pass the "finger dent test"—lightly press the dough, and if the indentation slowly springs back, they’re ready. Underproofed muffins will be dense, while over-proofed ones may collapse when cooking.

Preheat the Cooking Surface – A consistent, low heat is key. Let your skillet or griddle fully preheat before adding the muffins to ensure even cooking and a well-developed crust.

Flip Multiple Times for Even Cooking – Instead of flipping just once, turn the muffins every 3-4 minutes to prevent scorching and to cook them evenly. This helps avoid an undercooked center while keeping the crust from getting too dark.

Use a Digital Thermometer - Test the center of the muffin with a digital thermometer to test if they are fully cooked. The center should reach 190-200°F.

Cool Completely Before Cutting – Freshly cooked muffins continue to set as they cool. Cutting them too early can result in a gummy texture. For the best interior structure, let them cool for at least 20–30 minutes before splitting with a fork.