Alton Brown English Muffins Recipe

Alton Brown English Muffins Recipe

This Alton Brown English Muffins Recipe is a soft and chewy breakfast bread, which uses powdered milk and yeast for classic nooks and crannies. It’s a straightforward recipe, ready in about 50 minutes.

Alton Brown English Muffins Recipe Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup non-fat powdered milk
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1/8 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon shortening
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 package dry yeast
  • 1/3 cup warm water (about 100ºF)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
  • Cornmeal, for sprinkling

How To Make Alton Brown English Muffins

  1. Make milk mixture: In a medium bowl, combine powdered milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt, shortening, and hot water. Stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
  2. Proof the yeast: In a small bowl, stir yeast and 1/8 teaspoon sugar into 1/3 cup warm water. Let rest until dissolved.
  3. Make the batter: Add the yeast mixture to the cooled milk mixture. Stir in the sifted flour and beat well with a wooden spoon. Cover the bowl and let sit in a warm place for 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat the griddle: Heat an electric griddle to 300ºF. Lightly grease 4 (3-inch) metal rings with spray and dust insides with cornmeal.
  5. Cook the muffins: Scoop batter into the rings on the griddle. Cover with a half-sheet pan and cook for 5–6 minutes. Flip with tongs, cover again, and cook another 5–6 minutes until golden.
  6. Cool and serve: Transfer to a wire rack, remove rings, and let cool. Split with a fork for best texture and serve.

Recipe Tips

  • Why use powdered milk?
    It adds richness without excess liquid and helps with browning and flavor.
  • What if I don’t have metal rings?
    You can make rings from foil or use silicone egg molds as a substitute.
  • How to get perfect nooks and crannies:
    Fork-split the muffins instead of cutting with a knife to preserve the texture.
  • Can I use butter instead of shortening?
    Yes, but shortening helps retain structure and gives a classic texture.

What To Serve With English Muffins

These versatile muffins pair well with both sweet and savory toppings:

  • Butter and jam
  • Cream cheese and smoked salmon
  • Peanut butter and banana
  • Poached eggs and hollandaise
  • Breakfast sausage and cheese

How To Store English Muffins

Room Temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Toast straight from frozen.

English Muffins Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 160
  • Fat: 3g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 220mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I double this recipe?
Yes, just scale all ingredients evenly and cook in batches.

Do I need to knead the dough?
No, this is a batter-style dough that doesn’t require kneading.

Why cover with a pan while cooking?
It helps trap steam, allowing the muffins to rise evenly and cook through.

Can I bake these instead of cooking on a griddle?
For authentic texture, use a griddle. Baking alone may yield a different result.

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Alton Brown English Muffins Recipe

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 10 minutesRest time: 30 minutesTotal time: 50 minutesServings:8 servingsCalories:160 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

These classic English muffins are light, chewy, and perfect for toasting, with plenty of signature nooks and crannies.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Mix powdered milk, sugar, salt, shortening, and hot water. Cool.
  2. Proof yeast in warm water with 1/8 tsp sugar.
  3. Combine yeast mixture with milk mixture. Add flour and mix well. Rest 30 minutes.
  4. Heat griddle to 300ºF. Prep metal rings with spray and cornmeal.
  5. Scoop batter into rings. Cover and cook 5–6 minutes. Flip, cover, and cook another 5–6 minutes.
  6. Cool on wire rack. Split with a fork and serve.
Keywords:Alton Brown English Muffins Recipe

Hamdi Saidani

Hamdi Saidani has been a food and recipe blogger for more than 5 years years. He specializes in creating and recreating recipes from top chefs, making them easy to follow and accessible for home cooks.