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The Big Breakfast with Hotcakes is the heavyweight champion of the McDonald's breakfast menu. It's basically a diner breakfast in a plastic tray: eggs, sausage, a biscuit, a hash brown and three hotcakes with syrup and butter.
It's also, by far, the highest-calorie item McDonald's serves in the morning. Let's break it down.
Disclaimer: This is an independent, unofficial guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by McDonald's. All trademarks belong to their owners. Prices, menu items, deals and hours may change and can vary by location. Please check the official McDonald's website or app for the latest information: www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us.html
What's on the Plate?
- Scrambled eggs
- Sausage patty
- Warm biscuit
- Hash brown
- 3 hotcakes
- Syrup and butter
Price
| Order | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Big Breakfast with Hotcakes | $6.49 – $8.29 |
| As a meal (+ medium coffee) | $7.99 – $9.99 |
| Big Breakfast (no hotcakes) | $5.29 – $6.79 |
Full Nutrition (Approximate)
| Component | Calories |
|---|---|
| Scrambled eggs | ~150 |
| Sausage patty | ~190 |
| Biscuit | ~260 |
| Hash brown | ~140 |
| 3 hotcakes | ~300 |
| Syrup + butter | ~300 |
| Total | ~1,340 |
| Nutrient | Total (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Fat | ~63 g |
| Carbs | ~158 g |
| Sugar | ~48 g |
| Protein | ~36 g |
| Sodium | ~2,100 mg |
That's around two-thirds of a typical day's calories and nearly a full day's sodium in one meal.
Is It Worth the Price?
Value per dollar: strong. You get five separate breakfast items for roughly the price of two sandwiches.
Best way to eat it: share it. Split between two people, it becomes a reasonable ~670-calorie breakfast each for about $3.50 to $4 per person.
How to Make It Lighter
| Change | Calories saved |
|---|---|
| Skip the syrup and butter | ~300 |
| Skip the biscuit | ~260 |
| Skip the hash brown | ~140 |
| Use half the syrup | ~140 |
Skip the syrup, butter and biscuit and you're down to roughly 780 calories: still big, but much more reasonable.
Big Breakfast with Hotcakes vs Alternatives
| Item | Price | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Breakfast with Hotcakes | $6.49 – $8.29 | ~1,340 | ~36 g |
| Big Breakfast | $5.29 – $6.79 | ~760 | ~28 g |
| Hotcakes and Sausage | $4.79 – $5.99 | ~770 | ~15 g |
| Egg McMuffin | $4.29 – $5.49 | ~310 | ~17 g |
Building Your Own “Big Breakfast” for Less
The Big Breakfast with Hotcakes is generous, but you don’t always need every item on the tray. Building your own plate can save money and calories while keeping the parts you actually love.
Three custom combos
- Protein-first: Big Breakfast (no hotcakes) plus a black coffee. You keep the eggs, sausage and biscuit and skip about 600 calories of hotcakes, syrup and butter.
- Sweet tooth: Hotcakes and Sausage with a small coffee. You get pancakes and one patty for a lower price than the full platter.
- Balanced: Egg McMuffin, hash brown and a small orange juice. A well-rounded breakfast with fewer calories.
Sharing tips
The full platter splits nicely between two people. Ask for an extra fork and an extra syrup if needed, and give one person the biscuit while the other takes the hotcakes. With two coffees, you often spend less per person than two separate breakfast meals.
Eating it on the go
The tray is designed for a table, not a car. If you’re in a hurry, a McMuffin or burrito is far easier to eat while driving. If you do take the platter to go, ask for the syrup on the side so the hotcakes don’t get soggy.
Reheating
Leftover hotcakes reheat well in a toaster or microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Eggs and biscuits are best eaten fresh, but a biscuit can be warmed in an air fryer at 320°F for 2 to 3 minutes to bring back some crispness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes at McDonald's?
Usually between $6.49 and $8.29 in 2026.
How many calories are in the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes?
About 1,340 calories with syrup and butter.
What comes with the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes?
Scrambled eggs, a sausage patty, a biscuit, a hash brown, three hotcakes, syrup and butter.
Can I get the Big Breakfast all day?
No, only during breakfast hours.
Is it enough for two people?
Yes, many people share it, especially with an extra coffee.
The Bottom Line
The Big Breakfast with Hotcakes is McDonald's best value per dollar at breakfast, and its biggest calorie bomb. Order it when you're very hungry, sharing, or fueling up for a long day, and skip the syrup and butter to cut about 300 calories.
Last updated: October 11, 2026. Prices and nutrition are approximate; check McDonald's official nutrition calculator.
