31 Best McDonald's Secret Menu Items to Order in 2025

Looking to try the McDonald’s secret menu? The internet and social media are abuzz with McDonald’s hacks involving the extensive menu of breakfast offerings, burgers, sandwiches and desserts.

All of them meld ordinary ingredients into unique and distinctive combinations not readily available in fast food eateries. All they require are some targeted and ingenious changes to common menu items at McDonalds. While some require in-restaurant customizations, others can be created from McDonald’s items at home (and sometimes in your car on the go).

We’ve rounded up some of the more delicious and strange options on the McDonald’s secret menu that will be sure to surprise with their unusual textures and flavors. Others are based on using McDonald’s ingredients to mimic other popular treats and food items.

From simple alterations to Frankenstein-esque sandwiches you can barely fit in your mouth, there is something for everyone who regularly enjoys McDonalds. With a few exceptions, many can be created with little or no additional cost.

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• Does McDonald's Have a Secret Menu?
• Mcdonald's Secret Breakfast Menu
• McDonald's Secret Menu Burgers and Sandwiches
• McDonald's Secret Menu Desserts
• Other McDonald's Secret Menu Items

Does McDonald's Have a Secret Menu?

Yes. Like many fast-food eateries, McDonald’s has a wealth of off-book meals and concoctions available from their vast array of menu options. As with other popular hidden menus like the Starbucks secret menu or 7 Brew secret menu, you won’t find these options above the counter or on the app.

However, you can make DIY combos, selective substitutions and requests to alter regular menu items to get some very unique flavor combinations and treats. Interestingly, McDonald's secret menu items have become so popular that the brand released four of them as limited edition regular menu items during a "Menu Hacks" campaign.

If you’re wondering how to order from the McDonald’s secret menu, read some of the options below and order the listed items, or ask for the customizations necessary next time you’re looking for something beyond their regular menu. Keep in mind some secret menu customizations may take longer to finesse than others, particularly during busy times, so be patient and polite with the counter staff. 

Mcdonald's Secret Breakfast Menu

1. Chicken and "Waffles"

This Southern favorite available from the McDonald’s secret menu combines a crispy fried chicken patty with the McGriddle sandwich’s pancake bun, along with sides like additional maple syrup and Buffalo sauce. While technically a pancake and not a waffle, the combination of flavors is similar to chicken and waffles in many ways.

2. McBrunch Burger 

Once you’ve sampled this vegetarian McDonald’s secret menu item, it’ll be hard to do brunch any other way. This burger combines the best bits about a McDonald’s breakfast and lunch into one delicious item. Featuring creamy egg, spicy jalapeños, crispy hash browns and melty cheese piled high on your bun, it's a brunch dish that's sure to set you up for the day.

3. Snickers Coffee

This sweet concoction modeled on one of America’s favorite candy bars is sure to deliver both your caffeine and sugar fix for the day. To create this McDonald’s secret menu item, order an Iced Hazelnut Coffee, then ask for two pumps of caramel drizzle, one pump of chocolate syrup and one pump of chocolate caramel syrup. Top with lots of whipped cream for an even sweeter flavor profile.

4. The Mc1035

Named for the optimal time during the day to get one, this sandwich is only available between 10:30 and 11 a.m., when it combines both the breakfast menu's Egg McMuffin and the regular menu’s McDouble. To assemble this McDonald’s secret menu combo, place the beef patties inside the English muffins and on top of the egg and Canadian bacon for a unique blend of flavors.

5. McCrêpe

Only available during breakfast hours, this unique and very French DIY McDonald’s secret menu item involves an order of hotcakes and a yogurt parfait. Spread the yogurt parfait over the pancake and roll it up for a sweet and creamy fruit filling.

6. Hash Brown McMuffin

This is one of the simplest additions with the greatest impact, although note that it’s only available during the early half of the day while breakfast is served. All you need for this McDonald’s secret menu creation is a hash brown order and your choice of an egg or sausage McMuffin. 

The result is a little soft and chewy and just a tad crisp, the perfect way to start the day. Some recommend adding fruit jam to the sandwich for a touch of sweetness.

7. Cinnamon Melt à la Mode

McDonald’s cinnamon rolls are a sweet and luscious breakfast option, only made better by adding a vanilla cone to the order. To enjoy this McDonald’s secret menu item, simply scoop out the ice cream onto your cinnamon roll while it’s still warm for a toasty treat.

8. Chicken McGriddle

Does the combination of sweet and savory flavors get you going in the morning? Then this is the McDonald’s secret menu item to whet your appetite. To make a Chicken McGriddle, take a crispy McChicken Patty and sandwich it inside two maple-flavor griddle pancakes. Add cheese or egg, according to your tastes, for a truly satisfying McBreakfast experience.

McDonald's Secret Menu Burgers and Sandwiches

9. Bababooey Burger

This fun combination throws in everything but the kitchen sink and remains one of the most popular McDonald's items. To create this burger, order a McDouble and a McChicken. Remove the chicken patty from the bun and place between the two burger patties. This inventive item, found on the secret menu of McDonald’s, is especially tasty if you also add some barbecue sauce.

10. McGrilled Cheese

This is a simple McDonald’s secret menu alternative if you do not eat meat but have a vast love of cheese. Simply ask for a burger bun with cheese, adding any condiments or other additions you want. For a creamier version and higher cheese-to-bread ratio, ask for additional slices of cheese.

11. Land, Air and Sea

The best of all worlds, this mammoth sandwich on McDonald’s secret menu involves a Big Mac (land), McChicken (air) and Filet-O-Fish (sea), widely known as one of the best fast food fish sandwiches. This combo is also sometimes called the “Surf and Turf” and is another sandwich of formidable size once assembled.

12. Poor Man’s Big Mac

For a secret menu item more budget-friendly than the Big Mac, order a McDouble instead and swap out the ketchup for the Big Mac Sauce. You’ll be missing the third bun, but the flavor combination is very much the same for about half the price of a conventional Big Mac.

13. Big Mac ‘N’ Cheese

For a vegetarian McDonald’s secret menu order that will still give major satisfaction points, order the Big Mac ‘n’ Cheese. It takes all the best bits of the Big Mac — cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions and sauce — but minus the meat for a delicious flavor hit that will keep you going all day.

14. The Monster Mac

Another meat-heavy McDonald’s secret menu item is this gigantic stack of six to eight beef patties on a Big Mac bun configuration. While the Monster Mac costs more than a regular Big Mac and may present difficulty in opening your mouth wide enough to eat it, it's a challenge some diners meet with relish. It’s also a tough one to finish once you start. Keep in mind each additional patty will cost you around $2.50.

15. Chicken Cordon Bleu McMuffin

Fancy getting fancy during your next trip to the “Golden Arches”? If so, ask for this McDonald’s secret menu item: Chicken Cordon Bleu McMuffin. 

This sandwich takes fried chicken and Canadian bacon, then adds cheese to melt on top. Finished with an egg and served with a crisp English muffin, this item will hit the spot for those craving an upmarket version of one of the best fast food chicken sandwiches.

16. All American

Want to recreate the experience of your favorite sports game snack from the convenient standpoint of your local fast food restaurant? This McDonald’s secret menu item is all American in name and flavor: take a bun, beef patties, pickles and ketchup and you’ve got a simple and delicious burger that's worthy of game day.

17. McChicken Big Mac

One of the more formidable McDonald’s secret menu burgers, this sandwich involves replacing the three buns of the Big Mac with McChicken patties instead of bread to create a McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac. Another less expensive version uses the McDouble instead of the Big Mac and uses only two McChickens.

18. McGangbang

Despite its unsavory nickname, the McGangbang burger perseveres as one of the most popular McDonald’s off-menu items. It takes a McChicken sandwich and serves it between two halves of a McDouble burger, resulting in an impressively tall sandwich. 

With the marriage of these two distinctive burgers, the McDonald’s McGangbang is a medley of chicken, beef and cheese, plus salad, pickles, onions and multiple condiments, including mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard. This McDonald’s secret menu item is quite the combo and only to be tackled on a very empty stomach — not for the fainthearted.

19. McKinley Mac

Named for the highest mountain in North America from base to peak, this burger’s moniker gives away everything you need to know about its size. The same in every way as a Bic Mac — a sesame-seed bun, two beef patties, lettuce, American cheese, pickles, Big Mac sauce and onions — the only difference is that enormous quarter pounders are used. 

It’s made even more exclusive by the fact you can only order this as a main menu item in Alaska — the home of its namesake — but try ordering it on the McDonald’s secret menu in the other 49 states.

20. Portuguese Sausage McMuffin With Egg

Looking for a snack with a distinctly European twist? Try swapping out the familiar, simple sausage patty for the spicy Portuguese variant. Packed with more interesting flavors and a thicker cut, this McDonald’s secret menu item promises to excite your tastebuds. 

To get it, order an Egg McMuffin and ask for Portuguese sausage slices. The only hurdle is that this meat option isn't available at all McDonald's locations, with it primarily offered in Hawaii. However, if it sounds appealing, you could always combine a McMuffin with store-bought spicy sausages to get a taste of this hidden menu item.

McDonald's Secret Menu Desserts

21. Ice Cream Sandwich

This sweet and chilly McDonald’s secret menu item involves two chocolate chip cookies and your favorite ice cream (a cone, sundae or McFlurry). Lay one cookie on some foil, then spread the ice cream over it, pressing a second cookie on top. Wrap it up and pop it into the freezer to fully freeze again. 

Popular variations include using the Oreo or M&M McFlurry as the filling. If you prefer a smoother filling, try the hot fudge sundae between the cookies.

22. Orange Dreamsicle Shake

Order a small Hi-C orange soda and a vanilla cone to create this popular McDonald’s secret menu favorite inspired by the frosty ice cream treat. Simply dip the cone in the soda and wait for it to melt to a shake-like consistency. You can also add your desired amount of Hi-C to a vanilla shake and stir.

23. McAffogato

For a caffeine-laced treat off the McDonald’s secret menu, try mixing one or two espresso shots with ice cream. You can create this with a vanilla shake or a sundae without sauce. Simply mix the coffee in with the shake or sundae to create this Italian coffee and ice cream dessert.

24. Apple Pie McFlurry

This McDonald’s secret menu item tastes just like the all-American classic dessert. Ask the staff to blend two apple pies into a McFlurry instead of the other options, or blend it yourself at home. 

25. Neapolitan Shake

A perfect McDonald’s secret menu option for the indecisive, this treat involves all three flavors (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry) blended together for a classic flavor trio. 

26. McLeprechaun Shake

Only available in March as a St. Patrick's Day food and drink menu item, this McDonald’s secret menu beverage mixes the perennially favorite Shamrock Shake with a regular chocolate shake for a minty combo of flavors that resembles mint chip ice cream or Girl Scout Thin Mints.

27. Caramel Apple Sundae

Think wholesome country fair with this delectable treat — one so moreish that we can’t believe it isn’t on the regular menu all year round. The server will start by making the standard caramel sundae — vanilla soft-serve ice cream with caramel sauce drizzled on top — then add slices of tart green apple on top to construct this McDonald’s secret menu gem. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you could break up pieces of apple pie and add to the dessert, too.

28. Strawberry Eggnog Shake

Do you love strawberries? Do you love eggnog? Then chances are you’ll love the McDonald’s secret menu Strawberry Eggnog Shake. This one requires a little alchemy: order an eggnog shake and a strawberry shake, and simply combine the two. You could also ask the server to combine them, but be aware that they may not be able to.

Ask for whipped cream and a cherry garnish to elevate this seasonal sweet treat, then it’s time to slurp. The only downside is you’ll usually have to wait until December to secretly sample this festive delight as eggnog shakes are only offered during the holidays.

Other McDonald's Secret Menu Items

29. Cotton Candy Soda

If you’re looking for a fun fountain drink that’s also a McDonald’s secret menu option, many have noted that if you add two pumps of French vanilla coffee syrup to a Sprite, the resulting drink resembles the sweet and frothy flavor of cotton candy. 

30. Fries With Big Mac Sauce

While you are free to order your fries with any number of other McDonald’s dipping sauces like barbecue, honey mustard or sweet and sour sauce, a popular suggestion in McDonald’s secret menu discussions is to order your fries with a side of their Big Mac Sauce. 

31. McDonald’s Milk Tea

A budget-friendly option for this popular drink at Thai restaurants or cafés, you can order a sweet tea and add three to seven free coffee creamers to achieve an exact ringer for the real thing at less than half the cost.

Whether you are a regular diner at McDonalds or just looking for a quick and unique bite that’s far from the usual fast-food options, the McDonald’s secret menu is a great way to sample the culinary creativity spawned by internet denizens all over the world. Sample one of these, or dream up your own unique combination and share it with the world via social media.

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.