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. While some require in-restaurant customizations, others can be created from McDonald’s items that you merge together yourself. 

To help you dip your toes into the world of McDonald's secret menu items, we've rounded up some of the tastiest and most interesting options on the hidden menu that will be sure to surprise with their unusual textures and flavors. 

From simple alterations to Frankenstein-esque sandwiches you can barely fit in your mouth, there is something for everyone on the McDonald's secret menu. So, let's dive in and discover your new favorite order! 

 Jump to Section

• Does McDonald's Have a Secret Menu?
• How We Create This McDonald’s Secret Menu Guide
• 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 hidden menu options available to indulge in. As with other popular secret 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 that some secret menu customizations may take longer to finesse than others, particularly during busy times, so be patient and polite with the counter staff. 

How We Create This McDonald’s Secret Menu Guide

With extensive experience creating informative food guides, including fast food industry content, the editorial team at Cozymeal is well-versed in the offerings available at popular fast food chains. From news stories about product releases to articles covering the best orders, we know many fast food chain menus inside and out, including dishes that aren’t on the menu, aka secret menu items. 

Being one of the most renowned fast food chains in the world, it’s not surprising to discover that McDonald’s has a secret menu. And, to help you find the best orders across a range of categories, we’ve put together an in-depth guide to the McDonald’s secret menu. From burgers and breakfast dishes to drinks and desserts, we’ve referred to a range of sources to find a McDonald’s hidden menu item for everyone. 

Along with conducting research via the web and by consulting social media platforms like TikTok, Reddit and Instagram, we turned to our industry experience and existing knowledge of the best secret menu items at McDonald’s to put together an all-encompassing list. Additionally, we try many of these items ourselves to see if they’re worth the order.

Finally, we ensure you have the instructions needed to try these McDonald’s secret menu items for yourself, making it easy to get a taste of these unique hidden menu creations. We even offer some extra customization ideas that make these McDonald’s secret menu items more innovative and delicious!

McDonald's Secret Breakfast Menu

1. 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.

It's effectively a breakfast sandwich, with crispy chicken in place of a sausage patty and griddle cakes used instead of an English muffin. If your favorite early morning meals are breakfast sandwiches, pancakes and chicken and waffles, we're pretty certain you'll love this combo dish. 

How To Order: Take a crispy McChicken patty and sandwich it inside two maple-flavored griddle pancakes. Add cheese or egg, according to your tastes, for a truly satisfying McBreakfast experience.

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 eggs, spicy jalapeños, crispy hash browns and melty cheese piled high on a regular burger, it's a brunch dish that's sure to set you up for the day.

How To Order: Choose your favorite burger from the regular menu, then ask for eggs, hash browns, extra cheese and jalapeños (if available) to be added.

3. Snickers Coffee

This sweet concoction, modeled on one of America’s favorite candy bars (albeit replacing peanut with hazelnut), is sure to deliver both your caffeine and sugar fix for the day. It's one of our favorite McDonald's secret menu hacks for when we're having a busy day and need a caffeine and sugar-fueled pick-me-up. 

The flavor profile of this McDonald’s secret menu item also works across all seasons, with a warm version being delightful around the holidays and the iced variety being a hit during the hotter months. 

How To Order: To create this McDonald’s secret menu item, order a McCafé Hazelnut Premium Roast Coffee or 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. This is a top pick for anyone looking for a protein-heavy meal before or after a gym session. 

How To Order: Request an Egg McMuffin and 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. Combined, they create a fancy McDonald's breakfast dish that's a play on filled crêpes. 

Is it exactly like something you would find on the streets of Paris? No. But is it absolutely delicious? We think so!

How To Order: Ask for hotcakes and yogurt parfait. Then, spread the yogurt parfait over the pancake and roll it up for a sweet and creamy fruit filling. You could ask for a side of whipped cream to add on top as well to make this McDonald's secret menu item even more decadent. 

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 savory and moreish sandwich that's the perfect way to start the day. Some recommend adding fruit jam to the sandwich for a touch of sweetness, but we'll let you be the judge of this out-of-the-box McDonald's secret menu hack! 

How To Order: Get your choice of sausage or egg McMuffin and as many hash browns as you want to add inside. Then combine for a carb-lover's dream breakfast. 

7. Cinnamon Melt à la Mode

McDonald’s cinnamon rolls are a sweet and luscious breakfast option, only made better by adding vanilla ice cream to the order. Some even get multiple orders of cinnamon buns and ice cream to combine in one container, for a cinnamon roll ice cream sundae that every sweet tooth will want a taste of. 

Is this the healthiest item at McDonald's? Of course not. But if you're down for a treat, we can't recommend this McDonald's secret menu item enough. 

How To Order: To enjoy this McDonald’s secret menu item, get cinnamon rolls and a cup of soft serve vanilla ice cream. Then, simply scoop out the ice cream onto your cinnamon roll while it’s still warm for a toasty treat.

8. 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. If you love a savory and sweet combo, we guarantee that you'll love this McDonald's secret menu item. 

How To Order: Ask for a crispy McChicken patty to be served between two McDonald's griddle cakes. For extra sugary goodness, request some extra syrup to douse this decadent McDonald's secret menu item in. A serving of Buffalo sauce is also a good pick, adding a unique, tangy twist. 

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, despite not actually being on the menu.

What is the Bababooey Burger exactly, though? This top pick on the secret menu at McDonald’s basically combines a McChicken with a McDouble, for a meat-filled sandwich that is more than enough to help you meet your protein goals.

We've found that this inventive item is especially tasty if you add some barbecue sauce. Although pretty much any McDonald's sauce works well with it.  

How To Order: To make this burger, order a McDouble and a McChicken. Remove the chicken patty from the bun and place it between the two burger patties. Then, add whatever sauce you desire. For more of a Big Mac-style sandwich, incorporate the bread from the McChicken into this McDonald's secret menu creation as well. 

10. McGrilled Cheese

This is a simple McDonald’s secret menu alternative if you don't eat meat but have a vast love of cheese. It's effectively what the name suggests, a grilled cheese at McDonald's.

This secret menu item is one of the best vegetarian fast food options featured in this guide, and it's highly customizable.

We especially love it with a slice of tomato, but feel free to go all out with extra cheese, other vegetable toppings and your favorite sauces. Or keep it simple with just bread and one or two slices of cheese; classics are classics for a reason! 

How To Order: Simply ask for a burger bun with cheese, adding any condiments or other additions you want. It will then be grilled together to get the filling all melty. 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), the latter of which is 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. But, we recommend you try it at least once to see why this is one of the most popular McDonald's secret menu items. 

How To Order: Request a Filet-O-Fish, McChicken and Big Mac and then combine them all, keeping as much or as little of the bread as you want. 

12. Poor Man’s Big Mac

For a McDonald's secret menu item that's 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.

How To Order: Ask for a McDouble with Big Mac Sauce instead of ketchup. 

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.

While it's good as it comes, we suggest having this delivered or taking it home and then adding a vegetarian burger patty or two to better resemble the classic. 

How To Order: Simply order a Big Mac without the meat patties. Customize toppings as desired, including asking for more cheese in place of the meat. 

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, so maybe bring someone along to share this McDonald's secret menu item with! Also, keep in mind that each additional patty will cost you around $2.50.

How To Order: Ask for a Big Mac, plus an additional four to six patties (depending on whether you want a total of six or eight in the final creation) and then combine yourself and enjoy! 

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: a Chicken Cordon Bleu McMuffin. 

This international McDonald's 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.

How To Order: Ask for an Egg McMuffin with cheese, bacon and a McChicken patty. Request that it all be grilled together if you want the cheese melted. 

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!

All you have to do is take a bun, beef patties, pickles and ketchup, and you’ve got a simple and delicious burger that's worthy of game day. While this McDonald's secret menu item may be a little too boring for some, we find it's great for when you want a quick bite of nostalgia. 

How To Order: Get a plain hamburger with pickles and ketchup. Customizations include adding mustard and getting multiple beef patties. 

17. McChicken Big Mac

One of the more formidable McDonald’s secret menu burgers, the first variation of this sandwich involves replacing the three buns of the Big Mac with McChicken patties.

A second version is effectively making a McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac, where the beef patties in a Big Mac are replaced with McChicken patties. Another less expensive (and lower calorie) variation uses the McDouble instead of the Big Mac and uses only two McChickens, again with the option to keep the beef patties and replace the bread or keep the bread and replace the beef patties with McChicken patties.

All this is to say that if you love crispy chicken burgers and/or want to recreate the limited edition Chicken Big Mac, we think you'll be interested in at least one of these McDonald's secret menu items. 

How To Order: Ask for a Big Mac without bread and a McChicken without the bread, and combine them. Or, ask for both sandwiches and remove the bread yourself. If you want to replace the beef patties in a Big Mac with McChicken patties, request this and the staff should be able to accommodate. 

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.

How To Order: Ask for a McChicken and a McDouble and combine them by placing the whole McChicken sandwich inside the McDouble. 

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.

How To Order: Ask for a Big Mac with quarter-pounder patties. In Alaska, simply order the McKinley Mac by name.  

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 taste buds. 

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 McDonald's hidden menu item.

How To Order: To get it, order an Egg McMuffin and ask for Portuguese sausage slices, if available at your McDonald's location. 

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 (plain soft serve, sundae or mix-in packed McFlurry).

All you have to do is 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. 

Some of our favorite variations include using an Oreo or M&M McFlurry as the filling. If you prefer a smoother filling, we recommend using the hot fudge sundae between the cookies.

How To Order: Choose two cookies and the ice cream filling you want, then place the ice cream between the cookies. You can eat this straight away or re-freeze it (if you can get the treat home in time without it melting). 

22. Orange Dreamsicle Shake

One of our favorite McDonald's secret menu items during the summer, this sweet treat is also super easy to order despite not being on the regular menu.

There's not really much to explain with this one, it's simply a delicious recreation of an orange soda ice cream float (or a melted orange creamsicle). If these types of orange ice cream treats are your favorite summer snack, this McDonald's hidden menu item is sure to become your new go-to. 

How To Order: Get a small Hi-C orange soda and a cup of vanilla soft serve (or vanilla cone if a cup isn't available) to create this popular McDonald’s secret menu favorite inspired by the frosty ice cream treat.  Add the ice cream to 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.

How To Order: Get one or two shots of espresso and a vanilla shake or cup of plain vanilla soft serve. Then combine them to enjoy this Italian-style McDonald's secret menu item. 

24. Apple Pie McFlurry

This McDonald’s secret menu item tastes just like the popular dessert. The combination of juicy apples, buttery, flaky pastry and creamy McFlurry ice cream makes this delicious McDonald's secret menu item a dream for those with a sweet tooth, especially those who love apple pie à la mode. 

How To Order: Ask the staff to blend two apple pies into a plain McFlurry. Or, ask for a plain McFlurry and two apple pies and mix them yourself with a spoon (or in a blender at home if you can get the ice cream home without it melting). 

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. We love the interesting flavor profile, but some may find it too sweet or generally over-the-top. 

Neapolitan Shakes feature on a few fast food secret menus (you can get them almost anywhere that serves the three milkshake flavors), so why not try a few and see which is your favorite? 

How To Order: Ask for a milkshake with one-third each of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. If this can't be done, order all three and ask for a cup to mix them yourself. 

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 perennial favorite Shamrock Shake with a regular chocolate shake for a minty combo of flavors that resembles mint chip ice cream. If you think Thin Mints are the best Girl Scout Cookies, we know you'll love this! 

How To Order: Ask for a blend of half Shamrock Shake and half chocolate milkshake. Or, order both and mix them yourself. 

27. Caramel Apple Sundae

Another McDonald's secret menu item inspired by a popular sweet treat, this order brings a wholesome country fair vibe to your day. In fact, this delectable treat is so delicious and moreish that we can't believe it isn’t on the regular menu all year.

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 them to the dessert, too.

How To Order: Ask for a caramel sundae and a bag of green apple slices, then combine the two. If desired, also ask for an apple pie and stire that in. 

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 sample this festive McDonald's secret menu delight, as eggnog shakes are only offered during the holidays.

How To Order: Request one strawberry milkshake and one eggnog milkshake, and combine them. 

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, this soda is a must-try. Featuring Sprite and two pumps of French vanilla coffee syrup, we were blown away by how much this resembles cotton candy!

If available, you could also request some strawberry syrup to add a fruity twist to the flavor profile. We find this soda makes a great base for a float as well, which can be made by stirring in vanilla soft serve. However, note that this McDonald's secret menu ice cream float is very sweet. 

How To Order: Ask for a Sprite with two pumps of French vanilla coffee syrup, plus an optional one pump of strawberry syrup. To turn it into a float, ask for plain vanilla soft serve and combine the two. 

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.

Is this the most out-of-the-box option? No. But it is a delicious snack that many don't think to try when they really should!

How To Order: Ask for any size of fries with a side of Big Mac Sauce and dip away. 

31. McDonald’s Milk Tea

Want a taste of this popular drink with your favorite McDonald's order? If so, you'll be pleased to know that you can make milk tea with this McDonald's hidden menu hack. Simply order a sweet tea and add three to seven coffee creamers to achieve a delightful milk tea. 

How To Order: Get an iced tea and add as many creamers as you want to mimic your perfect milk tea. We find three to seven is a good range, depending on how milky you like your tea.

Whether you are a regular diner at McDonald's or just looking for a quick and unique bite that’s far from the usual fast-food options, turning to 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; the options for taste innovation at this renowned chain are endless!

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