Best english muffins, according to chefs
Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Lee Musho, Zoë Sessums, Joe Sevier, Erin Fletter and 4 more. Recommendations come from seriouseats.com, epicurious.com, yahoo.com and tastingtable.com and 2 other sources.
Bread & Bakery · The ranking
- 1Top pick
Bays Original English Muffins
Chosen by- Lee MushoSerious Eats
- Zoë SessumsEpicurious tasting panel
Also chosen by- Joe Sevier · Writer, Epicurious source ↗
- Erin Fletter · Founder, Sticky Fingers Cooking source ↗
The clear winner of Serious Eats’ 2026 blind tasting of 13 brands: crisp outside with an airy, open crumb, “ample crannies” and a subtle sourdough-like tang; one editor said they tasted “almost homemade,” and several asked the brand so they could buy them. It also won Epicurious’ blind tasting of seven classic muffins for its salty punch and “a nice balance of moist-flaky-crunchy textures.” Chefs polled by EatingWell named it often, too: “a moist, slightly chewy texture that can hold up beautifully for both sweet and savory toppings” (Erin Fletter).
- 2
Dave’s Killer Bread Killer Classic English Muffins
Chosen by- Sara KlimekWriter, Tasting Table
Also chosen by- Chowhound source ↗
- Nikki Schaeffer · Lofty Coffee source ↗
- Ann Ziata · Chef-instructor, Institute of Culinary Education source ↗
Tasting Table’s #1 of 10 store-bought brands: “the perfect balance of soft, bread-like bite and the characteristic English muffin crispness,” with nooks that catch melted butter and a nutty, yeasty flavor from five grains. Chowhound also ranked it first of nine, ahead of Thomas’. Organic and sold in most supermarkets. All five chefs EatingWell asked named it their top grocery muffin: “For something off a supermarket shelf, this is my go-to recommendation” (Nikki Schaeffer, Lofty Coffee); it “crisps up wonderfully” (Ann Ziata, ICE).
- 3
Stone & Skillet Original English Muffins
Chosen by- Joe SevierWriter, Epicurious
- Danny PalumboTaste tester, Sporkedsporked.com ↗
Also chosen by- Sporked source ↗
Epicurious’ “best fancy” pick in its blind tasting: thick, handmade in Boston, buttery with a slight tang, and toasted “beautifully crunchy” for burgers, Benedicts and weekend brunch. Sporked calls the wheat version the best whole-wheat muffin “by a mile and some of the best English muffins, period.” Denser and lighter on crannies than Bays; sold at Whole Foods and online.
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Questions, answered
- What is the best english muffins, according to chefs?
- MyTastr’s top pick is Bays Original English Muffins, chosen by Lee Musho (Serious Eats blind tasting of 13); Zoë Sessums (Epicurious). The clear winner of Serious Eats’ 2026 blind tasting of 13 brands: crisp outside with an airy, open crumb, “ample crannies” and a subtle sourdough-like tang; one editor said they tasted “almost homemade,” and several asked the brand so they could buy them. It also won Epicurious’ blind tasting of seven classic muffins for its salty punch and “a nice balance of moist-flaky-crunchy textures.” Chefs polled by EatingWell named it often, too: “a moist, slightly chewy texture that can hold up beautifully for both sweet and savory toppings” (Erin Fletter). Source: seriouseats.com ↗
- What are the other top picks for english muffins?
- No. 2 is Dave’s Killer Bread Killer Classic English Muffins, chosen by Sara Klimek (Tasting Table). No. 3 is Stone & Skillet Original English Muffins, chosen by Joe Sevier (Epicurious); Danny Palumbo (Sporked). Each card above links to the original source.
- How does MyTastr choose these picks?
- Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.