Vegetarian English Muffins (Stovetop)

Total time2 hr 20 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time30 min

4.7

(5)

Homemade English muffins feel like a weekend project reserved for serious bakers, but this stovetop method proves otherwise — no oven required, just a skillet and a little patience. The dough comes together with whole milk, active dry yeast, and a touch of butter, giving each muffin a tender, slightly tangy crumb that store-bought versions can only dream about. A small addition of baking soda works alongside the yeast to create that signature open texture, and a generous dusting of cornmeal on both sides delivers the lightly crisp, toasty exterior you want. Cooking them low and slow on a dry griddle is the real secret — it gives the heat time to work all the way through without scorching the outside before the inside is set. The fork-split finish is non-negotiable: prying them apart rather than slicing preserves every nook and cranny that will catch butter or jam and hold it right where you want it. These are completely free of meat and any questionable additives, made entirely from pantry staples you can verify yourself. Whether you're toasting them for breakfast or building a savory egg situation, they are genuinely hard to beat fresh off the rack.

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Ingredients

8 servings

1 cup whole milk
2 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
¾ tsp fine salt
¼ tsp baking soda
1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3 tbsp fine cornmeal, for dusting

Instructions

1
Warm the milk in a small saucepan over low heat until it reaches 105–110°F (40–43°C) — it should feel warm but not hot on your wrist. Remove from heat, sprinkle in the yeast and sugar, stir briefly, and let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2
Whisk the flour, salt, and baking soda together in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the yeast mixture and the melted butter, then stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until a shaggy, slightly sticky dough forms — it will be softer than bread dough and will not fully pull away from the bowl.

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