High-Protein McDonald's: Best Orders and Exact Protein

The best high-protein order at McDonald's is the McCrispy Strips, 3 Piece: 31g of protein for 400 calories, or 8g of protein per 100 calories. Every number on this page comes from McDonald's own nutrition data, checked October 7, 2026.

At McDonald’s, the McCrispy Strips beat every burger and sandwich on protein per calorie. Three strips list 31g of protein for 400 calories. Among the burgers, the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese leads on protein and on ratio, at 48g for 740.

The 5 best high-protein McDonald’s orders

Each order is one item exactly as McDonald’s lists it, without dipping sauce.

1. McCrispy Strips, 3 Piece

   31g protein 400 calories 8g per 100 cal

   Order: McCrispy® Strips, 3 Piece (dip not counted)

   The best protein per calorie on the menu.

2. McCrispy Strips, 4 Piece

   41g protein 530 calories 8g per 100 cal

   Order: McCrispy® Strips, 4 Piece (dip not counted)

   Nearly the same ratio as the 3-piece, with one more strip.

3. Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese

   48g protein 740 calories 6g per 100 cal

   Order: Double Quarter Pounder® with Cheese, as listed

   The most protein of any burger on the menu, and the best protein per calorie of the burgers.

4. Double Cheeseburger

   25g protein 440 calories 6g per 100 cal

   Order: Double Cheeseburger, as listed

   The best protein per calorie of the small burgers, just ahead of the McDouble.

5. Egg McMuffin

   17g protein 310 calories 5g per 100 cal

   Order: Egg McMuffin®, as listed

   The best protein per calorie at breakfast.

Every McDonald’s item with real protein, ranked

The burgers, chicken sandwiches, McCrispy Strips, McNuggets, Snack Wraps, Filet-O-Fish, and breakfast, from the nutrition on each item’s page at mcdonalds.com.

Best McDonald’s picks by goal

Easy ways to get more protein per calorie at McDonald’s

The two swaps to strips add protein. The rest keep the protein about the same and cut calories. Each row uses McDonald’s numbers for both items.

Make it at home

My baked chicken parmesan gets a crisp crust from almond flour in the oven instead of a fryer, and the egg muffins are a make-ahead breakfast you can reheat all week.

FAQ

How much protein is in McCrispy Strips?

McDonald's lists the 3-piece at 31g of protein for 400 calories, and the 4-piece at 41g for 530. The dip isn't included in either number.

How much protein is in a Big Mac?

25g of protein for 580 calories. A Double Cheeseburger lists 25g for 440.

Does McDonald's have grilled chicken?

Not on the current US menu. Every chicken item in McDonald's nutrition listing is breaded: the McCrispy sandwiches, McCrispy Strips, Snack Wraps, McChicken, and McNuggets.

How much protein is in Chicken McNuggets?

A 10-piece lists 23g of protein for 410 calories, and a 20-piece lists 46g for 830. Sauce isn't included.

What's the highest-protein breakfast at McDonald's?

The Big Breakfast with Hotcakes lists the most, at 36g for 1,340 calories. The Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel lists 34g for 680, and the Egg McMuffin has the best ratio at 17g for 310.

Where these numbers come from

Nutrition checked October 7, 2026 against McDonald's official nutrition information. Numbers come from the nutrition on each item's page on mcdonalds.com (US menu). Spicy McNuggets have been a limited-time item, so they may not be on every menu. Meals, Happy Meals, fries, drinks, McCafé, and desserts aren't included.

More places to eat out

• See the best order at every chain
• High-Protein Burger King: Best Orders and Exact Protein
• High-Protein Wendy's: Best Orders and Exact Protein
• High-Protein Chick-fil-A: Best Orders and Exact Protein