Abstract: Maillard reaction (MR) is widely found in food heat processing, can not only give food color and flavor, but also produce harmful or odorous substances. 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4(H)-pyran-4-one (DDMP), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural are important products of MR. In this paper, three kinds of caramelization and three kinds of Maillard reaction models were established to study the formation of DDMP, HMF and furfural. Results indicated that HMF and furfural were easily generated in fructose and xylose caramelization models, respectively. In Maillard reaction model, the participation of lysine inhibited the production of HMF and furfural, and promoted the production of DDMP. Combined with the characterization of the intermediate product and the final product, the structural difference of monosaccharides was the main factor affecting the production of the three compounds. Lysine competitively inhibited the caramelization pathway of monosaccharide degradation, thereby inhibiting the production of HMF and furfural. The present paper would provide guidance on the production, control and oriented synthesis of DDMP, HMF and furfural in food thermal processing industry.