If you love the comfort of a classic brunch but crave a handheld twist, you’ll fall head over heels for these French Toast Muffins. Imagine golden, custardy bites bursting with cozy cinnamon and sweet maple in every morsel, with a buttery crumb topping that will make your kitchen smell absolutely dreamy. French Toast Muffins are a fun, portable spin on traditional French toast that are just as delightful for lazy weekends as they are for quick weekday breakfasts. Trust me, every bite feels like a little celebration!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts about French Toast Muffins is just how simple yet important each ingredient is. Every item brings its own character, from rich brioche that soaks up the custard beautifully, to the spiced warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg for that pastry-shop aroma you can’t resist.
- Day-old bread: Brioche or French bread, cubed, creates the perfect texture as it absorbs all that luscious custard.
- Eggs: Four large eggs are the sturdy base of your custard, delivering richness and helping everything hold together.
- Milk: Whole milk gives the custard its creamy backbone, ensuring every muffin stays moist inside.
- Heavy cream: A touch of heavy cream adds decadent silkiness you’ll taste in every bite.
- Maple syrup: For deep, authentic sweetness with lovely hints of caramel—don’t skip this!
- Brown sugar: Adds a molasses-y twist both in the muffin and as a topping—it melts and bubbles beautifully.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the muffins with fragrant, nostalgic flavor that reminds you of Sunday mornings.
- Ground cinnamon: The essential French toast spice, bringing spicy-sweet warmth to the mix and the topping.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a bit for that extra “bakery magic” in the background.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and accentuates all the flavors.
- Melted butter: Enriches the custard, keeping every muffin extra tender and delicious.
- Optional Topping: Brown sugar, cinnamon, cold butter, and pecans or walnuts for irresistible crunch and extra flavor.
How to Make French Toast Muffins
Step 1: Prep the Muffin Tin and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 12-cup muffin tin and either grease it well or line it with paper liners—this ensures your French Toast Muffins pop out easily and keep their charming shape.
Step 2: Mix the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Take your time here—the smoother your custard, the creamier your muffins will turn out. This fragrant mixture is the soul of French Toast Muffins, and you’ll notice how the spices perfume your whole kitchen.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Add your cubed, day-old bread to the custard mix and gently fold until all the pieces are coated. Now, pause for just 10 minutes—this gives the bread a chance to drink up all that flavor. You’ll see it transform, getting plump and deliciously custardy.
Step 4: Make the Crumb Topping
While the bread soaks, whip up the optional topping by combining brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter with a fork until you get a crumbly texture. If you love a bit of crunch, stir in chopped pecans or walnuts—this gives your muffins a bakery-worthy finish.
Step 5: Assemble the Muffins
Divide the soaked bread mixture evenly among your muffin cups, gently pressing down to compact. Sprinkle each muffin with your prepared crumb topping. The topping melts and crisps as the muffins bake, turning irresistibly golden.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide your muffin tin into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the centers are set and the tops are beautifully golden. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes—just enough time for them to firm up—then pop them out and get ready to serve warm.
How to Serve French Toast Muffins
Garnishes
For the finishing touch, serve your warm French Toast Muffins with a drizzle of real maple syrup—nothing brings out their flavor quite like it! A shower of powdered sugar or a scattering of fresh berries adds a pop of color and brightness that’s perfect for showing off at brunch.
Side Dishes
Pair your muffins with crispy bacon or sausage links if you love a sweet and savory combo, or keep things light with a bowl of Greek yogurt and fresh fruit. A simple fruit salad always works, balancing out the richness of the muffins.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping brunch tray, nestle the muffins in a lined bread basket or arrange on a tiered cake stand. Individually wrapping French Toast Muffins in parchment makes them the ultimate on-the-go breakfast. You can even turn them into a decadent dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and extra caramel drizzle!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover French Toast Muffins keep beautifully! Store any extras in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge for up to four days. The crumb topping may soften slightly, but a quick warm-up will bring them right back to life.
Freezing
These muffins are freezer-friendly and make busy mornings so much easier. Once cooled, wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for two to three months—just pull one out whenever you need a delicious breakfast in a flash.
Reheating
To reheat, simply pop a muffin in the microwave for 20–30 seconds, or warm in a toaster oven for about 5 minutes at 350°F. This will revive the crumbly topping and give you that “just baked” taste and texture all over again.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Breakfast
Absolutely! While brioche or French bread provides the ideal texture, challah, sourdough, or even sturdy sandwich bread will work well. Just make sure the bread is slightly stale so it soaks up the custard without getting soggy.
Can I make French Toast Muffins dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the milk and cream for your favorite non-dairy options like almond, soy, or oat milk, and use a plant-based butter. The results will still be wonderfully tender and flavorful.
How do I add more flavor variations?
Easily make them your own by adding extras like diced apples, raisins, or a handful of chocolate chips to the bread mixture before baking. A sprinkle of orange zest can also brighten up the flavors delightfully.
What if I don’t have a muffin tin?
If you don’t own a muffin tin, you can bake the mixture in a lightly greased 8 x 8-inch pan and cut squares instead. The texture and flavor will be just as incredible—perfect for serving a crowd!
Are French Toast Muffins good for meal prep?
They’re fantastic for make-ahead breakfasts. Prepare and bake a batch on Sunday, and you’ll have a grab-and-go treat ready for busy mornings all week. They’re freezer friendly, too, so double your batch if you like!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried French Toast Muffins before, I hope you’ll see just how easy and irresistible they are. There’s something so joyful about the blend of cozy flavors and the simple, foolproof method. Make a batch soon and share them with your favorite people—these muffins are sure to become a beloved addition to your breakfast rotation!
Print
French Toast Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These French Toast Muffins are a delightful twist on classic French toast, baked in individual portions for a convenient and delicious breakfast treat. With a hint of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a sweet crumbly topping, these muffins are perfect for mornings on the go or leisurely brunches.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 6 cups cubed day-old bread (such as brioche or French bread)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Optional Topping:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons cold butter
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Prepare the custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the cubed bread and gently stir to coat. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the custard.
- Make the topping: While the bread is soaking, prepare the topping by mixing brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter with a fork until crumbly. Stir in the nuts if using.
- Assemble the muffins: Divide the soaked bread mixture evenly among the muffin cups, pressing lightly to compact. Sprinkle the topping over each muffin.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden and set in the center. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing.
- Serve: Serve warm with extra maple syrup if desired.
Notes
- These muffins are perfect for make-ahead breakfasts and freeze well.
- Use stale bread for best results, and feel free to mix in diced apples, raisins, or chocolate chips for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
