If you love the cozy, comforting flavors of classic French toast but want a fun, portable twist, the French Toast Muffins Recipe is going to become your new breakfast best friend. Each muffin is a little bundle of custardy, cinnamon-spiced goodness wrapped in tender, golden-baked bread that’s simply irresistible. Whether for a lazy weekend morning or a busy weekday treat, these muffins capture all the warmth and sweetness of French toast in a perfectly portioned, handheld delight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create a rich, flavorful breakfast treat. Each component plays a key role: eggs and cream make the custard silky and luscious, spices add warmth, and the bread delivers a tender, satisfying base.
- Day-old bread (6 slices): Brioche or challah work beautifully here for their soft texture and slight sweetness that soak up the custard perfectly.
- Large eggs (4): These provide the structure and richness necessary for that creamy custard center.
- Whole milk (1 cup): Adds creaminess and moisture, helping achieve the perfect texture inside the muffins.
- Heavy cream (1/4 cup): Boosts the richness and gives the muffins a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup): Brings deep caramel notes that balance the sweetness and enhance the golden crust.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Helps create that classic sweet French toast flavor and lovely caramelization.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Adds warm, fragrant spice that’s central to the French toast experience.
- Ground nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon): Gives a subtle nutty warmth that lifts the other flavors without overpowering.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses a wonderful aroma and depth of flavor that makes these muffins truly special.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
- Unsalted butter, melted (2 tablespoons): Poured on top before baking to create a golden, slightly crisp finish.
- Powdered sugar and maple syrup (optional for serving): Perfect for adding a touch of extra sweetness and that classic French toast look.
How to Make French Toast Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix the Custard
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly greasing a 12-cup muffin tin or lining it with paper liners for easy removal. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, both sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt until everything is smooth and well blended. This custard is where all the delicious flavors start coming together, so take a moment to enjoy the inviting aroma!
Step 2: Soak the Bread Cubes
Gently fold in the cubed day-old bread, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the custard. The magic happens when you let this mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the bread to soak up all that rich custard, creating a tender, moist interior once baked.
Step 3: Fill Muffin Tin and Add Butter
Divide the soaked bread and custard mixture evenly among the muffin cups, pressing down lightly so each one holds its shape but is not overly compact. Drizzle the melted butter over the tops of each muffin, which adds a delightful crispness and rich flavor to the tops after baking.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the muffins for 25 to 30 minutes until the tops are beautifully golden brown and the centers are set but still tender. Once out of the oven, let them cool for 5 minutes in the pan before removing to avoid any breakage. These baked treats smell heavenly as they come out!
How to Serve French Toast Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
Dust these muffins lightly with powdered sugar for that classic bakery look, or drizzle with warm maple syrup to add a touch of indulgent sweetness. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream also make lovely, vibrant garnishes that complement the cinnamon-spiced muffins perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair your French Toast Muffins with fresh fruit salad, crispy bacon, or a creamy yogurt parfait to round out a delicious breakfast or brunch spread. A hot cup of coffee or spiced chai latte alongside really elevates the experience and balances the sweet flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve these muffins stacked with layers of sliced bananas and drizzled caramel sauce as a mini breakfast “cake.” Or arrange them alongside a variety of jams and nut butters, letting everyone customize their muffins to their taste. This versatility makes the French Toast Muffins Recipe a hit for family gatherings or brunch parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover French Toast Muffins can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps them fresh and moist, ready for a quick breakfast or snack without losing their comforting flavor and texture.
Freezing
These muffins freeze beautifully! Wrap each muffin individually or store them all in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. This make-ahead option means you can enjoy the French Toast Muffins Recipe anytime without extra prep.
Reheating
To reheat, simply pop the muffins in a toaster oven or regular oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 10 minutes, or microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until warm. This restores their soft, custardy interior with a warm, inviting aroma that’s just like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use fresh bread instead of day-old bread?
Day-old bread is preferred because it’s drier and absorbs the custard mixture better without becoming too soggy. If you only have fresh bread, you can toast it lightly to help it hold up during soaking.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the whole milk and heavy cream with your preferred dairy-free alternatives like almond milk and coconut cream. Keep the other ingredients the same for delicious dairy-free French Toast Muffins.
What other breads work well for this recipe?
Brioche and challah are ideal, but you can also try slightly dense breads like sourdough or whole wheat for a heartier version. Just make sure the bread isn’t too soft or fresh to avoid a mushy texture.
Can I add mix-ins like nuts or fruit?
Yes! Adding chopped pecans, raisins, or chocolate chips to the soaked bread mix before baking adds fun textures and bursts of flavor, making your French Toast Muffins Recipe even more exciting and personalized.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely. These muffins store well in the fridge and freezer, making them a fantastic option for meal prep. Warm them up in the morning for a quick, comforting breakfast that feels homemade.
Final Thoughts
This French Toast Muffins Recipe is one of those delightful breakfast discoveries that feels both indulgent and effortless. It’s perfect for sharing, prepping ahead, or simply brightening up your morning with a little touch of homemade magic. If you’re ready to add a new favorite to your brunch lineup, these muffins should be at the top of your list!
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
Delicious and easy-to-make French Toast Muffins combine the comforting flavors of classic French toast with the convenience of a muffin. Made with day-old bread soaked in a cinnamon-spiced custard and baked to golden perfection, these muffins are perfect for a quick breakfast or brunch, and can be served with powdered sugar or maple syrup for added sweetness.
Ingredients
French Toast Muffins Ingredients
- 6 slices of day-old bread (such as brioche or challah), cubed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Powdered sugar, for serving (optional)
- Maple syrup, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners to prevent sticking.
- Mix Custard Blend: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Soak Bread Cubes: Gently fold the cubed day-old bread into the custard mixture, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the custard fully.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Evenly divide the soaked bread mixture among the prepared muffin cups, pressing down slightly in each cup to help the muffins hold together during baking.
- Add Melted Butter: Drizzle the melted unsalted butter over the tops of each muffin to add richness and promote golden browning.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the centers are set and no longer jiggly.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them. Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor and texture, consider mixing in a handful of chopped pecans, raisins, or chocolate chips into the bread mixture before baking.
- These French Toast Muffins can be made ahead of time and reheated for a quick and convenient breakfast on busy mornings.
