French Toast Muffins Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with breakfast all over again—French Toast Muffins are everything you adore about classic French toast, but with a fun, muffin-shaped twist! Imagine cubes of golden, custardy bread nestled in perfectly crisp edges, just waiting to be dusted with powdered sugar and drenched in maple syrup. Whether you’re hosting a cozy brunch or prepping breakfast for the week ahead, these muffins are guaranteed to impress and delight your friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These French Toast Muffins come together with just a handful of pantry staples, but each ingredient brings something unique to the table. Trust me, it’s the simple combination that creates truly magical flavor and texture!
- Day-old bread (6 cups, cubed brioche or French bread): Stale bread soaks up the custard without getting soggy, giving your muffins that irresistible blend of soft centers and crispy edges.
- Large eggs (4): Eggs are the foundation of the rich custard, holding everything together and adding that classic French toast flavor.
- Whole milk (1 1/4 cups): Milk keeps the custard creamy and tenderizes the bread for a soft, pillowy bite.
- Heavy cream (1/4 cup): A splash of cream adds extra lushness, making these muffins truly decadent.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): A touch of white sugar enhances the sweetness without overpowering the muffins.
- Light brown sugar (1/4 cup): Brown sugar infuses a mild caramel flavor that pairs beautifully with cinnamon and vanilla.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Just a teaspoon transforms the aroma and taste into pure breakfast bliss.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Cinnamon brings warm, cozy spice to every bite—classic and essential!
- Ground nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon): A pinch of nutmeg gives that subtle depth and warmth, without overpowering.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): A small amount of salt balances all the sweetness and heightens the flavors.
- Butter or nonstick spray (for greasing): Ensures your French Toast Muffins pop out easily with perfect golden edges.
- Powdered sugar and maple syrup (for serving, optional): The finishing touch for a classic, irresistible presentation.
How to Make French Toast Muffins
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin generously with butter or nonstick spray—this step makes sure those golden, crispy edges don’t stick, and helps each muffin release like a dream.
Step 2: Make the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Take a moment to enjoy the aromatic burst of vanilla and spice—this is the flavor backbone of your French Toast Muffins!
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Add your cubed bread to the custard mixture and gently stir, making sure every piece gets coated. Let the bread soak for 10 minutes—this gives it time to properly absorb the rich custard, leading to the dreamiest muffin texture imaginable.
Step 4: Fill the Muffin Tin
Using a spoon or small measuring cup, divide the soaked bread mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups. Press the cubes down gently so the muffins are compact, which helps them hold together after baking (and creates a gorgeous, bakery-style look!).
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slip the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully puffed and golden brown, and the centers feel set when gently pressed. Your kitchen will smell like pure breakfast heaven.
Step 6: Cool, Release, and Serve
Let the French Toast Muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, carefully loosen the edges with a butter knife and transfer each muffin to a wire rack, or straight to your serving plate if you can’t wait a minute longer! Serve them warm with a shower of powdered sugar and a generous drizzle of maple syrup if you like—pure joy.
How to Serve French Toast Muffins
Garnishes
For a truly irresistible brunch treat, dust your French Toast Muffins with powdered sugar and finish with a warm drizzle of maple syrup. Fresh berries, a scatter of toasted nuts, or a dollop of whipped cream can take these muffins into showstopper territory. Play with your favorite toppings to make each batch feel extra special!
Side Dishes
Round out your breakfast spread with sides like crispy bacon, juicy breakfast sausages, or tangy Greek yogurt and fruit. These muffins also shine alongside a simple fruit salad or even a bright green salad if you’re serving them for brunch or lunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a few French Toast Muffins on a pretty platter, nestled with fresh berries, and offer syrup in a pourable pitcher for guests. For brunch parties, pop a muffin into a paper liner and tuck it into a to-go box as a sweet edible favor. Or, arrange them in a bread basket at the center of your table—watch them disappear!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’ve made a big batch or have a few French Toast Muffins left, simply let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes grabbing a delicious breakfast on a busy morning almost effortless!
Freezing
French Toast Muffins are very freezer-friendly. Once they’ve cooled, pop them in a zip-top freezer bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They’ll keep beautifully up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge when you need them.
Reheating
To reheat, simply microwave a muffin for 15 to 30 seconds until warm, or place several on a baking sheet and warm in a 300°F oven for about 8 minutes. They’ll taste freshly baked and perfect for breakfast any day of the week.
FAQs
Can I use any type Breakfast
Absolutely! Brioche or sturdy French bread gives the best texture, but challah or even slightly stale sandwich bread will work. The key is using day-old bread to ensure it soaks up the custard without getting mushy.
Can I add mix-ins like fruit or chocolate chips?
Definitely. Feel free to stir in a handful of blueberries, chopped apples, or even chocolate chips when you mix in the bread. This is a great way to add variety and customize your muffins to suit any crowd or craving.
How do I prevent French Toast Muffins from sticking to the pan?
A generous greasing with butter or nonstick spray is your best insurance. If your pan tends to stick, using paper muffin liners can help—even though the muffins look extra charming without them.
Are these muffins good for meal prep?
French Toast Muffins are a meal prep superstar! You can make a batch in advance and enjoy a warm, homemade breakfast all week long. Just store them in the fridge or freezer, then reheat as needed.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes, you can easily swap in your favorite plant-based milk and non-dairy cream (or just more milk). Use coconut or almond milk for a subtly different flavor and be sure to grease the pan with coconut oil or a dairy-free spray.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about sharing a cozy batch of French Toast Muffins, whether it’s with your family around the breakfast table or at brunch with friends. Seriously, give these a try—your mornings are about to get a whole lot happier (and tastier)!
Print
French Toast Muffins Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These French Toast Muffins are a delightful twist on classic French toast, baked into individual servings for a convenient and delicious breakfast or brunch option. Easy to make ahead and perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
Bread Mixture:
- 6 cups cubed day-old bread (such as brioche or French bread)
Egg Mixture:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional:
- butter or nonstick spray for greasing muffin tin
- powdered sugar and maple syrup for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Mix Ingredients: Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, spices, and salt. Add bread cubes, coat evenly, and let sit.
- Assemble: Divide soaked bread among muffin cups, press down, and bake until set.
- Serve: Cool slightly, then serve warm with sugar and syrup.
Notes
- Great for brunch or meal prep—these muffins reheat well in the microwave or oven.
- You can also stir in blueberries, chopped apples, or chocolate chips before baking for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
