Forget the skillet and spatula! These incredible French Toast Muffins pack all the warm, custardy flavor of classic French toast into a convenient, single-serving cup. They are the perfect solution for a crowd-pleasing brunch, a quick weekday breakfast, or a sweet afternoon treat. This recipe is wonderfully simple, using pantry staples to create a breakfast that feels truly special without any of the fuss.
Imagine golden-brown, cinnamon-kissed bread baked in a rich vanilla and egg custard, all topped with a delightful cinnamon-sugar crust. It’s a grab-and-go breakfast that will have everyone asking for the recipe. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the kitchen, you’ll master these baked French toast bites in no time.
Why These French Toast Muffins Are a Breakfast Game-Changer
If you’re looking for an effortless yet impressive breakfast, this is it. Unlike traditional French toast that requires you to stand over a hot stove, these muffins are baked in the oven, freeing you up to sip your coffee and enjoy the morning. They’re portion-controlled, easy to serve, and perfect for making ahead.
- Effortless to Make: Simply mix, soak, and bake. No flipping required!
- Perfect for a Crowd: Easily double or triple the recipe to feed a family or party guests.
- Customizable: Get creative with mix-ins and toppings to make them your own.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: A fantastic option for busy mornings or stress-free holiday breakfasts. We love them just as much as our Crockpot Breakfast Casserole for easy prep.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect French Toast Muffins
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You likely have most, if not all, of these ingredients in your kitchen right now. Using quality bread is key to achieving that perfect texture.
For the Muffins:
- Bread: A sturdy, slightly dry bread like brioche, challah, or even a thick-cut Texas toast works best.
- Eggs: The foundation of our custard base.
- Milk & Heavy Cream: A combination of milk and cream creates an incredibly rich and tender custard.
- Granulated Sugar: For a touch of sweetness in the custard.
- Vanilla Extract: A must-have for that classic French toast flavor.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These warm spices are essential for the cozy, comforting taste.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
For the Topping:
- Brown Sugar: Adds a lovely caramelized flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a slightly crumbly, streusel-like texture.
- Cinnamon: For an extra pop of spice on top.
- Cold Butter: Cut into the mixture to create that perfect crumbly topping.
How to Make French Toast Muffins: A Step-by-Step Guide
This process is incredibly straightforward. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have these delicious baked French toast bites ready for the oven. For a savory alternative that’s just as easy, give our Cheesy Breakfast Rolls a try next time!
- Prepare Your Pan and Bread: First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a 12-cup muffin tin with butter or nonstick spray. Cut your bread into 1-inch cubes and set them aside.
- Make the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- Soak the Bread: Gently fold the bread cubes into the custard mixture. Press down lightly to ensure all the bread is coated. Let it soak for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the bread to absorb the liquid.
- Prepare the Topping: While the bread is soaking, prepare the streusel topping. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble the Muffins: Spoon the soaked bread mixture evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling them to the top. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over each muffin.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the centers are set. You can test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the French Toast Muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes before running a knife around the edges and transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Pro Tips for the Best-Ever Baked French Toast Bites
Want to guarantee your French Toast Muffins come out perfectly every single time? Follow these simple but effective tips.
The Secret to Never-Soggy Muffins
The number one rule is to use stale, dry bread. Fresh, soft bread will absorb the custard too quickly and can become mushy. If your bread is fresh, simply cube it and let it sit out on the counter for a few hours, or toast it lightly in the oven at a low temperature for about 10 minutes to dry it out.
Choosing the Right Bread
A rich, dense bread holds up best against the custard. Brioche and challah are top-tier choices because their high egg and butter content adds extra richness. However, a thick-cut white bread or even a day-old French baguette will also work beautifully. The key is structure!
Delicious French Toast Muffin Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is a winner, these French toast cups are a perfect canvas for your culinary creativity. If you love single-serving desserts, you should also check out our incredible Turtle Poke Cake.
- Fruit-Filled: Gently fold in a half-cup of blueberries, chopped strawberries, or raspberries into the bread mixture before baking.
- Chocolate Chip: For a decadent twist, add a handful of mini chocolate chips to the bread cubes.
- Nutella Stuffed: Place half of the bread mixture in the muffin cup, add a small dollop of Nutella, and then top with the remaining bread mixture before adding the streusel.
- Pecan Crunch: Add a quarter-cup of chopped pecans to the streusel topping for a delightful nutty crunch.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
One of the best things about these French Toast Muffins is how well they store. They are a breakfast meal-prepper’s dream come true!
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They are delicious cold, but you can also reheat them easily.
How to Freeze and Reheat
These muffins freeze wonderfully. Once they have cooled completely, place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply microwave for 30-60 seconds, or warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions About French Toast Muffins
Yes, they freeze beautifully. Allow the muffins to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the microwave or oven.
Absolutely! You can assemble them in the muffin tin, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just add the streusel topping and bake as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave for 30-60 seconds or place them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes until warmed through.
The key is to use day-old or slightly stale bread. If your bread is fresh, you can cut it into cubes and let it air dry for a few hours or toast it lightly in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes to dry it out before soaking.
The best breads are sturdy and slightly dry, as they absorb the custard without becoming mushy. Rich breads like brioche or challah are excellent choices. A thick-cut Texas toast or day-old French bread also works very well.
The Perfect French Toast Muffin Recipe
French Toast Muffins (The Easiest Brunch Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a 12-cup muffin tin with butter or nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, 1 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- Gently fold the cubed bread into the custard mixture. Press down to ensure all bread is coated. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Spoon the soaked bread mixture evenly into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the streusel topping over each muffin.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the centers are set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm, drizzled with maple syrup if desired.
Notes
Tip 2: Don't oversoak the bread. 10-15 minutes is the perfect amount of time for it to absorb the custard without falling apart.
Tip 3: For easy removal, make sure to grease the muffin tin very well.
Share Your Creations!
We are so excited for you to try this amazing French Toast Muffins recipe! It’s sure to become a new family favorite. If you make them, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We love hearing from you! For more delicious recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
