French Toast Muffins

These French Toast Muffins transform the classic breakfast favorite into convenient, portable muffins that capture all the delicious flavors of traditional French toast in a handheld format. Warm, cinnamon-scented, and perfect for busy mornings or special brunches.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and simple preparation with minimal hands-on time
• Perfect for meal prep – make once and enjoy all week
• Kid-friendly and great for on-the-go breakfasts
• Customizable with various mix-ins and toppings
• Less mess than traditional stovetop French toast
• Ideal for serving a crowd at brunches
• Uses basic pantry ingredients you likely already have
• Combines the comfort of French toast with the convenience of a muffin

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Bread forms the foundation of these muffins. Day-old or slightly stale bread works best as it soaks up the custard mixture without becoming too soggy. You can use white bread, French bread, challah, or brioche for richer results.

Eggs create the custard base that transforms plain bread into French toast. They provide structure, protein, and that classic French toast flavor and texture when baked.

Milk adds moisture and creates the custard when combined with the eggs. Whole milk offers the best richness, but any milk variety works, including non-dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk.

Sugar sweetens the muffins perfectly. It caramelizes slightly during baking to create a wonderful depth of flavor and helps achieve that golden exterior.

Vanilla extract brings warmth and that characteristic French toast aroma. It enhances all the other flavors in the recipe without overwhelming them.

Ground cinnamon adds that classic French toast spice. Its warm, comforting flavor pairs perfectly with the vanilla and sweet custard base.

Salt is crucial even in sweet recipes. Just a small amount balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.

Butter adds richness and helps create a beautiful golden top on each muffin. It also prevents sticking and adds that buttery flavor you expect from French toast.

Powdered sugar provides the perfect finishing touch. A light dusting not only looks beautiful but adds a touch of sweetness to each bite.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin thoroughly to ensure easy removal later.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined and slightly frothy.
3. Add the cubed bread to the bowl and gently stir to coat all pieces evenly in the egg mixture. Let the bread sit for 5 minutes to properly absorb the custard.
4. Spoon the soaked bread mixture into the prepared muffin tin, dividing it evenly among 6 cups. Don’t compress the bread too much, as you want some texture.
5. Drizzle the melted butter over the top of each muffin, which will help create a golden crust.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown on top and firm to the touch. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.
7. Let cool for a few minutes in the tin before gently removing. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving warm.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 6 French Toast Muffins.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Calories: Approximately 250 kcal per muffin

Variations

Berry Blast: Fold in 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen berries like blueberries, raspberries, or diced strawberries before baking.

Apple Cinnamon: Add 1/2 cup of diced apple and increase the cinnamon to 1 teaspoon for an autumn-inspired variation.

Chocolate Chip: Sprinkle 1/4 cup of chocolate chips into the bread mixture for a decadent treat.

Banana Bread: Add 1/2 cup of mashed ripe banana to the egg mixture and a handful of chopped walnuts for a banana bread flavor.

Pumpkin Spice: Replace 1/4 cup of the milk with pumpkin puree and add 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice for a fall favorite.

Savory Version: Omit the sugar and vanilla, add cheese, herbs, and cooked breakfast sausage  for a savory breakfast option.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store cooled French toast muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing: These muffins freeze exceptionally well. Place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating from refrigerated: Microwave for 20-30 seconds or reheat in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes until warmed through.

Reheating from frozen: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as above, or reheat directly from frozen in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes.

Serving after reheating: For the best texture, reheat the muffins before dusting with fresh powdered sugar. Add a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of yogurt if desired.

FAQs

What type of bread works best for French Toast Muffins?

Slightly stale bread works best as it absorbs the custard mixture without falling apart. Brioche, challah, French bread, or even regular white bread all work well. The denser the bread, the more structure your muffins will have.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the bread and egg mixture the night before and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just spoon into muffin tins and bake. You can also bake the muffins completely, then reheat as needed.

Why are my French Toast Muffins soggy in the middle?

This usually happens if the bread is too fresh, the soaking time was too long, or they’re underbaked. Make sure to use day-old bread, don’t soak for more than 5 minutes, and bake until the tops are golden brown and springy to the touch.

Can I use non-dairy milk in this recipe?

Absolutely! Almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or any other non-dairy alternative works well in this recipe. The flavor might change slightly depending on which milk you choose.

How can I make these healthier?

Try using whole grain bread for added fiber, reduce the sugar to 2-3 tablespoons, use a lower-fat milk, and add fresh fruit rather than sugary toppings. You can also skip the powdered sugar and serve with fresh berries instead.

Can I use egg substitute or just egg whites?

Yes, egg substitutes work well in this recipe. If using just egg whites, use 2 egg whites for each whole egg replaced. The texture might be slightly less rich but still delicious.

What can I use instead of a muffin tin?

If you don’t have a muffin tin, you can use a small casserole dish to make a French toast bake instead. Increase the baking time to about 30-35 minutes and check for doneness in the center.

What are good toppings besides powdered sugar?

Try maple syrup, honey, fresh fruit, whipped cream, yogurt, nut butter, fruit compote, chocolate sauce, or a sprinkle of granola for added crunch and flavor variety.

Why did my French Toast Muffins deflate after baking?

Some deflation is normal as they cool. To minimize this, make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking, don’t open the oven door during the first 15 minutes of baking, and allow them to cool gradually.

Can I add protein to make these more filling?

Yes! Add 2-3 tablespoons of protein powder to the egg mixture, fold in chopped nuts, or serve with a side of Greek yogurt. You could also add a tablespoon of nut butter to the center of each muffin before baking.

Conclusion

French Toast Muffins brilliantly combine the beloved flavors of classic French toast with the convenience of handheld muffins. Perfect for busy weekday mornings, weekend brunches, or make-ahead meal planning, these versatile treats hit all the right notes. Their portable nature makes them ideal for breakfast on the go, while their customizable ingredients allow you to adapt them to any season or preference. Whether you’re feeding a family, hosting guests, or just treating yourself to something special, these French Toast Muffins deliver homemade comfort with minimal effort. Give this recipe a try—it might just become your new breakfast staple!

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