French Toast Muffins

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French toast muffins bring together the beloved flavors of classic French toast and the ease of a hand-held muffin. Soft within, golden on top, warm with cinnamon and vanilla, they’re perfect for busy mornings or leisurely brunches. Unlike slices of French toast that lose their charm after cooling, these muffins stay tender and flavorful even after a couple of days. If you’re tired of messy stovetop breakfasts or you want a make-ahead treat, this recipe is for you.

Why Choose French Toast Muffins?

• All the Best French Toast Flavors: Melt-in-your-mouth bread, rich custard, subtle spice, and a gentle sweetness all in one bite.
• Ease and Convenience: You can make a big batch, and they’re easy to share or store for later.
• No Standing Over the Stove: Oven-baking means less mess and more time to enjoy your morning.
• Endless Variations: Add-ins like chocolate chips, fruit, or nuts give you dozens of flavor options.
• Perfect Texture: The bread cubes soak up the custard, but the muffins hold together, creating a soft yet structured bite.

Essential Ingredients

Every ingredient plays a role in building flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

Consider mix-ins like blueberries, chopped pecans, or dark chocolate chunks. For a dairy-free version, swap milk and cream with oat milk and coconut cream.

French Toast Muffins: Step-by-Step Recipe

• Prep Your Materials
  Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin or line it with muffin papers. Cut your bread into 1-inch cubes.
• Prepare the Custard
  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 4 eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
• Soak the Bread
  Gently fold around 6 cups of bread cubes into the custard. Stir just enough to coat every piece, then let the mixture sit for 10–15 minutes. This ensures the cubes soak up the custard without becoming mushy.
• Craft the Streusel Topping
  In a separate small bowl, combine 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter using your fingers or a pastry blender until the topping forms coarse crumbs. Chill in the fridge while bread soaks.
• Assemble the Muffins
  Evenly divide the soaked bread mixture among the prepared muffin cups, pressing down gently to fill each one. Sprinkle the chilled streusel topping generously across the tops.
• Bake
  Bake 25–30 minutes, or until the muffin tops are golden and the centers are set. If you poke a muffin, it should spring back lightly.
• Cool and Serve
  Let muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with maple syrup. Eat warm for the best texture, but they’re also delicious at room temperature.

Secrets to Irresistible French Toast Muffins

• Slightly Stale Bread Works Wonders: Day-old bread is less likely to turn soggy, yielding a firm but tender muffin.
• Don’t Skip the Resting Step: Let the bread soak for at least 10 minutes. This helps the custard penetrate every piece evenly.
• Uniform Bread Cubes: If the pieces are too small or uneven, the muffins may fall apart. Aim for 1-inch cubes for best structure.
• Adjust Spices: Taste the custard before adding bread. If you favor extra cinnamon or fresh orange zest, add them now.
• Add Variety: Fold in blueberries, raspberries, chocolate chips, or diced apple for seasonal flair.
• Serve with Style: Top finished muffins with whipped cream, extra butter, or homemade berry compote for special occasions.

Common Issues and Quick Fixes

• Muffins are soggy: Too much custard or bread not stale enough. Let them rest briefly after baking, or toast bread cubes in the oven before soaking.
• Muffins fall apart: Bread pieces were too small, or mixture was over-mixed. Handle gently and use sturdy bread.
• Lacking flavor: Increase the vanilla or spices next time, or try bourbon vanilla for depth.

Make-Ahead and Storage Advice

French toast muffins are ideal for meal prep. With proper handling, you can enjoy fresh, bakery-style muffins all week.

How to Make Ahead

• The night before, mix custard and soak bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight in a bowl.
• In the morning, portion into muffin cups, add the streusel, and bake fresh.

Storing Leftovers

• Room Temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 24 hours.
• Refrigerator: Store in a sealed bag or container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Wrap individual muffins in plastic, then seal in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for 2–3 months.

Reheating and Refreshing

• Microwave: Warm unwrapped on medium for 15–30 seconds.
• Oven or Air Fryer: 350°F for 5–7 minutes (oven) or 3 minutes (air fryer) revives the crisp topping.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

• Top with seasonal fruit like berries or sliced bananas.
• Swap in pumpkin pie spice for autumn flavor.
• For a savory twist, add chopped bacon or shredded cheddar to the streusel.
• Use almond extract and slivered almonds for a nutty spin.

French toast muffins pair beautifully with fresh fruit salads, yogurt, and a hot cup of coffee or tea.

French toast muffins are more than just a clever breakfast fusion. They’re easy to make, fun to vary, and a joy to eat any time of day. Whether for brunch, a school snack, or a midnight treat, they deliver on both comfort and convenience. With a few pantry staples and a little creativity, your kitchen can smell like a bakery in less than an hour. Next time you find yourself with extra bread, you’ll know exactly what to do.

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French Toast Muffins

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4.8 from 1 votes

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Course: Breakfast / Cuisine: American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cooking Time 25 minutes

Servings 12 servings

Calories 359 cal

These easy French toast muffins capture the classic flavor of French toast. They come in a convenient, portable form. Enjoy them for breakfast on the go or as a sweet treat anytime!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 6 cups cubed bread
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 6 large eggs
• pinch salt
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• pinch salt
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously grease a 12-cup muffin pan. Use butter or nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Add the cubed bread. Gently stir to coat all the bread in the egg mixture. Let soak for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, make the streusel topping. In a small bowl, combine the cubed butter, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix it with your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs. Place it in the fridge until ready to use.
4. Evenly divide the soaked bread mixture between the prepared muffin cups. Fill each one to the top. Sprinkle the streusel topping over each muffin.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Bake until puffed and golden brown on top. Or, bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing.
6. Serve the French toast muffins warm. Dust with powdered sugar. Drizzle with maple syrup, if desired. Enjoy!