Indulge in fluffy French Toast Muffins with a crispy cinnamon-sugar crust! Made with pantry staples like flour, butter, milk, and vanilla, these kid-approved treats blend breakfast comfort with muffin convenience. Perfect for busy mornings or lazy weekends.

Let’s be honest: French toast is the ultimate breakfast MVP, but who has time to stand over a skillet on a chaotic morning? Enter French Toast Muffins—a genius mashup of cozy French toast flavors and grab-and-go muffin practicality. These golden, cinnamon-kissed bites have stolen hearts (and stomachs) for their simplicity, versatility, and that irresistible sugar-crusted topping. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd, sneaking a treat into lunchboxes, or just craving something sweet without the fuss, this recipe is your new best friend. Stick around to discover how a humble muffin tin can revolutionize your breakfast game—and why kids insist on “helping” with the best part (spoiler: it involves butter and sugar).
What Makes These French Toast Muffins Special?
These aren’t your average muffins. They’re a breakfast hybrid that marries nostalgia with convenience, and here’s why they deserve a permanent spot in your recipe rotation:
- Breakfast Speedrun Mode: With just 5 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of baking, you’ll go from “I need coffee” to “I’m a breakfast hero” faster than you can say “syrup overdose.”
- Kid-Friendly Chaos: Let’s face it—kids love anything involving dipping and sprinkling. The cinnamon-sugar topping isn’t just delicious; it’s a built-in activity to keep tiny hands busy (and out of your coffee).
- French Toast, Minus the Fuss: All the warm, custardy vibes of classic French toast, but without the soggy bread or pan-flipping drama. The muffin base stays fluffy, while the topping delivers that craveable crunch.
- Adaptable AF: Sweeten your morning, serve them as brunch showstoppers, or freeze ’em for emergency snacks. They’re like the Swiss Army knife of baked goods.
Ingredient Notes
Don’t let the simple ingredient list fool you—each component plays a starring role in creating that French toast magic. Here’s the scoop:
- All-Purpose Flour: The trusty backbone. For lighter muffins, fluff the flour with a fork before measuring.
- Sugar x2: Granulated sugar sweetens the batter, while the cinnamon-sugar topping is the crispy, caramelized crown. Don’t skimp—this is where the ~~magic~~ happens.
- Baking Powder: The lift master. Ensure it’s fresh for maximum puffiness.
- Nutmeg: The undercover MVP. It adds warmth without stealing the spotlight. Freshly grated? Even better.
- Milk + Butter: The dynamic duo for richness. Whole milk or alt-milk both work, but butter is non-negotiable (it’s French toast, people—commit to the indulgence).
- Vanilla Extract: The flavor booster. Splash in the good stuff—it’s worth it.
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How To Make French Toast Muffins
No culinary degree required! Follow these foolproof steps for muffin perfection:
- Step 1: Fire up your oven to 375°F and line a muffin tin. Pro tip: Even if your tin is non-stick, use liners. That cinnamon-sugar topping will try to stage a sticky rebellion.
- Step 2: Whisk dry ingredients in one bowl. In another, beat the egg like it owes you money, then whisk in milk, butter, and vanilla. Combine the two with a gentle stir—overmixing is the enemy of fluff.
- Step 3: Divide the batter (a cookie scoop works wonders) and bake until golden. Resist the urge to peek! Ovens are divas; sudden temperature drops lead to muffin tantrums.
- Step 4: Melt butter for the topping while they cool. Dip each muffin top in butter, then roll in cinnamon-sugar. This step is mandatory, non-negotiable, and highly Instagrammable.
Storage and Reheating Options
Let’s be real: These muffins rarely last longer than a day. But if you’ve got leftovers (heroic self-control!), store them in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days. For longer survival, freeze them solo-wrapped—they’ll stay fresh for 2 months. To reheat, zap ’em in the microwave for 10 seconds or toast in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes. Pro tip: A quick butter-and-sugar refresh post-reheat revives that “fresh from the oven” vibe.
Variations and Substitutions
Play with your food! Customize these muffins to suit your mood, diet, or pantry inventory:
- Gluten-Free Guru: Swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend. Just ensure it includes xanthan gum.
- Dairy Dilemmas: Use plant-based milk and vegan butter. Coconut oil works too, but expect a subtle tropical twist.
- Egg-Free Experiment: Replace the egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg. Texture will be denser but still delish.
- Flavor Frenzy: Add blueberries, diced apples, or chocolate chips to the batter. Or go wild with a cream cheese swirl.
- Spice Squad: Swap nutmeg for pumpkin spice or cardamom. Feeling extra? Add orange zest to the batter.
- Sugar Crash Diet: Reduce batter sugar to ⅓ cup and use coconut sugar for the topping.
Look, life’s too short for boring breakfasts. These French Toast Muffins are the ultimate loophole: all the cozy, buttery joy of weekend French toast, minus the weekday effort. They’re forgiving for novice bakers, irresistible to picky eaters, and versatile enough to moonlight as dessert (à la mode, anyone?). Plus, anything that lets you eat cinnamon sugar for breakfast and call it parenting wins? That’s a recipe for victory. Whip up a batch, embrace the mess, and prepare for requests of “just one more…” (spoiler: there won’t be leftovers).
French Toast Muffins
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
- 2 cups 250g all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup 135g granulated sugar
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons 270ml whole milk
- 6 tablespoons 85g unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Topping:
- ½ cup 100g granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons 28g unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg until fully combined.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg until lightly beaten. Add the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, and whisk until smooth.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring with a spatula until just incorporated. Do not overmix; small lumps are acceptable.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ⅔ full.
- Bake: Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer the tin to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Prepare Topping: While the muffins cool, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Place the melted butter in a separate bowl.
- Apply Topping: Brush the top of each warm muffin with melted butter, then dip or roll the buttered surface in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated. Serve immediately.