The Best French Toast Muffins recipes
Transform your breakfast routine with these delightful Baked French Toast Muffins—a portable twist on a classic favorite. Crispy on the outside and tender within, these muffins capture the essence of French toast in every bite.
Perfect for busy mornings or leisurely brunches, they’re easy to make and even easier to love. The warm notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and maple pair beautifully with the rich custard-soaked bread, creating an irresistible flavor combination.
Serve them fresh from the oven with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness. These muffins are a breakfast treat everyone will savor!
Baked French Toast Muffins: Ingredients That Elevate Every Bite
- Bread: The foundation of this dish, providing a soft, absorbent base to soak up the luscious custard mixture.
- Eggs: The binding element that transforms the bread into a tender, custard-like treat.
- Milk and Heavy Cream: Together, they create a rich and velvety custard that defines the muffins’ creamy interior.
- Vanilla and Maple Extracts: These aromatic enhancers add warmth and a touch of sweetness, evoking comforting flavors.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: The spice duo infuses each bite with a cozy, fragrant warmth that’s quintessential to French toast.
Baked French Toast Muffins: Recipe Tips, Serving Suggestions, and FAQ
Recipe Tips
- Use Stale Bread for Best Results
To achieve the perfect texture, use slightly stale or day-old bread. Fresh bread may become too soggy when soaked in the custard mixture. Stale bread absorbs the liquid better, leading to a firmer muffin that holds its shape once baked. If you only have fresh bread, toast it lightly before using it in the recipe. - Customize the Sweetness
If you prefer a less sweet muffin, feel free to reduce the brown sugar in the custard or opt for a lighter sprinkling of cinnamon sugar on top. You can always adjust sweetness levels to suit your taste, ensuring the muffins aren’t overpoweringly sugary, but still indulgent. - Try Different Bread Varieties
While white bread is the traditional choice for French toast, you can experiment with other bread types for added flavor and texture. A hearty whole wheat bread or even a slightly sweet challah can elevate these muffins with unique undertones, offering a fresh twist on the classic.
What to Serve with Baked French Toast Muffins
- Fresh Fruit Salad
Pair these French Toast Muffins with a refreshing fruit salad to balance out the richness. A mix of seasonal fruits like berries, sliced bananas, and citrus adds brightness and a natural sweetness that complements the warm, spiced muffins beautifully. - Bacon or Sausage
For a savory contrast, serve these muffins alongside crispy bacon or breakfast sausage. The salty, smoky flavor of the bacon enhances the sweet and spiced notes of the muffins, creating a delightful balance perfect for breakfast or brunch. - Greek Yogurt with Honey
For a creamy and tangy addition, offer a side of Greek yogurt drizzled with honey. The yogurt’s tartness cuts through the sweetness of the muffins, while the honey adds a touch of extra sweetness if desired, making this a wholesome and satisfying pairing.
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of bread for these muffins?
Yes, you can! Brioche, challah, or whole wheat bread are great alternatives that bring their own unique flavors and textures to the muffins. Just keep in mind that denser breads may require a bit more soaking time. - How can I make these muffins ahead of time?
You can prepare the muffins the night before by assembling them in the muffin tin and storing the unbaked mixture in the fridge. In the morning, simply bake them as directed for a fresh, warm breakfast with minimal effort. - Can I freeze these muffins?
Yes, these muffins freeze well. Allow them to cool completely before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or storing them in an airtight container. To reheat, warm them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes or microwave them for 20-30 seconds. - What can I substitute for heavy cream?
If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a non-dairy alternative like coconut cream or almond milk. The texture will slightly change, but the flavor will still be delicious!
Baked French Toast Muffins
This Baked French Toast Muffins recipe offers a delicious twist on the classic breakfast favorite, transforming it into a convenient, handheld version. With a crisp exterior and a soft, pillowy interior, these muffins provide all the flavors of French toast in every bite.
Ingredients
- Bread 12 slices
- Eggs 4 large
- Milk 1 cup
- Heavy cream ½ cup
- Brown sugar 2 tablespoons, light or dark
- Vanilla extract 1 teaspoon
- Maple extract 1 teaspoon
- Cinnamon 1-½ teaspoons, divided
- Grated nutmeg ¼ teaspoon
- Granulated sugar 2 tablespoons
- Powdered sugar optional, for serving
- Maple syrup optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick spray.
- Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, maple extract, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Add the bread cubes to the bowl and gently stir until the bread is completely coated with the custard mixture and has absorbed the liquid.
- Spoon the soaked bread evenly into the prepared muffin tin cups.
- In a separate small bowl, mix the remaining cinnamon with the granulated sugar.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top of each muffin.
- Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the tops of the muffins are golden brown and the muffins have firmed up slightly.
- Allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the tin. If desired, dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup for added sweetness.
Notes
Storage
Store any leftover muffins in the refrigerator, wrapped in plastic wrap or kept in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. Reheat the muffins by microwaving them for a few seconds or warming them in the oven at 350°F until thoroughly heated.
Store any leftover muffins in the refrigerator, wrapped in plastic wrap or kept in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. Reheat the muffins by microwaving them for a few seconds or warming them in the oven at 350°F until thoroughly heated.
