Waking up to the smell of warm cinnamon and sugar is the only way to start a weekend in our house; and these Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins are the bite-sized, puffy treats Max begs for. We love how the soft, custardy centers taste just like French toast, but the crispy, sugared tops make them feel like a donut hole. It is our favorite family habit for busy mornings because they are grab-and-go, mess-free, and taste amazing even when cold.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
- How To Make Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
- What Pairs Well With Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
- Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins Variations
- Equipment
- Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
- Top Tips for Best Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
- Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffin FAQs
- A Sweet Start Everyone Requests
- Related
- Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
Why You Will Love This Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
This dish offers a perfect balance of soft, pudding-like bread and crunchy, sweet coating; providing a satisfying texture that is both visually stunning and incredibly addictive. It is an effortless way to serve French Toast Cups Muffin Tins style, working as a showstopper for a brunch buffet or a simple Freezable Breakfast Recipe for the school week.
How To Make Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
The Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins are a modern, muffin-tin twist on the classic breakfast; featuring cubed bread soaked in a rich vanilla custard and baked until puffed. This specific version uses a generous rolling in cinnamon sugar after baking to mimic a churro or donut coating. Originally inspired by Cinnamon sugar French Toast muffins Pioneer Woman styles, this recipe has been refined in our kitchen to ensure they pop out of the tin easily and stay moist on the inside.
Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins Ingredients
The Muffin Base
- 1 loaf (1 lb) Brioche or French bread (cubed into ½-inch pieces)
- 4 large Eggs
- 1 ½ cups Whole milk
- ½ cup Heavy cream
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
The Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- ½ cup Unsalted butter (melted)
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
Step by Step Method
Prep the bread
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 12-cup muffin tin generously with butter or non-stick spray.
- Cut the bread into small cubes and divide them evenly among the muffin cups, filling them to the top.
Whisk the custard
- Combine the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Whisk until completely smooth.
Soak and bake
- Ladle the custard slowly over the bread cubes in each muffin cup, allowing it to soak in for 5 minutes. Press the bread down gently with a spoon if needed.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the muffins are puffed, golden brown, and set in the center.
Coat and serve
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small shallow bowl.
- Dip the tops of the warm muffins into the melted butter, then roll them generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve warm with a side of maple syrup for dipping.
MAX’S REACTION
"Mom, it’s like eating a donut for breakfast! I love licking the sugar off the top before I eat the squishy part!"
What Pairs Well With Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
I usually serve these sweet muffins with a side of scrambled eggs or sausage links for protein. If you are building a full breakfast spread, they pair beautifully with our savory Flaky Pepperoni Pizza Rolls with Mozzarella (for a sweet/savory brunch mix) or alongside a slice of Valentine's Banana Bread. For a similar bite-sized treat, try our Hawaiian Roll French Toast bites.
Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins Variations
Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins Healthy
Use whole wheat bread, swap the sugar for coconut sugar or maple syrup, and use almond milk to create a lighter, fiber-rich version.
French Toast Muffins Without Bread
This would technically be an "egg muffin" or "clafoutis," but you can use coconut flour or almond flour to create a gluten-free, bread-less batter that mimics the texture.
Best Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins (Stuffed)
Press a small cube of cream cheese or a few chocolate chips into the center of the bread cubes before pouring the custard for a hidden surprise.
Cinnamon Toast Muffins (Crunchy Top)
Instead of rolling in sugar after baking, sprinkle a streusel topping made of flour, butter, and brown sugar on top before they go into the oven.
Equipment
- Standard Muffin Tin (12-cup)
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Mom Tip: Make sure to grease the muffin tin very well, even the top rim! The egg custard tends to stick, and you want these to pop out cleanly so you can roll them in the sugar. If they stick, run a butter knife around the edge while they are still warm.
Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
Storage Tips That Keep It Fresh
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezable Breakfast Recipes: These freeze perfectly! Wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months.
Make Ahead Strategy
- You can assemble the bread and custard in the muffin tin the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake fresh in the morning (add 5 minutes to the bake time).
Reheating Instructions
- Microwave for 20-30 seconds to make them soft and warm again, or pop them in the air fryer for 2 minutes to re-crisp the sugary top.
Top Tips for Best Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
The absolute secret to that donut-like finish is the post-bake dip. Don't skip the butter dip—it helps the cinnamon sugar stick in a thick, crunchy layer. Also, using stale or day-old bread helps the muffins hold their shape better than fresh soft bread, which can get too mushy.
Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffin FAQs
Can I use any type of bread?
Yes, but sturdy breads like French, Italian, or Brioche work best. Sandwich bread can dissolve too much in the custard.
Why did my muffins deflate?
It is normal for them to puff up high in the oven (like a soufflé) and sink slightly as they cool. The taste remains the same!
Can I add fruit?
Absolutely. Blueberries or diced apples mixed in with the bread cubes are a delicious addition.
A Sweet Start Everyone Requests
Serving up a basket of these sugary, golden bites is my favorite way to make a school morning feel special. If you enjoyed this breakfast win, you should try our Hawaiian Roll French Toast for another easy twist. For a fruity baked treat, nothing beats our Valentine's Banana Bread.
Share your Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins! Tag us @HannahCooking with #FrenchToastMuffins; we’re dying to see your version and hear about your homemade kitchen stories!
⭐️ Rate this Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins recipe and let us know what twists or ingredients you used!
Related
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Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
Equipment
- 1 Muffin tin (12-cup)
- 1 Whisk (For custard)
- 1 Shallow bowl (For dipping)
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Brioche bread - Cubed
- 4 large Eggs - Room temp
- 1 ½ cups Whole milk - Liquid
- ½ cup Heavy cream - Liquid
- ½ cup Sugar - Granulated, for custard
- ½ cup Butter - Melted, for dipping
- ½ cup Sugar - For coating
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon - Ground
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract - Pure
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease muffin tin well.
- Divide bread cubes evenly into the muffin cups.
- Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Pour custard over bread and let soak for 5 minutes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Dip warm muffin tops in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar.
- Serve warm with maple syrup.
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