Baked French Toast Muffins are a fun, individual twist on classic French toast casserole. With golden, crispy tops, a soft custardy center, and a sweet cinnamon streusel topping, these muffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy weekend treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect make-ahead breakfast—prepare the night before and bake in the morning
 - Easy portion control with individual muffins
 - Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside
 - Delicious cinnamon streusel topping adds sweetness and crunch
 - Great for brunch spreads, holidays, or meal prep
 - Pairs beautifully with butter, maple syrup, or fresh fruit
 
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of Ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Muffins:
1 loaf French bread, cut or torn into ½-inch cubes (about 12 cups)
2 ½ cups milk
6 large eggs
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cinnamon Streusel Topping:
¼ cup cold butter
¼ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Optional for Serving:
Butter
Maple syrup
Directions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until well combined.
 - Grease a 12-cup muffin tin. Add about 1 cup of bread cubes into each muffin cup.
 - Slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over each cup, pressing down gently so the bread soaks it up. Alternatively, combine bread and custard mixture in a large bowl, then divide into muffin cups.
 - Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
 - Prepare the streusel topping: In a small bowl, mix cold butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt with your fingers until crumbly.
 - Remove muffins from the refrigerator. Sprinkle each evenly with streusel topping.
 - Bake for 25 minutes, until tops are golden brown and crispy.
 - Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan. Serve warm with butter and maple syrup, if desired.
 
Servings and timing
- Servings: 12 muffins
 - Prep time: 20 minutes
 - Chill time: 2 hours (or overnight)
 - Bake time: 25 minutes
 - Total time: About 2 hours 45 minutes (including chilling)
 
Variations
- Berry Delight: Add blueberries, raspberries, or diced strawberries before baking.
 - Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel topping.
 - Chocolate Twist: Add mini chocolate chips to the bread mixture for extra sweetness.
 - Apple Cinnamon: Mix in small diced apples and a pinch of nutmeg.
 - Savory Option: Skip the sugar and streusel, and add cheese, herbs, or cooked sausage.
 
Storage/Reheating
- Store cooled muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
 - Reheat in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes.
 - Freeze baked muffins for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
 
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes, brioche, challah, or sourdough work beautifully.
Do I have to let the muffins chill before baking?
Yes, chilling allows the bread to soak up the custard for the best texture.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the muffins the night before, refrigerate, then bake in the morning.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply use two muffin tins to make 24 muffins.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, use non-dairy milk and coconut oil or vegan butter.
Can I skip the streusel topping?
Yes, but it adds a delicious crunchy sweetness.
How do I prevent the muffins from sticking to the pan?
Grease the muffin tin well, or use parchment liners.
Can I add syrup before baking?
It’s best to drizzle syrup after baking so the muffins don’t get soggy.
Can I serve these cold?
They taste best warm but can be eaten at room temperature.
Can I make mini versions?
Yes, use a mini muffin tin and reduce bake time to about 12–15 minutes.
Conclusion
Baked French Toast Muffins are a cozy, flavorful, and versatile breakfast option that’s perfect for both everyday mornings and special occasions. With their crispy tops, custardy centers, and cinnamon streusel crunch, they’re sure to become a favorite family recipe.
Print
Baked French Toast Muffins
- Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins (including chilling)
 - Yield: 12 muffins
 - Diet: Vegetarian
 
Description
Baked French Toast Muffins are a cozy breakfast twist on the classic casserole, made with custard-soaked bread cubes baked in muffin tins and topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they’re perfect for brunch, holidays, or meal prep.
Ingredients
1 loaf French bread, cut into ½-inch cubes (about 12 cups)
2 ½ cups milk
6 large eggs
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Streusel Topping:
¼ cup cold butter
¼ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Optional for Serving:
Butter
Maple syrup
Instructions
- Whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a bowl.
 - Grease a 12-cup muffin tin. Place 1 cup bread cubes into each muffin cup.
 - Pour egg mixture evenly over bread, pressing down so cubes soak up liquid. Alternatively, mix in a bowl before dividing into cups.
 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
 - Prepare streusel: Mix butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt until crumbly.
 - Top each muffin with streusel mixture.
 - Bake 25 minutes until golden and crisp.
 - Cool 5 minutes before removing. Serve warm with butter and maple syrup.
 
Notes
- Grease muffin tin well or use parchment liners to prevent sticking.
 - Brioche, challah, or sourdough can be substituted for French bread.
 - Chilling is essential for best texture—don’t skip this step.
 - Muffins can be frozen after baking for up to 2 months.
 
- Prep Time: 20 mins
 - Cook Time: 25 mins
 - Category: Breakfast
 - Method: Baking
 - Cuisine: American
 
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
 - Calories: 220
 - Sugar: 11g
 - Sodium: 180mg
 - Fat: 8g
 - Saturated Fat: 4g
 - Unsaturated Fat: 3g
 - Trans Fat: 0g
 - Carbohydrates: 29g
 - Fiber: 1g
 - Protein: 7g
 - Cholesterol: 95mg