Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins

These Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins are like the lovechild of classic French toast and a bakery-style muffin. With a delightfully soft interior, sweet vanilla notes, and a crunchy cinnamon sugar coating, every bite is a nostalgic trip to warm, comforting breakfasts. They’re baked instead of fried, making them a tidier, quicker option when you’re craving that French toast flavor with less fuss.

Perfect for slow Sunday mornings, cozy brunches, or even a sweet midday snack, these muffins are portable, dippable, and irresistibly delicious. You can serve them as is, or pair with a drizzle of maple syrup for the full French toast experience in muffin form. Whether for family brunch or a breakfast buffet, they’re guaranteed to steal the show.

Full Recipe

Ingredients:

1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup all-purpose flour

Topping:

1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 12-cup mini muffin tin or line with paper liners.
In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon; set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
In another bowl, mix flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
Gradually stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake for 15–18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
While muffins are baking, prepare the topping by mixing sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Once baked, remove muffins and allow to cool for a few minutes.
Brush each muffin with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15–18 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 150 kcal (per muffin) | Servings: 12 mini muffins

Introduction to Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins

If there’s one thing that captures the magic of weekend mornings, it’s the warm, buttery aroma of French toast sizzling on the stove. But what if you could take that cozy comfort and transform it into a portable, bite-sized treat? Enter Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins—a delightful hybrid of classic French toast and a bakery-style muffin that’s perfect for busy mornings, lazy brunches, or sweet snacking anytime.

This recipe delivers all the nostalgic flavors you love about French toast—vanilla, cinnamon, and buttery warmth—but in a muffin form that’s easy to make, serve, and even freeze. It’s kid-friendly, brunch-perfect, and can be made in under 30 minutes. Plus, you won’t need to stand over a stove flipping slices of bread. These muffins bake beautifully in the oven and get a finishing roll in melted butter and cinnamon sugar, making them irresistibly tender on the inside and sweetly crisp on the outside.

Why You’ll Love These Muffins

These muffins strike the perfect balance between decadence and simplicity. Here’s why they’re worth baking again and again:

They’re quick and easy: You don’t need any fancy ingredients or baking skills to whip these up. They use pantry staples and come together with minimal prep.
They mimic French toast flavor: With a hint of nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon, the flavor profile is warm and familiar, just like your favorite French toast.
Perfectly portioned: No slicing or serving required—just grab and go.
Ideal for meal prep: These muffins store well and reheat like a dream, so you can make a batch on Sunday and enjoy them all week long.
Customizable: Want to get creative? Add chopped pecans, swirl in some cream cheese, or drizzle with maple glaze.

The Inspiration Behind the Recipe

The idea for French Toast Muffins came from a desire to make breakfast feel special without requiring a full production in the kitchen. Traditional French toast can be time-consuming, especially if you’re feeding a crowd. This recipe was developed to streamline the process while preserving all the rich, buttery, cinnamon-spiced goodness we associate with a comforting breakfast.

By converting the flavors and textures into a muffin, it becomes accessible to all—novice bakers, busy parents, or anyone needing a crowd-pleasing recipe that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.

This dish is also a fantastic way to engage children in the kitchen. Let them help with dipping the muffins in butter or rolling them in cinnamon sugar. It’s messy, fun, and the result is undeniably rewarding.

Tips for the Best Muffins

Use room temperature ingredients: Especially the egg and milk—this ensures smoother batter and more even baking.
Don’t overmix: Stir until just combined. Overmixing leads to dense muffins.
Check the bake time: Oven temperatures vary. Use a toothpick test to make sure muffins are done—insert it in the center and it should come out clean.
Coat while warm: Dip the muffins in butter and cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm. This helps the topping adhere and creates that classic French toast crust.

Serving Suggestions

These muffins shine on their own, but you can elevate them even further with a few serving ideas:

Drizzle with maple syrup: For the full French toast experience, serve warm with a light maple drizzle.
Pair with fresh fruit: Serve alongside berries or sliced bananas for a colorful and fresh contrast.
Whipped cream topping: Add a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for dessert-like flair.
Breakfast board addition: Create a breakfast board with these muffins, some hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and seasonal fruits. It’s visually stunning and crowd-friendly.
Coffee or tea companion: These muffins are a cozy pairing with your morning coffee or chai latte, especially during the fall and winter months.

How to Store and Reheat

One of the best parts of this recipe is how well it stores and reheats. Here’s how to keep them fresh:

Refrigerator: Store muffins in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds to bring back that soft, just-baked texture.
Freezer: You can freeze the muffins (coated or uncoated with sugar) for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely before freezing. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently in the oven or microwave.

Pro Tip: If you plan to freeze them, consider waiting to dip them in the butter and cinnamon sugar until after reheating, so the coating stays crisp and fresh.

Make It Your Own

French Toast Muffins are wonderfully versatile. Here are a few variations to try:

Add-ins: Mix mini chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped nuts into the batter.
Flavor twist: Try a pinch of cardamom or allspice for a flavor twist.
Stuffed center: Inject a bit of jam, cream cheese, or Nutella into the center before baking for a fun surprise.
Vegan option: Substitute the egg with a flax egg, use plant-based milk, and replace butter with vegan butter for a completely dairy-free version.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Whether you’re meal prepping for a busy week, hosting brunch, or just want something sweet and satisfying on a lazy Sunday morning, these muffins deliver.

Back-to-school breakfasts: Quick, easy, and portable—what more could a parent ask for?
Holiday brunches: Their festive look and warming spices make them a great fit for Thanksgiving or Christmas mornings.
Afternoon snacks: Pair with tea or cocoa for a cozy pick-me-up.
Gifting: Pack them in a pretty box or bag for a thoughtful homemade gift.

Nutritional Consideration

Each muffin contains roughly 150 calories, making them a satisfying treat without being overly indulgent. They’re not overly sweet on their own, but the buttery cinnamon sugar coating makes them feel like a bakery-style splurge. For a lighter option, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the batter or skip the topping altogether (though we highly recommend you don’t!).

Conclusion

Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins combine the best of both breakfast and baked treats into one easy-to-make, totally irresistible package. Their buttery, cinnamon-dusted crust and soft, cakey interior make them a hit with kids and adults alike. Whether you’re cooking for one or entertaining a brunch crowd, these muffins bring comfort, flavor, and a little morning magic to the table.

They prove that you don’t have to choose between convenience and deliciousness. In just 30 minutes, you can have warm, fragrant muffins on the table that taste like they took hours to prepare. So go ahead—preheat that oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to fall in love with your new favorite breakfast treat.

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