Cinnamon Streusel French Toast Cups are warm, comforting individual servings of classic French toast baked in muffin form and topped with a sweet, buttery cinnamon streusel. They’re perfect for brunches, special occasions, or a fun twist on breakfast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Individually portioned: Great for serving at parties or on-the-go mornings.
- Crispy on top, soft inside: The streusel topping adds a sweet crunch to custardy bread.
- Customizable: Add fruit, nuts, or drizzle with syrup.
- Make-ahead option: Assemble the night before and bake in the morning.
- Kid-friendly: Easy to eat and fun for little hands.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the French Toast Cups
- Cubed bread (brioche, challah, or French bread, preferably day-old)
- Eggs
- Milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
For the Streusel Topping
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Cold butter, cubed
- Pinch of salt
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with silicone liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add cubed bread to the bowl and stir to soak evenly in the custard mixture.
- Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups, pressing lightly to pack.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the butter with a fork until crumbly.
- Sprinkle streusel topping generously over each muffin cup.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and set in the center.
- Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 12 French toast cups
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Bake time: 25–30 minutes
- Total time: 40–45 minutes
Variations
- Fruit add-in: Mix in chopped apples, berries, or raisins.
- Nutty twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel.
- Flavor upgrade: Use maple extract or a splash of orange zest in the custard.
- Dairy-free: Use almond or oat milk and plant-based butter.
- Chocolate version: Add mini chocolate chips to the bread mixture.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave or oven at 300°F until heated through.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the cups and refrigerate overnight. Bake the next morning.
What bread works best?
Use a sturdy, slightly stale bread like brioche, challah, or French bread for the best texture.
Can I skip the streusel?
Yes, though the streusel adds a delicious crunch. You can also replace it with a light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
Can I use a mini muffin tin?
Yes, reduce the baking time to 15–18 minutes and check for doneness.
Are these freezer-friendly?
Absolutely. Let cool, wrap tightly, and freeze. Thaw overnight or reheat from frozen.
How do I keep them from sticking?
Grease the pan well or use silicone or parchment muffin liners.
Can I add syrup before baking?
It’s best to add syrup after baking to avoid sogginess.
Are they sweet enough without syrup?
Yes, but you can drizzle maple syrup or glaze on top if desired.
What’s a good side dish?
Serve with fresh fruit, yogurt, or scrambled eggs for a complete breakfast.
How do I prevent soggy bottoms?
Use drier bread and don’t over-saturate—just moisten the cubes evenly.
Conclusion
Cinnamon Streusel French Toast Cups take the classic flavors of French toast and package them into deliciously convenient muffin-sized portions. With a crunchy top, tender center, and endless customization options, they’re perfect for brunch spreads, holidays, or meal prepping for the week.
Print
Cinnamon Streusel French Toast Cups
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cups 1x
- Category: Breakfast/Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Mini French toast cups baked with a rich cinnamon-vanilla custard and topped with a buttery streusel crumble—perfect for brunch or a sweet breakfast treat.
Ingredients
- 6 cups cubed day-old bread (brioche or challah preferred)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Streusel Topping:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 12-cup muffin tin.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.
- Add cubed bread to the custard mixture and gently stir to soak. Let sit 5 minutes to absorb.
- Divide the soaked bread evenly into muffin cups, pressing slightly to compact.
- In a small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly.
- Sprinkle streusel over each French toast cup.
- Bake 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and set in the center.
- Cool slightly before removing. Serve warm, optionally with maple syrup or powdered sugar.
Notes
- Use stale bread to avoid sogginess.
- Double the streusel for extra crunch.
- Add chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips for variety.
- Can be made ahead and reheated in oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg