French Breakfast Muffins

Want a muffin that feels like a warm hug? These French breakfast muffins are soft, sweet, and so cozy!

You get tender, fluffy muffins brushed with melted butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Every bite is light, sweet, and just a little magical.

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon snack. Easy to bake. Hard to eat just one!

Grab your muffin pan and some cinnamon—let’s bake up a cozy treat today!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft and Buttery: These muffins are tender, light, and almost melt as you take a bite.
• Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your pantry.
• Perfect for Breakfast or Snacks: They pair beautifully with coffee, tea, or a tall glass of milk.
• Customizable: You can easily tweak the flavors with different spices or toppings.
• Freezer-Friendly: Bake a batch and freeze extras for a grab-and-go treat.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

Prep Time & Cook Time:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 18–22 minutes
Total Time: Around 40 minutes

Servings:
This recipe makes 12 standard-size muffins.

Difficulty:
Very beginner-friendly, but satisfying enough for experienced bakers too.

Required Kitchen Tools

• 1 standard 12-cup muffin pan
• 2 large mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula or spoon
• Cooling rack
• Pastry brush (for butter coating)

Ingredients for French Breakfast Muffins

Here’s what you’ll need to make these soft, buttery muffins (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that gives structure.
• White Sugar: Adds sweetness to the muffins.
• Baking Powder: For a nice, gentle rise.
• Ground Nutmeg: Adds a cozy, warm flavor.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness.
• Egg: Helps bind everything together.
• Milk: Moistens the batter and creates a tender crumb.
• Melted Butter: Adds rich flavor and keeps the texture soft.
• Cinnamon and Sugar (for coating): A classic topping that gives these muffins their irresistible finish.

Variations for French Breakfast Muffins

• Add Vanilla: Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract for an extra cozy aroma.
• Try Brown Sugar: Swap half the white sugar for brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
• Add Fruit: Mix in a handful of blueberries or chopped strawberries before baking.
• Use Pumpkin Spice: Replace the nutmeg with pumpkin pie spice for a fall twist.
• Mini Muffins: Make them bite-sized by using a mini muffin tin and adjusting the bake time.

How to Make French Breakfast Muffins: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Muffin Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan or line it with paper liners. I usually prefer greasing so the muffins get that nice golden edge.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Make sure everything is evenly combined. This helps the muffins bake evenly later.

3. Combine the Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, lightly beat the egg. Then stir in the milk and melted butter until well mixed. You’ll notice the mixture looks smooth and glossy — that’s exactly what you want.

4. Bring the Batter Together

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together with a rubber spatula or spoon. Be careful not to overmix — just stir until no dry flour patches remain. The batter will look a little lumpy, and that’s totally fine.

5. Fill the Muffin Cups

Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Try to distribute the batter evenly so they bake at the same speed.

6. Bake the Muffins

Place the muffin tin in the center of the preheated oven. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Every oven is a little different, so start checking around the 18-minute mark.

7. Cool and Prepare for Topping

Once baked, let the muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then carefully remove them and place them on a cooling rack. Let them sit for another 5–10 minutes until they’re just warm — not hot — before adding the topping.

Serving and Decoration

After the muffins have cooled slightly but are still warm, it’s time for the fun part — the buttery cinnamon-sugar topping.

How to Coat French Breakfast Muffins

1. Melt Butter: Melt about 1/3 cup of butter in a small bowl.
2. Prepare Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture: In another shallow bowl, mix together ½ cup white sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
3. Dip and Roll: Brush the tops (and sides if you like) of each warm muffin with the melted butter. Then roll the muffin gently in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated all over.

The result is a buttery, slightly crunchy, sweet exterior that makes these muffins so special.

How to Serve French Breakfast Muffins

• Warm for Breakfast: Best served slightly warm with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.
• With Fruit: Pair with fresh berries or a small fruit salad for a full breakfast spread.
• As a Snack: Pack one in a lunchbox or enjoy as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
• Dessert Twist: Add a drizzle of honey or a dollop of whipped cream for a quick dessert.

Storing French Breakfast Muffins

• At Room Temperature: Store muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days. A piece of paper towel underneath them helps prevent sogginess.
• To Freeze: Once cooled and coated, freeze muffins in a single layer. After frozen, transfer to a freezer bag or container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months.
• To Reheat: Warm frozen muffins in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds until soft.

Tips and Tricks for Success

• Don’t Overmix: Stir batter gently to avoid tough muffins.
• Use Fresh Nutmeg: If you can, grate your own nutmeg for a fresher, stronger flavor.
• Coat While Warm: The cinnamon sugar sticks better if you coat the muffins while they’re still a little warm.
• Double the Batch: These freeze beautifully, so make extra for busy mornings.

Nutrition

Serving Size	1 muffin
Calories	210
Total Fat	10g
Saturated Fat	6g
Cholesterol	40mg
Sodium	150mg
Total Carbohydrates	27g
Dietary Fiber	0g
Sugars	14g
Protein	2g

(Nutrition info is approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.)

French Breakfast Muffins FAQs

Can I make French Breakfast Muffins ahead of time?

Yes. You can bake them the night before and store them at room temperature. For the best texture, wait to coat them with butter and cinnamon-sugar just before serving.

Can I use buttermilk instead of regular milk?

Definitely, buttermilk will make the muffins even more tender and add a slight tang that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon sugar.

Why did my muffins turn out dry?

Dry muffins usually happen if you overbake or overmix the batter. Keep an eye on your oven, and remember — it’s okay if a few lumps remain in the batter.

How do I make them less sweet?

You can reduce the amount of sugar in the batter slightly, but remember, the cinnamon-sugar topping adds extra sweetness after baking.

Conclusion

French Breakfast Muffins are one of those recipes that stay with you — simple, comforting, and always just right. Whether you’re looking for an easy breakfast, a sweet snack, or a cozy treat to share, these muffins deliver every time. I always keep a batch ready for busy mornings or slow weekends. Once you try them, they might just become part of your morning routine too.