Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
Make soft, custardy French toast centers coated in sweet cinnamon sugar, cooked quickly in your air fryer. This recipe delivers easy breakfast muffins that taste like a treat.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 6 muffins 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for batter)
- Pinch of salt
- 6 slices thick-cut bread (like brioche or challah), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for greasing)
- For Coating: 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- For Coating: 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
- Soak the bread: Add the bread cubes to the batter mixture. Gently toss to coat. Let the bread soak for 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through, so the cubes absorb the liquid.
- Prepare the air fryer: Lightly grease a standard 6-cup muffin tin with melted butter. If you do not have a small muffin tin, you can use silicone liners placed directly in the air fryer basket, or use a small oven-safe dish that fits.
- Fill the tin: Distribute the soaked bread cubes evenly among the 6 muffin cups. Press them down lightly so they fit snugly.
- Prepare the coating: In a small, shallow dish, mix the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon until uniform.
- Air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Carefully place the muffin tin into the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes.
- Coat the muffins: Remove the tin carefully from the air fryer. Gently press the top of each muffin into the cinnamon sugar mixture, coating the exposed surface.
- Finish cooking: Return the muffins to the air fryer. Cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the centers are set.
- Cool and serve: Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes before carefully removing them. Serve warm with maple syrup or powdered sugar.
Notes
- For best results, use bread that is slightly stale or day-old; it absorbs the custard better without becoming mushy.
- If you want a crispier exterior, lightly spray the tops of the muffins with cooking spray before dipping them into the cinnamon sugar for the final coating.
- You can make these ahead of time and reheat them in the air fryer at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 95