Fluffy French Breakfast Puffs Recipe

Fluffy French Breakfast Puffs Recipe Dusted with Sugar

Soft, pillowy french breakfast puffs dance between sweet pastry and morning comfort.

These delightful bites burst with buttery goodness and delicate flavor.

Weekends deserve something special that makes everyone smile around the table.

Warm spices and a generous roll through cinnamon sugar create a magic that turns ordinary mornings into memorable moments.

Each puff offers a tender crumb that melts gracefully on your tongue.

Home bakers can easily master this simple yet elegant breakfast treat that feels like a sweet embrace.

Dive into this recipe and transform your morning from routine to remarkable.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 11

What Goes Into French Breakfast Puffs

For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture, ensuring a tender and soft muffin base.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the muffins rise and creates a light, airy consistency.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
  • Nutmeg: Adds a warm, aromatic undertone that complements the breakfast pastry.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates rich, creamy flavor and helps achieve a soft, moist texture.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the muffins and contributes to their golden-brown exterior.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness to the batter.
  • Milk: Provides moisture and helps create a smooth, even batter.
For Topping:
  • Granulated Sugar, Cinnamon: Creates a delightful sweet and spicy coating that transforms the muffins into a special breakfast treat.
  • Melted Butter: Helps the cinnamon sugar adhere to the muffin's surface, adding an extra layer of richness.

Simple Tools For French Breakfast Puffs

  • Muffin Tin: 12-cup standard size for perfect portioning.
  • Mixing Bowls: One medium and one large for dry and wet ingredients.
  • Whisk: Essential for blending dry ingredients and beating mixtures smoothly.
  • Electric Mixer or Hand Beater: Helps cream butter and sugar efficiently.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
  • Toothpick: Checks muffin doneness by testing center.
  • Small Bowls: For preparing cinnamon sugar and melted butter topping.
  • Cooling Rack: Allows muffins to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
  • Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Helps mix batter gently and scrape sides of bowls.

Bake French Breakfast Puffs Step-By-Step

  • Oven Warmup

Crank up the oven to a cozy 350F. Grab a muffin tin and give it a quick spray or gentle butter rub to prevent any sticky situations.

  • Batter Magic

Whip together flour, baking powder, a pinch of salt, and a whisper of nutmeg in one bowl. In another, cream butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Crack in an egg and blend smoothly. Slowly dance the dry ingredients and milk into the mixture, alternating with gentle folds until everything just comes together.

  • Baking Adventure

Pour the batter into muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Slide the tin into the warm oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Listen for that perfect moment when a toothpick comes out clean, signaling these puffs are ready to shine.

  • Heavenly Coating

While muffins are cooling, create a magical cinnamon sugar sprinkle. Melt some butter in a separate bowl, ready for the grand finale.

  • Final Touch

Once muffins are cool enough to handle, dunk their tops in melted butter, then roll them through the cinnamon sugar. Watch them transform into golden, sparkly treasures.

  • Delicious Moment

Serve these beauties warm or at room temperature. Enjoy the pure joy of homemade breakfast magic!

Tips To Fluff Up French Breakfast Puffs

  • Foolproof Flavor Boosters: French Breakfast Puffs
  • Nutmeg Nudge: Freshly grated nutmeg elevates the warm, delicate flavor profile dramatically compared to pre-ground versions. Grate whole nutmeg right before mixing for maximum aromatic intensity.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare batter the night before and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld overnight. Let batter sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking to ensure even rising and consistent texture.
  • Gluten-Free Transformation: Swap wheat flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum. Add an extra tablespoon of milk to prevent dryness and maintain the tender crumb classic to these delightful puffs.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace whole milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk. Use coconut oil instead of butter for coating, ensuring a rich, complementary flavor that keeps the puffs moist and delectable.
  • Portion Control Pro: Use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats perfect for brunches, afternoon tea, or children's parties. Reduce baking time to 12-15 minutes and adjust coating proportions accordingly for these adorable miniature versions.

Serve French Breakfast Puffs Fresh From The Oven

  • Breakfast Bliss Plate: Pair these fluffy puffs with fresh strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream for a gorgeous morning spread.
  • Café Companion: Enjoy alongside a steaming cappuccano or rich French press coffee to enhance the pastry's delicate nutmeg flavor.
  • Sweet Morning Spread: Create a brunch platter with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and these cinnamon-sugar coated muffins for a complete breakfast experience.
  • Afternoon Tea Treat: Serve these puffs as a delightful accompaniment to afternoon tea, adding a touch of French-inspired elegance to your gathering.

Store French Breakfast Puffs To Keep Them Soft

  • Quick Fridge Storage: Transfer any leftover French Breakfast Puffs into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Seal tightly to maintain their delicate texture and prevent moisture absorption.
  • Freezing Technique: Carefully wrap individual puffs in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature and briefly warm in the oven to restore their original softness.
  • Batch Preparation Hack: Make double the recipe and store unbaked batter in sealed containers within the refrigerator. Use within 24 hours for optimal freshness and rising potential.
  • Room Temperature Tip: Keep fresh-baked puffs on a cooling rack covered with a clean kitchen towel for up to 6 hours. Enjoy them at their peak flavor and texture within this window for the most delightful breakfast experience.
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Fluffy French Breakfast Puffs Recipe

Fluffy French Breakfast Puffs Recipe


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4.5 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Delightful French breakfast puffs melt with buttery cinnamon sugar goodness. Light pastries offer a sweet morning treat that brings comfort and joy to your table.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large egg
  • 0.5 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 0.5 cup (120 ml) milk
  • 1.5 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 tsps baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat: Configure oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 12-cup muffin tin with light greasing or paper liners.
  2. Mix Dry Components: Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a medium bowl, ensuring thorough and even blending of dry ingredients.
  3. Create Butter Base: Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and substantially increased in volume.
  4. Integrate Wet Elements: Blend egg into the butter-sugar mixture, stirring until achieving a smooth, silky consistency with uniform texture.
  5. Combine Mixtures: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet components, alternating with milk and maintaining a gentle touch to prevent overmixing and preserve the batter’s delicate structure.
  6. Bake and Transform: Fill muffin cups two-thirds full and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for golden tops and confirming doneness with a clean toothpick insertion.
  7. Embellish and Finish: After cooling slightly, dip each muffin top first in melted butter, then roll comprehensively in a cinnamon-sugar coating, creating a luxurious exterior that complements the tender interior.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Stir the batter gently and minimally to keep the puffs light and tender, avoiding tough or dense results.
  • Precise Ingredient Temperature: Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother blending and optimal texture in the batter.
  • Check Baking Doneness: Insert a toothpick in the center of a puff – it should come out clean with no wet batter to ensure perfect baking.
  • Coating Technique: Dip warm puffs quickly in melted butter and immediately roll in cinnamon-sugar for maximum flavor absorption and even coverage.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 23 g
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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