21 Best Breakfast Cupcake Recipes

Breakfast cupcakes are the perfect excuse to have dessert first thing in the morning. They’re basically muffins with a little extra pizzazz – often topped with frosting or glaze. These 21 recipes turn favorite breakfast flavors into hand-held treats that work for special brunches, holiday mornings, or whenever you want breakfast to feel more like a celebration. Most of these can be made ahead and many freeze well too.

Maple Bacon Breakfast Cupcakes

These combine sweet and savory in the best way possible. The cupcake usually has real maple syrup in the batter and the frosting too. The bacon pieces can be mixed into the batter, sprinkled on top, or both! Some recipes use a maple cream cheese frosting which goes really good with the salty bacon. Making sure the bacon is super crispy is key or it gets chewy in the cupcake. These are perfect for people who love sweet-savory combos or for Father’s Day breakfast.

Blueberry Pancake Cupcakes

These taste just like blueberry pancakes but in cupcake form! The batter usually includes ingredients like buttermilk to mimic pancake flavor. The blueberries burst during baking and create little pockets of juicy goodness. Most recipes top them with a maple buttercream frosting and sometimes a small pat of “butter” (made from yellow-tinted frosting) and a drizzle of maple syrup. These are so fun for kids and make regular weekends feel special.

Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

All the flavors of a cinnamon roll without the hassle of working with yeast dough. The cupcake itself has cinnamon in the batter, and some recipes include a cinnamon swirl just like real cinnamon rolls. The frosting is cream cheese based to mimic cinnamon roll icing. Some fancy versions even have a gooey cinnamon filling injected inside. Your kitchen smells amazing while these bake. They’re easier and quicker than making actual cinnamon rolls but give you the same flavors.

Apple Cinnamon Streusel Breakfast Cupcakes

These have chunks of apple in the batter and a crunchy streusel topping just like apple coffee cake. The cupcake is usually spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sometimes ginger. Some recipes add a caramel drizzle or cream cheese frosting on top of the streusel for extra decadence. The combo of soft cupcake, juicy apples, and crunchy topping makes these special. Perfect for fall mornings when apples are in season.

Banana Nut Breakfast Cupcakes

These are like banana bread in cupcake form with a little extra sweetness. The ripe bananas make them super moist and add natural sweetness. The nuts (usually walnuts) add nice crunch and nutty flavor. Most recipes top them with cream cheese frosting which goes perfectly with banana. Some fancy versions include a caramel drizzle or banana chips on top. These are great for using up brown bananas and making ordinary mornings special.

French Toast Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream

These capture the flavor of french toast in a cupcake! The batter usually includes cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and sometimes a splash of maple syrup. The frosting is maple flavored (using real maple syrup not artificial flavoring) and some recipes top them with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. A few fancy versions even include small pieces of french toast as a garnish on top. These are fun for brunch parties or holiday morning treats.

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake Cupcakes

These combine pumpkin cake with coffee cake streusel topping for the best of both worlds. The pumpkin keeps them super moist and the spices give major fall vibes. The streusel topping adds crunch and extra cinnamon flavor. Some recipes include a cream cheese drizzle over the streusel. These stay fresh for days because of the moisture from the pumpkin. Perfect for autumn breakfasts or Thanksgiving morning.

Lemon Poppy Seed Breakfast Cupcakes

The bright lemon flavor in these is perfect for waking up taste buds in the morning. The poppy seeds add nice crunch and pretty speckles throughout. Most recipes include lemon zest and juice in both the cupcake and the glaze or frosting for double lemon flavor. Some fancy versions add a lemon curd filling inside. These are lighter and fresher tasting than most breakfast cupcakes which makes them great for spring and summer mornings.

Cranberry Orange Morning Cupcakes

The combo of tart cranberries and bright orange zest makes these really flavorful. The cranberries can be fresh when in season or dried the rest of the year. The orange flavor usually comes from both zest and juice in the batter. Most recipes top them with an orange glaze rather than heavy frosting which keeps them feeling breakfast-appropriate. The red berries and orange flecks make these pretty to look at too. Great for holiday morning breakfasts.

Chocolate Chip Muffin Cupcakes

These are like your favorite chocolate chip muffins dressed up with a little frosting. The cupcake base is usually vanilla with chocolate chips throughout. Some recipes add a streusel topping and then a light glaze or frosting. The chocolate chips get melty when the cupcakes are warm which is the best part. These are perfect for chocolate lovers who don’t want something too sweet for breakfast. Kids especially love these for special occasion breakfasts.

Oatmeal Cookie Breakfast Cupcakes

These taste just like oatmeal cookies but in cupcake form. The batter includes oats, cinnamon, and sometimes raisins or dried cranberries. The texture is heartier than most cupcakes because of the oats which makes them feel more breakfast-appropriate. Most recipes top them with a maple or brown sugar frosting. Some versions include a streusel topping instead of frosting. These are more filling than regular cupcakes which makes them great for busy mornings.

Strawberry Cheesecake Breakfast Cupcakes

These have a vanilla cupcake base with fresh strawberries mixed in. The “frosting” is actually a no-bake cheesecake mixture that’s lighter than regular frosting but still feels indulgent. Most recipes garnish with fresh strawberry slices or a strawberry sauce drizzle. Some fancy versions include a cheesecake filling inside the cupcake too. These are perfect for spring and summer when strawberries are at their peak. Great for Mother’s Day brunch or baby showers.

Carrot Cake Breakfast Cupcakes

These are like carrot cake but acceptable for breakfast! The shredded carrots keep them super moist and add nutrition. Most recipes include cinnamon, nutmeg, and sometimes raisins or walnuts just like regular carrot cake. The frosting is cream cheese based but usually lightened up a bit compared to dessert carrot cake. Some versions include a sprinkle of granola on top to make them feel more breakfasty. These are great for sneaking vegetables into breakfast in a way kids will actually eat.

Cappuccino Cupcakes

These are perfect for coffee lovers. The cupcake batter includes actual brewed coffee and sometimes instant espresso powder for serious coffee flavor. Most recipes top them with a light coffee-flavored frosting or whipped cream to mimic the frothy top of a cappuccino. Some fancy versions include a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon on top just like a real cappuccino. These have a bit of caffeine so they’re perfect for mornings when you need an extra boost.

Honey Granola Breakfast Cupcakes

These are probably the most breakfast-like of all breakfast cupcakes. The batter is usually made with whole wheat flour, honey instead of sugar, and yogurt for moisture. Granola gets mixed into the batter and sprinkled on top for crunch. Most recipes use a honey-yogurt frosting which is lighter than buttercream. Some versions include fresh fruit on top too. These are good for grabbing on the go since the granola makes them more filling than regular cupcakes.

Peach Cobbler Cupcakes

These taste like peach cobbler in handheld form. The cupcake base is usually a vanilla or butter cake with chunks of fresh peaches mixed in. The topping is often a streusel or crumble like you’d find on cobbler rather than frosting. Some recipes include a light glaze drizzle too. Fresh peaches are best when in season but canned work fine the rest of the year. These are perfect for summer brunches when peaches are at their peak.

Greek Yogurt Berry Breakfast Cupcakes

These are probably the healthiest of the breakfast cupcakes. The batter uses Greek yogurt which adds protein and moisture without extra fat. Fresh berries get mixed into the batter – usually a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Instead of frosting, most recipes top them with a yogurt-honey topping and more fresh berries. These are light, fruity, and not too sweet which makes them perfect for everyday breakfasts that still feel special.

Chai Spiced Breakfast Cupcakes

These have all the warm spices found in chai tea – cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and sometimes star anise. Some recipes include actual brewed chai tea in the batter for even more flavor. The frosting is usually a simple vanilla or cream cheese that won’t compete with the spiced cake. These make your kitchen smell amazing while baking. Perfect for cool morning when you want something warm and cozy that still feels special.

Banana Split Morning Cupcakes

These fun cupcakes taste like the classic dessert but in breakfast form. The cupcake base is banana flavored, and they’re usually topped with a swirl of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate frosting to mimic ice cream. Garnishes include chocolate sauce, sprinkles, and sometimes even a cherry on top! Some fancy versions include chopped strawberries mixed into the batter. These are definitely on the dessert end of breakfast cupcakes but perfect for birthdays or very special occasions.

Coconut Cream Pie Breakfast Cupcakes

These taste just like coconut cream pie but in breakfast form. The cupcake base has coconut milk in the batter and usually shredded coconut too. The frosting is a light whipped coconut cream rather than heavy buttercream. Most recipes garnish with toasted coconut flakes on top. Some fancy versions include a coconut pudding filling inside. These have tropical flavor that makes ordinary mornings feel special. Great for spring and summer brunches.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Breakfast Cupcakes

These take the classic sandwich and turn it into cupcake form. The cupcake base is peanut butter flavored and most recipes include a jelly or jam filling inside – usually strawberry or grape. The frosting is typically a light peanut butter cream cheese that’s not too sweet. Some versions swirl jelly into the frosting too for a marbled effect. These are super nostalgic and fun for both kids and adults. Perfect for back-to-school breakfasts or whenever you need a bit of childhood comfort.