Cinnamon French Toast

Is there anything more beautiful than a plate full of cinnamon French toast fresh off the griddle on a Saturday morning? Add a glass of orange juice, a strong cup of hazelnut coffee, and a healthy amount of maple syrup, and you have the perfect breakfast and a great way to start the weekend. Don’t you agree?

Why I love this recipe

• Taste. This cinnamon French toast is perfectly sweet. Using three eggs adds richness and plenty of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract gives this dish a delightful flavor.
• Texture. Thick cut bread, such as brioche or challah is covered in an egg custard, then it’s pan-fried until crisp and caramelized on the outside. The inside stays soft and fluffy and melts in your mouth.
• Time. This recipe is quick! You only need 5 minutes to prep everything and then 10 minutes to cook the meal.
• Ease. With just a few ingredients and simple instructions, this scrumptious breakfast is easy to make, even on busy mornings.

Ingredients needed

French toast with the flavor of cinnamon requires minimal ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen. Here’s the lineup:

• Eggs. Adds the necessary fats to create richness and hold in the flavors!
• Milk. Whichever milk you prefer will work in this recipe! Whole milk is great or try full fat oat milk to keep this dairy free.
• Cinnamon & nutmeg. These warming spices get added into the egg mixture for the most amazing flavor.
• Vanilla extract. Vanilla brings out the sweetness and adds warmth to this recipe.
• Salt. A pinch of salt will balance out all of the sweetness.
• Bread. One-inch slices of brioche bread, challah bread or Texas toast work best!

Recipe instructions

Just 3 easy steps and you’ll have a plate of major deliciousness!

Here’s a quick rundown of the process, but for full (printable) instructions, reference the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Make the custard. In a large shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk. Add in the cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk lightly until fully combined.
2. Cook. Over medium heat, spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Place the slices of bread in the egg mixture and let soak on each side for a good few seconds. Sprinkle a little more cinnamon into the egg mixture as needed (I find that a lot of my cinnamon gets stuck on the edges of the dish). Cook the bread in the pan for about 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
3. Serve. Once done, top with syrup, fruit, and a dusting of powdered sugar and ENJOY!!

Tips for success

• Use stale bread. For best results day-old bread is necessary. Fresh bread is too soft and gets soggy when dipped, so use stale bread, or bake it a little to dry it out. I like to leave the bread out on the counter uncovered overnight.
• Whisk the eggs well. Whisking the eggs well incorporates more air into the mixture, giving your cinnamon French toast a light, airy texture along with its rich flavor.
• Cook directly after dipping. Because bread can get soggy and break down, cook the bread slices right after dipping it, so it doesn’t break or get mushy.
• Preheat your pan. Heat the skillet before you add your slices of dipped bread. This will help it cook faster and get that delicious golden crust, rather than be limp and floppy.

Toppings

Sometimes keeping it simple is best and we often just serve this with butter, maple syrup and fruit. Here are some other delicious ideas:

• Add a boost of protein with a dollop of Greek yogurt.
• Top with any favorite fruit – sliced banana, berries, sliced apples, pears or peaches.
• Add healthy fats with a sprinkle of chopped pecans or almonds. You can even pair it with peanut butter or almond butter.
• Make it truly decadent by adding whipped cream, maple syrup, a sprinkle of powdered sugar or even chocolate chips.

Serving suggestions

This recipe is great as a main or side dish to a brunch feast. Here are some ideas:

• Breakfast potatoes, hash browns or vegan hash
• Sausage, bacon, or ham
• Eggs or vegan “egg” cups
• Tofu scramble or zucchini crust quiche

Storing, freezing & reheating

• Leftovers. Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can toast slices in the toaster or heat them up in the oven for 5-10 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, you can pop the slices in the microwave, however the toaster or oven will give you the best results.
• To freeze, let the French toast cool completely, then transfer individual slices to freezer-safe bags. If you’re putting multiple slices into one bag, wrap each slice in plastic wrap or place parchment paper in between the slices. It will keep well in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. To reheat, simply stick frozen French toast slices in the toaster or heat them up in the oven for 5-10 minutes until heated through.