Start your day in breakfast bliss with my easy and delectable French Toast Bites. These bite-sized wonders are coated in cinnamon sugar and are a delightful fusion of classic morning favorites, cinnamon toast and traditional French toast.
Imagine crispy morsels kissed with cinnamon sugar, each bite delivering a perfect blend of warmth and sweetness.
Whether planning a cozy breakfast for two at home or an extravagant brunch with friends, these bite-sized breakfast sensations are guaranteed to steal the show.
So, what are you waiting for? Savor the magic of bite-sized breakfast goodness that, like my delicious breakfast recipes, Oven Baked French Toast Casserole and Sheet Pan Pancakes will have everyone coming back for more!
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Reasons to love this recipe:
- French Toast Bites are little morsels of eggy, cinnamon-infused yumminess in every bite.
- Soft on the inside like a Cinnamon Sugar Donut with a crisp exterior, they are perfect for a quick breakfast, brunch, or even breakfast for dinner.
- These little bites are packed with flavor and are a great way to repurpose stale bread and avoid food waste.
Ingredient notes and substitutions:
- Thick white bread – stale is best. I like to purchase uncut whole loaves to control how big the cubes are. Sourdough bread is our favorite, but French bread, Italian bread, challah bread, and brioche bread all work too.
- Eggs and whole milk – when combined, create the creamy egg custard interior of these luscious bites of heaven.
- Vanilla extract – imparts a subtle, sweet flavor that complements the richness of the custard-soaked bread.
- White sugar – which is the same as granulated sugar adds a pleasant, sugary sweetness to the custard mixture that the little cubes of bread are soaked in.
- Ground cinnamon – adds a cozy, slightly spicy taste and wonderful aroma. The delicious cinnamon/sugar mixture enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- Butter – unsalted butter is used to fry the bread. You can substitute salted melted butter.
- Syrup – warm maple syrup or your favorite pancake syrup is the finishing touch on these delicious bites.
Complete ingredient amounts are listed on the recipe card below.
How to make French Toast Bites:
- Use an uncut loaf of white bread and cut two slices about two inches thick. Cut off the crusts, then cut each slice in half lengthways and each half into three cubes. The cubes will be about 2 inches square.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until combined.
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Working in batches, briefly dip three pieces of cubed bread at a time in the custard, turning them so they are coated on all sides, then shake off any excess and remove them to a plate.
- Add half a tablespoon of butter in a skillet set over medium heat; when it starts to sizzle, add the three soaked bread cubes. Cook on each side until golden brown.
- Immediately toss in the cinnamon sugar, flipping the cube so that it is coated in sugar on all sides.
- Wipe the skillet with paper towels and add another half tablespoon of butter. Repeat until all the bread cubes have been cooked.
- Serve with a drizzle of warm maple syrup or your favorite pancake syrup, and enjoy!
Serving suggestions:
The natural sweetness and freshness of fresh fruit will complement the richness of the French Toast Bites. I like serving it with my Breakfast Fruit Salad, Old Fashioned Ambrosia, or Frozen Fruit Salad.
For a hearty breakfast or brunch dish, you might consider adding my Cast Iron Breakfast Skillet, Cheesy Mushroom and Broccoli Frittata, or Spinach and Bacon Quiche.
If you’re looking for a savory element to balance the sweetness, consider adding crispy bacon or your favorite breakfast sausage. My Cheesy Sausage Bread would also pair nicely.
Recipe variations:
While maple syrup is a classic choice for serving with this cinnamon sugar french toast, you can also use regular pancake syrup or sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for an extra touch of sweetness. A pat of cinnamon butter would add even more richness.
For a really indulgent treat, top your Toast Bites with a dollop of whipped cream and chopped Roasted Pecans or Candied Pecans.
To make French toast sticks, cut your bread into long strips instead of small cubes.
How to store leftovers:
Unfortunately, French Toast Bites do not keep well. For the best results serve them hot, as soon as they are cooked. You can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, but they tend to get soggy and heavy.
If you have leftovers and want to try reheating them, use an oven or air fryer rather than a microwave.
I also do not recommend making this recipe ahead or freezing the little bites.
Recipe FAQs:
Choose a sturdy and slightly stale bread. Fresh or overly soft bread tends to absorb too much liquid and can quickly become soggy. Also, when dipping the bread cubes into the egg mixture, avoid soaking them too long.
I highly recommend hearty white bread, but you can use different types of bread, such as whole wheat, cinnamon raisin, multigrain, and gluten-free. However, remember that your choice of bread can affect the texture and flavor.
Yes, you can use any type of milk, including half-and-half; just be aware that using anything but whole milk may change the recipe’s taste and texture.
Expert Tips and Tricks:
- It’s best to use an uncut loaf of white bread. Then, you can control the size of the cubes.
- Stale white bread is better because it won’t absorb as much of the custard, ensuring no soggy middle. You can use fresh bread in a pinch, but I recommend you slice it and then leave it uncovered for an hour or so on the counter so that it has a chance to lose some of its freshness.
- If you have a larger skillet, you won’t necessarily need to work in batches, but the more bread cubes you have in the skillet, the more difficult it is to flip them all so they cook evenly on all sides. It’s easy to lose track when there are more of them, so working in smaller batches ensures they’re perfectly cooked.
- If your butter starts to brown in the skillet, take it off the heat and wait for it to cool, then wipe it out with paper towels and add fresh butter.
- Dip the French Toast Bites into the cinnamon sugar immediately after removing from the pan for the best results and to ensure an even coating.
More delicious recipes for breakfast or brunch:
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French Toast Bites Recipe –Cinnamon Sugar Coating
Ingredients
- 2 slices white bread (2-inches thick) preferably stale and from an uncut loaf
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- warmed maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- Use an uncut loaf of white bread and cut two slices about two inches thick. Cut off the crusts, then cut each slice in half lengthways and each half into 3 cubes. The cubes will be about 2 inches square.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, add the eggs, milk and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until combined.
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.
- Working in batches, briefly dip three pieces of cubed bread at a time in the custard, turning them so they are coated on all sides, then shake off any excess and remove them to a plate.
- Add half a tablespoon of butter in a skillet set over medium heat; add the three soaked bread cubes when it sizzles. Cook on each side until golden brown.
- Immediately toss in the cinnamon sugar, flipping the cube so it is coated in sugar on all sides.
- Wipe the skillet with paper towels and add another half tablespoon of butter.
- Repeat until all the bread cubes have been cooked.
- Serve with a drizzle of warm maple syrup or your favorite pancake syrup, and enjoy!
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