Meet the breakfast upgrade you’ll want every weekend—Cinnamon French Toast Bites. Warm, cinnamon-sugared, perfectly crisped morsels that pack all the comfort of classic French toast into a bite-sized format. Whether you’re hosting brunch for friends or making a cozy breakfast for your family, these French toast bites deliver fun, flavor, and minimal fuss.
Why Make Cinnamon French Toast Bites?
Cinnamon French Toast Bites are more than just a twist on a classic; they’re built for convenience and versatility. Each golden bite combines the familiar richness of traditional French toast with the playful texture of a sweet, handheld snack. Their small size means easy sharing—ideal for gatherings, family days, or quick snacking on a lazy morning.
Key reasons to try them:
- Effortless Serving: Guests can grab a few without needing a fork and knife. Less mess, more mingling.
- Kid Appeal: The poppable size makes them just right for little hands.
- Texture Play: Perfectly crisp on the outside, tender within, and finished with a comforting cinnamon-sugar coating.
- Endless Variations: Serve with fruit, dip in sauces, or sprinkle with toppings.
Ingredients Breakdown
The success of these French toast bites lies in simple ingredients, each bringing something special to the table. Here’s what you need and why it matters:
| Ingredient | Purpose and Notes |
|---|---|
| Brioche/Challah | Tender, slightly sweet bread soaks up custard well. Stale bread yields best results. |
| Eggs | Provide structure and rich flavor in the custard. |
| Whole Milk | Contributes creaminess. Substitute with half-and-half for extra richness. |
| Vanilla Extract | Adds warmth and a sweet aroma. |
| Granulated Sugar | Sweetens, and helps create a crisp, caramelized edge when frying. |
| Ground Cinnamon | Delivers classic, aromatic French toast flavor. |
| Salt | Balances sweetness and intensifies the other flavors. |
| Butter | Produces a golden crust. |
Optional toppings: Maple syrup, berries, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or anything that suits your mood.
Step-by-Step Recipe
Making Cinnamon French Toast Bites is quick, but there are tricks to getting the perfect bite every time. Here’s how I do it:
1. Prepare the Bread
- Cut brioche or challah into even 1-inch cubes. Day-old bread works best because it holds its shape and won’t turn mushy when soaked.
- If you have only fresh bread, dry the cubes in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes until slightly toasted.
2. Whisk the Custard
- In a medium bowl, beat together 3 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smoothly combined.
3. Make the Cinnamon Sugar
- In a shallow dish, mix ½ cup granulated sugar with 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Use a fork to blend them evenly.
4. Fry the Bites
- Set a large skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat. Drop in 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt, swirling to coat.
- Working in batches, toss a handful of bread cubes in the egg mixture, making sure each cube is coated all over. Let the excess drip off.
- Arrange cubes in the skillet, leaving space between each. Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, turning with tongs or a spatula until all surfaces are golden and crisp.
5. Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
- As soon as each batch finishes cooking, roll the hot cubes in the cinnamon sugar mixture. The warmth helps the sugar stick and slightly caramelize.
6. Serve and Enjoy
- Stack on a plate and serve warm. Offer toppings on the side so everyone can customize their bites—maple syrup, berries, and whipped cream are especially popular.
Practical Tips for Perfect French Toast Bites
Stale Bread for Best Results: Using slightly dry, dense bread prevents the cubes from falling apart in the custard. If you’re in a hurry, use the quick oven method to dry out fresh bread before cubing.
Custard Dipping: Dip quickly—about 10 to 15 seconds is all you need. This coats the bread without over-saturating it. Cubes should feel moist but not collapsing.
Uniform Cuts: Try to keep cubes as similarly sized as possible. This ensures that each piece cooks evenly, with a consistent texture throughout the batch.
Butter Temperature: Let the pan and butter heat fully before adding the bread cubes. If the pan’s not hot enough, you’ll get soggy bites rather than crisp perfection.
Cooking in Batches: Don’t overcrowd the skillet. If needed, cook in small batches and keep completed bites warm in a low oven (200°F) on a baking tray.
Creative Toppings: Classic maple syrup is perfect, but don’t hold back. Try honey, fresh berries, yogurt, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, or a dusting of powdered sugar. These bites are a blank canvas.
Serving Suggestions
Cinnamon French Toast Bites are a natural fit for both casual breakfasts and festive brunches. Here’s how to serve them to suit the occasion:
Breakfast Platter: Pile high on a warmed serving plate alongside bowls of berries, banana slices, and whipped cream. Tuck in small cups of warm maple syrup or honey for dipping.
Party Appetizer: Thread bites onto small skewers, alternating with fruit like strawberries or blueberries. Serve with chocolate and caramel sauce in little bowls.
Dessert Remix: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream over a plateful of French toast bites, and drizzle with chocolate sauce or caramel. It’s a dessert-for-breakfast dream.
Common Questions About French Toast Bites
Can I use gluten-free bread?
Yes, as long as it’s sturdy and not too soft. Drier gluten-free loaves are preferable.
How do I avoid soggy bites?
Use stale bread, dip cubes briefly, and always start with a hot skillet. Soggy bites usually result from over-soaking or overcrowding during cooking.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Swap whole milk for any unsweetened plant milk and use dairy-free butter. Texture varies slightly, but they’re still delicious.
How much sugar is best?
Half a cup of cinnamon sugar usually coats two full loaves’ worth. Adjust to taste, and make more if you’re making a bigger batch.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
French Toast Bites do well if you want to prep a bit ahead or store leftovers.
- Storing: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep any extra cinnamon sugar in a separate small jar.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 6-8 minutes to restore outer crispness. Microwaving is quick but softens the exterior.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the texture changes and may turn mushy after thawing.
Cinnamon French Toast Bites—A Breakfast Classic, Reinvented
Cinnamon French Toast Bites take what you love about French toast—warmth, aroma, a hint of spice—and repackage it in a shareable, delightfully crispy bite. From weekend brunches to weekday smiles, these make breakfast special. The custard, cinnamon, and golden crust create a crave-worthy treat, and the poppable size brings playfulness to the table. Once you try them, they might become your new signature breakfast.
Cinnamon French Toast Bites
Sweet and crispy, these cinnamon French toast bites are a fun twist on classic French toast. They are delicious. They are easy to make. They are impossible to resist!
Ingredients
- 6 thick slices stale brioche or challah bread
- pinch salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, for frying
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Cut the bread into bite-sized cubes, about 1-inch each. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and well blended.
- In a medium bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
- Warm the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When melted, quickly toss a few cubes of bread in the egg mixture. Let the excess drip off, then place in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove the bites from the skillet and immediately toss in the cinnamon sugar. Repeat with the remaining bread.
- Serve the cinnamon French toast bites warm with maple syrup, whipped cream, or fresh berries. Enjoy!