Cinnamon French Toast Bites Recipe

This delightful Cinnamon French Toast Bites recipe transforms ordinary bread into bite-sized morsels of breakfast heaven! Perfectly crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and rolled in cinnamon sugar, these little cubes of joy come together in just 15 minutes. They’re ideal for busy mornings, special brunches, or whenever you need a quick sweet treat that everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: From start to finish, these french toast bites take only 15 minutes to make – perfect for those mornings when you want something special without the fuss.
• Kid-Friendly: Little hands love these bite-sized treats! They’re perfect for dipping and much easier for kids to manage than traditional french toast slices.
• Versatile: Serve them for breakfast, brunch, or even as a delicious dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Crowd-Pleaser: I’ve never met anyone who didn’t fall in love with these bites after the first taste. They disappear faster than you can make them!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Thick white bread: Using slightly stale bread is crucial as it absorbs less egg mixture, preventing soggy centers and helping the cubes maintain their shape. A block loaf works best so you can control the thickness.
• Eggs: These create that classic french toast coating and help the cinnamon sugar stick. They’re the foundation of that custardy texture we all love.
• Milk: Adds richness to the egg mixture and creates that perfect french toast flavor. Any type of milk works here.
• Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
• Sugar: Mixed with cinnamon to create that irresistible sweet coating that makes these bites so addictive.
• Cinnamon: The star flavor that makes these bites extra special. The aroma alone will bring everyone to the kitchen.
• Butter: Creates a beautifully crisp exterior as the bread cubes sauté. The nutty flavor of butter is essential here.
• Maple syrup: For dipping! I stand firm that this is not optional – the warm bites and cool maple syrup create a magical breakfast experience.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are some delicious twists on the classic:

Different Coatings

• Chocolate Lover’s: Mix cocoa powder with the sugar for a chocolate version
• Pumpkin Spice: Replace cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice for a fall flavor profile
• Coconut Dream: Roll the finished bites in shredded coconut after the cinnamon sugar

Bread Options

• Brioche: For an extra rich, buttery flavor
• Cinnamon Raisin Bread: Double the cinnamon goodness
• Whole Grain: For a slightly healthier twist (though slightly less indulgent texture)

Add-Ins

• Orange or Vanilla: Add a splash of extract to the egg mixture
• Nutmeg: A pinch added to the cinnamon-sugar mix creates wonderful depth
• Cardamom: For a unique, aromatic twist

How to Make Cinnamon French Toast Bites

Step 1: Prepare the Bread

Cut the crusts off your thick bread slices, then cut each piece into 9 equal cubes. The size is important – too small and they’ll get soggy, too large and they won’t cook through.

Step 2: Prepare the Mixtures

Whisk the eggs, milk, and salt together in a medium bowl until well combined. In a separate shallow bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon powder until evenly distributed.

Step 3: Melt the Butter

Melt half of your butter (1½ tablespoons) in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Be careful not to let it brown or burn – we want that perfect golden sizzle.

Step 4: Coat and Cook First Batch

Working quickly, toss half of your bread cubes in the egg mixture. Use your hands to gently shake off excess egg (this is crucial to prevent sogginess!). Transfer the cubes to your hot pan and “sauté” them using a wooden spoon, turning to brown all sides. This takes about 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Sugar Coat

As soon as the cubes are golden brown, transfer them directly into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Toss to coat them evenly, then move to a serving plate.

Step 6: Repeat

Melt the remaining butter and repeat steps 4 and 5 with the second batch of bread cubes.

Step 7: Serve

Serve immediately while warm, with maple syrup for dipping.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Stale bread is your friend: Fresh bread soaks up too much egg and can fall apart. If you only have fresh bread, leave it out uncovered for an hour before making this recipe.
• Work in batches: Don’t overcrowd the pan or the bread cubes will steam instead of getting that perfect golden crust.
• Temperature matters: Keep your pan at medium-high heat – too low and the cubes will absorb too much egg mixture, too high and they’ll burn before cooking through.
• The shake-off: Don’t skip shaking off excess egg mixture. This step is what prevents soggy centers.
• Timing is everything: Move the cubes from pan to cinnamon sugar immediately while they’re hot – the coating sticks much better to warm bread.

How to Serve

These delicious little bites are versatile when it comes to serving:

Classic Style

Serve warm on a plate with a small bowl of maple syrup for dipping. Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar for that picture-perfect finish.

Breakfast Parfait

Layer the french toast bites in a glass with yogurt, fresh berries, and a drizzle of maple syrup for a breakfast that feels like dessert.

Brunch Board

Add these bites to a breakfast or brunch board alongside fresh fruit, bacon, mini pancakes, and different dipping sauces for a show-stopping spread.

Toppings Bar

Set up a toppings bar with maple syrup, chocolate sauce, fruit compote, whipped cream, and chopped nuts so everyone can customize their own plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They won’t be quite as crispy, but they’ll still be delicious.

Freezing

These freeze surprisingly well! Place cooled bites on a baking sheet in a single layer until frozen, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to 1 month.

Reheating

For the best texture when reheating, place the bites on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp again. Avoid microwaving if possible as it makes them soggy.

FAQs

Can I use sandwich bread instead of thick-cut bread?
Yes, you can use regular sandwich bread, but your “bites” will be smaller and thinner. You might need to reduce the cooking time slightly, and they won’t have quite the same fluffy interior. If using sandwich bread, I recommend stacking two slices together and then cutting into cubes for a better bite-sized experience.

My french toast bites turned out soggy in the middle. What went wrong?
The most common cause is using too fresh bread or not shaking off enough of the egg mixture. Make sure your bread is slightly stale, and really shake off any excess egg coating before adding the cubes to the pan. Also, check that your pan is hot enough before adding the bread.

Can I make these dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use your favorite plant-based milk in the egg mixture and a dairy-free butter alternative for cooking. The results are nearly identical to the original version.

How do I know when the french toast bites are cooked through?
The outside should be golden brown and slightly crisp, while the inside should be soft but not wet or eggy. If you’re unsure, you can break open one test piece to check. They typically take about 2-3 minutes total in the pan, turning frequently to brown all sides.

These Cinnamon French Toast Bites are one of those magical recipes that transform simple ingredients into something truly special. They strike that perfect balance between ease and indulgence, making ordinary mornings feel like celebrations. Whether you’re cooking for eager kids on a weekend morning or surprising someone special with breakfast in bed, these little bites of joy are sure to become a regular in your breakfast rotation. Give them a try tomorrow morning – your kitchen will smell amazing, and your family will think you’re a breakfast genius!

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