Anytime I’m hosting a brunch, one of my French toast casserole recipes is on the menu. Why? There’s enough to feed a crowd, they’re incredibly easy to prepare, and you can prep them ahead of time. Much to love about this breakfast staple! But there’s also something special—and a little nostalgic—about making a fresh batch of individual French toast. And I like to prepare them mini style, because anything mini is just a lot of fun to serve and eat. The cinnamon-spiced egg custard paired with slightly-crusty slices of baguette promises big flavor… and the sweet aroma of these mini French toast bites cooking will draw any sleepyheads to the table.
Why Everyone Loves a Stack of Mini French Toast
Easy to make with only 6 simple ingredients Cinnamon-spiced and everything nice! Perfectly toasty (and not soggy) thanks to using a crusty baguette Minimal baking tools needed Enjoyable with your favorite fruits and toppings Mini version makes it fun to prepare and eat—one of my favorite kid-friendly recipes!
Quick Overview: How to Make Mini French Toast Bites
If you’ve made French toast before, you’re familiar with the process. It’s rather straightforward, and many might say it’s even easier than a batch of homemade whole wheat pancakes or buttermilk waffles. Slice your baguette into 1-inch or 1.5-inch slices. Prepare your egg custard by whisking together 3 eggs, 1/2 cup half-and-half, 1/2 cup milk, and a dash of cinnamon. I love using half-and-half as it makes the egg custard extra thick and creamy. (For added flavor, try a bit of orange zest in the egg custard. So tasty!) Pour the egg custard into a pie dish or any shallow baking pan. Add the baguette slices and let them soak up the egg custard while you prepare your skillet. Heat your skillet to medium-high heat and melt 1 Tablespoon of butter. You can use oil or nonstick spray instead, but butter adds wonderful flavor. Cook the mini French toast bites—about 3 minutes per side—until browned. If you’re cooking in batches and you find that the bread starts to brown quickly, turn down the heat a bit.
Best Bread to Use
Grab a loaf of your favorite crusty bread. Store-bought is fine and typically what I use. If you’re feeling extra ambitious and want to make your own, my homemade artisan bread is a great choice. Whichever you decide to use, crusty is key—you want a nice, crisp bread to help soak up the egg custard. If you’re planning ahead, let the loaf go stale for a day or two before making the mini French toast. Again, stale bread will help absorb more of the egg mixture, just like it does in breakfast strata and blueberry French toast casserole. If you wake up one morning and decide it’s a good day for mini French toast bites, that’s fine too! Just slice and use as-is, or you can toast the sliced bread in a 300°F (149°C) oven for 10–15 minutes. A trick I use for my sausage and herb stuffing, too! You can use this same egg custard to make regular-sized French toast. Same guidelines apply for using crusty, stale bread. And if you’re looking for homemade options, many readers have loved using my croissant bread and homemade cinnamon swirl bread recipes for French toast. Y-U-M.
What to Serve With Mini French Toast Bites
Fill your plate with as many mini French toast bites as your heart desires (always great advice) and top them with maple syrup, a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, and/or fresh fruit. Or finish your stack off with fresh whipped cream and blueberry sauce topping or strawberry sauce topping for an extra-special treat! If you’re looking for a savory accompaniment, a plate of bacon or mini quiche, a big serving of breakfast casserole, or a scoop of ham & potato casserole help round out the meal. There’s no wrong way to enjoy mini French toast—just be sure to save room for seconds!
More Breakfast Favorites
Baked Oatmeal Crepes Whole Wheat Pancakes & Whole Wheat Waffles Berries & Cream French Toast Casserole Gingerbread Waffles
