These Cinnamon French Toast Bites are so much fun to make! You kind of “sauté” them, as though you are stir frying! And it goes without saying that they’re fun to EAT too. 🙂
Those of you who have been following along for a while will know that I have a weakness for french toast. I’ve shared 9 french toast recipes so far, and I’ve even created a recipe collection for them! (You can check it out here -> New Ways With French Toast).
I expect to run out of ideas soon. A french toast drought.
But until then, I’ll keep sharing new takes on french toast that I come up with. No matter how wacky they may seem, as long as they’re scrumptious! And these little babies certainly fit that bill.
They taste like mini cinnamon doughnuts! With about 80% less calories – win, win, win!!
These French Toast Bites are really just a variation on my Cinnamon French Toast Sticks. The only difference is that the bread is cut into cubes and they are way more fun to cook.
“More fun to cook?”, I hear you ask. Yes, they really are! Because they are in the shape of cubes, browning each side by turning them is a real pain. So instead, I “sauté” them with a wooden spoon, as though I’m making a stir fry. It works perfectly!
Food you can eat with your hands. My favourite kind….
OK, here we go, here are my Baby Hands on show for you to have a giggle at. Gives you some perspective of the size of these French Toast Bites. But remember, my hands are abnormally small so the French Toast Bites look larger than they actually are!!
– Nagi
- 4 thick slices of slightly stale white bread (1"/2.5cm thick) (Note 1)
- 2 large eggs (or 3 small eggs)
- 1/4 cup milk
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 3 tbsp butter , separated
- Maple syrup to serve (not optional!)
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Cut the crust off the bread, then cut each piece into 9 equal cubes.
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Whisk the eggs, milk and salt in a medium bowl.
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Combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
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Melt 1 1/2 tbsp of butter in a fry pan over medium high heat. Don't let the butter brown.
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Quickly toss half the bread cubes in the egg mixture and use your hands to shake off excess egg mixture. Place the bread cubes in the fry pan and use a wooden spoon to "sauté" them until browned on all sides - about 2 to 3 minutes.
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Remove the bread cubes from the fry pan straight into the sugar mixture. Toss to coat, then remove onto a plate.
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Repeat with remaining bread cubes.
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Serve immediately, with maple syrup for dipping.
1. I really recommend using slightly stale bread for this so the bread doesn't soak up too much egg mixture (which results in the inside of the french toast being soggy raw egg) AND they will hold their cube shape better when "sautéing" them. The best bread to use is a block loaf which you can cut into the desired thickness. This can be made with pre sliced bread but because the slices won't be 1"/2.5cm thick, the french toast won't be "cubes" (or they will be very small cubes!).
But if you don't mind what shape they come out as, you can use any bread you want for this (though personally breads with grains in it isn't to my taste for this dish). I've made this with sourdough, leftover baguettes and even mixing up scraps of different types of leftover bread.
2. The thickness of each slice of bread is about the equivalent of 2 slices of sandwich bread. But you cut the crusts off so you lose a bit of bread. So this recipe serves around 3 people, or 4 people watching their calorie intake, or 2 extremely hungry people / people who lack self control around doughnuts. 🙂
3. Nutrition assuming 3 servings.
Have you see all the other FRENCH TOAST recipes I have? I’ve even made up an entire Recipe Collection for them!
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Made this today with my 9 yr old daughter, super easy and super yum!! I used brioche bread, left out on a plate for about 6 hours to get stale. Followed the recipe exactly and turned out great!
Glad to hear you both enjoyed this GS! Thanks for letting me know – N x
What brand and kind of bread do you use? Trying to figure out what bread to buy that is thick enough. Thanks!
I use a standard loaf bread from any bakery or supermarket! I prefer uncut so I can cut it myself to desired thickness 🙂 N x
Hi,
Will these freeze well? I make French Toast with sliced bread and freeze it for a quick breakfast.
Sorry John, I don’t think that will work very well. 🙂 N x
Thanks, I will only do them fresh.
Aldi’s sells these same ones in their frozen section,I don’t see why home made ones can’t freeze?
Make a double batch! They are so delicious, you’ll want more.
🙌🏻 N xx
Your recipes all sound delicious! I’m trying to find the best French toast recipe for a Sunday Brunch outdoor neighborhood 4th of July party. Really needs to be finger foods as there will be all ages there.
WHich would you suggest???
thanks for your experimenting!
This one for sure!! 🙂
These are so bomb!!!tyank you for the recipe 😋
Love hearing that Joy! So pleased you enjoyed this 🙂 N x
Why do you need so much butter? What happens to the butter that you don’t melt in the pan?
How stale is slightly stale?
Hi Jeel! Like bread left out overnight 🙂
www to stale. more so like 20-30 mins tops
These are soooo awesome. I will be sending you my gym membership bill!
BA HA HA!!! TOO FUNNY!
I tried this recipe this morning and for some reason it did not work out, any tips?
Hi Lauren! Could you help me out a bit and tell me what happened? 🙂 N x
Is it okay to make ahead and freeze?? For like a quick breakfast befor school..
Hi Ebony, sorry, doesn’t freeze well, the sugar sweats. 🙂
*BROCHE Rolls not brioche rolls that had Strep, ?For the love of cookies. Epic fail there! Haha
Know I’m late to the party (what else is new lol) hahahaha but do you think this would hold up/work with staprioche rollls seem to have extra of those in the freezer then the brioche bread (I know what a problem to have lol) But do you think it’s still too delacate to use after being set out to “stale”? I so love Brioche, but will use your kind of bread you have best for this!!! Thanks Tracey! Ps
I want to keep simple, simple! Have you tried a tad of pre cooked crumbled maple flavrored sausage mixed in with them as well? Just sayin…?Thanks, Tracey!
Never too late! 🙂 I do this brioche might be too soft unless you leave them out to stale overnight. As for adding crumbled sausage….oooh YES!!!!
hey is it ok if i use honey instead of maple syrup ?
Sure!