Cinnamon French Toast Bites

These Cinnamon French Toast Bites transform ordinary bread into irresistible bite-sized morsels that perfectly balance crispy exteriors with custardy centers. The simplicity of this recipe belies its impressive result – golden cubes of bread coated in cinnamon sugar that create a delightful breakfast or brunch option when you're craving something sweet but don't want to fuss with traditional French toast slices.

I first made these for my niece and nephew during a weekend sleepover, and they've requested them every visit since. What started as a way to use up stale bread has become our special tradition, with everyone gathering around the table to dip these little bites into maple syrup.

Ingredients

• Thick white bread slices: Slightly stale bread works best as it absorbs the egg mixture without falling apart. The thickness (about 1-inch) ensures a custardy center while maintaining structure.
• Large eggs: Provides the custard base that transforms plain bread into French toast. Farm-fresh eggs with bright orange yolks will give you the richest flavor.
• Milk: Creates the perfect consistency for the custard mixture. Whole milk delivers the best texture, but any milk works in a pinch.
• Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• White sugar: Forms the base of the cinnamon-sugar coating that gives these bites their signature crunch and sweetness.
• Cinnamon powder: The star flavoring that provides warmth and that distinctive French toast aroma we all love.
• Butter: Creates the perfect cooking surface for achieving golden exteriors. Use unsalted butter to control the salt level in the recipe.
• Maple syrup: Not optional! Real maple syrup provides the perfect sweet finish and dipping vessel for these little bites.

Cooking Instructions

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Step 1:

Carefully remove the crusts from your thick bread slices using a sharp knife. This step ensures even cooking and absorption. Once trimmed, cut each slice into 9 equal cubes (a 3×3 grid works perfectly). The uniformity helps with even cooking, so try to make them approximately the same size.

Step 2:

In a medium bowl, crack the eggs and add the milk and salt. Whisk vigorously until completely combined and slightly frothy. The mixture should have a consistent pale yellow color with no streaks of egg white visible. This thorough mixing ensures even flavor distribution.

Step 3:

In a separate shallow bowl, combine the white sugar and cinnamon powder. Mix thoroughly with a fork or small whisk until the cinnamon is evenly distributed throughout the sugar with no clumps. The shallow bowl makes it easier to toss the hot bread cubes later.

Step 4:

Place 1½ tablespoons of butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Swirl the pan gently as the butter melts to coat the surface evenly. Watch carefully to ensure the butter melts completely but doesn't brown or burn - you want it just melted with perhaps a slight sizzle.

Step 5:

Working quickly, toss half of the bread cubes in the egg mixture, fully submerging them. Use your hands to gently shake off excess egg mixture (too much will make them soggy). Transfer cubes to the hot buttered pan and immediately begin to move them around with a wooden spoon. Turn frequently for 2-3 minutes until all sides are golden brown with a slight caramelization.

Step 6:

The moment the bread cubes are fully cooked, transfer them directly to the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Quickly toss to coat all sides while they're still hot – this helps the sugar mixture stick. Once fully coated, remove to a serving plate.

Step 7:

Add the remaining 1½ tablespoons of butter to the pan and repeat steps 5-6 with the second batch of bread cubes. The fresh butter ensures the second batch cooks as perfectly as the first.

Step 8:

Arrange the cinnamon-sugar coated bites on a plate with a small bowl of warm maple syrup for dipping. Serve right away while still warm for the best texture and flavor experience.

I've found cinnamon to be the most versatile spice in my kitchen, appearing in everything from my morning coffee to savory dinner dishes. My grandmother always added it to her French toast, claiming it "warms the soul." After years of making this recipe, I've discovered she was absolutely right – there's something undeniably comforting about that warm, spicy aroma filling the kitchen on a lazy weekend morning.

Perfect Bread Selection

The foundation of extraordinary French toast bites begins with your bread choice. While this recipe calls for white bread, don't hesitate to experiment with brioche, challah, or even cinnamon-raisin bread for different flavor profiles. The key is selecting bread that's slightly stale – fresh bread often becomes too soggy when soaked in the egg mixture. If you only have fresh bread, you can dry it out slightly by leaving slices uncovered for a few hours or toasting them very lightly before cutting into cubes. The ideal thickness is critical; too thin and they'll fall apart, too thick and the centers won't cook through properly.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Though best enjoyed immediately, these cinnamon French toast bites can actually be prepared ahead of time for busy mornings. If you need to make them in advance, complete all steps but slightly undercook them. Store cooled bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, arrange them on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. They'll regain much of their original texture, though the exterior won't be quite as crisp. For meal prep purposes, you can also freeze fully-cooked and cooled bites for up to a month – simply reheat from frozen in the oven for 10-12 minutes until warmed through.

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Creative Serving Variations

While maple syrup is the classic accompaniment, these versatile bites open up endless serving possibilities. Create a French toast bite bar by offering various dipping options like chocolate sauce, caramel, fruit compote, or even sweetened cream cheese. For special occasions, arrange them on skewers alternating with fresh berries for an impressive brunch presentation. They also make excellent toppers for ice cream sundaes or yogurt parfaits. My personal favorite variation involves adding a teaspoon of orange zest to the egg mixture and serving the finished bites with a side of orange-infused maple syrup – the citrus notes perfectly complement the warm cinnamon flavor and create an elevated taste experience that guests always rave about.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use fresh bread instead of stale bread?

It's best to use slightly stale bread as it absorbs the egg mixture better. Fresh bread may make the bites too soggy.

→ What type of bread works best?

Thick white bread is recommended, but brioche or challah would make a richer and softer variation.

→ Can I make these ahead of time?

These are best served immediately for optimum crispiness. If making ahead, reheat in a lightly greased fry pan to restore texture.

→ Is there a substitute for cinnamon powder?

You can use nutmeg, allspice, or a mix of warm spices as alternatives, though the flavor will vary slightly.

→ What can I serve with these bites?

Maple syrup is a must, but you can also pair them with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

→ Can I make a dairy-free version?

Yes, replace milk with a non-dairy alternative like almond or oat milk, and use oil instead of butter for frying.