Cinnamon Bread French Toast

Swirled with cinnamon and packed with flavor, Cinnamon Bread French Toast is a family favorite that will have you coming back for thirds!

Using Cinnamon Bread to make this french toast recipe really elevates it. Of course, we love our classic French Toast, but using something besides regular bread is fun to try! Take our Pound Cake French Toast as another (delicious) example.

take it up a notch!

We love breakfast at our house. We even have breakfast for dinner at least once a week! One of my favorites is French Toast. I especially love kicking it up a notch by using fancy or flavored bread.

Cinnamon swirl bread french toast definitely takes it up a notch! Using the cinnamon-flavored bread adds so much flavor.

We love to serve this french toast recipe with a side of Bacon and Scrambled Eggs, but it’s really delicious with anything!

You don’t even need to add syrup, but our favorite Buttermilk Syrup or Cinnamon Buttermilk Syrup is always a nice addition.

Making Cinnamon Swirl French Toast

EGG MIXTURE. In a medium bowl or cake pan, whisk milk, eggs, and egg yolks together. Add sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.

BREAD. Soak cinnamon bread slices in mixture until saturated, 10–15 seconds per side.

COOK + ENJOY! Heat butter on a griddle or in a frying pan over medium heat. Add bread slices and cook until golden brown, 2–3 minutes per side.

Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Topping Ideas

One of the best aspects of cinnamon french toast is that it is delicious without any added toppings. However, who doesn’t like to make a great dish even better?

Some favorite topping ideas to try:

• Top it with classic butter and maple syrup or try Buttermilk Syrup or Cinnamon Buttermilk Syrup.
• Add fresh berries or toss them in sugar and let them become soft and juicy. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries are all delicious choices. Or use other fruits like sliced bananas or peaches. 
• Add a dollop of Whipped Cream, a sprinkling of powdered sugar, or make a powdered sugar glaze to drizzle on for extra sweetness.

Recipe Tips

Flavor variation. Easily adjust the flavor by adjusting the spices used in the egg custard such as adding nutmeg, a bit of ginger, or even a pumpkin spice blend. 

Temperature. At the ideal griddle temperature, it should only take 3-4 minutes per side to produce a nicely caramelized crust with a soft and warm center.

If the temperature is too high the outside will burn before the custard in the center can cook. Aim for medium-low heat which is about 350°F. 

Ingredient Tips

Bread. There are many different types of cinnamon bread that will work great for this cinnamon bread french toast recipe – different brands of cinnamon white bread, challah, or brioche bread. Or make your own loaf of Cinnamon Swirl Bread.

Another delicious idea is to use cinnamon raisin bread. No matter what bread you choose it needs to be sturdy enough to support soaking up the custard. Slightly stale bread works great. 

• Bread that is too thinly sliced can cause a limp and soggy french toast. Try to stick between ¾ inch and 1-inch thick pieces. 
• Soak the slices long enough for the custard to saturate, but not so long that it falls apart. 

Separate eggs. There are many methods out there, but I like to use one of the following ways:

• Hold one hand (a fork or slotted spoon work as well) above a bowl and crack the egg open above it. The whites drip through the fingers leaving the yolk behind. 
• Open the egg up over a bowl. Keep the yolk in one half of the shell and allow the whites to drip out. Transfer the yolk to the other shell allowing the white to drip out. Continue transferring the yolk from one shell to the other until all the whites have dripped out.
• Pro Tip: Don’t toss the whites. Instead, make Scrambled Eggs and serve them with french toast.
• Whisk the egg custard well to avoid patches of baked egg whites.

Storing Info

Keep warm. Keep the french toast warm in the oven for about 20 minutes before serving.

• Place a baking tray or two in the oven, heat it to about 200°F, and turn the oven off.
• As you finish cooking the french toast, place them onto the baking trays to keep warm.
• Keep them in a single layer to avoid the pieces on the bottom becoming soggy. 

STORE. Whether making it ahead of time or storing leftovers:

• Refrigerator: Store the cooled french toast in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To store longer, freeze them.
• Freezer: Allow the french toast slices to cool. I like to place each slice in a fold-top sandwich bag and then store them together in a Freezer Ziploc bag. For best quality, eat within 1–2 months, but they can last a couple of months longer. 

To reheat. To reheat a couple of slices, melt a bit of butter in a hot skillet and reheat each side of the French Toast with Cinnamon Bread. Or use a toaster or a microwave. 

To heat up a large amount, use the oven. Place the french toast on a foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake for 5-6 minutes, or 8–10 minutes if frozen. Flip halfway.

Recipe FAQ

For more french toast recipes, try:

• French Toast Casserole
• Stuffed French Toast
• French Toast Sticks
• French Toast Muffins
• Creme Brulee French Toast