Apple Cinnamon French Toast

Is it dessert? Is it breakfast? Does it matter? All I know is this apple cinnamon French toast is delicious! Rich, indulgent, cinnamon-y, syrup-y, quick, and so easy to make — this French toast is the most perfect treat any time of day!

Looking for more amazing French toast recipes? I have you covered with recipes for Strawberries and Cream French Toast, Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Muffins, and Cinnamon French Toast Sticks.

Can you believe there was a time when I didn’t think I liked French toast? I know, utter blasphemy, but it’s true. Growing up I could devour a stack of buttermilk pancakes, or easily down my mother’s Belgian waffles, but French toast? Pass. 

This recipe was the game-changer for me seven or eight years ago. I got the idea to make a Fall-inspired French toast recipe and something about the combination of apples, cinnamon, and that buttery brown sugar syrup really spoke to me.

I originally shared this cinnamon French toast with you six years ago and rave reviews have been pouring in ever since – especially when Fall time comes around. I recently made it again for my kids and took some new photographs to give this recipe the love it deserves! 

Why This Recipe Works

So fast — This recipe is easy, insanely delicious, and takes 15 minutes max so there’s no excuse not to treat yourself this weekend! 

Apples — Cut up those uneaten apples in your crisper drawer, use a variety of apples, use only one kind of apple, really anything goes here. 

Any bread — Use up those few slices of bread that are about to go stale, or a fancy bread you love, or any bread you like, really. It’s all good! 

Cinnamon — Well, it’s really hard to make cinnamon French toast without the cinnamon right? But, honestly, it’s what makes this brioche French toast stand out. Mixed with apples…so. good! 

Here’s How You Make It

Making the apple topping

1. Add the apple slices, brown sugar, and butter in a medium saucepan. Cook this mixture over medium high heat until the brown sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted. 
2. Now add a 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla and a 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the apples and butter, and reduce the heat to simmer, cooking 6-8 minutes longer. 
3. Remove the apples mixture from the heat and allow it all to cool slightly and thicken while you prepare toast.

Making the cinnamon French toast

1. In a large, wide bowl, you’ll whisk together the eggs, vanilla, milk, and cinnamon. 
2. Next, stir in the flour and whisk the mixture until it’s smooth. 
3. Now, grab the bread and completely submerge one slice of bread in the mixture at a time, careful to coat both sides. Once it’s coated on both sides, lift the slice of bread out of the liquid and allow excess batter to drip off. 
4. Cook the slices of soaked bread in a large pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until lightly browned, then flip it and cook on the other side for another 1-2 minutes. Repeat with remaining bread slices. 

Putting it together

Add desired amount of toasts to a plate and generously top with the apple-cinnamon mixture. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or other toppings if desired.

Ideas for Customizing French Toast

• Add nuts. That’s right, a little sprinkle of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds right on top would be tasty and add a nice texture. 
• Whipped cream is always a welcome sight in my home. Pile it on top of the apples and dive right in! 
• Another way I love to mix up this dish is to add chocolate or even cinnamon chips to the top. Sprinkle them on as you’re plating the dish so the chips don’t melt. It’s a wonderful treat to bite into chocolate with every bite of the cinnamon French toast! 
• Want more fruit than just apples? I hear ya. I’ve been known to add blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries in with the apples, cuz, why not? Oh! And slices of banana on top are yum too! 
• You know what goes great with apples? Cheddar cheese. That’s right. Add a couple small cubes or slices of cheddar right on top of the bread and before the apple mixture for a lovely sweet/savory mix! 

Expert Tips

• If you want to save time, you can totally make the apple cinnamon topping the  night before. Simply reheat in a saucepan while you grill the bread (or the microwave will work too!). 
• I don’t love leftover French toast. It tends to get too soggy for my taste. If you want leftovers, save the batter in a separate container and make again the next day. 
• For best results, use thicker cuts of bread (at least an inch) to make this the best French toast you’ve ever made! 

More Delicious Breakfast Recipes

• Strawberries and Cream French Toast
• Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake
• Cinnamon Swirl Banana Muffins
• Overnight French Toast Casserole
• Best Fluffy Belgian Waffles
• Easy Crepes (try it with my favorite blueberry filling  or banana filling)
• Best Easy French Toast

Did you make this dish? Please rate the recipe below!