If you have ever dreamed of combining the crispy charm of waffles with the rich, custardy delight of French toast, look no further than this French Toast Waffles Recipe. These golden, fluffy waffles soak up all the classic cinnamon, vanilla, and eggy goodness of French toast, yet deliver a satisfying crunch all around thanks to the waffle iron. Perfect for a cozy weekend brunch or a special breakfast treat, this recipe brings a whole new level of comfort and indulgence to your morning table. It’s surprisingly easy to make and utterly irresistible once you take that first bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, quality ingredients is the secret to nailing this French Toast Waffles Recipe. Each element plays a crucial role — the challah bread adds a tender, slightly sweet base, while the cinnamon and vanilla infuse warm, inviting flavors. The eggs and milk create a luscious custard that soaks into the bread, ensuring every waffle is moist inside with a perfectly crisp outside.
- Challah bread, sliced 1 inch thick: Its soft texture and slight sweetness make it ideal for soaking up the custard without falling apart.
- Whole milk, 1 cup: Adds creaminess and helps achieve that custardy feel in each bite.
- Large eggs, 6: They’re essential for structure and richness in the custard mix.
- Ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons: Brings warm, aromatic notes classic to French toast flavor.
- Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon: Enhances sweetness and adds depth to the custard.
- Granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons: Just enough to sweeten without overpowering, helping caramelize the waffle’s edges.
- Butter for serving: Adds a luscious, melty finish on warm waffles.
- Maple syrup for serving: The perfect natural sweetness to drizzle generously over your waffles.
How to Make French Toast Waffles Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Waffle Iron
Start by heating your waffle iron according to its instructions. A well-heated waffle iron ensures your French toast waffles become wonderfully crisp and golden. Lightly grease the iron if your model recommends it to prevent sticking and help achieve that perfect crust.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Custard Mixture
In a shallow, wide bowl, beat the eggs with whole milk. Add in the cinnamon, vanilla extract, and sugar, whisking until everything is smoothly combined. This luscious custard is where your flavor magic happens. It’s important to get it well mixed for an even coating on your bread slices.
Step 3: Dip the Bread
Take each thick slice of challah and immerse it in the custard mixture. Turn it so every inch is soaked but not saturated to the point of sogginess. Let any excess drip off gently before transferring the bread to your waffle iron. This step is key to achieving that balance between crispy exterior and tender, custardy interior.
Step 4: Cook the Waffles
Place the soaked bread on the hot waffle iron and close the lid carefully. Cook for about 4 to 6 minutes, depending on your waffle iron, until the waffles develop a perfect golden brown color and a satisfying crispness. The result is a waffle that tastes and feels like classic French toast—but with an extraordinary twist.
Step 5: Keep Warm and Continue Cooking
Once cooked, transfer your French toast waffles to a wire rack to maintain crispness while you repeat the process with the rest of your bread slices. Avoid stacking them immediately, or steam will make them soggy. This little trick ensures every waffle stays delightful until served.
How to Serve French Toast Waffles Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your French Toast Waffles Recipe experience with classic and fresh garnishes. A pat of butter melting slowly over steaming waffles adds richness. Dusting powdered sugar brings a delicate sweetness, while fresh berries inject a burst of color and tartness that balances the custard’s creaminess wonderfully.
Side Dishes
Pair your waffles with crispy bacon or savory breakfast sausage for a satisfyingly balanced plate. A side of scrambled eggs or fresh fruit salad also complements the sweet, cinnamony flavors of your waffles, turning this breakfast treat into a full-on feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your French Toast Waffles Recipe to the next level by stacking waffles into towering layers with layers of whipped cream and berry compote in between. Or spread a layer of cream cheese frosting and sprinkle chopped nuts on top for an indulgent brunch twist that will wow guests every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover French toast waffles, don’t worry! Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping them crisp is easy if you place paper towels between layers to absorb moisture.
Freezing
French toast waffles freeze beautifully. Flash-freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. This prevents sticking and allows you to pop out just what you need later. Frozen waffles can last up to 2 months and still taste freshly made when reheated properly.
Reheating
To bring your leftovers back to life, toast the waffles in a toaster or reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. This method restores their crisp exterior while warming through without drying out — just like when fresh off the waffle iron.
FAQs
Can I use bread other than challah for the French Toast Waffles Recipe?
Absolutely! While challah is ideal for its softness and sweetness, brioche or Texas toast also work beautifully. Just make sure the bread slices are thick enough to hold the custard without falling apart.
Do I need to grease my waffle iron every time I cook?
It depends on your waffle iron model. Some have non-stick surfaces that require no added fat, but if your waffles start sticking, a light butter or oil brush between batches will help keep things moving smoothly.
Can I prepare the custard mixture in advance?
Yes, you can make the custard up to a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Give it a quick whisk before dipping the bread slices to recombine any separated ingredients.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Definitely! Substitute whole milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk, and use vegan butter for serving. The flavor may shift slightly but will still be deliciously satisfying.
How long do French toast waffles take to cook?
Typically between 4 to 6 minutes per waffle, depending on your iron and desired level of crispiness. Keep an eye on the color, aiming for a deep, even golden brown.
Final Thoughts
I really hope you give this French Toast Waffles Recipe a try because it truly elevates your breakfast game in the most delightful way. Crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful inside, it’s a guaranteed winner whether you’re impressing guests or treating yourself on a slow weekend morning. Trust me, once you taste these waffles, they’ll become your go-to brunch favorite for years to come!
Print
French Toast Waffles Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 waffles
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Waffle Iron
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These French Toast Waffles combine the classic flavors of French toast with the crispiness of waffles. Made with thick slices of challah bread soaked in a cinnamon vanilla egg custard, then cooked in a waffle iron to golden perfection, they make an easy and delicious brunch treat that’s fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside.
Ingredients
Waffle Base
- 1 loaf challah bread, sliced 1 inch thick
Custard Mixture
- 1 cup whole milk
- 6 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
For Serving
- Butter
- Maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat Waffle Iron: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease the waffle iron if required to prevent sticking.
- Make Custard Mixture: In a wide shallow bowl, whisk together the whole milk, eggs, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar until smooth and well combined to form the custard base.
- Soak Bread Slices: Dip each slice of 1-inch thick challah bread into the egg custard, turning to coat both sides and allowing the bread to soak briefly to absorb the mixture.
- Drain Excess Custard: Lift the soaked bread from the mixture, letting any excess custard drip off to avoid sogginess.
- Cook in Waffle Iron: Place the soaked bread onto the preheated waffle iron and close the lid gently. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes until the waffle is golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Keep Warm: Remove the cooked waffles and place them on a wire rack to keep crisp while you cook the remaining slices.
- Serve: Serve the French toast waffles warm topped with butter and maple syrup for a delightful brunch experience.
Notes
- Use challah bread or brioche for best results due to their rich texture.
- Adjust soaking time based on bread thickness to avoid overly soggy waffles.
- Cook waffles until crisp to maintain texture when serving with syrup.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat in a toaster or waffle iron for best texture.
