If you’re craving a breakfast that breaks out of the ordinary, delivers on both texture and flavor, and is guaranteed to make your morning extra-special, you’ll love this Crunchy French Toast Recipe. Thick slices of bread are soaked in a silky vanilla-cinnamon custard before being pressed into a layer of crisp, golden crushed cornflakes, creating a sensational crust that shatters with every bite. Finished with a touch of butter, maple syrup, and fresh fruit, this is a brunch treat that everyone will be excited to gather around the table for. Get ready to make this recipe your newest breakfast favorite!

Crunchy French Toast Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These basic, no-fuss ingredients come together to make breakfast truly irresistible. Each one adds a little something magic—whether it’s richness, aroma, cozy warmth, or that legendary crunch!

Eggs: Provide richness and structure, forming the base of the custard that helps everything stick together beautifully.
Whole milk: Adds creaminess and a soft, moist texture to the inside of your French toast.
Granulated sugar: Brings a just-right sweetness that caramelizes ever-so-slightly on the skillet.
Vanilla extract: Infuses each bite with a fragrant, cozy aroma that’s absolutely essential for French toast.
Ground cinnamon: Lends gentle warmth and classic breakfast charm that pairs perfectly with the crispy coating.
Salt: Highlights all the sweet flavors and keeps your French toast from being bland.
Thick-cut bread: Brioche or Texas toast holds up to soaking and crisping, delivering that coveted pillowy interior.
Crushed cornflakes: The star ingredient that gives this Crunchy French Toast Recipe its signature shatteringly crisp exterior.
Butter (for frying): Ensures a rich, golden brown crust with unbeatable flavor.
Maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit (for serving): Classic toppings that offer sweetness, color, and a little tartness to balance out every bite.

How to Make Crunchy French Toast Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Custard Bath

Start by grabbing a shallow bowl and whisking together the eggs, whole milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until the mixture is completely smooth. This batter is the secret to creating French toast that’s ultra flavorful on the inside and ready to grip a crunchy coating.

Step 2: Ready the Crunchy Coating

Pour your crushed cornflakes into another shallow dish. For maximum crunch in your Crunchy French Toast Recipe, give them a light crush—big flakes are best! They’ll provide that distinctive crispy bite everyone raves about and create pockets for maple syrup to pool in later.

Step 3: Dip and Coat Each Slice

Take a thick cut of bread and dip it into the custard, letting it soak for a few seconds on each side so the inside is custardy but not soggy. Then, press both sides into the cornflakes, ensuring every surface is fully coated in that golden, craggy cereal layer.

Step 4: Sizzle to Golden Perfection

Place a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a generous spoonful of butter. Once it melts and foams, add your coated bread. Let each slice cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until you see the coating turn a gorgeous shade of deep gold. The kitchen will start to smell like pure breakfast heaven.

Step 5: Serve While Hot

Once all your slices are cooked and irresistibly crisp, serve your Crunchy French Toast Recipe immediately—nothing beats that warm, crunchy texture straight from the skillet. Pile the toast high, dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with maple syrup, and scatter fresh fruit over the top for the perfect finish.

How to Serve Crunchy French Toast Recipe

Garnishes

Classic maple syrup, a gentle snowfall of powdered sugar, and a handful of fresh seasonal fruit make beautiful finishing touches that add both flavor and visual appeal to your Crunchy French Toast Recipe. Don’t forget a dollop of whipped cream if you’re feeling extra decadent!

Side Dishes

This French toast pairs like a dream with crispy bacon, savory sausage, or fluffy scrambled eggs. For a lighter touch, serve it alongside a fresh fruit salad or a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice to brighten up the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Crunchy French Toast Recipe into a brunch showstopper by stacking slices and threading them with skewers, or cut them into fingers for dipping. Try layering with yogurt and berries for a French toast parfait, or serve as bite-sized cubes for a brunch board with caramel sauce, nut butters, and chocolate drizzle.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra slices, let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to two days, and the cornflake crunch will still linger nicely if you reheat them properly.

Freezing

You can freeze cooked Crunchy French Toast Recipe slices by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer bag. This way, you can pop out individual slices anytime you crave a quick, special breakfast.

Reheating

Restore that irresistible crunch by reheating slices in a toaster oven or a 350°F oven for 5–8 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the cereal coating soggy instead of crispy.

FAQs

What’s the best bread to use for this Crunchy French Toast Recipe?

Thick-cut brioche or Texas toast are ideal since they absorb the custard beautifully and stay pillowy soft inside, even after soaking and frying. Day-old bread works best because it’s less likely to fall apart during the dipping process.

Can I make the custard ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can whisk the custard the night before and refrigerate it tightly covered. Give it a quick stir before you start dipping in the morning for easy, no-stress prep.

How do I keep the cornflake coating from falling off?

Be sure to press the bread firmly into the cornflakes on both sides, and don’t skimp! Allow the toast to rest on a wire rack for a minute or two before frying if you want even better adhesion.

Is this Crunchy French Toast Recipe gluten free?

As written, traditional bread and cornflakes contain gluten. Swap in your favorite gluten-free bread and gluten-free cornflakes to make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

What flavors can I add to jazz up the French toast?

Stir a bit of orange zest, a pinch of nutmeg, or a splash of almond extract into the custard for a fun twist, or top the finished French toast with a sprinkle of toasted coconut or chopped nuts for even more flavor and crunch.

Final Thoughts

Breakfast is always better when it’s a little bit special, and this Crunchy French Toast Recipe brings the perfect mix of comfort, nostalgia, and wow-factor crunch. Whether you’re serving family, friends, or just treating yourself, I hope you’ll fall in love with every bite—give it a go and see just how delicious homemade mornings can be!

Crunchy French Toast Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 9 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Crunchy French Toast is a delightful twist on the classic breakfast favorite. With a crispy cornflake coating and a soft, custardy interior, this dish offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Serve it warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh fruit for a breakfast treat that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Egg Mixture:

4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Coating and Serving:

6 slices thick-cut bread (such as brioche or Texas toast)
2 cups crushed cornflakes
2 tablespoons butter (for frying)
Maple syrup
Powdered sugar
Fresh fruit for serving

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Instructions

Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
Coat the Bread: Pour the crushed cornflakes into a separate shallow dish. Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, then coat it with the crushed cornflakes.
Cook the French Toast: Fry the coated bread slices in butter until golden and crispy on both sides.
Serve: Enjoy warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh fruit.