Want to combine the delight of both breakfast and holiday flavors? This easy eggnog French toast recipe lets you do just that!
Not to be overly dramatic, but it’ll seriously be love at first bite.
For those wondering, “What is eggnog?” let’s just say it’s creamy, rich, and pairs perfectly with the custardy goodness of French toast.
You’ll love the flavor and the crunchy, cinnamon-spiced coating.
Not to mention, it has all the extra decadence you can add with toppings!
Seriously, you won’t want to sleep on this eggnog French toast recipe.
If you do, you’ll kick yourself till next Christmas, especially when you find out how easy it is to make.
Eggnog French Toast
If there’s one thing I aim to be every holiday season, it’s festive. So much so, I try to work a little holiday cheer into every day of December.
And one easy way to do that is with this eggnog French toast.
It’s a simple, five-ingredient holiday breakfast recipe that takes no special skill in the kitchen.
My family loves waking up to the sweet smells of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
And I love making it just as much as they love eating it! (Okay, I also love eating it. It’s super yummy.)
It’s rich, sweet, and just a bit decadent. And if you can find eggnog outside of December, you can make it any time of year.
Ingredients
Here are the five ingredients you’ll need to make eggnog French toast:
- Bread. The trick to choosing the right bread for this recipe is going for something thick. You don’t want to use anything less than an inch thick. French bread is an excellent choice. You can also use brioche, Challa, or sourdough.
- Eggnog. I’m never picky about which eggnog I use. Go for name brand or generic; both will taste equally as good. Stick to original nog, though. Low-fat won’t give you the same rich flavor.
- Eggs. Two large eggs should do the trick. They act as a binding agent and help the eggnog mixture stick to the bread.
- Cinnamon. Ground cinnamon is where most of the flavor comes from in this recipe. Be sure to use fresh cinnamon, not some that’s been sitting in your pantry for years. The fresher the cinnamon, the bolder the flavor.
- Pumpkin pie spice. Again, use a fresh batch of pumpkin pie spice. If you bought it last year, replacing it might be a good idea.
That’s all you’ll need for the recipe itself. As for toppings, you can go as decadent or simple as you like.
I’ll discuss some of my favorites in the tips section below.
How to Make Eggnog French Toast
Scroll to the bottom for the complete, step-by-step recipe. For now, here’s a brief overview of the steps:
1. Make the eggnog mixture. Combine all the ingredients except the bread in a large mixing bowl. Then, whisk it vigorously until everything is fully incorporated.
Then, pour the mixture into a shallow dish. (It should be deep and wide enough to dip each slice of bread in.)
2. Prepare the skillet. Set the electric skillet to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease it with butter.
3. Dip the bread. Dip each slice of bread into the eggnog mixture. Thoroughly coat both sides.
4. Cook the bread. Then, cook the bread slices on the preheated skillet. You flip it once, cooking each side until it browns.
You have to cook the bread in batches, so have a serving platter ready.
When one slice is done, move it to the platter and cover it with aluminum foil. Continue until all the French toast is ready.
5. Add toppings and serve. Finally, add your desired toppings, serve, and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
Alright, guys. I promised to give you some of my favorite toppings, and I never break a promise.
So check that out, along with some tips and variations for this recipe:
- Experiment with different toppings. My favorites include warm maple syrup, honey, powdered sugar, fresh berries, and butter. You could also use chocolate, caramel, or strawberry sauce, nuts, or anything else.
- Cut down on the eggnog if it’s too rich. Some think 1-1/2 cups of eggnog makes this recipe too rich. (Others just don’t really like eggnog.) If either of those sounds like you, cut the eggnog in half. Use only 3/4 of a cup. Then, add another 3/4 cup of milk instead. It makes the eggnog taste less noticeable.
- Let the bread soak in the mixture. Don’t just dip it in and take it back out. Let it sit for a minute or so before removing it. Doing so will give you a richer flavor and better texture.
- Stale bread works fine, but so does fresh. The one thing you always hear about French toast is that you should use stale bread. And that’s not a myth! Stale bread works great for French toast. However, if all you have is fresh bread, that’s okay, too. It’ll taste just as good.
You can also make a dairy-free version of this recipe. Use cooking spray to grease your skillet instead of butter.
And remember to pick up dairy-free eggnog.
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free bread.
How to Store
Unfortunately, eggnog French toast doesn’t freeze well. However, you can store your leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Simply transfer the slices (without toppings) to an air-tight container or Ziploc bag. Then, place them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can use the microwave, oven, or air fryer to reheat them. Here are the instructions for all three options:
- Microwave: Heat it on high heat for about 2 minutes.
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, place the bread on a baking sheet in the oven for a few minutes until it’s warmed through.
- Air fryer: Cook it for 2-3 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remember, the toast might not be as crunchy if you use the microwave.
More French Toast Recipes You’ll Love
French Toast Bagel
Croissant French Toast
Baileys French Toast
Eggnog French Toast (Easy Recipe)
4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalFor a breakfast to remember, try this eggnog French toast! This simple 5-ingredient recipe is perfect for the holidays or any time of year.
Ingredients
1 -1/2 cups eggnog
2 eggs, beaten slightly
1 -1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, or to taste
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
12 slices French bread
Instructions
- Combine eggnog, eggs, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in a mixing bowl. Mix with a large whisk until fully blended. Pour the mixture into a shallow dish large enough for dipping bread.
- Lightly grease and preheat an electric skillet to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Dip each slice of bread (one at a time) into the mixture. Coat both sides thoroughly before removing.
- Transfer the coated bread slices to the skillet. Cook until brown, then flip and cook the other side until brown.
- Transfer each piece of bread to a serving platter. Cover the prepared French toast with foil to keep it warm until all slices have been cooked. Add desired toppings, serve immediately, and enjoy!
