If you think you’ve tasted all there is to love about French toast, wait until you try this Crunchy French Toast recipe. It’s a glorious twist on the classic—the type of breakfast that dazzles at brunch, but is totally achievable on a lazy weekend morning. Thick, pillowy bread is dipped in a rich, cinnamon-vanilla custard, then pressed into golden cornflakes for a satisfying crunch with every bite. Whether you serve it with fresh berries, a cascade of maple syrup, or simply as is, Crunchy French Toast is a dish you’ll be dreaming about long after breakfast is over.

Crunchy French Toast Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the beauties of Crunchy French Toast is that you probably have most of these simple ingredients waiting in your kitchen already. Each one truly matters—their combination makes the texture irresistible and the flavor unforgettable.

Eggs: The essential base for your French toast custard, bringing richness and helping everything hold together.
Whole Milk: Adds creaminess and moisture, ensuring the bread is tender inside.
Granulated Sugar: Just a touch to sweeten up the custard without making it cloying.
Vanilla Extract: Infuses the toast with a dreamy, aromatic warmth.
Cinnamon: The coziest spice—classic, fragrant, and the perfect pairing to the sweet crunch.
Pinch of Salt: Never skip this! It highlights all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
Thick-Cut Bread (like brioche or Texas toast): Sturdy slices soak up the custard while holding their shape, resulting in a perfect bite.
Crushed Cornflakes: The secret to the magic—these bring the signature crunchy coating you’ll crave.
Butter: For frying; adds richness and that beautiful golden color.
Maple Syrup and Fresh Berries (optional): For topping—totally optional but highly recommended for bursts of sweetness and freshness.

How to Make Crunchy French Toast

Step 1: Prepare the Custard

Grab a shallow bowl and whisk together the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and just a pinch of salt. Take your time to blend everything until perfectly smooth—the more even your custard, the better your bread will soak it up.

Step 2: Crush the Cornflakes

Pour your cornflakes into a large plastic bag and give them a quick crush with your hands or a rolling pin. Aim for pieces about the size of small peas—not too fine, so you get that wildly good crunch, but not too chunky either. Transfer them to another wide, shallow dish for easy dipping.

Step 3: Dip and Coat the Bread

Take each slice of thick-cut bread and dip it generously into the egg mixture, letting it soak for a couple seconds on each side. Move quickly so the bread gets custardy but doesn’t fall apart. Next, press both sides gently into the crushed cornflakes, patting to make sure every inch is covered in crispy goodness.

Step 4: Cook Until Golden and Crunchy

Heat your skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt the butter until it’s sizzling just a bit. Lay the coated bread slices in the pan (work in batches if needed) and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Peek underneath before flipping—they should turn deep golden and super crispy!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Move your crunchy masterpieces to a serving plate. Now comes the best part—topping! Pour over warm maple syrup, scatter with fresh berries, or go wild with your favorite extras. Crunchy French Toast shines however you serve it.

How to Serve Crunchy French Toast

Garnishes

Enhance every bite by drizzling your Crunchy French Toast with pure maple syrup and a shower of fresh berries. A quick dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream turns it into a brunch showstopper. Finish it off with a little grated lemon zest for bright, citrusy flair if you want to get fancy.

Side Dishes

This toast is filling on its own, but you can round out the meal with crispy bacon, savory breakfast sausage, or a pile of creamy scrambled eggs. For a lighter touch, pair it with a side of Greek yogurt or a refreshing fruit salad—those cool, tangy flavors pop against the warm crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the Crunchy French Toast into sticks for a kid-friendly breakfast, or slice into triangles for a pretty plated look. Stack them with alternating layers of berries and whipped cream for a brunch tower, or even sandwich fluffy cream cheese between slices for an over-the-top twist. However you serve it, expect smiles all around!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any slices left, let them cool completely before storing. Place the Crunchy French Toast in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days—the cornflake coating will soften a bit, but the flavor stays fabulous.

Freezing

Want to make mornings extra easy? When cool, layer slices of Crunchy French Toast between sheets of parchment paper and seal in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to a month. You’ll thank yourself on busy days!

Reheating

To bring back the crunchy magic, reheat slices in a toaster oven, oven, or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through and crisp again. The microwave works in a pinch, but the toast won’t be quite as crunchy.

FAQs

Can I use gluten-free bread or cereal?

Absolutely! Swap in your favorite gluten-free bread and gluten-free cornflakes, and follow the recipe as usual. The texture and taste will still be delightful, making it perfect for anyone with dietary needs.

What’s the best bread for Crunchy French Toast?

Thick-cut brioche, challah, or Texas toast is ideal. Day-old bread holds up even better to the custard soak and gives you that plush center with a crunchy crust—the true French toast dream!

Can I prep everything the night before?

Yes! You can whisk together the custard and crush the cornflakes in advance. For best results, coat and cook the bread fresh in the morning so you get peak crunch for breakfast.

Why won’t my cornflakes stick?

If the cornflakes aren’t sticking, it could be that the bread isn’t soaked enough, or your cereal pieces are too big. Try pressing a little more gently and evenly. A quick pat after coating usually helps everything adhere beautifully.

Is Crunchy French Toast kid-friendly?

Kids love the fun twist of Crunchy French Toast! You can cut it into dippable fingers and let them dunk in syrup or yogurt. It’s a breakfast that gets everyone excited to come to the table.

Final Thoughts

Once you taste just how craveable and easy homemade Crunchy French Toast can be, it might just become your new weekend tradition. Whether you enjoy it as a special treat or a cozy breakfast, it’s impossible not to smile with every crispy, custardy bite. Gather your favorite people and give this recipe a try—delicious mornings are waiting!

Crunchy French Toast Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

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

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Description

Indulge in a delightful breakfast treat with this Crunchy French Toast recipe. The combination of crispy cornflakes and sweet maple syrup adds a delicious twist to a classic favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Egg Mixture:

4 large eggs
½ cup whole milk
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of salt

Other Ingredients:

6 slices thick-cut bread (like brioche or Texas toast)
2 cups crushed cornflakes
2 tablespoons butter
Maple syrup and fresh berries for serving (optional)

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Instructions

Egg Mixture: In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
Cornflake Coating: Place crushed cornflakes in a separate shallow dish. Dip each bread slice into the egg mixture, then press into the cornflakes, coating both sides.
Cooking: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add butter. Cook bread slices for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
Serve: Warm with maple syrup and fresh berries if desired.