Description
Sweet and delicious Churro French Toast Bites! Cubes of challah bread soaked in a rich batter, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a cinnamon-sugar coating. A fun twist on classic French toast!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk (whole milk or 2%)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 loaf challah bread (or brioche, or any soft, slightly sweet bread), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, for cooking
- Optional: Chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, whipped cream, fresh berries for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Churro Coating: In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg (if using). Set aside.
- Make the French Toast Batter: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until light and frothy. Add the milk, heavy cream (if using), granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until well combined and the sugar is dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness or cinnamon as desired.
- Soak the Bread: Gently add a handful of bread cubes to the batter. Don’t overcrowd the bowl. Let soak for 1-2 minutes, flipping occasionally to ensure they are saturated but not soggy.
- Cook the French Toast Bites: Melt about 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Carefully remove the soaked bread cubes from the batter, letting any excess batter drip off. Place them in the hot skillet, leaving some space between each cube.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Flip gently. Adjust heat if browning too quickly.
- Remove from skillet and place on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess butter.
- Repeat steps 3-7 with the remaining bread cubes, adding more butter to the skillet as needed.
- Coat and Serve: While the French toast bites are still warm, immediately toss them in the churro coating until evenly coated.
- Transfer the coated French toast bites to a serving platter.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
- Optional: Drizzle with chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or top with whipped cream and fresh berries.
Notes
- Bread Choice: Challah is recommended, but brioche, Texas toast, or day-old croissants can be used.
- Batter Consistency: Add more milk if the batter is too thick.
- Cooking Time: Adjust cooking time based on bread thickness and skillet heat.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the churro coating.
- Make it Ahead: Prepare the churro coating and French toast batter ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Just be sure to whisk the batter again before using it.
- Baking Option: If you prefer to bake the French toast bites, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the soaked bread cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown, flipping halfway through. Then, toss them in the churro coating as directed.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free bread and gluten-free flour in the batter to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use almond milk or soy milk in place of the milk and heavy cream to make this recipe dairy-free. You can also use a dairy-free butter substitute for cooking.
- Add-ins: Get creative with your add-ins! Try adding chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit to the batter.
- Serving Suggestions: These Churro French Toast Bites are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. They’re also great for parties and gatherings. Serve them with a variety of dipping sauces, such as chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, maple syrup, or even a simple vanilla glaze.
- French Toast Bites are Soggy: Make sure you’re not soaking the bread cubes for too long. They should be saturated but not falling apart. Also, make sure your skillet is hot enough before adding the bread cubes.
- French Toast Bites are Burning: Reduce the heat of your skillet and cook the bread cubes for a shorter amount of time.
- Churro Coating is Not Sticking: Make sure the French toast bites are still warm when you toss them in the churro coating. The warmth helps the sugar and cinnamon mixture adhere to the bread.
- Batter is Too Thick: Add a little more milk until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Batter is Too Thin: Add a little more flour until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Leftovers: Store leftover Churro French Toast Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the French toast bites in the microwave, oven, or skillet until warmed through. They may lose some of their crispness when reheated.
- Freezing: You can freeze the Churro French Toast Bites for up to 2 months. Let them cool completely before freezing. To reheat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the microwave, oven, or skillet.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes