Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Bites: A Breakfast Delight

Introduction

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Bites are a delightful and fun twist on the classic French toast. These bite-sized pieces are coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture and then pan-fried to golden perfection. Whether you’re making them for a special breakfast, brunch, or a weekend treat, these French toast bites are perfect for dipping in syrup, powdered sugar, or your favorite fruit topping. They’re a great way to enjoy all the flavor of French toast in a portable and easy-to-eat form.

The History of Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Bites

French toast itself dates back centuries, with its origins believed to go back to the Roman Empire, where they would soak bread in milk and egg to avoid wasting stale bread. Over the years, the dish has evolved into a breakfast favorite worldwide, often served with sweet toppings like syrup, butter, and powdered sugar. Adding cinnamon to the mix, particularly in the form of cinnamon swirl bread, enhances the flavor profile and gives the dish a cozy, comforting touch. The concept of French toast bites likely emerged as a way to make the classic dish more finger-food friendly, perfect for casual brunches or as a kid-friendly breakfast.

Ingredients Breakdown

Cinnamon Swirl Bread: The foundation of the bites, which brings a sweet, spicy cinnamon flavor. You can use store-bought or homemade cinnamon swirl bread.
Eggs: To create the egg wash that coats the bread and gives the bites a rich, golden exterior when cooked.
Milk: To help thin the egg mixture and create a custard-like texture for the French toast.
Cinnamon and Sugar: A blend of cinnamon and sugar to coat the bites after they’re cooked, adding extra sweetness and warmth.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of flavor to the egg mixture.
Butter: Used for pan-frying the French toast bites, helping them crisp up and develop a golden brown color.
Maple Syrup or Powdered Sugar: Optional for serving, for extra sweetness and presentation.

Step-by-Step Recipe

Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
Cut the Bread: Slice the cinnamon swirl bread into 1-inch cubes. If your bread is a bit stale, it will soak up the egg mixture better, but fresh bread works fine too.
Coat the Bread: Dip each bread cube into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated. Let any excess liquid drip off.
Cook the Bites: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt 1-2 tbsp of butter. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, add the bread cubes and cook in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating: While the bread is cooking, mix 1/4 cup sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon in a shallow dish. Once the French toast bites are cooked, immediately toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well coated.
Serve: Serve warm, and drizzle with maple syrup, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or add fresh fruit for a complete breakfast.

Tips for the Perfect Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Bites

Use Stale Bread: Slightly stale cinnamon swirl bread works best because it absorbs the egg mixture better and holds up during cooking. Fresh bread can work too but may not be as firm.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the bites in batches to avoid overcrowding. This ensures they cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.
Adjust the Cinnamon-Sugar: If you like it extra sweet, feel free to increase the cinnamon and sugar coating.
Serve Immediately: These French toast bites are best served fresh and warm to maintain their crisp texture.

Variations and Customizations

Add Fruit: Top the French toast bites with fresh fruit like strawberries, bananas, or blueberries for a fruity twist.
Make It Nutty: Add a handful of chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) into the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a bit of crunch and extra flavor.
Stuffed French Toast Bites: Spread a thin layer of peanut butter, Nutella, or cream cheese between two pieces of cinnamon swirl bread before cutting them into cubes for a decadent stuffed version.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the cinnamon-sugar mix for a sweet and spicy flavor contrast.
Vegan Version: Swap the eggs for a plant-based egg substitute and use a non-dairy milk like almond milk or oat milk to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
Maple Pecan: Drizzle the bites with warm maple syrup and top with toasted pecans for a luxurious, fall-inspired treat.

Health Considerations and Nutritional Value

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Bites are a sweet indulgence, and while delicious, they are high in sugar, fat, and calories. Here are a few ways to make them a bit lighter:

Use Whole Grain Bread: Opt for whole-grain cinnamon bread for added fiber and nutrients.
Lower Sugar: Reduce the amount of sugar in the cinnamon-sugar coating or use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit.
Air-Fry: If you have an air fryer, you can air-fry the French toast bites with less butter for a lower-fat option.
Use Egg Whites: Swap out whole eggs for egg whites or a low-fat egg substitute to cut down on calories and fat.
Fresh Fruit Toppings: Add fresh fruit like berries or sliced bananas to boost the nutritional value and add some vitamins and antioxidants.

Nutritional Information (approx. per serving):

Calories: 250-300 (depending on bread and toppings)
Protein: 6-8g
Fat: 10-12g
Carbohydrates: 35-40g
Fiber: 2-3g
Sodium: 200-250mg

FAQ

Can I use regular white bread instead of cinnamon swirl bread? While you can, using cinnamon swirl bread is what makes this dish special. However, if you prefer plain white bread, you can add cinnamon and sugar to the egg mixture to replicate the flavor.
Can I prepare these bites ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the French toast bites and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven or on the stove for a few minutes before serving.
Can I make these bites gluten-free? Yes, you can make them gluten-free by using gluten-free cinnamon swirl bread and ensuring that all other ingredients, like the cinnamon-sugar coating, are gluten-free.
How can I make this a more filling meal? To make these bites a more substantial meal, you can add a protein like scrambled eggs, sausage, or bacon on the side. Or serve them with yogurt for a balance of carbs, protein, and fat.
Can I make these without frying? Yes, you can bake the French toast bites in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, for a lighter version. Just make sure they’re golden and crispy before serving.

Enjoy these fun, bite-sized Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Bites for a cozy and satisfying breakfast treat! They’re sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Bites: A Breakfast Dream Come True

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Bites are a delightful and fun twist on the classic French toast. These bite-sized pieces are coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture and then pan-fried to golden perfection. Whether you’re making them for a special breakfast, brunch, or a weekend treat, these French toast bites are perfect for dipping in syrup, powdered sugar, or your favorite fruit topping. They're a great way to enjoy all the flavor of French toast in a portable and easy-to-eat form.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 8

Cook Time 7

Total Time 15

Servings 3

Ingredients

4 thick slices of slightly stale white bread 1″/2.5cm thick (Note 1)
2 large eggs or 3 small eggs
1/4 cup milk
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
3 tbsp butter separated
Maple syrup to serve not optional!

Instructions

Cut the crust off the bread, then cut each piece into 9 equal cubes.
Whisk the eggs, milk and salt in a medium bowl.
Combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
Melt 1 1/2 tbsp of butter in a fry pan over medium high heat. Don’t let the butter brown.
Quickly toss half the bread cubes in the egg mixture and use your hands to shake off excess egg mixture. Place the bread cubes in the fry pan and use a wooden spoon to “sauté” them until browned on all sides – about 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove the bread cubes from the fry pan straight into the sugar mixture. Toss to coat, then remove onto a plate.
Repeat with remaining bread cubes.
Serve immediately, with maple syrup for dipping.

Notes

1. I really recommend using slightly stale bread for this so the bread doesn’t soak up too much egg mixture (which results in the inside of the french toast being soggy raw egg) AND they will hold their cube shape better when “sautéing” them. The best bread to use is a block loaf which you can cut into the desired thickness. This can be made with pre sliced bread but because the slices won’t be 1″/2.5cm thick, the french toast won’t be “cubes” (or they will be very small cubes!).

But if you don’t mind what shape they come out as, you can use any bread you want for this (though personally breads with grains in it isn’t to my taste for this dish). I’ve made this with sourdough, leftover baguettes and even mixing up scraps of different types of leftover bread.

2. The thickness of each slice of bread is about the equivalent of 2 slices of sandwich bread. But you cut the crusts off so you lose a bit of bread. So this recipe serves around 3 people, or 4 people watching their calorie intake, or 2 extremely hungry people / people who lack self control around doughnuts. 🙂

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