Description
These Pumpkin French Toast Bites are a delightful twist on classic French toast, featuring bite-sized cubes of French bread soaked in a spiced pumpkin custard, then pan-fried until golden and crispy. Perfect for a fall breakfast or brunch, they are served warm with maple syrup and an optional dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf of French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- Butter or non-stick spray for cooking
For Serving
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the custard mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until smooth and well combined.
- Soak the bread cubes: Add the bread cubes to the bowl and gently fold them into the pumpkin mixture to coat. Ensure each piece is thoroughly soaked with the custard mixture.
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, allowing the bread to absorb the flavors. For an even more intense flavor, refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the skillet: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of butter or coat with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the French toast bites: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, place the coated bread cubes in the skillet. Cook them until golden brown on all sides, approximately 2 to 4 minutes per side.
- Finish cooking all bites: Remove the cooked French Toast Bites and place them on a serving platter. Add more butter or spray to the skillet as needed and repeat with the remaining bread cubes.
- Serve warm: Drizzle the warm French Toast Bites with maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Using a day-old French bread helps the bread absorb the custard better without becoming too soggy.
- Refrigerating the soaked bread overnight enhances the flavor and results in a custard that deeply infuses the bread.
- Adjust the spices to your preference; for a stronger pumpkin spice flavor, add a little more cinnamon or nutmeg.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use a suitable butter alternative.
- This recipe can be doubled or halved easily depending on the number of servings needed.
