This recipe puts quite a swirl on your classic French toast breakfast. Cinnamon Swirl French Toast is a delightful breakfast treat that elevates classic French toast with a sweet and aromatic twist. Thick slices of cinnamon swirl bread are dipped in a batter of eggs, milk, and vanilla before being griddled to perfection. The result? A delicious dish, where the spicy and warm swirls of cinnamon offer a comforting flavor contrast to the golden brown toast. Pair it with some maple syrup and you’re in business!

Growing up, my dad used to whip up French toast for me almost every week, and it quickly became a favorite of mine. But when I headed off to college and those cravings hit, I had to learn to make it myself. Luckily, I found a budget-friendly hack: using cinnamon swirl bread. Over time, I’ve honed this recipe to perfection, tweaking ingredients and mastering the soaking and griddling process.

This is an easy french toast recipe. Now, whenever I host breakfast or brunch, this dish always steals the show. It’s not only impressive but also super easy to whip up, allowing me to make plenty for everyone. As someone who loves cooking at home, making this recipe always makes me feel like a pro chef. And trust me, with these instructions, your French toast will turn out just as perfect every single time. Follow along and yours will be perfect too!

Why This Recipe Stands Out

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast elevates a classic breakfast favorite with a sweet and spiced twist. The natural flavors of cinnamon swirl bread eliminate the need for added sugar in the batter, while the thick slices soak up just the right amount of egg mixture for a rich, custardy texture. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for both everyday mornings and special occasions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Minimal Ingredients – Just a few pantry staples are needed for this dish.
Quick & Easy – Ready in just 10 minutes, making it perfect for busy mornings.
Perfectly Spiced & Warm – The cinnamon swirl bread infuses every bite with warmth and sweetness.
Crowd-Pleaser – Whether for family brunch or a solo treat, it’s always a hit.

What Makes This Recipe Comforting?

French toast is already a cozy dish, but using cinnamon swirl bread takes it to another level.
The combination of warm cinnamon, rich vanilla, and golden brown toast creates the ultimate comforting breakfast.
Every bite of this cinnamon swirl french toast is soft on the inside with a slight crisp on the edges. That’s pretty comforting if I do say so myself!

Ingredients for Cinnamon Swirl French Toast:

Eggs – 4 large eggs provide structure and richness to the custard mixture.
Milk (dairy or non-dairy) – Adds moisture to the egg mixture, ensuring the French toast stays tender inside.
Vanilla Extract – Enhances the flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
Cinnamon Swirl Bread – The star of the dish! It’s best to use it slightly stale or dried out. You can find cinnamon swirl bread prepackaged at most grocery stores. Just be sure to choose one without raisins. The cinnamon sugar in the bread adds extra sweetness and spice, while slightly stale bread absorbs the custard better without getting soggy.
Butter – Used for cooking, butter creates a golden, crispy exterior and adds rich flavor. You can use salted or unsalted. It’s up to you!

How to Make Cinnamon Swirl French Toast:

Step 1. Make the Custard Mixture: In a shallow dish whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 2: Soak the Bread: Soak each side of the bread in the egg mixture (about 10 seconds per side) and set aside.
Step 3: Melt the Butter: Heat a griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt butter.
Step 4: Cook the French Toast: Place the coated bread on the hot griddle and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until it’s golden brown in color.
Step 5: Repeat if Necessary: Repeat the process with the remaining coated bread slices, adding more butter to the griddle as needed.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy: Take your French toast off the griddle and serve warm with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, whipped cream, and berries. Enjoy your warm and delicious Cinnamon Swirl French Toast!

Tips for Making Cinnamon Swirl French Toast

Don’t Oversoak the Bread– The bread doesn’t need to be drenched in the egg mixture or else it will fall apart. A quick dip (about 10 seconds per side) prevents the bread from becoming too soggy.
Use Medium Heat – Cooking over medium heat ensures even browning without burning the exterior. This also helps to not burn the butter.
Serve it Warm – This cinnamon swirl French toast tastes best when served warm.

Pairing Suggestions

Pure Maple Syrup – I like serving my french toast with pure maple syrup, But you can use your syrup of choice such as table syrup or even blueberry syrup!
Whipped Cream & Berries – Fresh fruit and a dollop of whipped cream add a light, refreshing contrast.
Salted Butter – for a nice contrast to the sweet and spiced tastes, generously slather salted butter oven the warm cinnamon swirl french toast.
Savory Sides – Serve this dish with your typical breakfast sides like eggs, crispy bacon or breakfast sausage.

Hopefully, you find this Cinnamon Swirl French Toast simple, delicious, and effortless to make. This recipe brings warmth and flavor to your mornings, whether you’re whipping it up for a cozy weekend brunch or simply a quick weekday treat. Serve it with your favorite side dishes and let it become your new go-to breakfast. Enjoy!