Irresistible Crunchy French Toast Breakfast

This crunchy twist on breakfast takes regular French toast to a whole new level with its fun cereal coating that adds a nice crackle and extra taste. My kids beg for this special breakfast every weekend and it always hits the spot with its yummy soft middle and crispy outside.

I came up with this idea during a stormy weekend when my little ones were tired of the same old breakfast. I threw some cereal on their French toast as a random experiment and they went nuts for it. Now we try different cereals every time we make it.

What You'll Need

• 4 large eggs: they make the soft custardy base that soaks into your bread
• 2/3 cup milk: adds creaminess without turning your bread into mush
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: makes the mix stick better to your bread slices
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar: gives just enough sweetness without going overboard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt: brings out all the flavors and cuts the sweetness
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: adds that warm spicy kick that goes great with the cereal
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: gives that wonderful smell and flavor boost
• 8 thick slices bread: grab some Texas Toast if you can—it's thick enough to hold up well
• 2 heaping cups crispy rice cereal or crushed corn flakes: this is what makes everything crunchy

How To Make It

Get Your Cooking Surface Hot:

Turn your griddle to 350 degrees F or put a pan on medium heat. This temp cooks everything right without burning the cereal bits.

Set Up Your Dipping Spots:

Put cereal in a flat dish where you can easily press the bread. In another bowl mix up everything else except the bread until you get a smooth egg mix. Don't stress if the flour isn't totally smooth when mixing by hand.

Soak and Cover:

Dunk each bread slice in the egg stuff, covering both sides well. Then press it into the cereal, flip and do the other side too. The cereal should stick nicely to the wet bread.

Cook Until Golden:

Drop a bit of butter on your hot surface or spray some cooking oil for a lighter touch. Put your cereal-covered bread down and cook until it turns nice and golden, about 2-3 minutes. Flip carefully and cook the other side until it looks just as good.

Eat While Hot:

Put them straight onto plates and pour on some maple syrup. You want to eat this right away to enjoy that awesome contrast between the crunchy outside and soft, warm inside.

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Using thick bread is really the key to getting this right. I tried making it once with regular sandwich bread and while it tasted good, it didn't have that amazing soft middle that makes this breakfast so special. Now my daughter helps me crush up the cereal, which has turned into our fun weekend tradition.

Prep Ahead Ideas

You can freeze these slices for busy mornings. Just cook them all the way, let them cool down, then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once they're frozen solid, toss them in a freezer bag. When you want some, pop them in the toaster or oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until they're hot and crispy again. The cereal coating will get most of its crunch back when you reheat it.

Fun Twists To Try

Try swapping in different cereals for new flavors. Cinnamon Toast Crunch makes it extra cinnamon-y, while Frosted Flakes add more sweetness. Chocolate fans should try Cocoa Pebbles or Cocoa Puffs. For the grown-ups, try adding some orange zest or a splash of bourbon to the egg mixture for fancy flavors that go really well with the crunchy cereal coating.

What To Serve With It

Top this crunchy French toast with fresh berries to cut the sweetness and add some tang. A spoonful of whipped cream makes it feel like you're having dessert for breakfast. For a full brunch, add some crispy bacon or sausage links—the salty taste goes really well with the sweet crunch. A small bowl of fruit on the side adds freshness and helps balance out the richness.

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FAQs About the Recipe

→ How do you get the toast crunchy?

The crunch comes from smashing cereal and pressing it onto the egg-soaked bread. Then a hot pan turns everything nice and crispy.

→ What type of bread works best?

Go for chunky cuts like Texas Toast or soft brioche. These thicker slices won't get mushy and grab onto the cereal better.

→ Can I use different cereals for coating?

Absolutely! Corn flakes and crispy rice work great, but any cereal you can crush up will do the trick.

→ How do I prevent the coating from falling off?

Make sure your bread gets completely wet with egg mixture and then push the cereal bits firmly onto all sides before cooking.

→ Can I make it ahead of time?

For the best crunch, cook and eat right away. But you can mix up your egg dip and crush your cereal the night before to save time.