If you’ve ever wished French toast could be bite-sized, snackable, and perfect for sharing, Mini Cinnamon French Toast Bites are here to make your mornings (and snack times) a whole lot better. They’re golden, fluffy cubes of bread coated in a cinnamon-egg custard, pan-fried until crisp on the outside, and then tossed in a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. Basically, imagine the best parts of French toast combined with the irresistible appeal of doughnut holes—but easier to make and without the fryer mess. They’re fun, delicious, and guaranteed to disappear fast. Whether you serve them for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert, these little bites are going to steal the show.
Ingredients
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1 loaf brioche or challah bread (day-old works best, cut into 1-inch cubes)
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3 large eggs
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1 cup whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
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2 tablespoons granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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Pinch of salt
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for cooking)
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¼ cup granulated sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon (for coating)
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Maple syrup, whipped cream, or Nutella for dipping (optional)
Cooking Directions
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Prepare the bread: Cut the brioche or challah into 1-inch cubes. Slightly stale bread works best as it holds up to the custard without becoming mushy.
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Make the custard: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
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Dip the bread: Add the bread cubes into the custard mixture in batches, making sure each cube is coated but not soaking too long. Shake off any excess liquid.
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Cook the bites: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the custard-coated bread cubes in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook 2–3 minutes per side, turning until golden brown on all sides. Add more butter as needed for additional batches.
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Coat with cinnamon-sugar: While still warm, toss the cooked French toast bites in a bowl with the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
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Serve and enjoy: Pile them high on a plate and serve with maple syrup, whipped cream, Nutella, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar.
Nutrients (per serving, approx. 1 cup)
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Calories: 280
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Protein: 8 g
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Fat: 10 g
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Carbohydrates: 38 g
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Fiber: 2 g
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Sugar: 14 g
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Mini Cinnamon French Toast Bites are simply irresistible. They’ve got all the cozy flavors of traditional French toast but in a fun, bite-sized format that’s perfect for sharing. These little cubes are lightly crisp on the outside, soft and pillowy inside, and coated in cinnamon-sugar that makes them taste like something you’d get from a bakery or fairground. The best part? They’re incredibly versatile. You can serve them as a quick weekend breakfast for kids, an indulgent brunch option, or even a late-night sweet snack. They’re also a lot easier to eat than traditional French toast—no knives and forks needed, just grab and dip.
The Origins and Inspiration Behind the Dish
French toast has been around for centuries, dating back to ancient Rome, when cooks would soak bread in milk and eggs to make it soft again. It’s always been a dish rooted in practicality—making the most of stale bread—and eventually evolved into the sweet, cinnamon-laced version we know today. Mini French Toast Bites are a playful twist on this tradition, turning a classic breakfast dish into a fun, snackable treat. Think of them as the meeting point between French toast and churros. They’re inspired by the idea of making food more shareable, kid-friendly, and perfect for parties or brunch spreads.
Ingredient Spotlight
Brioche or challah bread is the secret star here. Both are enriched breads, meaning they’re soft, slightly sweet, and sturdy enough to soak up the custard without falling apart. Eggs and milk create the custard base that transforms dry bread into something rich and luscious, while cinnamon and vanilla add warmth and depth. Butter is essential for cooking, giving the bites a golden-brown crispness that screams comfort food. And finally, the cinnamon-sugar coating takes these from good to great—adding sweetness and that doughnut-shop vibe we all secretly love.
Storage and Reheating Tips
These French toast bites are best eaten fresh, but leftovers can definitely be saved. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in a 350°F oven for about 8 minutes to restore crispness, or use an air fryer for a couple of minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible—it makes them soggy. If you want to freeze them, spread the cooked bites on a baking sheet to flash-freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the oven until warmed through.
Common Variations to Try
There’s no shortage of ways to remix Mini Cinnamon French Toast Bites. Swap brioche for sourdough or whole wheat bread for a slightly heartier version. Stir a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom into the custard for extra flavor. For a more decadent version, dip the bites in chocolate ganache or caramel sauce instead of maple syrup. You can even make a stuffed version by sandwiching a small piece of cream cheese or Nutella between two bread cubes before dipping them in custard. And if you want to make it healthier, use almond milk instead of whole milk, and roll the bites in coconut sugar instead of regular sugar.
Pairing Recommendations
These bites pair beautifully with just about any breakfast or brunch spread. Serve them with scrambled eggs and bacon for a balanced plate, or alongside fresh fruit and yogurt for a lighter meal. They’re also amazing as a dessert—pile them high, drizzle with chocolate sauce, and add a scoop of ice cream. For drinks, you can’t go wrong with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate, but they’re equally delicious with a glass of cold milk or fresh orange juice. If you’re hosting brunch, serve them alongside mimosas for a crowd-pleasing combo.
Health Benefits
Let’s be honest—Mini Cinnamon French Toast Bites are more about indulgence than health. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have redeeming qualities. Using enriched bread like brioche provides protein and some vitamins, while eggs add additional protein and healthy fats. You can also lighten the recipe by using whole grain bread, reducing the sugar, or swapping whole milk for almond milk. And hey, adding fresh fruit on the side never hurts. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility—you can make it as indulgent or as light as you want.
Conclusion
Mini Cinnamon French Toast Bites are everything you love about breakfast comfort food, made fun-sized and shareable. They’re golden, fluffy, sweet, and endlessly versatile. Perfect for kids, brunch parties, or even a cozy night in, these little bites are proof that sometimes the smallest foods deliver the biggest joys. They take only a few ingredients, a single pan, and less than 30 minutes to make, yet the payoff is huge—smiles, empty plates, and requests for more. Once you try them, you’ll find yourself making them again and again.