Imagine a warm, autumn morning. The air is crisp, the leaves are turning vibrant hues, and the aroma of pumpkin spice fills the air. There’s nothing quite like starting your day with a comforting and flavorful breakfast. Enter pumpkin French toast: a delightful twist on a classic, perfect for embracing the cozy spirit of the season.
HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN FRENCH TOAST
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned pure pumpkin)
- 4 large eggs, whisked
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 12 slices thick-cut white bread (such as challah or brioche)
- Oil or cooking spray (for greasing the pan)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix the Batter: In a medium-sized bowl or shallow dish, combine the pumpkin puree, whisked eggs, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk until smooth.
- Prepare the Pan: Heat a frying pan over low-medium heat or a griddle to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease the pan with oil or cooking spray.
- Dip the Bread: Dunk a piece of bread into the pumpkin mixture, ensuring each side is coated. Gently shake off any excess batter.
- Cook the Toast: Place the coated bread in the heated pan and grill for 2-4 minutes on one side until golden brown. Flip and continue frying on the other side until both sides are golden and the bread begins to puff.
- Repeat: Continue this process with the remaining slices of bread, adjusting the burner or griddle temperature as needed.
- Serve: Serve immediately with syrup and whipped cream for a delightful finish.
NOTES
- Nutrition Information: (Per slice, using brioche bread)
- Calories: 198
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 132mg
- Sodium: 193mg
- Potassium: 65mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
- Vitamin A: 2013 IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 50mg
- Iron: 1mg
TIPS & TRICKS
- Use 100% Pure Pumpkin: Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, as the latter contains additional ingredients that can negatively affect the recipe.
- Choose the Right Bread: For the fluffiest French toast, opt for thick-cut white bread. Challah or brioche are excellent choices for a rich, indulgent flavor, but regular white sandwich bread will work as well.
- Properly Dunk the Bread: Give each slice of bread a thorough dunk on both sides in the French toast batter to ensure it’s packed with flavor. After soaking, gently shake off any excess batter before placing the slices in the pan.
- Grease the Pan: Instead of butter, use oil or cooking spray to grease your frying pan, as it is less likely to burn.
- Serve Immediately: French toast is best enjoyed right after cooking. I love serving it with maple syrup and whipped cream, but it’s also fantastic with caramel sauce for a more dessert-like treat.
- Pro Tip: Day-old or stale bread is ideal for this recipe because it absorbs the batter better without becoming soggy, resulting in deliciously fluffy French toast.
