Crispy Honey Butter Cinnamon French Toast Bites Recipe

There are days when I don’t fancy plain bread but something a bit more interesting that takes less time to prepare. For such purposes, Honey Butter Cinnamon French Toast Bites serve as my go-to treat. Fluffy and slightly chewy from the inside, they are crispy and golden brown from the outside. And the sweet cinnamon-sugar coating makes every bite absolutely amazing.

The first time I made this dish, I mistakenly left the bread cubes soaking in the custard for quite a while. As a result, the bites became too soft and mushy when cooking in the pan. To get perfect pieces, you’d better dip the bread very briefly so that it gets soaked without losing its shape.

Honey Butter Cinnamon French Toast Bites are easy to make, extremely tasty and buttery, and flavored with warm spices. Here’s everything you need to know about these treats.

Ingredients Needed

French Toast Bites

• 6 thick slices of white bread (cut into cubes), 300 g
• 2 eggs, 100 g
• ½ cup milk, 60 ml / 60 g
• Vanilla extract, 1 tsp
• Unsalted butter, 2 tbsp

Thick white bread – The bread must be fresh or slightly stale, so that it easily soaks the custard.

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 50 g
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, 8 g

Ground cinnamon – Use the ground cinnamon for a bakery-style flavor of French toast bites.

Serving

• Honey, 2 tbsp

Honey – A little drizzle of honey on top adds extra sweetness to the cinnamon flavor of the French toast.

Preparation of the Bread

First, you need to cut the bread into small bites.

I prefer having bite-sized pieces about an inch across.

If your bread is really fresh, leave the cubes aside for 15-20 minutes.

It is essential to have slightly dry cubes to soak the custard uniformly.

The bread cubes should be soft, yet not mushy.

Pro tip: Brioche or challah will make the French toast bites rich if you are going to serve them as a brunch.

Preparation of the Custard

In a big mixing bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until getting a homogeneous mass.

The custard must have a pale yellow color without streaks.

As whisking, the aroma of vanilla will appear.

The eggs should always be used at room temperature.

Coating of the Bread Cubes

Afterwards, pour the cubes into the custard.

Gently toss the cubes until each of them becomes set, but doesn’t lose its shape.

I accidentally soaked the bread too much the first time I was cooking this recipe. As a result, I got very soft cubes hard to handle in the pan.

A brief coating is the right approach here.

Pro tip: It is advisable to toss the cubes with your hands.

Heating the Butter

In a big nonstick frying pan, heat the butter over medium fire.

When melting, the butter will begin foaming, releasing an aromatic smell. Then you can begin cooking.

Remember, do not raise the temperature too much. Otherwise, the butter will burn, giving food a bitter taste.

Cooking of French Toast Bites

Pour the bread cubes into the pan. Arrange them in a single layer.

Bake for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown.

A characteristic sizzling sound should appear when the bites are being cooked.

Their appearance should be bright golden with crispy crusts.

Pro tip: Rotate the French toast bites carefully using kitchen tongs.

Preparation of the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

Meanwhile, prepare the cinnamon sugar. In a shallow bowl, mix the sugar and ground cinnamon.

You should get an evenly browned mixture without any darker streaks.

Dipping of French Toast Bites

Take out the bites from the pan. Immediately coat them in the cinnamon sugar.

The mixture must be applied equally to all sides.

Due to warmth, it will adhere to the surface of French toast bites.

As a result, each piece will get a sparkling cinnamon crust, looking almost like a miniature donut.

Final Dipping with Honey

Finally, arrange the French toast bites on the plate and drizzle with honey.

This ingredient will give them a glazing effect.

Serve the dishes immediately, while they are still warm.

The contrast between the crisp exterior and the soft inside is especially vivid when the bites are freshly cooked.

Common Mistakes

Too Long Soaking of the Bread in the Custard

• The mistake: Soaking the bread for a couple of minutes.
• Reason: Excessive soaking is associated with excess soaking.
• How to avoid this mistake: Dip the bread cubes briefly.

Using Soft and Mushy Bread

• The mistake: Using overly soft bread that breaks easily in the pan.
• Reason: This kind of bread is too thin to withstand the soaking process.
• How to avoid this mistake: Use either thick sliced bread or slightly stale bread.

Cooking with Excessively High Heat

• The mistake: Cooking at high temperatures.
• Reason: This mistake results from a desire to save time.
• How to avoid this mistake: Bake the bites over medium fire.

Not Turning the Bread

• The mistake: Not turning the bites in time.
• Reason: The bites tend to be easily overlooked.
• How to avoid this mistake: Turn them around regularly to achieve an even color.

Coating of French Toast Bites Before the End of Cooking

• The mistake: Applying the cinnamon sugar while cooking.
• Reason: It might seem easier.
• How to avoid this mistake: Add the coating after cooking.

Variations

Chocolate Version

After baking the French toast bites, sprinkle them with mini chocolate chips. After drizzling with chocolate sauce, use the residual heat to melt the chocolate.

Maple Cinnamon Version

Instead of honey, you may try adding warm maple syrup. This will produce a tasty breakfast combination.

Berry Variation

Serve the French toast with fresh berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.

How to Store

Room Temperature
These French toast bites should be consumed soon, within 2 hours maximum.

Refrigeration
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing
Store them frozen for up to 2 months.

Reheating
To revive their crispness, reheat the French toast bites in an air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350°F (175°C).

Best Serving Suggestions

• With drizzling of honey
• With drizzling of maple syrup
• With fresh berries
• With whipped cream
• Alongside coffee or hot chocolate

FAQs

What is the best bread for French toast bites?

Thick slices of white bread, brioche, Texas toast, and challah work fine for soaking in the custard.

Can these bites be prepared ahead of time?

Yes, you may bake them earlier, refrigerate them, and heat them before serving.

Why are my French toast bites mushy?

They can either soak too long or get cooked in an insufficiently hot pan.

Can they be stored frozen?

Yes, first freeze them separately in a freezer bag, then place them in a storage box.

Can these bites be vegan?

Sure, replace milk with almond milk or oat milk, and butter with a plant-based substitute.

These Honey Butter Cinnamon French Toast Bites are yummy and easy to make. I love eating them for breakfast and sometimes serve them for brunch with family. Enjoy them!