These cinnamon french toast bites are one of our favorite fun, quick breakfasts, little cubes of bread dipped in custard, pan fried until golden and crispy, then tossed in cinnamon sugar. For us, that kind of simple, joyful cooking is exactly what real food for real life is about. They come together in minutes, are perfect for dipping in maple syrup, and disappear fast at any breakfast or brunch table.
Cubes of thick bread are dipped in a simple egg and milk custard, griddled in butter until crisp and golden on all sides, then rolled in a sweet cinnamon sugar coating. The combination of crisp, custardy bites and warm cinnamon sugar is what makes these so irresistible. These cinnamon french toast bites are a playful, kid friendly twist on classic French toast.
Crispy golden bread cubes tossed in cinnamon sugar make these cinnamon french toast bites a fun, dippable breakfast favorite.
Why You Will Love These Cinnamon French Toast Bites
- Fun and dippable. These cinnamon french toast bites are perfect for dunking in maple syrup.
- Crispy and sweet. A cinnamon sugar coating makes every bite irresistible.
- Quick to make. They come together in just minutes.
- Kid friendly. Little cubes are perfect for small hands.
- Crowd pleasing. They disappear fast at any breakfast table.
What Makes These Cinnamon French Toast Bites So Good
Great cinnamon french toast bites start with thick, sturdy bread. Cutting day old bread into cubes gives lots of surface area to crisp up while keeping a soft, custardy center. Sturdy bread holds its shape when dipped, so the cubes stay intact in the pan. Slightly stale bread soaks up the custard without falling apart. Trimming the crusts gives an even, tender bite. That balance of crisp outside and soft inside is the heart of these bites. Good bread is what makes these cinnamon french toast bites turn out just right. A loaf that is a day or two old has dried out just enough to drink in the custard without going limp, which is the secret to a crisp shell and a soft middle. Very fresh bread tends to turn gummy. Trimming the crusts first gives neat, even cubes that brown all over.
A simple custard and butter make them golden. Dipping the cubes in a quick custard of eggs and milk, then cooking them in butter, turns them crisp and deeply golden on every side. Letting the excess custard drip off keeps them from getting soggy. Cooking in butter adds rich flavor and helps them brown. Tossing them in the pan crisps all the sides evenly. That golden, buttery crust is what makes these cinnamon french toast bites so good. The contrast with the soft center is irresistible. Cooking the cubes in butter rather than oil adds a rich, nutty flavor and helps them brown deeply, while a steady medium high heat keeps the outsides crisp without scorching. Tossing them often in the pan crisps every side evenly.
The cinnamon sugar coating makes them special. Tossing the hot, crisp bites in a mix of cinnamon and sugar coats every side in a sweet, fragrant layer that sticks to the warm surface. Doing it while they are hot helps the coating cling. The cinnamon adds warmth while the sugar adds a little crunch. Cinnamon sugar, a simple blend of ground cinnamon and sugar, is the same coating that makes churros and snickerdoodles so good. That sweet, spiced finish is exactly what makes these cinnamon french toast bites so addictive. Cinnamon comes from the dried inner bark of evergreen trees in the Cinnamomum family, and its warm, sweet aroma has made it a favorite baking spice for thousands of years. Blended with sugar, it clings to anything warm and buttery.
Optional Pro Tip: Toss While Hot
Tossing the bites in cinnamon sugar while they are still hot from the pan is the secret to a coating that sticks to every side, since the warm, buttery surface helps the sugar cling. Letting the excess custard drip off before frying keeps them crisp rather than soggy. For the best cinnamon french toast bites, cook them over medium high heat and toss often so all sides turn golden. A nonstick pan makes turning them easy. Working in batches keeps the pan from crowding.
Tips for the Best Cinnamon French Toast Bites
Use thick, sturdy, day old bread so these cinnamon french toast bites crisp up without falling apart, and cut even cubes. Let the excess custard drip off before frying. Toss them often so all sides brown.
Cook them in butter over medium high heat for the crispiest result, and work in batches so the pan is not crowded. Toss them in cinnamon sugar while hot so it sticks. Serve right away with maple syrup for dipping. A nonstick skillet makes them easy to turn.
Variations and Add Ins
- Add vanilla. Whisk a little vanilla into the custard.
- Make them stuffed. Tuck a chocolate chip into each cube before dipping.
- Different coating. Use powdered sugar or a pumpkin spice blend.
- Add a dip. Serve with chocolate sauce or fruit jam alongside syrup.
- Make them dairy free. Use a non dairy milk and oil for cooking.
How to Store and Make Ahead
These cinnamon french toast bites are best enjoyed fresh and hot, while they are still crisp and the coating is fragrant. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keeping them in a single layer helps. They lose some crispness but still taste great.
To bring back the crunch, reheat these cinnamon french toast bites in a toaster oven, oven, or air fryer rather than the microwave. You can also freeze the cooked bites, then reheat straight from frozen. A quick reheat crisps them up again. They are a fun make ahead breakfast for busy mornings.
Serving Suggestions for Cinnamon French Toast Bites
Serve these cinnamon french toast bites hot, piled on a plate with a small bowl of maple syrup for dipping and an extra sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top. A side of fresh fruit keeps it balanced. A drizzle of chocolate sauce makes them feel like a treat. They are a fun centerpiece for a kids breakfast or brunch.
The finishing touch on these bites is cinnamon sugar, a simple blend of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar used to flavor treats from churros to French toast, as described in this overview of cinnamon sugar. Tossing crisp, custardy bread cubes in that warm, sweet coating is exactly what makes these cinnamon french toast bites so fun and irresistible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bread works best?
Thick, sturdy, day old bread holds its shape and crisps up nicely. White or brioche bread both work well for these cinnamon french toast bites.
Why use day old bread?
Slightly stale bread soaks up the custard without falling apart, giving the best crisp outside and soft inside.
How do I get the coating to stick?
Toss the bites in cinnamon sugar while they are still hot. The warm surface helps the coating cling.
How do I keep them crispy?
Let the excess custard drip off, cook in butter over medium high heat, and serve them right away.
Can I make them ahead?
They are best fresh, but you can reheat leftovers in a toaster oven or air fryer to bring back the crunch.
Can I freeze them?
Yes. Freeze the cooked bites, then reheat straight from frozen in an oven or air fryer until crisp.
Can I bake them instead?
Yes. Bake them on a lined sheet until golden, turning once, though pan frying gives the crispest result.
What can I serve for dipping?
Maple syrup is classic, but chocolate sauce or fruit jam are fun with these cinnamon french toast bites too.
Can I make them dairy free?
Yes. Use a non dairy milk in the custard and oil for cooking.
What should I serve with them?
Maple syrup, fresh fruit, or a chocolate dip all pair beautifully with these cinnamon french toast bites.
Crispy, Cinnamon Sugar Breakfast Bites
These cinnamon french toast bites turn a few slices of bread into crispy, golden, cinnamon sugar coated bites that are perfect for dipping in maple syrup. They are the kind of fun, quick recipe that makes breakfast feel like a treat and disappears fast at the table. They prove a simple breakfast can taste truly special. One crispy, sweet bite and you are hooked.
Stuff them with chocolate, swap the coating, or serve them with a fun dip to make them your own, and enjoy these cinnamon french toast bites for an easy breakfast or brunch. Crispy, sweet, and kid friendly, they are a recipe that earns a regular place in your kitchen. They are joyful comfort food in bite sized form.
If you love fun, easy breakfasts like this, you will also enjoy our slow cooker chicken stew, another comforting, satisfying favorite from our kitchen.
Results vary by ingredients, equipment, and cooking conditions. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
Cinnamon French Toast Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Trim the crusts off each bread slice and cut them into 9 equal cubes per slice.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Heat 1/2 tablespoon of butter in a nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
- Once melted, toss half of the bread cubes in the egg mixture. Let any excess drip off, then transfer to the hot pan.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, using a spatula or spoon to toss occasionally until all sides are golden and crispy.
- Immediately transfer the hot cubes into the cinnamon sugar mix and toss well to coat every piece. Place the finished bites on a serving plate.
- Add another 1/2 tablespoon of butter to the pan and repeat the process with the remaining bread cubes.
- Serve the warm French Toast Bites with a generous drizzle or side of maple syrup.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Enjoyed the recipe? Share it!
Kitchen Essentials We Recommend
Tools that make cooking easier — tried, tested, and loved.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Got a recipe the world should try?
Share your favorite family recipe or national dish with food lovers in 100+ countries.
Submit Your Recipe