If you love starting your morning with a warm, comforting treat that feels just a little bit special, then this Pumpkin French Toast Recipe is about to become your new favorite. Imagine thick slices of challah or brioche bread soaked in a rich, spiced pumpkin batter, then cooked to golden perfection and served with all your favorite toppings. Each bite is a perfect blend of cozy fall flavors and fluffy texture, making this dish ideal for sharing with friends and family or simply indulging on a lazy weekend. Whether it’s for a festive brunch or just because you deserve something delicious, this Pumpkin French Toast Recipe delivers on flavor, warmth, and that irresistible pumpkin vibe you crave.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Pumpkin French Toast Recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtfully selected ingredients. Each component plays an essential role in creating the perfect balance of creaminess, sweetness, and spice that makes this dish so unforgettable.
- 15 slices bread (challah, brioche, or thick-cut): These breads soak up the batter beautifully without falling apart, offering a tender yet sturdy base.
- ½ cup pumpkin puree: Brings natural sweetness, moisture, and that unmistakable fall flavor.
- 4 large eggs: Bind everything together and provide richness for a creamy texture.
- â…” cup milk: Lightens the batter and helps achieve a perfect soak.
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar: Adds depth and caramel-like sweetness that complements the pumpkin perfectly.
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Thickens the batter slightly for better coating on the bread.
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm, sweet aroma.
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice: The star spice blend bringing cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and all those cozy notes together.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds an extra layer of warm spice.
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Delivers a subtle nutty flavor that rounds out the spice profile.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and highlights the spices.
How to Make Pumpkin French Toast Recipe
Step 1: Make the Batter
First, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, brown sugar, flour, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl or shallow dish. You want this mixture silky smooth and fragrant — this pumpkin-spiced batter is the heart of the recipe and guarantees every slice of bread will be bursting with flavor.
Step 2: Heat the Griddle
Preheat your griddle or a large skillet to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). A moderate but steady temperature is key to cooking the bread inside out without burning the outsides. Lightly grease the surface with oil or nonstick spray to ensure easy flipping and a gorgeous golden crust.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Dip each slice of bread into the pumpkin batter, making sure both sides are thoroughly coated. Don’t rush through this step. Let the bread soak up the batter just enough to absorb all those pumpkin spices, but not so much that it becomes soggy and falls apart. Gently shake off any excess liquid before cooking.
Step 4: Cook the French Toast
Place the soaked bread onto the hot griddle carefully. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes on each side until each piece is perfectly golden brown and cooked through. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges crisp lightly and the center remains soft yet fully set. This step transforms the simple batter into a comforting breakfast classic that tastes like fall in every bite.
Step 5: Serve Immediately
Once your slices are cooked, serve them warm with your favorite toppings. The magic of this Pumpkin French Toast Recipe is best enjoyed fresh off the griddle, soaking up maple syrup or topped with whipped cream to add creaminess and sweetness.
How to Serve Pumpkin French Toast Recipe
Garnishes
The right garnishes can elevate this pumpkin French toast from delicious to divine. Think vibrant crushed pecans or toasted walnuts for crunch, a dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness, or a generous drizzle of real maple syrup for pure indulgence. For an extra cozy vibe, a dollop of whipped cream or a spoonful of cinnamon-spiced applesauce adds luscious texture and bursts of flavor.
Side Dishes
Round out your breakfast or brunch with fresh fruit like sliced oranges, berries, or apples to balance the sweetness with brightness and acidity. Crispy bacon or savory sausage links provide a salty contrast that complements the spiced batter superbly. For a healthier option, consider a simple yogurt parfait with granola and honey alongside your Pumpkin French Toast Recipe.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress guests or make your morning extra special? Stack the French toast slices high in a neat tower, layering each one with cream cheese or mascarpone spread for a luscious surprise between layers. Alternatively, cut the French toast into cubes and serve as a part of a breakfast bread pudding or French toast casserole. Fresh herbs like mint or a sprinkle of edible flowers can add a fresh, elegant touch if you’re serving to company.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your delicious Pumpkin French Toast Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Make sure the slices have cooled completely before stacking them to avoid sogginess. This lets you enjoy a quick, flavorful breakfast even on busier mornings.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead of time or save leftovers for later, freeze individual slices by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a sealed freezer bag. Frozen Pumpkin French Toast keeps well for up to two months and is ready whenever you crave that comforting, spiced flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, toast the frozen slices directly in a toaster or warm them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through and crisp again. Avoid microwaving if possible as this can make the texture rubbery. The right reheating keeps the Pumpkin French Toast Recipe tasting almost as good as fresh.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin puree for this recipe?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly and is the common choice for this Pumpkin French Toast Recipe. Just make sure it’s plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.
What is the best type of bread to use?
For the best texture, choose thick-cut, soft breads like challah or brioche. Their slight sweetness and sturdy texture hold up beautifully to soaking without falling apart and give you that fluffy interior and crispy edges we all love.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Just swap the milk for your favorite plant-based milk such as almond, oat, or soy milk. The eggs and pumpkin will still provide richness, and you’ll get the same lovely texture and spice.
How spicy is the pumpkin pie spice combination?
This recipe keeps spice levels warm and cozy rather than overpowering. The combined pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg provide balanced flavor notes that enhance without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Is this recipe suitable for a large crowd?
Definitely. The recipe yields about 15 slices, making it perfect for feeding a crowd at weekend brunches or festive breakfasts. You can easily double or halve the ingredients as needed to accommodate different group sizes.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin French Toast Recipe is more than just breakfast — it’s a warm hug on a plate that brings the best of fall’s flavors into your kitchen. It’s simple, satisfying, and endlessly adaptable, perfect for sharing or savoring on your own. I can’t wait for you to try it and add this cozy dish to your rotation of favorite morning treats!
Print
Pumpkin French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Pumpkin French Toast recipe is a cozy and delicious twist on the classic breakfast favorite, featuring a flavorful pumpkin-spiced batter that turns ordinary bread into a festive fall treat. Perfect for chilly mornings or holiday brunches, this recipe yields tender, golden-brown slices infused with warm spices and a hint of pumpkin sweetness.
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Batter
- 15 slices of bread (challah, brioche, or any thick-cut bread)
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 4 large eggs
- â…” cup milk
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Make Batter: In a medium bowl or shallow dish, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, brown sugar, flour, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Heat Griddle: Preheat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat to about 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease the surface with oil or nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Soak Bread: Dip each slice of bread into the pumpkin batter, making sure both sides are thoroughly coated. Gently shake off any excess batter to avoid sogginess.
- Cook French Toast: Place the soaked bread slices onto the hot griddle. Cook each side for 2 to 4 minutes, until they are golden brown and cooked through, flipping carefully to maintain shape.
- Serve: Serve the pumpkin French toast immediately, garnished with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar for an added touch of sweetness.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bread like challah or brioche for best results as it holds the batter well without falling apart.
- Adjust pumpkin pie spice to taste if you prefer stronger or milder spice notes.
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute the milk with almond or oat milk.
- Serve with fresh fruit or nuts to add texture and enhance flavor.
- The batter can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours, but bread should be dipped just before cooking to avoid sogginess.
