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crunchy French toast

Crunchy French Toast

This crunchy french toast meats all the requirments for a fabulous breakfast! The center is tender and custardy while the crust is crunchy and delicious. Top it with your favorite fruits and a drizzle of maple syrup for a seriously delicious crunchy french toast!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American, French
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 thick slices of brioche bread or white bread
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/3 cup sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup milk whole milk or 2%
  • 1 tsp vanilla optional
  • 2 cups corn flakes cereal crushed
  • butter for frying

Method
 

  1. In a shallow bowl beat the eggs with the sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Add the milk while whisking the eggs.
  2. In a separate shallow dish spread out the crushed cereal. Heat 2 tbsp of butter in your pan on a low flame.
  3. Dip the bread for 45-50 seconds on each side, then dip in the crushed cereal. Carefully transfer the bread into the pan and slow cook for 4 minutes on both sides, or until both sides are crispy and golden brown.
  4. Serve with warm maple syrup and fresh fruit.

Notes

Variations. You can easily switch out the bread for a whole wheat option, just make sure the slices are cut thicker than normal bread. Brown sugar works great in this as well. It gives a caramel flavor to the custard which caramelizes great. You can use any cereal, but I prefer using plain corn flakes. It's more for texture than anything. 
Drying out the bread. The best option is to use stale bread. But if your bread is fresh you can dry it out over night by placing the slices slightly separated in your fridge. You can also air dry them for a few hours. 
Adding flavor.  I love adding cinnamon and vanilla to this, but just adding one is fine. I've made this without the cinnamon, with just vanilla and it works great.
Slow cook it. Slow cooking this French toast in butter ensures a crunchy crust, but also a cooked through center. The custard is thick, so when it cooks on a low flame it cooks through without staying soggy. It's a custard texture which makes a great bite. 
Toppings.  I prefer my crunchy French toast with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries. You can add a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. Heating up the syrup slightly gives so much more flavor. Bananas and Nutella are a great topping combination as well.