Apple Cinnamon French Toast

This Apple Cinnamon French Toast is packed with cozy fall flavor and makes such a delicious breakfast or brunch. The French toast gets a thicker, batter-style coating made with eggs, milk, and flour, which gives it a soft, fluffy texture with a lightly crisp exterior. It is similar to my Fluffy French Toast recipe and feels a little more special than traditional French toast.

The recipe makes enough batter for about 6–8 slices of bread, though the exact number depends on the size and thickness of the slices you use. I used a loaf of French bread from my local Costco, and the slices were huge, so I could coat only about 5 pieces. Smaller slices of sandwich bread or brioche will stretch the batter a little further.

The real star of this recipe is the warm cinnamon apple topping. Cook fresh apple slices in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until tender and coated in a sweet, buttery syrup. The result tastes like fall in every bite and pairs perfectly with the warm French toast.

Once the French toast is ready, spoon the cinnamon apples and plenty of the syrup right over the top. The combination of soft bread, tender apples, and warm cinnamon flavor makes this such a comforting breakfast.

The photo may not show it, but I also added a generous dollop of whipped cream right before eating mine, and I highly recommend doing the same. The cool, creamy whipped cream contrasts beautifully with the warm apples and French toast and makes the whole dish feel even more indulgent.

Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon French Toast

• APPLES – Fresh apples create the warm fruit topping for the French toast. Choose a firm apple that holds its shape while cooking, such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith.
• BROWN SUGAR – Brown sugar sweetens the apple topping and melts with the butter to create a rich, caramel-like syrup.
• BUTTER – Butter adds richness to both the apple topping and the French toast. It also helps the bread cook up golden on the outside.
• VANILLA – Vanilla adds warmth and sweetness to both the apple topping and the French toast batter. Dividing it between the two gives the whole dish a more balanced flavor.
• CINNAMON – Cinnamon gives the recipe its signature fall flavor. Use some with the apples, and the rest to season the French toast batter.
• WHITE BREAD – White bread provides a soft base that soaks up the batter well. You can also use French bread, brioche, Texas toast, or another sturdy bread.
• EGGS – Eggs help the batter cling to the bread and add structure and richness as it cooks.
• MILK – Milk thins the egg mixture and helps create a smooth batter for coating the bread.
• FLOUR – Flour makes this French toast batter a little thicker than a traditional egg-and-milk mixture. It helps create a soft, fluffy coating on the outside of the bread.
• POWDERED SUGAR AND WHIPPED CREAM, OPTIONAL – A light sprinkle of powdered sugar adds extra sweetness and makes the finished French toast look especially nice. Whipped cream adds a cool, creamy finish that pairs beautifully with the warm cinnamon apples and French toast.

Instructions for Apple Cinnamon French Toast

In a large skillet, add the sliced apples, brown sugar, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts and the brown sugar dissolves.

Stir in 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 6–8 minutes, or until the apples are tender and coated in a thick, syrupy sauce.

Remove the skillet from the heat and let the apple mixture cool slightly while you prepare the French toast. The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits.

In a large, shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, remaining vanilla, milk, and remaining cinnamon.

Add the flour and whisk until smooth and well combined.

Dip one slice of bread into the batter, coating both sides. Lift it out and let any excess batter drip back into the bowl.

Melt a little butter on a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated bread and cook for 1–2 minutes, or until the bottom is lightly golden. Flip and cook the other side for another 1–2 minutes.

Repeat with the remaining bread slices, adding more butter to the griddle as needed.

To serve, dust the French toast with powdered sugar if desired. Spoon the warm cinnamon apple mixture generously over the top and finish with whipped cream, if desired. Makes 3–4 servings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of apples work best for Apple Cinnamon French Toast?
Firm apples that hold their shape while cooking work best. Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith are all good choices.

Do I have to peel the apples?
No, but peeling them gives the topping a softer texture. You can leave the skins on if you prefer a little more texture.

Can I use a different kind of bread?
Yes. French bread, brioche, challah, Texas toast, or thick-cut sandwich bread all work well. Slightly stale bread is especially good because it absorbs the batter without becoming too soggy.

Why is there flour in the French toast batter?
The flour makes the coating a little thicker and gives the French toast a fluffy, batter-style exterior.

Can I make the apple topping ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare it in advance, refrigerate it, and gently reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

Can I make the French toast ahead of time?
You can cook it ahead, but it is best fresh. Reheat leftovers in a skillet, toaster oven, or air fryer to help restore the texture.

Why is my French toast soggy?
The bread may have soaked in the batter too long, or the cooking temperature may have been too low. Dip the bread briefly and cook over medium heat until both sides are golden.

What if the apple sauce is too thin?
Let the apples simmer a little longer, or let the mixture rest for several minutes off the heat. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

What if the apple topping becomes too thick?
Stir in a small splash of water or apple juice while reheating until it reaches your desired consistency.

What can I serve with Apple Cinnamon French Toast?
Whipped cream, powdered sugar, maple syrup, chopped pecans, or a little extra cinnamon are all delicious additions.

Tips and Tricks

• Slice the apples evenly. Keep the apple slices similar in thickness so they soften at the same rate without some turning mushy while others remain firm.
• Use sturdy bread. Thick slices of French bread, brioche, or Texas toast hold up especially well to the thicker batter and give you a fluffy center.
• Whisk the flour in thoroughly. Make sure the batter is smooth before dipping the bread. This prevents little pockets of flour from sticking to the French toast.
• Don’t oversoak the bread. Dip each slice just long enough to coat both sides, then let the excess drip off. Too much batter can make the center soggy.
• Let the apple topping rest before serving. Let the apples cool for a few minutes after simmering. The buttery brown sugar sauce will thicken slightly and coat the French toast even better.

For more recipes like this, try:

• Deceptive Pumpkin French Toast
• French Toast Bread Pudding with Smoky Bacon
• Raspberry White Chocolate Overnight French Toast
• Sheet Pan French Toast

Recipe is adapted from Creme de la Crumb.