Get ready to elevate your weekend breakfast into a cozy, comforting, and absolutely delicious autumn feast. This Pumpkin French Toast is the perfect way to celebrate the season, infusing the classic, beloved dish with the warm, spiced flavors of pumpkin pie. This recipe creates a wonderfully custardy and tender French toast with a perfect golden-brown crust. It’s an incredibly easy, quick, and satisfying meal that will fill your home with the most amazing fall aroma and have the whole family gathered around the breakfast table.
Why This is the Ultimate Fall Breakfast Recipe
This recipe is a true game-changer for your fall mornings. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Incredibly Flavorful: The pumpkin puree and classic pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger) create a rich, warm, and authentic fall flavor in every single bite.
- Perfectly Custardy Texture: The pumpkin-infused egg batter creates a wonderfully moist and custardy center with a perfectly seared, golden-brown exterior.
- Super Quick and Easy: This impressive breakfast comes together in about 25 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for a special weekend treat without a lot of fuss.
- A Family-Friendly Favorite: The comforting, sweet, and spiced flavors are a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
This recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients to create a spectacular breakfast.
The Ingredient Lineup:
- 4 slices of thick-cut bread (brioche or challah are perfect)
- 1 cup of 100% pure pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup of milk (or a non-dairy alternative)
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Spices: 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground nutmeg, ¼ tsp ground ginger, and ¼ tsp salt.
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
- Butter or oil for cooking
- For Serving: Maple syrup, powdered sugar, and chopped pecans or walnuts (optional).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Get ready to create the most delicious fall breakfast ever.
Part 1: Make the Pumpkin Custard Batter
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large, shallow mixing bowl (like a pie plate), whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, and milk until the mixture is smooth.
- Add Flavorings: Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and optional brown sugar to the bowl. Whisk everything together until it is well combined and the batter is a uniform color.
Part 2: Cook the French Toast
- Heat the Skillet: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a pat of butter or a little oil to the hot pan.
- Soak the Bread: Dip each slice of bread into the pumpkin batter, letting it soak for about 20-30 seconds on each side so it absorbs the custardy mixture.
- Cook to Golden Brown: Place the soaked bread onto the hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until the French toast is a beautiful golden brown and cooked through.
- Repeat: Repeat the process with the remaining slices of bread, adding more butter to the pan as needed.
Part 3: Serve
- Serve Hot: Serve the Pumpkin French Toast immediately while it is warm.
- Add Toppings: Stack the slices on a plate and drizzle generously with maple syrup. For a finishing touch, you can add a dusting of powdered sugar and a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the best kind of bread for French toast? The best bread is a thick-cut, sturdy bread that can soak up the custard without falling apart. Brioche and challah are fantastic choices because they are rich and eggy. A thick-cut Texas toast or even a day-old French bread would also work wonderfully.
2. Can I make this recipe dairy-free? Yes, absolutely! To make this recipe dairy-free, simply substitute the regular milk with your favorite non-dairy alternative, such as almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk. Also, be sure to use oil or a dairy-free butter substitute for cooking in the skillet.
3. Can I prepare the batter ahead of time? You can make the pumpkin custard batter a day in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to make breakfast, give it a good whisk before you start dipping your bread.
4. How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store any leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The best way to reheat it and maintain its texture is in a toaster or a toaster oven. You can also warm it in a skillet on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Pumpkin French Toast
Equipment
- Large skillet or griddle for cooking French toast
- Shallow dish or pie plate for whisking and dipping custard mixture
- Whisk to combine custard ingredients
- Spatula for flipping bread
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick-cut bread (brioche or challah preferred)
- 1 cup 100% pure pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
- Butter or oil, for cooking
- Maple syrup, powdered sugar, chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, eggs, and milk until smooth.
- Add vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and optional brown sugar. Whisk until fully combined.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt a little butter or oil.
- Dip each bread slice into the pumpkin custard, soaking 20–30 seconds per side.
- Cook soaked bread slices for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with remaining slices, adding more butter as needed.
- Serve immediately with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and optional chopped pecans or walnuts.