If you’re craving a fun and delicious breakfast treat that’s perfect for sharing or snacking any time of the day, look no further than these irresistible Cinnamon French Toast Bites. These little morsels are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon and maple syrup. Whether you’re serving them for a cozy weekend brunch or a sweet snack that everyone will love, Cinnamon French Toast Bites deliver that classic French toast experience in bite-sized form that’s simply addictive.

Cinnamon French Toast Bites Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are delightfully simple yet essential to create the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color in your Cinnamon French Toast Bites. Each component plays a special role in transforming ordinary bread into these golden, cinnamon-kissed treats.

Thick slices of slightly stale white bread: Using slightly stale bread helps the bites soak up the egg mixture without falling apart, giving you a perfect texture.

Large eggs: The eggs bind everything together and create that rich, custardy coating classic to French toast.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps to soften the bread while cooking.

Pinch of salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
White sugar: Sweetens the bites just enough to complement the cinnamon and maple syrup.

Cinnamon powder: Brings that warm spice that defines these French toast bites.
Butter: Used for cooking, it adds richness and helps create that beautiful golden brown crust.
Maple syrup: Absolutely essential as the perfect dipping sauce for that signature sweet finish.

How to Make Cinnamon French Toast Bites

Step 1: Prepare the Bread Bites

Start by cutting the crust off your slices of bread to ensure a soft, even bite every time. Then, slice each slice into nine equal cubes. This gives you the perfect, manageable size for cooking and dipping later.

Step 2: Create the Egg Mixture

Whisk the eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt together in a bowl. This mixture will soak into the bread cubes, turning them golden and giving them a luscious, custardy interior that melts in your mouth.

Step 3: Mix the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

In a shallow bowl, combine the white sugar and cinnamon powder. This sweet-spicy coating is what makes these bites truly special, giving every morsel a perfectly balanced crunch and flavor.

Step 4: Cook the Bites

Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat, making sure it doesn’t brown. Quickly toss half of the bread cubes into the egg mixture, using your hands to shake off any excess liquid, then place them carefully in the pan. Use a wooden spoon to “sauté” the cubes, turning them frequently until they’re beautifully browned on all sides—this should take about 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 5: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

Remove the cooked bread cubes from the pan and immediately toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. This is the magic moment when the warm bites grab onto that sugary, spicy goodness, making each piece extra flavorful.

Step 6: Repeat and Serve

Repeat the cooking and coating steps with the remaining bread cubes, adding the rest of the butter to the pan. Serve your Cinnamon French Toast Bites piping hot, paired with generous sides of real maple syrup for dipping.

How to Serve Cinnamon French Toast Bites

Garnishes

While the cinnamon sugar coating and maple syrup are showstoppers on their own, you can elevate your Cinnamon French Toast Bites with some fresh berries like strawberries or blueberries for a burst of freshness. A dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts also adds a lovely touch of elegance and texture.

Side Dishes

These bites are a star on their own but pairing them with crispy bacon or a light, refreshing fruit salad creates a balanced breakfast plate. A creamy yogurt or a dollop of whipped cream also complements the warm flavors perfectly if you want to indulge a bit more.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your Cinnamon French Toast Bites skewered on small wooden sticks for a playful party platter, or pile them high on a rustic wooden board with little dipping bowls of syrup and fresh fruit nestled around. They also make a charming brunch centerpiece when arranged in a colorful, tiered serving dish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers—which might be rare because these bites disappear fast—store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day to maintain their crispness. Refrigeration is possible but it may soften the coating.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze the cooked and coated Cinnamon French Toast Bites in a single layer on a baking tray, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag once solid. They’ll keep well for up to two months, ready to be reheated whenever a craving strikes.

Reheating

To get that fresh-cooked crispness back, reheat the bites in a toaster oven or air fryer rather than a microwave. This method ensures they stay crunchy on the outside and warm inside, just like when they were first made.

FAQs

Can I use other types of bread for Cinnamon French Toast Bites?

Absolutely! While white bread works wonderfully, brioche or challah bread can add extra richness due to their buttery texture, making your bites even more indulgent.

Is it better to use stale bread or fresh bread?

Slightly stale bread is ideal because it soaks up the egg mixture without turning mushy, giving your bites a perfect texture. Fresh bread might become too soggy during cooking.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?

It’s best to whisk the eggs and milk mixture fresh before cooking to ensure the eggs stay fluffy and the bread cubes absorb the mixture evenly.

What if I don’t have cinnamon powder?

Cinnamon is the star spice here, but if you’re out, you can experiment with nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for a different yet still delightful flavor profile.

Can I bake these instead of frying?

Yes! You can bake the coated bread cubes on a parchment-lined sheet at 375°F (190°C) for about 15–20 minutes, turning halfway through, for a hands-off approach that still yields tasty bites.

Final Thoughts

Trust me when I say once you try these Cinnamon French Toast Bites, they’ll quickly become a beloved staple in your breakfast repertoire. They’re easy to make, fun to eat, and combine that nostalgic French toast flavor with the perfect bite-sized convenience. So grab your bread, some cinnamon, and a bottle of maple syrup, and get ready to treat yourself to a breakfast that feels like a warm hug every time. Enjoy!

Cinnamon French Toast Bites Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 23 reviews

Author: Mariam

Total Time: 16 minutes
Yield: 36 bite-sized pieces 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Cinnamon French Toast Bites are bite-sized pieces of bread coated in a cinnamon-sugar mixture, sautéed to golden perfection and served with warm maple syrup. This quick and delicious breakfast or snack option offers a fun twist on classic French toast that’s perfect for sharing or nibbling.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

4 thick slices of slightly stale white bread (1″/2.5cm thick)

Egg Mixture

2 large eggs (or 3 small eggs)

1/4 cup milk
Pinch of salt

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

Cooking Fats and Serving

3 tbsp butter, separated
Maple syrup to serve (not optional!)

Instructions

Prepare the bread: Cut the crust off each slice of bread, then cut each slice into 9 equal cubes to create bite-sized pieces for cooking.
Mix the egg batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt until fully combined and slightly frothy.
Make the cinnamon sugar: In a shallow bowl, combine the white sugar and cinnamon powder so the bread cubes can be coated evenly after cooking.

Heat the butter: Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Be careful not to let the butter brown to keep the flavor clean and perfect for sautéing.
Cook the first batch of bread cubes: Quickly toss half of the bread cubes in the egg mixture, then use your hands to gently shake off any excess egg. Place the cubes in the hot pan and sauté them with a wooden spoon, turning frequently until all sides are golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Coat with cinnamon sugar: Remove the browned bread cubes from the pan and immediately toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture so they are thoroughly coated. Transfer to a plate.

Repeat cooking for remaining cubes: Melt the remaining butter if needed and repeat the process with the rest of the bread cubes, cooking and coating just like the first batch.
Serve with maple syrup: Serve the cinnamon French toast bites immediately, accompanied by warm maple syrup for dipping, enhancing their sweet and cozy flavor.

Notes

Using slightly stale bread helps the cubes absorb the egg mixture better without becoming too soggy.

Cutting the crust off creates a softer, more uniform texture and lets the cinnamon sugar adhere better.
Use a non-stick pan or well-seasoned skillet to prevent sticking.
Keep the heat at medium-high but watch the butter carefully to avoid burning; browned butter can lend a different but distinct flavor.

Maple syrup is essential as a dipping sauce to complement the warm cinnamon flavor perfectly.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes

Category: Breakfast, Snack
Method: Sauté
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 12 bites
Calories: 210
Sugar: 10g

Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g

Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g

Fiber: 1g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: Cinnamon French Toast Bites, French toast, cinnamon sugar bites, breakfast bites, maple syrup, easy breakfast snack