French Toast Waffles
A fun twist on the classic french toast, waffles bring a bit of crisp plus all the flavor you know and love. Say goodbye to gooey, uncooked centers and get all the easy tips to make them perfectly in your home waffle maker.
What is a French toast waffle?
French toast in waffle form? Yes please! Prepare your favorite french toast recipe (I have provided one below) and, instead of frying it in a pan, pop it in a waffle iron. Boom! French toast waffles!
Both of these breakfast delights come from ancient times; French toast from 5th century Frenchmen making the most of simple ingredients; Waffles from 13th century Greece, where chefs cooked flat cakes between metal pans which evolved to carry unique patterns, including the classic honeycomb that defines waffles today. When preparing this recipe, remember that you are marrying two ancient recipes. Fun, right?
How do you keep French toast from getting soggy?
One good way to ruin a french toast waffle is to allow it to get soggy. Follow these tips to get a perfectly crispy finish:
Tip 1: Use slightly stale bread. Your custard will absorb nicely, rehydrating the bread and imparting flavor without creating that dreaded sog.
Tip 2: Make sure to create a nice, thick custard. A runny custard will absorb too quickly. Start with my recipe below. Still too runny? Try adding a thickening agent such as cornstarch or arrowroot.
Tip 3: Avoid over-soaking your bread! Allow custard and bread to sit together just long enough for your custard to moisten and impart flavor. I recommend ~2 minutes. Denser breads require more time.
What are the ingredients for French toast waffles?
This recipe requires ingredients you may already have. Quality is important, so make sure your bread is a loaf you love and that your other ingredients are in good shape. You will need:
- Day old bread (see below for suggestions on appropriate breads)
- Eggs
- Heavy cream
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Nutmeg
- Sugar
- Non-stick cooking oil spray
Can these waffles be made in advance?
YES! There are several ways to do this. Pick your favorite:
- Slice your bread and prepare your custard, storing both elements separately until you are ready to complete the recipe.
- Combine your bread and custard in a dish, cover with plastic, and store overnight. Finish in your waffle iron the next morning.
- Follow the recipe from start to finish and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container of your choosing. Ziplocs and tupperware work great! When the time comes to reheat, use one of the methods listed below
Can they be frozen?
YES! Whip them up when you have time, allow them to cool, and place them in an airtight container such as a Ziploc or Tupperware to be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. Use one of the following methods to reheat:
- Lay slices on a baking dish and place in the oven at 400 F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through
- Pop slices in the toaster or toaster oven on a medium setting until desired crispiness is reached
- Lay slices flat on a microwave safe dish and microwave on medium heat for 30 seconds at a time until satisfied.
What kind of bread is best for French toast waffles?
This is a point of contention for some. You may have to do some experimenting to see what works best for you. I enjoy the following…feeling adventurous? Try making your own!
How to prep the waffle maker to prevent sticking
Non-stick cooking spray is non-negotiable here. Make sure to thoroughly clean your waffle iron before spraying. In selecting your spray, select an oil that stands up well to high temperatures such as coconut oil or canola oil.
What size waffle maker should I use?
I use an 8in round waffle iron. If you have something different, no worries! Just make sure your slices fit inside!
Can these be made in a skillet?
Yes! This recipe is essentially my favorite french toast recipe cooked in a waffle maker. If you would like to use a frying pan instead, go for it! You won’t get french toast waffles, but you will have some pretty tasty french toast!
Fun topping ideas
You can’t have french toast OR a waffle without all of the goodies. A french toast waffle is no different. Here are some of my faves:
- Maple syrup ~ see my next section for flavor infused maple syrups!
- Homemade whipped cream
- Blueberry Compote
- Chocolate Sauce
- Bananas Foster Sauce:
- Fruit syrup
- Strawberry Cream Cheese
- Caramel Sauce
- Nutella
- Your favorite jam or jelly
- Nuts for crunch
What about maple syrup?
I LOVE maple syrup…as is OR with a twist! Try these out:
- These flavored maple syrup recipes from The Kitchen are to die for! Spicy ginger? Blackberry + thyme? Thai iced tea? Peanut butter!? Yes please!
- Spicy bourbon maple syrup
- Fall spiced maple syrup
Equipment
- Waffle Maker
Ingredients
- 1 loaf sourdough bread sliced into 6, 1-inch thick slices
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg optional
- 1/4 cup sugar
- non stick cooking spray to grease the waffle maker
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron according to your manufacturer's instructions.
- In a large bowl, mix eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and sugar until well combined and smooth.
- Dip the slices of sourdough bread into the egg mixture, and thoroughly coat both sides of the bread. Let the bread sit 1-2 minutes to allow the mixture to soak in.
- Spray your waffle iron with non-stick cooking oil and place your coated bread slices on the iron one by one. Close the iron and cook for about 4 minutes or until the waffle is golden.
- Serve warm with your choice of toppings.
