Pumpkin French Toast Breakfast: A Delicious Fall-Inspired Recipe to Start Your Day
Pumpkin French Toast is a cozy, fall-inspired breakfast recipe featuring thick slices of brioche or challah soaked in a spiced pumpkin batter and cooked to golden perfection. Topped with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and nuts, this delicious dish offers a perfect balance of warm spices and rich flavors to start your day.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Pumpkin Batter
- 4 slices of thick bread (like brioche or challah)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (or a non-dairy alternative)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, for sweetness)
For Cooking and Serving
- Butter or oil for cooking
- Maple syrup, for serving
- Powdered sugar, for garnish (optional)
- Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional, for topping)
- Dollop of whipped cream (optional)
- Crispy bacon or sausage (optional, for serving)
- Prepare the Pumpkin Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs, and milk. Whisk until smooth, then add vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, salt, and optional brown sugar. Whisk again to combine well. Let the batter rest for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Preheat the Cooking Surface: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a tablespoon of butter or oil to coat the surface evenly.
- Dip the Bread: Dip each slice of thick bread into the pumpkin batter, ensuring both sides are thoroughly coated. Let the bread soak in the batter for a few seconds on each side to absorb the mixture.
- Cook the French Toast: Place the soaked bread slices onto the preheated skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side. Repeat with remaining slices, adding more butter or oil as needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Stack two slices of cooked French toast on a plate. Drizzle generously with maple syrup, sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired, and top with chopped pecans or walnuts to add crunch.
- Add Optional Toppings: For an extra festive touch, add a dollop of whipped cream on top. Serve alongside crispy bacon or sausage for a savory contrast if preferred.
- Store Leftover Batter: If any pumpkin batter remains, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Stir well before reusing.
Notes
- Use thick slices of bread like brioche or challah for best texture and flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond, soy, or oat milk, and use oil instead of butter for cooking.
- If you prefer a sweeter French toast, add the brown sugar to the batter; otherwise, omit it for a less sweet variation.
- Be careful not to soak the bread too long to avoid sogginess.
- Feel free to customize toppings by using other nuts like almonds or adding fresh fruit.
- Cooking on medium heat ensures the French toast cooks through without burning outside.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Pumpkin French Toast, Fall Breakfast Recipe, Spiced French Toast, Thanksgiving Breakfast, Pumpkin Puree Recipe