There’s something simply magical about the way crisp cornflakes hug golden, fluffy bread in this Crunchy Cornflake French Toast Recipe. It’s an everyday breakfast upgrade that transforms your morning with crunch and comfort all in one bite.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Crunchy Cornflake French Toast Recipe has a special place in my weekend routine because it’s both indulgent and surprisingly simple. The cornflakes add this addictive crunch that you won’t get with regular French toast, making each bite exciting.
- Perfect Texture: The cornflakes create a crisp coating that stays crunchy even when sandwiched between soft, custardy bread.
- Easy Ingredients: No need for fancy pantry items — just eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and good bread.
- Versatile and Customizable: You can easily swap bread types or add toppings to suit your mood or fridge contents.
- Great for Company: It feels fancy enough for weekend brunch guests but straightforward enough for busy mornings.
 
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here brings something crucial to the table — from flavor depth to texture. Choosing the right basics sets you up for that perfect Crunchy Cornflake French Toast Recipe triumph.
 
- Eggs: They’re the backbone, giving the custardy soak that makes the bread tender but sturdy enough to hold the cornflake coating.
- Whole Milk: Adds richness — you can swap for cream or plant milk, but whole milk balances custardiness without heaviness.
- Vanilla Extract: Layered warmth that rounds out the sweetness without being overpowering.
- Ground Cinnamon: A little spice magic that complements the cornflakes and gives cozy aroma.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance flavors and balance sweetness.
- Cornflakes: The star of the show — crushed to just the right size so each piece crisps beautifully on the outside.
- Brioche or Challah Bread: Thick, soft, and slightly sweet — perfect for soaking and holding up well without sogging through.
- Unsalted Butter: For cooking — it adds flavor and helps get that golden crust without burning.
- Maple Syrup, Powdered Sugar, Berries: Classic finishing touches that brighten and sweeten your plate.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Crunchy Cornflake French Toast Recipe based on what’s in season or what flavors I’m craving—this is your playground! Feel free to swap breads, spices, or toppings to make it truly yours.
- Variation: Once, I tried using cinnamon raisin bread instead of brioche — the raisins added bursts of sweetness that were a hit with my family.
- Dietary Swap: For a dairy-free version, use almond milk and coconut oil instead of butter — it works surprisingly well!
- Extra Crunch: Mix in some chopped nuts with the cornflakes for an even heartier crunch.
- Seasonal Twist: Add nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice during fall for a cozy seasonal spin.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crunchy Cornflake French Toast Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Up the Custard Mix
Start by whisking together eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a shallow pan. I like using a pie plate here — it’s shallow and wide, perfect for dipping. Keep that mixture smooth and well combined, so every slice can soak evenly.
Step 2: Prep the Cornflakes Coating
Take your cornflakes and gently crush them with your hands into smaller bits but not powder. This step is important because you want the flakes to stick and provide texture, not turn into crumbs. Toss them into a large bowl to prepare for coating.
Step 3: Dip & Coat Your Bread
Dip each slice of brioche or challah into the egg mixture, letting it absorb the liquid but not get soggy. Then press each side firmly into the crushed cornflakes, making sure the coating sticks well. I place them on a baking sheet to keep them organized and ready to cook.
Step 4: Cook to Golden Perfection
Melt a little unsalted butter on your skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook the coated bread slices for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp. Patience here is key — if your heat is too high, the cornflakes can burn before the inside cooks.
Step 5: Serve Warm with Your Favorite Toppings
Serve immediately with maple syrup, dusted powdered sugar, and fresh berries. Don’t skip the berries; their tartness brightens up every bite of the crunchy, sweet French toast.
Top Tip
From plenty of mornings in the kitchen, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Crunchy Cornflake French Toast Recipe foolproof and extra delicious.
- Crush With Care: Avoid pulverizing your cornflakes into dust — keeping a bit of chunkiness ensures that desirable crunch.
- Keep Your Heat Moderate: Cooking low and slow lets the French toast crisp up without burning the coating or undercooking the inside.
- Use Day-Old Bread: Slightly stale bread soaks custard without falling apart, but fresh works in a pinch.
- Layer Toppings Last: I always add syrup and berries just before serving to maintain that crunchy texture.
How to Serve Crunchy Cornflake French Toast Recipe
 
Garnishes
I’m a sucker for classic garnishes: a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and a handful of fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for that pop of color and brightness.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs beautifully with crispy bacon or sausage for a savory counterbalance. On lighter days, a fresh fruit salad or a smoothie on the side keeps things fresh and vibrant.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special brunch, I like stacking the Crunchy Cornflake French Toast slices with layers of whipped cream and berries in a trifle dish. It’s both stunning and delicious! Or place slices artfully on a platter with edible flowers for an Instagram-worthy spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers — which is rare — I store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. To keep the coating crispy, I reheat them on a wire rack in the oven instead of the microwave.
Freezing
I’ve frozen cooked Crunchy Cornflake French Toast slices by placing parchment between layers in a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready, I pop them straight in the oven from frozen — it revives the crunch nicely.
Reheating
The best way I’ve found to reheat while keeping that crunch is to place the slices on a wire rack in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving unless you don’t mind losing a bit of that crisp texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! While cornflakes give the ideal crunch and adhesion, you can experiment with crushed Rice Krispies or even bran flakes for a different texture. Just make sure whatever you use is crushed into small, uniform pieces.
Brioche and challah are my favorites because they’re rich, soft, and thickly sliced, great for soaking up custard without falling apart. Day-old bread works best so it doesn’t get soggy while dipping.
Press the crushed cornflakes firmly onto each side of the soaked bread before cooking. Also, letting the slices sit on a plate for a few minutes before cooking can help the coating adhere better. Cooking over medium heat avoids burning and helps the crust set nicely.
Yes, by substituting eggs with a flax or chia egg and using plant-based milk like almond or oat, plus vegan butter for cooking, you can make a vegan-friendly version. The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious and crunchy!
Final Thoughts
This Crunchy Cornflake French Toast Recipe is one of those joyful surprises I love sharing. It’s comfort food elevated with a fun crunch and sweetness that feels just right—whether for a lazy weekend or a brunch with friends. I’m excited for you to try it and make it your own; once you do, I bet it’ll become a favorite in your kitchen too.
Print 
Crunchy Cornflake French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Crunchy French Toast recipe transforms classic French toast with a crispy cornflake coating that adds delightful texture and flavor. Using thick slices of brioche or challah bread, the toast is soaked in a rich egg mixture infused with vanilla and cinnamon, then coated in crushed cornflakes before being cooked to golden perfection. Served warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh berries, this dish makes for a delicious and indulgent breakfast treat.
Ingredients
French Toast Mixture
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Coating and Bread
- 4 cups cornflakes
- 8 thick slices Brioche or Challah bread
- Unsalted butter, for cooking
For Serving
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)
Instructions
- Preheat Griddle or Skillet: If you have an electric griddle, preheat it to 350 degrees F. Alternatively, heat a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a shallow pan or pie plate, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Crush Cornflakes: Place the cornflakes in a large bowl and crush them with your hands until the pieces are small and uniform, but not completely ground into crumbs, to ensure a crunchy coating.
- Coat Bread Slices: Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Then dip each side of the soaked bread slice into the crushed cornflakes, pressing gently to make sure the flakes stick well. Place the coated slices on a baking sheet or platter and repeat with all slices.
- Cook the French Toast: Add a small amount of unsalted butter to the preheated griddle or skillet. Cook the bread slices in batches, flipping once, until each side is golden brown and crispy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Serve Warm: Serve your crunchy French toast warm topped with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh berries according to your preference.
Notes
- To keep the French toast warm before serving, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F and place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Arrange cooked French toast slices on the rack and keep them warm in the oven for up to 30 minutes.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute the bread and cornflakes with gluten-free alternatives.
- For variation, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or orange zest to the egg mixture for extra flavor.
- Use a non-stick skillet and avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain crispiness and ensure even cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leave a Reply