There are mornings when you want French toast and waffles, and honestly, choosing between them feels unnecessary. These French Toast Waffles give you the best of both worlds: rich, cinnamon-kissed French toast flavor with golden, crisp waffle edges. They are the kind of breakfast that makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking, “Is it ready yet?”
The batter comes together with simple pantry staples, and the waffle iron does most of the work. I love this recipe for lazy weekends, holiday breakfasts, or those random mornings when a plain bowl of cereal just won’t do. Don’t worry if the batter looks slightly lumpy—overmixing can make the waffles less tender. Serve them warm with maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or a little butter for a breakfast that feels special without being complicated.
Prep & Cook Time
| Details | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Total Time | 25 minutes |
| Servings | 6 waffles |
Yield: About 6 standard Belgian-style waffles, depending on the size of your waffle maker.
What Equipment Do You Need?
- Waffle maker
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Silicone spatula or wooden spoon
- Pastry brush, if needed, for greasing the waffle iron
- Wire rack for keeping cooked waffles crisp
Ingredients
- 8 slices brioche or thick-cut white bread, preferably slightly stale
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for greasing
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup, optional, for the batter
For Serving
- Warm maple syrup
- Fresh berries
- Powdered sugar
- Butter
- Sliced bananas or peaches, optional
Why Each Ingredient Matters
Brioche or thick-cut bread: Brioche brings a buttery, slightly sweet flavor and absorbs the custard beautifully without falling apart. Slightly stale bread is even better because it soaks up the mixture without becoming excessively soggy.
Eggs: Eggs provide structure and richness. As the waffles cook, the proteins set and help create those golden, crisp edges.
Whole milk: Milk keeps the French toast mixture creamy and tender. Whole milk gives the richest result, but lower-fat milk can also work.
Sugar: A little sugar adds sweetness and helps the exterior brown beautifully in the waffle iron.
Vanilla: Vanilla rounds out the eggy custard and gives the waffles that classic French toast aroma.
Cinnamon and nutmeg: This combination gives the waffles their warm, cozy breakfast flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
Butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps the finished waffles taste more like traditional French toast.
Flour: A small amount of flour helps the custard cling to the bread and contributes to a more structured, crisp exterior.
Salt: Just a little salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavor of the spices.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the French Toast Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, melted butter, and flour.
Whisk until mostly smooth. A few tiny lumps are perfectly fine. Don’t keep whisking forever trying to make it completely silky—the goal is simply to combine everything well.
Tip: If your butter is still hot, let it cool for a minute or two before adding it to the eggs so you don’t accidentally scramble them.
Step 2: Preheat the Waffle Maker
Preheat your waffle maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually on a medium-high setting.
Lightly grease the waffle plates with melted butter or a little neutral cooking spray if recommended for your waffle maker.
Make sure the plates are fully heated before adding the bread. A properly preheated waffle iron is one of the secrets to crisp edges.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture.
Coat both sides, but don’t leave the bread sitting in the mixture for too long. About 5–10 seconds per side is usually enough for thick bread.
The bread should feel moist but still hold its shape. If it becomes completely saturated and floppy, it can be difficult to transfer to the waffle maker.
Step 4: Place the Bread in the Waffle Maker
Carefully place the soaked bread onto the hot waffle plates.
Depending on the size of your waffle maker, you may need one slice per section or may be able to fit more than one.
Close the lid gently. Don’t press down aggressively, as the soaked bread needs room to cook and expand.
Step 5: Cook Until Golden and Crisp
Cook for approximately 3–5 minutes, or until the waffles are deeply golden and the edges look crisp.
Cooking time varies by waffle maker, so use the color and texture as your guide rather than relying only on the clock.
Food safety note: Because this recipe contains raw eggs, make sure the waffles are thoroughly cooked before serving.
Transfer finished waffles to a wire rack rather than stacking them immediately. Stacking traps steam and can soften those lovely crisp edges.
Step 6: Serve Warm
Serve the French Toast Waffles immediately with your favorite toppings.
Try:
- Warm maple syrup and butter
- Fresh strawberries and blueberries
- Powdered sugar
- Sliced bananas and toasted nuts
- Greek yogurt and berries
- A drizzle of peanut butter
For an extra-special weekend breakfast, add a little whipped cream and fresh fruit.
Health Benefits
These waffles are definitely a comfort-food breakfast, but they can still provide useful nutrients.
- Eggs provide protein along with nutrients such as choline and vitamin B12.
- Milk contributes protein and calcium, which support normal muscle and bone function.
- Cinnamon adds flavor without requiring a large amount of additional sugar.
- Fresh berries provide fiber and vitamin C when used as a topping.
- Using whole-grain bread can increase the fiber content compared with traditional white bread.
- Greek yogurt as a topping can add extra protein while keeping the breakfast creamy.
For a more balanced meal, serve one or two waffles with fresh fruit and Greek yogurt rather than relying only on syrup.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
Approximate values based on 1 waffle from a 6-waffle batch, before optional toppings.
| Nutrient | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 245 kcal |
| Protein | 9 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 29 g |
Nutrition will vary depending on the type and brand of bread, milk, and toppings used.
Pro Tips & Variations
For Extra-Crispy Waffles
Use slightly stale bread. Fresh, very soft bread absorbs the custard quickly and can produce a softer result.
Don’t Oversoak
This is probably the most important trick. You want custard-soaked bread, not bread that has turned into a sponge. Thick slices usually need only a few seconds per side.
Keep Finished Waffles Crisp
Place cooked waffles on a wire rack while you finish the batch. If you pile them on a plate, the trapped steam will soften the crust.
Make Them Less Sweet
Skip the maple syrup in the batter and use less sugar. You can always add sweetness at the table.
Use Whole-Grain Bread
Swap the brioche for thick-cut whole-grain bread for more fiber and a heartier flavor.
Dairy-Free Option
Use your favorite unsweetened oat, almond, or soy milk and a dairy-free butter alternative.
Add Orange Flavor
Add ½ teaspoon finely grated orange zest to the custard. Orange and cinnamon make a fantastic combination.
Make Them Nutty
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the finished waffles, rather than putting them directly into the batter where they can interfere with the waffle iron.
Chocolate Version
Add 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips to each soaked bread slice before closing the waffle maker. Watch carefully because chocolate can melt and caramelize quickly.
How Much Does It Cost to Make?
The cost depends on where you shop and the brand of ingredients, but this recipe is relatively budget-friendly for a family breakfast.
| Ingredient | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Brioche or thick-cut bread | $3.00 |
| Eggs | $1.25 |
| Milk | $0.60 |
| Butter | $0.50 |
| Sugar & flour | $0.20 |
| Vanilla & spices | $0.50 |
| Estimated total | $6.05 |
That works out to roughly $1.00 per serving for six servings, before optional toppings.
Using regular sandwich bread instead of brioche can bring the cost down even further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make French toast in a waffle maker?
Yes. A waffle maker is a great way to cook French toast because the hot plates create more surface area for browning. The result is crispier around the edges than traditional pan-fried French toast.
What is the best bread for French Toast Waffles?
Brioche, challah, or thick-cut white bread works especially well. Slightly stale bread is ideal because it absorbs the custard without becoming too soggy.
Why are my French Toast Waffles soggy?
The bread may have been oversoaked, or the waffle maker may not have been hot enough. Also, avoid stacking cooked waffles because steam can soften the crisp exterior. A wire rack helps keep them crunchy.
Can I make French Toast Waffles ahead of time?
Yes. Cook them until golden, allow them to cool completely, then refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat them in a toaster or oven until hot and crisp. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag.
Final Thoughts
French Toast Waffles are proof that a great breakfast doesn’t need to be complicated. With a few everyday ingredients, a hot waffle maker, and about 25 minutes, you can turn simple bread into something golden, crisp, buttery, and incredibly comforting.
The biggest secret is simple: don’t oversoak the bread, don’t overmix the custard, and let the waffle maker get properly hot. Once you have those three things right, breakfast practically takes care of itself. Add your favorite fruit and a generous drizzle of maple syrup, gather everyone around the table, and enjoy every crispy, cinnamon-scented bite.
