12 French Toast Recipes - Cooking Light

Photo: John Kernick

Ciabatta French Toast with Warm Apple Maple Syrup

French toast is a delicious alternative to a bland breakfast, and it is easier to prepare than you might think. With their use of different breads, ingredients, and toppings, any of these 12 recipes can add some life to your morning.

First, moist yet crusty bread and nutty Gruyère cheese set Ciabatta French Toast with Warm Apple Maple Syrup apart from traditional recipes. A vegetable peeler works great for getting thin slices out of the cheese. For the apples, Rome or Fuji varieties would also work.

View Recipe: Ciabatta French Toast with Warm Apple Maple Syrup

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Marmalade French Toast Casserole

Grapefruit or mixed fruit marmalade will work just as well as the orange marmalade called for in the recipe. Serve the casserole with honey or pancake syrup warmed with orange rind and a splash of orange juice (add one teaspoon rind and two tablespoons juice per 1/2 cup syrup). This easy casserole can be assembled in less than 15 minutes and stored in the refrigerator overnight.

View Recipe: Marmalade French Toast Casserole

Photo: John Autry

Coconut French Toast with Grilled Pineapple

Easy to make, this rich dish is full of flavor. It's best prepared with day-old bread. You can serve the pineapple slices raw, but the deep, caramelized flavors you get from cooking them in a grill pan are worth the extra effort.

View Recipe: Coconut French Toast with Grilled Pineapple

Photo: Jan Smith

Overnight Caramel French Toast

This decadent French toast with caramel gets lightened but without losing the rich flavor everyone loves. And more good news: It can be made the night before and popped in the oven the next morning.

View Recipe: Overnight Caramel French Toast

Photo: Gentyl & Hyers

French Toast with Maple-Apple Compote

Sweet Pink Lady apples hold up well to being sautéed for the compote. Liberty, Fuji, or Jonagold apples would also work. Substitute Hawaiian bread if challah isn't available.

View Recipe: French Toast with Maple-Apple Compote

Ciabatta French Toast with Marmalade Drizzle

Sturdy ciabatta bread makes for great French toast. Pair with fruity, protein-packed Berry and Banana Smoothies.

View Recipe: Ciabatta French Toast with Marmalade Drizzle

Photo: Randy Mayor

Easy French Toast Casserole

This easy french toast casserole is a rich and decadent addition to any breakfast or brunch table.

View Recipe: Easy French Toast Casserole

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

French Toast Soufflé

The only thing better than French toast is turning it into a soufflé. Make this dish for brunch or surprise your kids with this treat in place of the standard French toast. A firm white bread produces the best texture in this make-ahead breakfast casserole.

View Recipe: French Toast Soufflé

Photo: Randy Mayor

Cranberry-Apple French Toast Casserole

This prep-ahead casserole, which turns extra dinner rolls and cranberry sauce into a brunch or dessert treat, is especially welcome if you are entertaining houseguests for the long holiday weekend. While we enjoyed the tartness of the Granny Smith apples, any baking apple will do. Serve with apple wedges.

View Recipe: Cranberry-Apple French Toast Casserole

Photo: Randy Mayor

Strawberry-Filled French Toast with Caramel and Pecans

The sweetness of the strawberries is a delightful, delicious contrast to the bold, rich flavor of caramel and pecans.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Filled French Toast with Caramel and Pecans

Baked Coconut French Toast with Tropical Fruit Compote

While the fruit compote really complements this dish, you can omit it and pour on maple syrup instead. If you do so, reduce the amount of sugar in the milk mixture by half.

View Recipe: Baked Coconut French Toast with Tropical Fruit Compote

Photo: Karry Hosford

Orange-Pecan French Toast Casserole

This overnight French toast casserole saves you the trouble of standing over a griddle flipping individual slices of French toast.

View Recipe: Orange-Pecan French Toast Casserole