This delicious Pumpkin French Toast recipe is quick, easy, and filled with warm pumpkin spice flavors that will delight your whole family! Whether for a cozy Saturday morning or a festive breakfast, this perfect fall breakfast is sure to be a hit with the entire family!
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I don’t know about where you live but we are definitely waking up with a chill in the air in the mornings these days and I couldn’t be more excited. I love Fall and all things pumpkin and pumpkin spice. Give me cozy mornings any day!
Our pumpkin french toast combines the classic flavors of traditional French toast and its custard-soaked rich bread with the seasonal twist of pumpkin and warm spices. It is a great way to use stale bread and enjoy the best pumpkin flavors any morning during the fall season. Prep is only 10 minutes and hardly any more work than regular French toast so I can even manage it for the kids before school most mornings.
The brioche bread soaks up the pumpkin mixture beautifully, resulting in a golden brown, slightly crispy, and fluffy French toast that everyone will love! I always keep a loaf of brioche or challah bread in my freezer just to have it on hand for making French toast for breakfast because it is one of our favorites.
For more delicious and easy pumpkin recipes to try, check out my Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, Pumpkin Pie Milkshake, Baked Pumpkin Donuts, Pumpkin Bundt Cake, and Easy Homemade Pumpkin Pie!
Why We Love This Recipe
- The combination of pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice gives regular French toast a unique and irresistible flavor that captures the essence of fall!
- Using brioche bread makes the French toast extra indulgent, providing a perfect balance of texture and taste.
- The whipped pumpkin butter is totally optional but it adds a creamy and luxurious touch, enhancing the overall pumpkin flavor and making each bite even more delightful. It can also be used as a spread for toast, muffins, or scones, or as a filling for crepes or pancakes!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Large Eggs – Essential for the custard mixture that soaks into the bread.
- Milk – Adds creaminess to the custard mixture. Substitute with almond milk or oat milk for a dairy-free option.
- Pumpkin Puree – Provides the distinct pumpkin flavor. Use pure pumpkin puree for best results.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice – A blend of spices that enhances the pumpkin flavor. You can make your own by mixing cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- Ground Cinnamon – Adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
- Brown Sugar – Sweetens the French toast and helps create a golden brown crust.
- Brioche Bread – Ideal for soaking up the custard mixture without becoming too soggy. Substitute with a loaf of challah bread or sliced Texas toast if desired.
- Salted Butter – For cooking the French toast to a perfect golden brown.
- Chopped Walnuts or Pecans – Optional, but adds a nice crunch and nutty flavor.
- Honey or Syrup – For serving, adding extra sweetness.
How to Make Pumpkin French Toast
- Make Whipped Pumpkin Butter. In a mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter until smooth, about 3 minutes on medium speed. Add the pumpkin puree, honey, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice. Continue beating until all the ingredients are well incorporated and the texture is creamy. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prepare the Custard Mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar until well combined.
- Heat the Skillet. Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of butter and allow it to melt.
- Dip the Bread. Working in batches, dip each slice of brioche bread into the pumpkin mixture, allowing it to soak for a few seconds on each side.
- Cook the French Toast. Place the soaked bread onto the preheated skillet or griddle. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Add remaining butter as needed and continue to dip and cook the French toast until all slices are done. Keep finished slices warm in a warm oven until ready to serve.
- Serve. Remove the French toast from the skillet and serve with a dollop of whipped pumpkin butter. Garnish with chopped nuts and drizzle with honey or syrup before serving.
Recipe FAQ’s
It’s best to use pure pumpkin puree for this recipe to maintain the right consistency and flavor. Canned pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and spices, which may alter the taste and texture.
Yes, you can make it by hand using a whisk or fork. It will require more time and effort to achieve a creamy texture, but it can be done.
It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. Allow it to come to room temperature before using.
Yes, you can prepare the custard mixture and soak the bread the night before. Cook the French toast in the morning for a quick and easy breakfast. Or use my overnight french toast recipe with the added pumpkin and spices here for a delicious and easy approach.
Allow the French toast to cool completely before storing. Place the slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Yes! Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Once frozen, transfer the slices to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat on a griddle, in the air fryer, or oven for best results.
Tips for Success
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread to ensure it soaks up the custard mixture without becoming too soggy.
- Cook the French toast over medium heat to achieve a golden brown exterior and a cooked-through interior.
- Keep finished slices warm in a low oven (about 200°F) while cooking the remaining batches.
- You can adjust the sweetness of the pumpkin butter by adding more or less honey according to your preference.
- Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special touch.
What to Serve with Pumpkin French Toast
Pumpkin French Toast pairs wonderfully with a variety of breakfast sides. Consider serving it with crispy bacon or sausage links for a savory contrast. Fresh fruit, such as berries or sliced apples, complements the warm spices and adds a refreshing touch. A glass of freshly squeezed orange juice or glass of cold milk makes the meal complete.
Substitutions and Variations
- Substitute milk with almond milk, oat milk, or any plant-based milk for a dairy-free option.
- For a different flavor, try using sweet potato puree or butternut squash puree instead of pumpkin puree.
- Make your own pumpkin pie spice by mixing equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- Substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
- Use a different kind of bread, such as challah, Texas toast, or even French bread if brioche bread is not available.
- Consider adding a pinch of grated orange zest to the Pumpkin Butter for a citrusy twist.
Pumpkin French Toast
Ingredients
Pumpkin French Toast
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 8 slices brioche bread
- 1-2 tablespoons salted butter
- chopped pecans (optional)
- honey or syrup for serving
Whipped Pumpkin Butter
- ½ cup salted butter softened
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
For the Pumpkin French Toast
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and brown sugar until well combined.2 large eggs, ¼ cup milk, ¼ cup pumpkin puree, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and allow it to melt.1-2 tablespoons salted butter
- Working in batches, dip each slice of brioche bread into the pumpkin mixture, allowing it to soak for a few seconds on each side.8 slices brioche bread
- Place the soaked bread onto the preheated skillet or griddle and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Add remaining butter and continue to dip and cook the french toast until is has all been cooked. Keep finished slices warm in a warm oven until ready to serve.
- Remove the french toast from the skillet and serve with a dollop of whipped pumpkin butter. Garnish with chopped nuts and drizzle with honey or syrup before serving.chopped pecans, honey or syrup
For the Whipped Pumpkin Butter
- In a mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter until smooth, about 3 minutes on medium speed.½ cup salted butter
- Add the pumpkin puree, honey, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice to the bowl.⅓ cup pumpkin puree, 3 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Continue beating the mixture until all the ingredients are well incorporated and the texture is creamy, approximately 3 minutes on high speed. If mixing by hand, it may take double the time. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Reheat in a skillet, toaster oven, or microwave.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the custard mixture and soak the bread the night before. Store soaked bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator and cook in the morning. You can also make the whipped pumpkin butter ahead of time and store it in individual serving-sized containers for convenience.
