French Toast Bagels

These french toast bagels are insanely delicious! A classic recipe made with plain or cinnamon raisin bagels, milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. They melt in your mouth with soft centers and crisp, buttery edges!

The best french toast bagel recipe

I cannot stop making these french toast bagels – they are so good!! Each bite literally melts in your mouth. The inside of the bagels are soft, and the edges are crispy from the butter. Heaven!

I love making this french toast recipe with cinnamon raisin and plain bagels. You can even use mini bagels if you make them for your kids or family. It’s such a fun and different way to enjoy classic french toast.

You only need six simple ingredients for this french toast bagel recipe: eggs, milk, vanilla, bagels, cinnamon, and butter. It’s easy to make, and everyone will love it!

Why you’ll love this recipe:

• French toast bagels have soft centers and crispy buttery edges.
• Ready in under 15 minutes.
• Use plain or cinnamon raisin bagels.
• Kids will love these french toast bagels!
• You can use mini bagels too.
• This recipe can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
• Perfect for Christmas morning, family breakfast, or brunch party.
• Try this incredible brioche french toast casserole next!

Ingredients needed

French toast bagels call for five simple ingredients plus butter to grease your skillet. You need your favorite kind of bagels, eggs, milk, and a few other ingredients. I love topping mine with fresh fruit and maple syrup. Here is a list of everything you need so you are prepared:

• Bagels: I love using either plain or cinnamon raisin bagels – any brand will work! If you are feeling fun, you can also use mini bagels; just double the amount.
• Eggs: You’ll need 4 eggs for this french toast bagel recipe.
• Milk: I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk, but any milk will work here. You can use oat milk, 2% milk, cashew milk, skim milk, or whole milk.
• Vanilla Extract: For the best flavor!
• Ground Cinnamon: I love adding a little cinnamon to my french toast. It adds the best flavor.
• Butter: You need butter to grease the pan and help crispen up the french toast bagels. I love the flavor it adds!

Kitchen tools required

Here is a list of kitchen utensils you will need to make french toast bagels.

• Casserole Dish or Mixing Bowl
• Saute Pan, Skillet, or Pancake Griddle
• Spatula
• Measuring Tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1/4 cup.

How to make french toast bagels

French toast bagels only take 15 minutes to make! Here are detailed step-by-step instructions with pictures for visual reference so any level cook can make them. The full recipe and ingredient measurements are at the bottom of this page in the recipe card.

Step 1:

First, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a large and deep mixing bowl. I like using a casserole dish. Then, cut the bagels in half.

Step 2:

Before soaking your bagels, heat a large pan or pancake griddle to medium heat, so it is ready.

Step 3:

Then dip each bagel slice into the mixture, allowing them to soak for about 30 seconds on each side. Since bagels are thicker than slices of bread, they need more time to soak up the mixture. Depending on the size of your pan, I highly recommend cooking in batches, so the bagels don’t get soggy!

Step 4:

Now, add one tablespoon of butter to the heated pan. Once melted, add your french toast bagels cut side down. Cook for 2 – 3 minutes on each side until the edges start to get a little crispy. I like to press the bagels down with a spatula as they cook so everything gets warm, buttery, and crispy.

Step 5:

Carefully wipe down the pan, melt another tablespoon of butter, and repeat with the rest of the bagels. Finally, top fresh fruit, powdered sugar, butter, maple syrup, or honey. Enjoy!

Expert tips for french toast bagels

Soak the bagels longer than regular french toast. Since bagels are thicker than regular slices of bread, they need more time to soak up the milk mixture. Allow them to soak for at least 1 minute.

Cook in batches. Depending on the size of your pan, I highly recommend cooking in batches, so the bagels don’t get soggy as they sit there waiting to be cooked.

Use regular or mini bagels. This recipe works for both full-sized and mini bagels – you pick!

Heat your pan & melt butter. Don’t add your soaked bagels to a lukewarm or cold pan; they will not get crispy and delicious. In fact, they will be soggy.

Press the bagels down with a spatula as they cook. I like to press the bagels down with a spatula as they cook so everything gets warm, buttery, and crispy.

Make it ahead of time. If you are serving a brunch party, feel free to double this recipe or make it ahead of time to serve everyone! Keep french toast bagels warm in an oven at 200°F in a baking dish until you are ready to serve.

What type of bagels can I use?

This french toast recipe works best with plain or cinnamon raisin bagels. You can use normal-sized or mini bagels. You can even use gluten-free bagels if you want.

Ingredient substitutions:

• Full-Sized Bagels: You can use mini bagels.
• Oat or Almond Milk: You can use skim, soy, rice, 2%, whole, or cashew milk.
• Cinnamon: I used this for flavor, but you can use pumpkin pie spice instead.
• Eggs: Substitute the eggs with two flax eggs to make this recipe vegan.
• Unsalted Butter: You can use salted butter, just leave out the salt in the milk mixture. You can also use coconut oil to make this recipe vegan.
• Add Extra Sweetness: It’s optional, but feel free to add 1 – 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any milk?

Yes, I used vanilla almond milk, but you can use any type you want. Feel free to use cow’s, oat, cashew, or rice milk.

Can I use gluten-free bagels?

Absolutely. You can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free bagels. You may need to soak them for a little longer than regular bagels because gluten-free bagels tend to be thicker.

Is this recipe dairy free?

Make this recipe dairy free by substituting the butter with coconut oil.

Can I make it vegan?

Yes! This french toast bagels recipe can be made vegan by removing the eggs and substituting them with two flax eggs. Also, remember to use vegan bagels and coconut oil to grease your pan, not butter.

What’s the texture of a french toast bagel?

French toast bagels are soft on the inside and buttery and crispy on the outside. They are very similar to classic french toast but are thicker. It reminds me of bread pudding too.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make french toast bagels ahead of time. This recipe is excellent for Christmas morning and brunch parties since you can double or triple it and make it up to 1 hour ahead of time to serve everyone! Keep the french toast bagels warm in an oven at 200°F in a baking dish until you are ready to serve.

Can you freeze french toast bagels?

Yes, you can meal prep this recipe and freeze french toast bagels for up to 2 months! First, let the french toast bagels cool, then transfer them into individual freezer-safe bags. Only add one bagel slice per bag or if you want to add multiple, just wrap each piece in plastic wrap, so they don’t stick together.

How do I reheat frozen french toast?

You can easily reheat frozen french toast in the toaster oven or oven. Heat to 300°F and reheat in a oven-safe dish for 5 – 15 minutes until warm.

How to store and reheat:

Storing: For best results, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating: For best results, reheat french toast bagels in the toast oven or oven at 300°F for 5 – 10 minutes until warm. This time will increase if you are reheating from frozen. If you are in a rush, you can reheat them in the microwave, but they will not be as crispy.

If you love this recipe, try these next!

• Brioche French Toast Casserole
• Blueberry Lemon Pancakes
• Starbucks Blueberry Scones
• Homemade Apple Cider Donuts
• Healthier Cinnamon Rolls with Icing

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!

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