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Home » By Meal » Breakfast

Published: November 30, 2022

French Toast Bagels

5 from 5 votes
Jump to Recipe Pin Print
buttery french toast bagels
15 minute french toast bagels
best 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!

stack of five french toast bagels with powdered sugar and maple syrup

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!
pouring syrup on top of a stack of french toast bagels

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.
all ingredients labeled

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!

how to soak a bagel in french toast milk and egg mixture

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!

how to cook french toast bagels in a buttery cast iron skillet

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.

french toast bagels on a serving plate after cooking

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.
top of crispy french toast bagel

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.

french toast bagels stacked on top of each other with maple syrup and butter

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.

inside of french toast bagels

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!

french toast bagels

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 buttery crisp edges!
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Serving 4 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 4 bagels, plain or cinnamon raisin
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¾ cup almond milk or oat milk, I like unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ – 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp salt, optional
  • 1 – 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a large and deep mixing bowl. I like using a casserole dish.
  • Cut the bagels in half.
  • Before soaking your bagels, heat a large pan or pancake griddle to medium heat, so it is ready.
  • 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!
  • Add 1 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.
  • Carefully wipe down the pan, melt another tablespoon of butter, and repeat with the rest of the bagels.
  • Top fresh fruit, powdered sugar, butter, maple syrup, or honey. Enjoy!

Notes

Full-Sized Bagels: You can use mini bagels.
Oat or Almond Milk: You can use any type of milk – skim, soy, rice, 2%, whole, or cashew milk.
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 to the milk mixture.
Gluten-Free: 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.
Make it Vegan: 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.
Storing: For best results, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: 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.
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.
Nutritional information below is calculated for 2 slices of french toast bagels (which is 1 full bagel).

Nutrition

Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 637mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 2mg
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Please leave a comment and star rating on this post and tag @HealthfulBlondie on Instagram & hashtag it #healthfulblondie!

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Comments

  1. Mary Lisa says

    February 07, 2021 at 12:39 pm

    5 stars
    Simply the best! These mini french toast bagels are fun and perfect for families. My kids just loved them and we make them most saturdays now.

    Reply

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Tati, founder and creator of Healthful Blondie

I’m Tati, a foodie, recipe developer, and blogger based in Austin, Texas. I started Healthful Blondie in 2020 to celebrate life, health, and my passion for cooking and baking. If you are in search of “lightened-up,” healthier versions of classics, you are in the right spot! My recipes are easy to follow, simple, and super tasty.

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