Healthy French Toast Recipe the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Indulging in a delicious breakfast recipe doesn’t have to derail your healthy eating goals. This healthy French toast recipe is a lighter twist on a classic breakfast favorite that combines the irresistible flavors of warm, cinnamon-infused bread with a subtle sweetness.
Discover ways to cut the calories and sugar as we revamp this traditional recipe with simple ingredients that will satisfy your sweet breakfast cravings!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
If you love a perfect easy breakfast as much as we do, we know you’re going to love this recipe. Even though it is a lighter take on classic dish, it does not lack in flavor! It is one that can be enjoyed by friends, family, even the most picky eaters, and those with various dietary restrictions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below are the ingredients needed to make the best French toast:
- Bread slices
- Eggs
- Dairy free milk
- NutraSweet Natural stevia or other zero calorie sweetener
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil
See recipe card for quantities
Step By Step Instructions
- Cut your 6 slices of bread in a half, diagonal shape. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together your eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, sweetener of choice, and salt. Pour liquid into a shallow dish.
- Heat up your large skillet and keep on low to medium heat. Add in vegetable oil.
- Dip each slice of bread into your milk and egg mixture, coating both sides. Add soaked bread slices to the skillet once it’s hot. Cook 2 slices at a time (or more if you have a larger frying pan or a griddle). Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until desired texture and a golden brown color is achieved.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Keep your skillet on low to medium heat when cooking the thick slices of bread.
- Day-old bread works great for making French toast because the slight staleness allows it to absorb the egg mixture more effectively without becoming overly soggy. This results in a crispier exterior and a soft, custard-like interior. Stale bread is the key to enhancing the texture and overall consistency of French toast when cooked.
Recipe Variations
Here, you will find a few ideas to spark your creativity with different ways to enjoy the best healthy French toast recipe:
- Citrus Burst – Add in some orange or lemon zest to your milk and egg mixture. This will add a bright burst of extra flavors to your favorite bread.
- Spice Variety – During the fall, consider adding in other warm spices such as, nutmeg, clove, and ginger.
- Favorite Toppings – Instead of traditional high-calorie toppings like butter and syrup, consider topping your French toast with sugar free maple syrup or fresh fruit like fresh berries, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a dollop of low-calorie whipped cream or Greek yogurt for added flavor and texture.
Recipe Substitutions
In this section, we’ve included a few substitutions and ways to make healthy swaps when making a classic French toast recipe like this one:
- Vegetable Oil – You can easily swap out the vegetable oil for coconut oil or olive oil if preferred. Keep in mind that either of these options will alter the overall taste of this healthy French toast recipe. Alternatively, you can cook French toast using a non-stick skillet or griddle with minimal cooking spray or a light coating of oil to reduce added fats and calories.
- Bread Choice – Opt for whole grain or whole wheat bread with fewer calories and added fiber compared to white bread. Alternatively, use low calorie or low carb bread options available in the market. If you want to make this recipe a bit more indulgent or for someone who isn’t following a low calorie diet, you can use brioche bread or thick white bread like Texas toast.
- Eggs – Instead of using whole eggs, consider using a mixture of egg whites or egg substitute to reduce calorie and cholesterol content.
- Milk Alternative – Choose unsweetened almond milk, skim milk, or another from the dairy free variety instead of whole milk or cream to decrease calorie and sugar content.
- Sugar Substitute – Having some sweetness is an essential component of traditional French toast recipes. We used NutraSweet Natural stevia which is a zero calorie sweetener. We added 3 packets of this to the milk and egg mixture, giving it just the right amount of sweetness without the unnecessary calories! It makes for a great sugar replacement.
- Vanilla Extract – You can use almond extract instead of vanilla extract to add a unique flavor to this healthy breakfast recipe.
Storage Tips
The best way to store French toast is to allow it to cool completely after cooking. Once cooled, place it in an airtight container, in a single layer or wrap each slice of French toast tightly with plastic wrap, ensuring that there is minimal air exposure to maintain its freshness. Refrigerate for up to 2-3 days.
If freezing, add the plastic wrapped slices to a freezer bag and label with the date and contents of the bag.
When ready to enjoy, reheat French toast in a toaster, oven, or skillet until warmed through, ensuring it retains its delicious texture and flavor. Avoid stacking the French toast pieces directly on top of each other during storage to prevent them from sticking together.
Looking for other breakfast items to make for busy mornings or special occasions? Try our recipes for how to make lemon pancakes, or our sourdough bread breakfast sandwich.
This post was sponsored by NutraSweet Natural but opinions are my own.
Click here to purchase NutraSweet Natural Stevia.
Healthy French Toast Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 slices bread
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup almond milk can use other preferred milk
- 3 packets stevia or other zero calorie sweetener
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- vegetable oil
Instructions
- Cut your 6 slices of bread in a half, diagonal shape. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together your eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, sweetener of choice, and salt. Pour liquid into a shallow dish.
- Heat up your large skillet and keep on low to medium heat. Add in a few tablespoons of vegetable oil once pan is hot.
- Dip each slice of bread into your milk and egg mixture, coating both sides. Add soaked bread slices to the skillet once oil is hot. Cook 2 slices at a time (or more if you have a larger frying pan or a griddle). Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until desired texture and a golden brown color is achieved.
If you made this healthy French toast, please leave a review and rating. I would love to get your feedback!