Pumpkin spice french toast is the coziest fall breakfast! Made in under 10 minutes with just a few healthy ingredients, this wholesome french toast is perfectly spiced, sweet, and will curb all your pumpkin spice cravings! Best part? It’s dairy & refined sugar-free and can be made gluten-free and/or paleo!
French toast sticks were my obsession growing up. Being as I live for a cozy, fall recipes, I knew I had to put a pumpkin spice spin on my favorite breakfast! This french toast can be made as regular french toast, as french toast sticks, and can be made on the stove-top or air fryer oven! They are so quick, versatile, and make the most decadent, easy breakfast! It’s made in under 15 minutes. Drizzle a little of my whipped honey on top!
Pumpkin spice french toast sticks recipe video
Why you’ll love this recipe
- So easy to make – this french toast comes together in less than 10 minutes!
- It’s versatile – switch up the spices, toppings, and even method of cooking. You can make this in the air fryer, on the stovetop, etc.
- Can be made to fit dietary needs – this french toast is dairy-free and refined sugar-free and can be made gluten-free and/or paleo if using gluten-free or paleo bread! You can even use keto bread to keep this keto.
- Will curb all your pumpkin spice cravings!
- Vegan french toast – I even left a vegan option in the recipe card below!
- Perfect breakfast for the holidays, brunch, or special occasions!
best types of bread for french toast
What I love most about french toast is its versatility. You can make savory french toast, or sweet. You can make stuffed french toast with tons of fun fillings. It works great with all sorts of toppings like whipped cream, berries and fruit, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of nut butter and chocolate chips.
The most important part however, is the bread! It’s the star of the show! For a solid French toast, a sturdy bread with a soft crust will work best. Most love using options ilke brioche, challah, or a solid sandwich loaf. Feeling fancy? Shokupan (Japanese milk bread) works incredibly! Thick crusted, rustic breads won’t work as well and won’t be able to achieve that perfect, soft french toast texture!
Can you make gluten-free & vegan french toast?
Yes! French toast can easily be made gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free bread. I recommend using a sturdier bread so it holds together after being dipped in the french toast mixture! This recipe also works with paleo and keto bread. I love the brand Base Culture!
Vegan french toast is incredibly easy to make! I left a vegan option in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
How to make pumpkin spice french toast sticks
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Pan or air fryer: My favorite air fryer is the Our Place Wonder Oven. Not only is it ADORABLE & so aesthetic in the kitchen but it works great – I hardly use my real oven.
Ingredients
- Bread: The bread is obviously the star of the show, so use a high-quality option! I recommend trying to use a sturdier bread so that it holds together after being dipped in the french toast mixture. You can use sourdough if you’re feeling fancy, gluten-free bread, paleo bread, etc.
- Eggs: You will need ground flaxseed for the vegan option!
- Milk: Use whatever you have on hand! I used non-dairy cashew milk.
- Pumpkin spice: Pumpkin spice is typically a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. You can make your own or use store-bought.
- Pumpkin puree: Be sure you’re using canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling!
- Vanilla extract
- Toppings: coconut whipped cream, pecans, whipped honey, and maple syrup are all great!
Steps to make pumpkin spice french toast
- Make the french toast egg mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine all of the ingredients besides the bread, whisking until well combined.
- Dip the bread: Cut the bread into slices or leave them whole for regular french toast! Dip each stick or slice of bread into the egg mixture, letting it soak about 10 seconds or so, then flip it, letting it soak another 10 seconds on the other side (careful not to let it soak much longer than that). Place on heated pan to cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip to the other side and cook another 2-3 minutes, until golden. Then top with your favorite toppings!
How to make french toast sticks in the air fryer
Air fryer french toast is so easy! Simply place a piece of parchment paper inside. After soaking the french toast sticks, place into the air fryer being sure to give them an inch or so of space. Bake on 375F for 5-6 minutes, until golden, then flip. I like to cook mine another 2-3 minutes on the other side for crispier/firmer sticks! This is my favorite air fryer of all time (and yes, i’ve tried many! Lol)
FAQ’s
- French toast sticks are best served straight away!
- Don’t let the french toast sticks soak TOO long in the egg mixture, but just long enough to fully absorb it. If you soak it longer than 10-15 seconds, the bread may get too soggy & start to fall apart.
More healthy breakfast recipes to try
- Viral TikTok egg breakfast sandwich (one pan!)
- Banana foster chia pudding
- Crunchy granola clusters
- Cinnamon roll baked oatmeal
- Pumpkin spice chia pudding
- Healthy breakfast cheesecake/souffle
- Potato breakfast wrap
- PB&J chia seed pudding
- Breakfast egg stuffed peppers
If you try this recipe & love, it’d mean the world to me if you left a star rating & review below and tag me in your creations on Instagram @danishealthyeats! x
Pumpkin Spice French Toast (gluten-free option)
Ingredients
Pumpkin Spice French Toast
- 5 slices of bread, of choice (sturdier the better)
- 5 tbsp pumpkin puree (heaping 1/4 cup)
- 1/4 cup milk, of choice *I used cashew milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar or monk fruit *Can Omit if planning to use maple syrup or honey!
Vegan Pumpkin Spice French Toast
- 6 slices bread, of choice (sturdier the better!)
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 3/4 cup milk, of choice *more as needed
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar *Can Omit if planning to use maple syrup or honey!
Instructions
Egg option:
- In a shallow bowl, combine all of the ingredients besides the bread, whisking until well combined.
- Cut the bread into slices or leave them whole for regular french toast!
- Heat a skillet with a little coconut oil over medium heat.
- Dip each stick or slice of bread into the egg mixture, letting it soak about 10 seconds or so, then flip it, letting it soak another 10 seconds on the other side (careful not to let it soak much longer than that). Place on the pan to cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip to the other side and cook another 2-3 minutes. It should be golden and crispy on both sides. If you want them crispier, cook a little longer.
- Cook as many slices as will fit on your pan at a time! Once they're done, remove from the pan to a plate. Top with butter, whipped honey, maple syrup, coconut whip, pecans, etc!
- AIR FRYER: If using an air fryer, place a piece of parchment paper inside. After soaking the french toast sticks, place into the air fryer being sure to give them an inch or so of space. Bake on 375F for 5-6 minutes, until golden, then flip. I like to cook mine another 2-3 minutes on the other side for crispier/firmer sticks!
Vegan option:
- In a large shallow dish, whisk together the ground flaxseed and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes so the flaxseed can thicken.
- Add the remaining ingredients, besides the bread, whisking again until super smooth. If for some reason your mixture seems too thick, just add another splash of milk.
- Spray a large skillet with cooking spray or drizzle in a little coconut oil and place over medium heat. Once heated, lightly dip the slices of bread in the milk mixture so that the bread is just covered on each side but not soaked (unlike the egg option).
- Place the sticks of bread in the skillet for 3-4 minutes on each side or until a nice golden brown to your liking.
- Once they're done, remove from the pan to a plate. Top with butter, whipped honey, maple syrup, coconut whip, pecans, etc!
these were absolutely delicious and so fun for my kids! loved them!
Hi Sara! Aw, yay! Kiddos approval is the best approval (; Thank you so much for trying them!