The morning I first made this Pumpkin French Toast, my kitchen smelled like everything wonderful about fall wrapped up in one gorgeous breakfast. My husband came downstairs following the scent of cinnamon and pumpkin spice, and before I could even plate it, he was already asking if we could have this every weekend. The bread gets perfectly crispy on the outside while staying custardy soft inside, and that pumpkin spice flavor is absolutely intoxicating.
My daughter topped hers with whipped cream and declared it better than dessert. When your kids choose breakfast over sweets, you know you've got something special.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Pumpkin French Toast transforms a classic breakfast into something that feels like a cozy fall hug on a plate. You get all those warm pumpkin spices, a creamy custard center, and edges that caramelize beautifully in the pan. My sister made this for her family's weekend brunch and said even her picky teenagers went back for seconds.
It's one of those fall breakfast ideas that works equally well for a special occasion or a regular Saturday morning when you want to make things feel extra special. The best pumpkin French toast uses simple ingredients you probably already have, but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
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What You'll Need
Just pantry staples plus pumpkin puree create this incredible fall breakfast. Nothing complicated here.
Main Ingredients
- 8 thick slices bread (challah or brioche work best)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Butter for cooking
- Maple syrup for serving
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Optional Extras
Top with whipped cream, chopped pecans, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence. Some people love adding cream cheese between two slices to make stuffed French toast. A handful of chocolate chips in the custard takes it over the top for the kids.
Scroll to the recipe card for ingredients and step-by-step directions.
How to Make Pumpkin French Toast
Make the Pumpkin Custard
Whisk together your pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a large shallow bowl until completely smooth. Make sure there are no lumps of pumpkin - you want this velvety and well combined. The custard should be thick enough to coat the bread nicely but still pourable. My mom always says the quality of your custard determines how good your pumpkin spice French toast turns out.
Soak the Bread
Dip each slice of bread into the pumpkin custard, letting it soak for about 20-30 seconds per side. You want the bread saturated but not falling apart. Thicker bread like challah or brioche holds up better and creates that perfect contrast between crispy exterior and custardy middle. Don't rush this step - proper soaking is what makes fall pumpkin French toast so incredibly good.
Cook Until Golden
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a generous pat of butter. Once it's melted and bubbling, add your soaked bread slices. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply golden brown and slightly crispy on the edges. The pumpkin custard caramelizes beautifully, creating this amazing flavor. Work in batches and keep finished pieces warm in a low oven.
Can I make this with different bread? Yes! Thick-cut white bread, French bread, or even pumpkin bread French toast works wonderfully. Just make sure it's thick enough to hold the custard.
Serve It Up
Stack your pumpkin French toast on a plate, dust generously with powdered sugar, and drizzle with warm maple syrup. Add a dollop of whipped cream and maybe some fresh thyme for a fancy touch. The combination of the spiced pumpkin custard, caramelized exterior, and sweet maple syrup is absolutely magical. This is the kind of breakfast that makes everyone linger at the table.
Aliana's Top Tip
The secret to the best French toast recipe with pumpkin is using day-old bread that's slightly stale.
Fresh bread gets too soggy and falls apart.
If your bread is fresh, just toast it lightly first to dry it out a bit.
Also, medium heat is crucial - too hot and the outside burns before the inside cooks through.
My husband learned this the hard way when he cranked up the heat trying to speed things up.
Low and slow wins the race every time with this easy pumpkin French toast.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
Make a pumpkin French toast casserole by layering everything in a baking dish and baking at 350°F for 35-40 minutes - perfect for feeding a crowd. Use almond milk for a dairy-free version. For apple French toast variation, add diced apples to the custard. Try making pumpkin pancakes using similar flavors for a different texture.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store leftover pumpkin French toast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to restore the crispy exterior. You can also freeze cooked slices separated by parchment paper for up to 2 months. This makes amazing fall breakfast meal prep - just pop them in the toaster straight from frozen for busy mornings.
What to Serve With Pumpkin French Toast
This pumpkin French toast is incredible with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage on the side. My family loves it with fresh fruit and a hot cup of coffee. It's also beautiful as part of a fall brunch spread alongside other breakfast brunch recipes. The sweet and savory combo is unbeatable.
FAQs About Pumpkin French Toast
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree?
It's better to use pure pumpkin puree because pie filling already has sugar and spices, which can make the custard too sweet and throw off the flavor balance.
How thick should the bread be?
About ¾ to 1 inch thick is ideal. Thinner bread gets too soggy, while thicker pieces don't cook through properly.
Can I make this ahead?
You can prep the custard the night before and store it in the fridge. Just give it a good whisk before using. The French toast is best cooked fresh though.
What's the difference between this and regular French toast?
The pumpkin puree in the custard creates a richer, creamier texture and adds that signature fall flavor with warm spices that make this pumpkin French toast recipe so special.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you're into fall recipes and pumpkin breakfast recipes, you'll want to explore more fall baking recipes on my site. I've got plenty of yummy fall recipes and fall cooking ideas that celebrate the season. My collection of Breakfast recipes easy enough for any morning and thanksgiving recipes will keep your fall menu exciting.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - I'd love to see your twist on it!
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