Pumpkin Spice Ciabatta French Toast (Toddler-Approved!)
If you're looking for an easy fall breakfast that the whole family will love, this pumpkin spice ciabatta French toast is worth trying. I made it for my husband and three-year-old over the weekend, and my toddler absolutely loved it.
The secret? Ciabatta bread. It holds up beautifully when soaked in the egg mixture, giving you a golden, slightly crispy outside and a soft center. I also added cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice for a cozy fall flavor, and it turned out so good.
It's simple to make, uses ingredients you probably already have at home, and feels a little more special than our usual weekday breakfast.
Why Use Ciabatta Bread for French Toast?
I've made French toast with traditional sandwich bread before, but I highly recommend trying ciabatta.
Ciabatta has a sturdier texture than regular sandwich bread, which means it can absorb the egg and milk mixture without immediately falling apart. It also develops a delicious golden crust when cooked in butter.
One thing I recommend is letting the bread soak for a little longer than you normally would. We let ours sit in the mixture for about one to two minutes, which helped the custard absorb into the thicker slices.
The result was French toast that was golden on the outside and soft on the inside.
Pumpkin Spice Ciabatta French Toast Recipe
This is the exact small-batch recipe I made for my husband and toddler. You can easily double it if you're feeding more people.
Prep Time: 5–10 minutes
Cook Time: Approximately 6–8 minutes per batch
Servings: Approximately 2, depending on the size of your ciabatta slices
Ingredients
- Ciabatta bread, cut into thick slices (approximately ¾–1 inch thick)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or regular sugar
- Small pinch of salt
- Butter for cooking
- Maple syrup for serving
Optional toppings:
- Fresh strawberries or blueberries
- Sliced bananas
- Powdered sugar
- Additional cinnamon
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Ciabatta French Toast
Step 1: Prepare the Egg Mixture
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, sugar, and salt until everything is well combined.
Step 2: Soak the Ciabatta
Slice your ciabatta into thick pieces, approximately ¾ to 1 inch thick.
Dip the bread into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for approximately one to two minutes total, turning it so both sides absorb the mixture.
Because ciabatta is thicker and sturdier than traditional sandwich bread, I found that giving it extra time to soak worked really well. Just keep an eye on the bread so it doesn't become overly saturated or start falling apart.
Step 3: Cook the French Toast
Heat a skillet over medium to medium-low heat and add a little butter.
Once the butter has melted, place the soaked ciabatta slices into the pan. Cook for approximately three to four minutes per side, until the outside is golden brown and the egg mixture is fully cooked through the center.
If the bread is browning too quickly, lower the heat slightly so the middle has enough time to cook.
Step 4: Add Your Favorite Toppings
Serve the French toast warm with maple syrup, fresh berries, sliced bananas, or a light dusting of powdered sugar.
We kept ours simple, and my three-year-old loved it.
My Tips for Making the Best Ciabatta French Toast
After making this recipe, there are a few things I'd recommend.
Use thick slices of ciabatta. I think the texture of the bread is what makes this recipe so good. It holds up to the egg mixture and creates a delicious golden outside.
Give the bread time to soak. We soaked ours for about one to two minutes, rather than quickly dipping each side. The thicker bread benefits from a little extra time to absorb the mixture.
Cook over medium-low heat if needed. You want the outside to turn golden brown without burning before the center has cooked through.
Don't skip the cinnamon. Even though I added pumpkin pie spice, I kept the full teaspoon of cinnamon. The combination gave the French toast a delicious fall flavor.
Make it your own. You can adjust the spices, leave out the pumpkin pie spice, or serve it with whatever fruit your toddler likes.
Can Toddlers Eat Pumpkin Spice French Toast?
Yes! French toast can be a great breakfast option for toddlers, provided the ingredients are appropriate for their age and any food allergies.
This recipe contains eggs, milk, and wheat, so keep those common allergens in mind.
For younger toddlers, you can cut the French toast into manageable strips or bite-sized pieces, depending on their chewing abilities. Ciabatta can have a chewy crust, so make sure the bread is soft enough for your child to eat comfortably.
You can also serve it with fresh fruit and skip the maple syrup if you prefer a breakfast with less added sugar.
My three-year-old loved this version, and I love finding easy breakfasts that we can all enjoy together without making separate meals.
Can You Make This French Toast Without Pumpkin Pie Spice?
Absolutely! One of the reasons I love this recipe is that it doesn't have to be seasonal.
If you're making it outside of fall, simply leave out the pumpkin pie spice and make a classic cinnamon ciabatta French toast instead.
You can also adjust the amount of cinnamon and vanilla based on your family's preferences.
Can You Make Ciabatta French Toast Ahead of Time?
Yes. If you want to make breakfast easier during the week, you can cook the French toast ahead of time and store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days.
Reheat in a skillet, toaster oven, or oven until warmed all the way through. I prefer reheating French toast in a skillet or toaster oven because it helps bring back some of the texture.
You can also freeze cooked French toast. Let it cool, freeze the slices individually on a baking sheet, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
For the best quality, I'd aim to use frozen French toast within one to two months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ciabatta good for French toast?
Yes! Ciabatta is a great bread for French toast because its sturdy texture absorbs the egg mixture while holding its shape. It also develops a golden crust when cooked in butter.
How long should you soak ciabatta for French toast?
I soaked our ciabatta for approximately one to two minutes total, turning the slices to coat both sides. The ideal soaking time depends on how thick and fresh your bread is. Thicker or slightly stale slices may need more time than fresh bread.
Can you use fresh ciabatta for French toast?
Yes. Fresh ciabatta works, although you may want to soak it for less time if it's especially soft. Slightly stale ciabatta can also work well because it absorbs the custard without becoming too delicate.
Does pumpkin spice French toast contain pumpkin?
Not necessarily. This recipe uses pumpkin pie spice, which is a blend of warm spices commonly including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. It doesn't contain pumpkin purée.
Is this French toast good for meal prep?
Yes! You can make a batch ahead of time, refrigerate or freeze the cooked slices, and reheat them for an easy breakfast. Just make sure the French toast is fully cooked before storing and thoroughly reheated before serving.
More Easy Breakfast Ideas for Toddlers
If you're always looking for easy breakfasts and snacks your toddler will actually eat, here are a few more recipes we love.
My easy egg bites are great for busy mornings and can be made ahead of time. My banana oatmeal muffins are another simple breakfast option, and my pumpkin chocolate chip muffins are perfect for fall.
I also love making broccoli cheese tots, which work just as well as a snack or an easy addition to a toddler lunchbox.
Final Thoughts
I'm always looking for simple recipes that don't require a long list of ingredients or a ton of preparation, especially when I'm cooking for my three-year-old.
This pumpkin spice ciabatta French toast checked all the boxes. It was easy to make, tasted delicious, and my toddler loved it.
If you've never made French toast with ciabatta before, I highly recommend giving it a try. And if you're making it during fall, don't skip the pumpkin pie spice!
