Pumpkin French Toast topped with homemade Spiced Pecan Syrup is what fall breakfast dreams are made of! Perfectly spiced and full of flavor, this delicious french toast makes for a perfect, cozy fall or winter breakfast.
You will be making this Pumpkin French Toast on repeat this fall season! It’s extra fluffy, filled with cozy warmth and tastes incredible drizzled in spiced pecan syrup. The pumpkin puree ensures the delicious taste of pumpkin in every bite, the maple syrup adds sweetness, and the warm spices make this recipe so cozy and comforting. This is sure to be a family favorite!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Incredibly delicious! You’ve got fluffy bread with golden edges and warm spices. It’s out-of-this-world!
- Easy to make: This may look like a fancy breakfast, but it’s actually quite easy to make! Plus, the ingredients are simple and you can be serving it in less than 30 minutes!
- Perfect for any occasion: Whether you serve this on a lazy autumn weekend or Thanksgiving morning, it’s a winner and a meal everyone will look forward to enjoying!
Ingredients you’ll need
This pumpkin French toast recipe is made with just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s a great way to use up your can of pumpkin puree! Here’s what you’ll need:
- For the custard: A mix of eggs, half & half, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla extract, pumpkin spice and cinnamon will coat each slice of bread and give it wonderful pumpkin flavor.
- Bread: Thick and delicious, brioche bread is my go-to bread for any French toast recipe. It does a good job of soaking up the custard and has an irresistible fluffy texture.
- For serving: You will be obsessed with this spiced pecan syrup! A blend of maple syrup, water, cinnamon, cloves, ground nutmeg and pecans is the perfect finishing touch to this French toast!
Variations and substitutions
- Milk: I like to use half and half in the custard for extra richness but whole milk will work just fine.
- Bread: The type of bread that you choose for French toast is very important! Brioche is my favorite but other great options are Texas toast, Challah, Sourdough bread, or French bread.
- Make it gluten free: To make gluten-free pumpkin French toast, simply use your favorite gluten-free bread. Go for a variety that is thick and fluffy.
How to make this recipe
- Make the custard: In a large shallow bowl, beat the eggs, half & half, pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon until smooth and well combined.
- Dredge the slices of bread: Heat a griddle over medium heat. Add the butter, swirling it around to melt over the entire griddle. Working in batches, submerge the slices of brioche bread into the egg mixture for about 10 seconds each.
- Cook: Place the bread onto the hot greased skillet. Cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side or until golden crispy and cooked through.
- Add toppings and enjoy! Serve the French toast with extra butter, pecan maple syrup, and a drizzle of cinnamon.
Spiced Pecan Syrup:
- Combine ingredients: Add the maple syrup, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and nutmeg to a small saucepan; whisk to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the syrup to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 10-12 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and cloves. Stir in the pecans. Serve warm.
Tips for the best French toast
- Use pure pumpkin puree: Be sure to use pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling has sugar and other ingredients added, so it will not work well for this recipe.
- Cooking tip: You’ll want to be sure and cook the bread slices at medium or even medium-low heat. If the heat is too high, your toast will burn on the outside without fully cooking the inside.
- Keep it warm: If you’re cooking in batches and want to keep the cooked pieces warm, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. and place a baking sheet on the rack. As you cook slices, you can place them on the baking sheet until you are finished.
More delicious pumpkin recipes
- Pumpkin Pancakes
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
- No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups
- Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
- Pumpkin Donuts
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Pumpkin Bread with Icing
- No Bake Pumpkin Truffles
Pumpkin French Toast with Spiced Pecan Syrup
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup half & half, or whole milk
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 (14 oz) loaf brioche bread, sliced into ½” slices
- 2-4 Tablespoons butter, for pan
Spiced Pecan Syrup
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 oz about 1 cup halved pecans
Instructions
- In a large shallow bowl, beat the eggs, half & half, pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon until smooth and well combined.
- Heat a griddle over medium heat. Add the butter, swirling it around to melt over the entire griddle. Working in batches, submerge the slices of brioche bread into the egg mixture for about 10 seconds each.
- Place the bread onto the hot greased skillet. Cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side or until golden crispy and cooked through.
- Serve the French toast with extra butter, pecan maple syrup, and a drizzle of cinnamon.
Spiced Pecan Syrup:
- Add the maple syrup, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and nutmeg to a small saucepan; whisk to combine.
- Bring the syrup to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 10-12 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and cloves. Stir in the pecans. Serve warm.
Notes
- Storing leftovers: This pumpkin French toast is best enjoyed the day it is made, but it can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: Rewarm leftovers in a toaster oven or in the microwave.
- To freeze: Once completely cool, freeze French toast in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. You can reheat from frozen.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Frequently asked questions
Should French toast be soaked or dipped?
I recommend fully submerging your slices of bread in the egg mixture for about 10 seconds. This will be enough time for the bread to retain plenty of the custard, but not so long that it gets overly soggy. However, if the middle of your bread is really firm, it may be necessary to soak the bread a little longer.
How can I keep French toast from becoming soggy?
For best results, especially if your bread is overly soft, let the slices sit out for several hours or even overnight, so they become a bit stale. To dry out the bread quickly, toast the pieces in the oven at 400 degrees F for 5 or so minutes, until the bread is lightly dry.
What are good toppings for pumpkin French toast?
My favorite topping for this French toast is the spiced pecan syrup included in this recipe, but other fabulous toppings are whipped cream, chopped nuts, a drizzle of caramel sauce, a dusting of powdered sugar, fresh fruit or keep it simple with a little butter and regular maple syrup.
Storage recommendations
- Storing leftovers: This pumpkin French toast is best enjoyed the day it is made, but it can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: Rewarm leftovers in a toaster oven or in the microwave.
- To freeze: Once completely cool, freeze French toast in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. You can reheat from frozen.
Recipe by: Layla Atik // Photography by: Eat Love Eats
