Growing up, my favourite breakfast food was french toast. And it had to have lots of cinnamon on top. Usually it was the cinnamon sugar kind. So I thought to create a new version, a more grown-up version if you will (although I think kids would love this too!). This apple cinnamon french toast is the kind of brunch food you save for the weekends and its well worth every minute making it.
This post is sponsored by Cosmic Crisp Washington Apples which means I was compensated for my time. All views are my own.
What Are Cosmic Crisp Washington Apples?
I really love apples because they’re quite honestly the easiest snack to have on hand (you can take them anywhere), and I really love these Cosmic Crisp Apples. They are a newer apple on the market, but they’ve won me over with their sweet and crisp flavour and texture. They are a good cross between a Honeycrisp and Enterprise! Here’s more about them and why I love them:
- They are naturally slow to brown: seriously, I have yet to see one brown after slicing into to and letting it sit out for a few hours. This makes it perfect for adding to a charcuterie spread (another thing I love).
- Non-GMO: the Cosmic Crisp was classically bred at Washington State University and is non-GMO.
- It’s naturally sweet: this makes it perfect in these apple cinnamon stuffed french toast because you don’t need to add a lot of sugar to the apples. It also means they’re the perfect baking apple!
And where is the best place to store your apples? In your refrigerator’s crisper. Also Cosmic Crisp apples are available across Canada at most major retailers, so you should be able to find them anywhere!
Click here to check out where you can find Cosmic Crisp apples.
The Ingredients
Making this brioche stuffed apple french toast is actually quite simple, it just requires a little bit of prep work. But when you take your first bite and the apples stuffed inside are released, it’s all worth it! Here’s what you’ll need to make these:
Brioche
I loveeee using brioche for french toast. It works very well here specifically for being able to stuff the apples inside. Of course, feel free to use a gluten-free brioche or other type of bread if you need. Any thick loaf will work!
Apples
You’ll need two Cosmic Crisp apples for this recipe. They are quite large, so you’ll be able to get a lot of slices from them.
Coconut oil
To sauté the apples, I use coconut oil. Feel free to use butter if you wish.
Coconut sugar/Brown sugar
Because the Cosmic Crisp apples are naturally sweet, you don’t need a lot of added sugar in this recipe, unless you like things very sweet. I like using brown sugar or coconut sugar because it offers more depth of flavour.
Cinnamon
What’s an apple cinnamon french toast without lots of cinnamon? Cinnamon offers more natural sweetness and it pairs with the apples and french toast beautifully.
Eggs
You’ll need two eggs to whisk with the milk and create the batter.
Oat milk/any other type of milk
Any type of milk will work here, so feel free to use whichever you have on hand.
Vanilla
Vanilla extract adds more flavour to the mix, so I don’t recommend skipping it.
Pecans
Although optional, I really enjoy adding some cinnamon toasted pecans to this apple stuffed french toast. You can prep this in advance to save time.
Date Caramel sauce (optional, but delicious!)
I love the addition of caramel here because it takes this apple french toast to the next level. My date caramel sauce is naturally sweetened with maple syrup and I prefer it over regular caramel sauce. You can prep this ahead of time. It will keep in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
Find the recipe for the date caramel over here!
How to make it?
Make the Caramel sauce first
I’d recommend making the date caramel first, to do so follow this link and have it prepped ahead of time. It doesn’t take long, you just need to soak your dates ahead of time, then just blend!
Sauté the cinnamon apples
The first step is to slice your apples. You want to slice them relatively thin and uniform so they all cook the same.
Once that’s done, go ahead and toss them in coconut sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
Heat up your pan and add in the coconut oil. Add the apples and sauté over medium, to medium-low heat, until softened and the sauce that has been created has thickened. Then remove and set the apples aside.
Toast your Pecans
If you’re adding pecans, go ahead and add them to the same skillet and add a pinch more cinnamon and coconut sugar. Give them a toss and toast them until fragrant, about 5 minutes on medium heat. Remove the pecans and set them aside until cooled, then roughly chop.
Stuff Your French Toast
Time to stuff your brioche. Slice your brioche fairly thick, about 2″. Then cut a slit in the bottom of the bread slices for stuffing. Cut down into the brioche at least halfway through, this is your apple stuffing pocket!
Use a spoon (or your hands, it’s easier) to stuff the french toast with your sliced and cooked apples. You will have some leftover apple slices, this will go on top of your french toast.
Make the batter
In a large bowl, add the eggs and whisk, then add the milk, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Whisk with a fork. Now, dip your brioche into the batter and coat well on all sides, leave it for about 20 seconds a side. Remove and set it on a plate.
Heat up the same skillet over medium-low heat, I like using a cast iron pan. Add some coconut oil to the pan. Once hot, add the french toast and cook for about 3 minutes per side, until lightly browned on each side. Repeat with remaining slices.
Assemble!
Here’s the fun part, assemble each piece of toast by dividing onto plates, topping with more apple slices, pecans, date caramel, and a drizzle of maple syrup too.
Tips to Make this the best ever french toast
- Use thick cut sliced bread: normally, I’d say use 1″ thick slice, but because we need room to stuff it, you need an even bigger slice, so 1 1/2″ to 2″ is ideal.
- Layer or stuff, your choice: If you don’t want to stuff your french toast, just layer the apples and french toast instead.
- Leftovers: if you have leftovers, just stuff them and batter them the next day. Leftover french toast isn’t the best and can be a little soggy, so I’d recommend saving leftover batter and toast and just repeating from that point on the next day.
- What to serve with french toast: serve alongside something savoury like bacon, or breakfast sausages. Not necessary at all, but I enjoy the salty and sweet combo.
If you make this apple cinnamon French toast recipe please share with me, by tagging me on Instagram or leave a comment and/or review below. I truly love seeing and hearing form you!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products and services I have personally used and love. Disclosure here.
Stuffed Apple French Toast
Brioche stuffed apple french toast with lots of cinnamon and a delicious date caramel drizzle.
Ingredients
- 2 Cosmic Crisp apples cored, sliced thin
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon ground
- 1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/3 cup pecans
- 4 slices brioche 1 1/2" to 2" thick
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup oat milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
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In a bowl, toss the sliced apples with the coconut sugar and cinnamon.
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Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the coconut oil and then add the apples. Cook until softened and the sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
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Add the pecans to the same skillet and add a good pinch of cinnamon and coconut sugar. Toast until fragrant, about five minutes, then remove and let cool. Roughly chop once cooled and set aside.
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Slice your brioche fairly thick, about 2". Then cut a slit in the bottom of the bread slices for stuffing. Cut down into the brioche at least halfway through to make a pocket for the apples.
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Use your hands or a spoon to stuff the french toast with your sliced and cooked apples. You will have some leftover apple slices, this will go on top of your french toast.
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In a large bowl, add the eggs and whisk, then add the milk, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Whisk with a fork. Now, dip your brioche into the batter and coat well on all sides, leave it for about 20 seconds a side. Remove and set it on a plate.
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In the same skillet, over medium-low heat, add more coconut oil for cooking. Once hot, add the french toast and cook for about 3 minutes per side, until lightly browned on each side. Repeat with remaining slices.
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Assemble each piece of toast by dividing onto plates, topping with more apple slices, pecans, date caramel, and a drizzle of maple syrup too. Enjoy!
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Like this recipe? Here are more breakfast recipes to try:
- Healthy Breakfast Tacos
- Instant Pot Chocolate Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cherries
- Gluten Free Buckwheat Pancakes with Peaches
- Vegan Baked Blueberry Protein Muffin Cups
- Savory Oatmeal Muffins
- Vegan Chia Pudding: Three Ways
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