Transform your favorite holiday dessert into a decadent morning meal with our Pecan Pie French Toast! Luscious maple syrup, sweet sugar, and comforting cinnamon come together with thick, crusty bread to create a delicious, sticky-sweet masterpiece.
Baked to perfection in the oven and crowned with crunchy pecans, this is a truly irresistible recipe that’ll have everyone gathered around the breakfast table in no time!
Table of Contents
What Is Pecan Pie French Toast?
Pecan pie french toast is exactly what you would expect! We took all the flavor and gooey deliciousness of classic pecan pie and transformed it into our favorite breakfast option.
Thick pieces of bread are drizzled with a sweet, sticky combination of syrup, sugar, and warm spice. Then, they’re baked to golden perfection and topped with pecans. As a result, your whole house will smell like a bakery in no time, and your guests will be drooling before it’s even on the table.
Why This Recipe Works
Not only is this pecan pie french toast a great option for holiday breakfasts, but it also makes for a fun brunch or even the perfect dessert. Even better, it comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand and bakes in the oven in less than an hour.
Easy, versatile, and seriously delicious, it’s great to prepare ahead of time and can be adjusted for all your mealtime and dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
As mentioned, the items required for this pecan pie french toast are super basic. Just in case, double-check the ingredient list below to make sure you’ve got everything on hand.
- Bread – We prefer to use Challah bread, but any thick, crusty bread would work.
- Eggs – These are crucial to good french toast and lock in moisture creating the soft inside and crisp outside we’re looking to achieve.
- Milk – We prefer to use whole milk for an extra rich flavor, but any milk you have on hand is great.
- Cinnamon – Provides a warm element that takes the flavor to the next level.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the rest of the ingredients.
- Pecans – Use whole or chopped pecans for added crunch and a rich, buttery taste.
- Unsalted Butter – Contributes to the rich pecan pie-like filling.
- Maple Syrup – Adds a touch of sweetness.
- Sugar – Brown sugar is used to create a caramel-like topping similar to the gooey filling of a pecan pie.
- Corn Syrup – Enhances the flavor and helps create a thicker sauce.
- Salt – Used to bring out the rest of the flavors even more.
How to Make Pecan Pie French Toast
Way easier than making a pie, this french toast can be prepared in minutes and bakes in the oven in less than an hour!
- Layer the bread. In the bottom of a buttered baking dish, arrange the bread in a fairly even layer.
- Soak the bread. Combine the eggs, milk, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl, and pour it over the bread, making sure to coat it completely.
- Prepare the pecan pie filling. Add the butter, sugar, maple syrup, and corn syrup to a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the ingredients to a boil. Then, shut off the heat, and stir in the pecans.
- Bake. Pour the pecan pie filling mixture over the bread. Cover the baking dish with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil, and continue to bake for another 10 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and just beginning to crisp.
Serving Suggestions
For an extra indulgent treat, we love to serve this pecan pie french toast with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream! You could also add a sprinkle of chocolate chips, strawberries, bananas, or caramel sauce on top.
Or, pair it with your favorite breakfast dishes for a sweet and savory combo. Some of our favorite pairings include baked scrambled eggs, baked shakshuka, and easy oven baked eggs!
Make Ahead and Storage Options
This pecan pie french toast is best served right away while it’s still warm. However, if you do happen to have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Just keep in mind that the bread is likely to become soggy as it sits.
If you want to prepare this recipe in advance, you can coat the bread with the milk and egg mixture, cover it, and store it in the fridge up to 24 hours in advance. Then, just whip up your pecan topping, and pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve!
More French Toast Recipes You’ll Love
Can’t get enough french toast in your life? We totally get it. Dive into more of our tried and true recipes below to keep the breakfast bliss going strong!
- Cannoli Baked French Toast – Two desserts in one, this fluffy french toast is guaranteed to impress your guests.
- Easy French Toast with Caramel Sauce – This recipe comes together in a single skillet for a truly decadent breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
- Pain au Chocolat French Toast – This chocolatey recipe is everything you could ever want in a sweet breakfast and so much more!
- Nutella Stuffed Croissant French Toast – Sweet, flakey, and oh-so-delicious, this is one breakfast you’ll truly look forward to eating.
Pecan Pie French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 loaf challah bread sliced
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pecans
- Sea salt flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Arrange the bread in a buttered 12-14 inch skillet or an 11×7 inch baking dish.1 loaf challah bread
- In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth. Pour the mixture over the bread.4 large eggs, 1 cup milk, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, corn syrup, and salt, whisking to combine. Bring the ingredients to a simmer. Then, turn off the heat, and stir in the pecans.1 stick unsalted butter, 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/3 cup corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup pecans
- Pour the mixture over the bread.
- Cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, and continue to bake for 10 minutes or until the french toast is golden brown on top.
- Garnish with sea salt flakes, and serve warm.Sea salt flakes
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My husband loves
We’re so glad!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
So divine 😍 Hibby said it really taste like Pecan Pie😋😋😋
My kiddos helped make this over Christmas break. It was a GREAT hit! Some recipes cause chaos in our kitchen with 3 kids🤪 – this was easy for them to make and everyone loved it!!!
This is amazing! We know all about the kid chaos! Happy Holidays 🙂 xo, Alia & Radwa
hi you forgot to mention the pecans in your recipes, when do we add it? and how much?
Hi Mal,
You can find the full recipe in the recipe card!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa