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Hungry Healthy Happy ยป Recipes ยป Breakfast

Healthy French Toast

Nov 3, 2024 ยท Written by Dannii Martin ยท This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made ยท 87 Comments

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  • 166
Diet: Low Fat / Vegetarian
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Healthy French toast with a text title overlay.

A classic and indulgent breakfast, our version uses a few healthy swaps to lighten it up. Healthy French Toast is a real crowd pleaser and perfect for brunch. Light and fluffy French toast loaded with berries - it's made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen and it's super simple to make.

A stack of french toast topped with berries and a dollop of yogurt.

Just 8 ingredients and 10 minutes go into making this Healthy French Toast, and it is much easier to make than you might think. A family favourite that kids will LOVE, it's good for baby led weaning too.

Bursting with orange, maple, vanilla and cinnamon, it's a really warming and comforting breakfast that tastes far more indulgent than it actually is.

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love It
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • How To Make Healthy French Toast - Step by Step
  • Healthy Swaps
  • French Toast Toppings
  • Gluten Free French Toast
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Healthy Breakfast Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Why You Will Love It

  • A delicious brunch to feed a crowd
  • Tastes far more indulgent than it is
  • Ready in just 10 minutes
  • Just 8 ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen
  • Easy to customise
  • Kids love it

Ingredients and Substitutions

All the ingredients needed to make this recipe, each with a text overlay label.

A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Wholewheat bread - this is a healthier swap rather than using slices of white bread. It's slightly lower in calories and higher in fibre, meaning it will keep you fuller for longer.
  • Eggs - we used whole eggs, as it adds a richer flavour. However, you could use egg whites, you would need to use an extra egg for this.
  • Milk - using skimmed milk makes it lower in fat than using whole milk. You can swap this for any milk. Almond milk, oat milk or soy milk will work well for a dairy free option.
  • Cinnamon and nutmeg
  • Orange
  • Vanilla
  • Maple syrup - you could use honey instead if you don't have any maple syrup.
  • Berries, maple syrup, powdered sugar and yogurt - to serve

More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.

How To Make Healthy French Toast - Step by Step

Eggs, milk and spices in a mixing bowl.
  1. Step 1: Add the eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, maple syrup and the orange juice and zest to a bowl.
Whisked egg, milk and spices.
  1. Step 2: Whisk well to combine everything.
A slice of bread being dipped into a bowl of egg mixture
  1. Step 3: One by one, dip the slices of bread into the mix until the are fully submerged and soak up all the mixture.
A slice of French toast cooking in a frying pan.
  1. Step 4: Melt some butter in a frying pan or skillet over a medium heat and then one by one, fry the soaked bread slices for 2-3 minutes each side until golden brown.

Five: Serve with yogurt, berries, powdered sugar and a little more maple syrup.

Four slices of healthy French toast with berries on top.

Healthy Swaps

Traditionally French toast is usually loaded with sugar in the egg mixture and then piled with calorie loaded toppings. We have made a few simple healthy swaps to lighten this up and make it a healthy French toast.

  • We have added just a little maple syrup into the egg mixture, but you could leave it out completely. I find that leaving it out makes it taste too savoury. So, just a tablespoon is added.
  • We used wholewheat bread instead of white bread or brioche, which is higher in sugar. Wholewheat adds more dietary fibre to this breakfast too. Dietary fibre is important because it is beneficial to your digestive system as a prebiotic. Increasing the amount of fibre in your diet can help you to feel fuller for longer.
  • We added juice and zest of half an orange, as it really lightens up the whole recipe with a fresh flavour that doesn't add extra calories. It also adds extra sweetness without having to add more sugar.
  • Whilst we used whole eggs to make the mixture that the bread is dipped into, you can just use egg white which will make the recipe lower in fat.
  • Using skimmed milk makes it lower in fat than more traditional recipes that use whole milk, however you can substitute it for any milk. Almond milk works well and adds a nice nutty flavour.

We did fry ours in butter, however you could use coconut oil or just add spray oil to the pan instead. The only problem I find with this, is that is does burn more easily.

A mixture of berries on top of some French toast.

French Toast Toppings

What is French toast without the toppings? Boring, that's what! Here is where you can get really creative, but also where the calories can add up. Keep the toppings as light as possible, to keep this healthy French toast.

We loaded ours with a mixture of fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries), however you could just go with some slices of banana, or go a tropical route with some grilled pineapple and mango. Add a splash of rum and you have yourself a party. Maybe not for breakfast though.

We added some creaminess with a dollop of fat free Greek yogurt. You would usually get some kind of cream with traditional French toast, but we saved some calories and fat with yogurt.

We added an extra drizzle of maple syrup, because life really is too short, however you can leave this out to save some more calories.

Gluten Free French Toast

The only change you need to make to make this gluten free is to swap the bread for your favorite gluten free variety. Everything else is naturally gluten free. Make sure that you are using pure maple syrup though, and not the fake stuff.

Extra Tips

  • To freeze, allow to cool to room temperature and then individually wrap and then store in a freezer bag. Once defrosted you can reheat in the toaster.
  • Try to use 2 day old bread, as this will stop the French toast from becoming too soggy.
  • Make a toddler friendly version of this by leaving out the maple syrup and then cutting it into sticks.
  • You can lighten this up even more by using just egg whites, rather than whole eggs.
Maple syrup being poured from a bottle onto some French toast.

Frequently Asked Questions

How healthy is French toast?

This is a much lighter version than traditional French toast as we have used wholewheat bread, less sugar and been careful with the toppings. Healthy is such a subjective word though, and what might be healthy for me might not be healthy for you.

What is the secret to really good French Toast?

The secret to really good French toast is the bread you use, and making sure that it is a couple days old so it doesn't go too soggy. Also, adding some extra flavours helps to liven it up a bit. We went with warming flavours like orange, cinnamon and nutmeg.

What bread to use for healthy French toast?

For a really indulgent French toast, you would use slices of brioche. However, we have used wholewheat. You could also use slices of sourdough, French bread, plain white loaf, or challah.
You really can use any bread, and if you want to make this a budget friendly breakfast, then use whatever you have in your kitchen rather than buying something just to make this.
The key when it comes to the bread you do use, is making sure that it isn't fresh. You want to use slices that are a couple of days old, so the bread doesn't become too soggy when soaked. If all you have it fresh bread, then you can lightly toast it before you soak it.

Can you make healthy French toast without egg?

Whilst we haven't tried this ourselves, you can use a little cornstarch. This will help to thicken the milk and helps the batter stick to the bread. You will still get crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside French toast, even without the egg.

Can you make vegan French toast?

You could either use the cornstarch tip above, or make a "chia seed egg". Simply leave out the eggs and add a tablespoon of chia seeds to the milk and rest of the ingredients. You would need to use a plant based milk like almond or coconut and make sure that your bread is vegan friendly.

Is this French toast suitable for baby led weaning?

Yes, these are great for baby led weaning. Follow the instructions below to cut them into sticks and then leave out the maple syrup, as babies don't need the added sugar. Serve with some yogurt on the side and your little one can practise their dipping skills.

How to make French toast sticks

These are really easy to make into sticks. Cut them into 1 inch wide sticks and then dip them in the egg mixture and follow the rest of the instructions.
You could also follow our Air Fryer french Toast Sticks recipe.

Can you freeze French toast?

French toast actually holds up really well in the freezer. Firstly, make sure you don't add any toppings to it. Then, wait for it to fully cool to room temperature and then individually wrap the leftovers and then place in freezer bags or an airtight container. This will then keep fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Once defrosted, you can stick it in the toaster to warm it up or in the oven for 5-10 minutes.

More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

  • Apple Pie Oatmeal in a brown bowl with apple slices on top. Cinnamon sticks and an apple are next to it.
    Apple Pie Porridge
  • Smashed avocado on toast topped with a poached egg and chilli flakes.
    Smashed Avocado on Toast 5 Ways
  • A fruit smoothie bowl topped with sliced banana, berries, nuts and oats.
    How To Make a Smoothie Bowl
  • Nine photo collage of different overnight oats.
    Overnight Oats (10 Ways)

If you’ve tried this healthy French toast recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Four slices of healthy French toast with berries on top.

Healthy French Toast

By: Dannii Martin
This French toast is made a lot lighter really easily and there is no sacrifice on taste either.
the words low fat in a white circle.
Low Fat
An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
Vegetarian
4.97 from 82 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: French
Prep: 2 minutes mins
Cook: 4 minutes mins
Total: 6 minutes mins
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 315kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of a cracked egg.
Eggs
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten

Ingredients

  • 4 slice Whole wheat bread
  • 2 Eggs
  • 200 ml (0.75 cups) Skimmed milk
  • 0.5 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
  • 0.5 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 0.5 Orange - juice and zest only
  • 0.5 tablespoon Butter

Instructions

  • Add 2 Eggs, 200 ml Skimmed milk, 0.5 teaspoon Cinnamon, 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg, 0.5 teaspoon Vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon Maple syrup and the juice and zest of 0.5 Orange to a bowl and mix well.
  • Dip 4 slice Whole wheat bread into the mixture one slice at a time until the mixture soaks into it.
  • Add 0.5 tablespoon Butter to a pan and add the soaked slices of bread. Cook for around 2-3 minutes on each side, turned every minute or so.

Recipe Tips

  • To freeze, allow to cool to room temperature and then individually wrap and then store in a freezer bag. Once defrosted you can reheat in the toaster.
  • Try to use 2 day old bread, as this will stop the French toast from becoming too soggy.
  • Make a toddler friendly version of this by leaving out the maple syrup and then cutting it in to sticks.
  • You can lighten this up even more by using just egg whites, rather than whole eggs.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 2slices | Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 174mg | Sodium: 381mg | Potassium: 462mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 615IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 284mg | Iron: 2mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Hayley says

    July 27, 2023 at 3:03 pm

    These smelled delicious but weโ€™re exceedingly soggyโ€ฆ I noticed that it says 200 ML or 1 cup of milk, but 1 cup is actually closer to 250 ml. Maybe itโ€™s because that measurement is off? I donโ€™t usually put more than a couple tablespoons of milk in my French toast mixture.

    Reply
    • Hayley says

      July 27, 2023 at 3:30 pm

      *were not weโ€™re

      Reply
  2. Claudia Lamascolo says

    February 04, 2022 at 1:43 pm

    5 stars
    I love this addition of flavors wow what a healthy alternative!

    Reply
  3. Khloe says

    April 12, 2021 at 3:42 pm

    hi! I tried making this this morning for my daughter, but the bread was soggy no matter what. I think I did too much liquid! When you say 0.5 of orange juice and zest do u mean a 1/2 cup of orange juice or a 1/2 cup of fresh squeezed orange juice ?

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      April 13, 2021 at 8:04 am

      Sorry it didn't turn out well. But I think the issue was too much liquid, as you have used cup measurements for the orange juice. 0.5 refers to half an orange. So, squeeze the juice out of half a fresh orange. As you can see in the photo of the ingredients, a fresh orange is used.

      Reply
    • Anthony says

      September 12, 2021 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      Hi, I made it this morning and used only half an orange zest and no juice, I dipped the bread in the mixture for only about 10 seconds either side before going straight into the pan and the bread held together. Was brilliant and super tasty with some mixed Berries and low fat Greek yoghurt

      Reply
      • Dannii says

        September 12, 2021 at 1:58 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for leaving a comment :)

        Reply
  4. Jonathan says

    February 21, 2021 at 2:48 pm

    I made these but something was off. They were jiggly in the middle like jello and no matter how long I kept it on the griddle, the gooeyness would not go away. Lost cause this morning. I calculated for 4 servings. Trying to figure out what went wrong.

    Reply
    • Dannii says

      February 21, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      We haven't used a griddle to make this, only a frying pan. Also, as you mention the words jello, I presume you are in the US? I think your supermarket eggs are a lot bigger than ours in the UK, so that might have something to do with it too. However, even if the bread was totally soaked with the mixture, it should have still cooked after further cooking in the pan.

      Reply
  5. Kacie Morgan says

    January 20, 2021 at 11:04 am

    5 stars
    Okay so I have a confession; I've never ever made French toast! Love the look of your recipe though - great idea to swap white bread for wholewheat bread to make it healthier.

    Reply
  6. Roxana says

    January 04, 2021 at 6:52 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my God, that looks so decadent. When I look at the ingredients, they are all so light and yet so mouth watering results.

    Reply
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My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.

Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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