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Healthier Baked French Toast

December 31, 2022 by Gina +

A healthier baked french toast that’s custardy inside with a light crisp sugary top. It’s something everyone will enjoy, can be made ahead of time, and only requires a few ingredients. It’s a go-to in our house when we want something a little extra special without a lot of fuss.

Jump to Recipe

We are a big breakfast family so having something special we can whip up that’s easy and can be made the night before is a total treat. Take a loaf of brioche or challah bread, cut it into squares, pour over the egg and milk mixture then store in the fridge until morning, and time to bake! It calls for a lot less sugar than a standard baked french toast and we use almond milk in the mix which keeps the whole thing a lot lighter.

For this healthier baked french toast, the bread you use is important. The best is a brioche or challah because it can hold up well. A sourdough would work too. Anything thinner or lighter is just not going to hold up as well. I also use almond milk to keep it lighter but you can use regular milk if you prefer. And for the topping, a coconut and cinnamon mixture is best but you can use regular sugar too if you prefer. I like raw sugar or coconut because they are larger granules and get nice and crispy.

Ingredients needed for healthier french toast


  • Bread loaf – Brioche or Challah work best
  • Almond milk – can sub for regular milk
  • Eggs
  • Maple Syrup
  • Cinnamon
  • Coconut Sugar
  • Vanilla extract

How to make Healthier French Toast


  • Cut the bread into big squares. 4 pieces per slice of bread
  • Whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla, maple syrup and pinch of salt in a bowl
  • Place the bread into a large greased baking dish. Pour the milk mixture over the bread.
  • Sprinkle cinnamon and coconut sugar mixture over top then bake.
  • OR cover and refrigerate until the next morning and sprinkle sugar then bake

Tips for the Sugar cookie bars


  • Brioche or challah bread works best. Sourdough would work too.
  • I use coconut sugar for the top but regular sugar works too.
  • After pouring over the milk and egg mixture, make sure to get all the bread covered. It soaks up fast so work quickly and gently with a wooden spoon or clean hands.

More recipes like this


  • No Bake mini pumpkin cheesecake
  • Almond flour chocolate chip cookies
  • Apple crumb bars

Healthier Baked French Toast

Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Servings: 8 large servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 loaf brioche or challah bread
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar regular sugar works too

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Cut the slices of bread into 4 squares per slice. Place in a large (8×11) greased baking dish.
  3. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, maple syrup, 1 tsp of the cinnamon, and pinch of salt. Pour over bread. Using a spoon or clean hands, toss the bread to get each piece coated
  4. If baking right away, mix the 1/2 tsp cinnamon and sugar then top the bread. I usually don't use all the mix but use what you want.
  5. If baking the next morning, cover and store in the fridge. Add the sugar mix right before baking.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes then top with fresh fruit if desired.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Filed Under: Breakfast, Recipes

Trackbacks

  1. Cottage Cheese Pancakes - Gina Gibson says:
    March 22, 2023 at 11:30 am

    […] Healthier Baked French Toast […]

FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ No ice cream mak FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ

No ice cream maker needed! These are layers of Biscoff cookies filled with the creamiest homemade no-churn Biscoff ice cream and an extra swirl of cookie butter through the center.

Easy to make and perfect for summer

Comment ICE CREAM and Iโ€™ll send you the full recipe!

Save this for an easy summer dessert and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more simple, family-friendly recipes.
Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it a day.
Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce T Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce 

The chicken is smoky, garlicky and grilled until juicy, but the creamy cilantro green sauce is what really makes this recipe. I could put it on just about everything.

I kept the heat family-friendly by using just one seeded jalapeรฑo, but you can always leave some of the seeds in or add another jalapeรฑo if you like things spicy. Serve it with rice, grilled corn, potatoes or veggies for an easy summer dinner the whole family will love.

For the chicken:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
ยฝ tsp black pepper

For the creamy green sauce:

1 packed cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 small jalapeรฑo, seeds removed
1 garlic clove
Juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp grated parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
ยฝ tsp kosher salt
ยผ tsp black pepper

Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, vinegar and seasonings. Add the chicken and toss until well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Add all of the green sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add another squeeze of lime or pinch of salt if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 5โ€“7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through to 165ยฐF. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and drizzle generously with the creamy green sauce.

Serve with rice, grilled corn, avocado, roasted potatoes or your favorite veggiesโ€”and definitely keep extra green sauce on the side.

Save this easy chicken dinner for later, share it with someone who needs new weeknight dinner ideas, and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy, family-friendly recipes! ๐ŸŒฟ
CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN Rich and cheesy, perfect com CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN

Rich and cheesy, perfect  comfort food mashup I. 

I used our favorite @momofukugoods noodles, Trader Joeโ€™s birria, and plenty of cheese. The birria consommรฉ gets mixed right into the creamy cheese sauce, so you get that birria flavor in every bite. Finish it with onion, cilantro and plenty of lime. 

3 packages Momofuku noodles
1 package Trader Joeโ€™s Beef Birria, cooked and shredded (reserve ยฝ cup consommรฉ)
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces cream cheese
ยพ cup milk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
1 ramen seasoning packet
ยผ teaspoon cumin
Diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges for serving

Cook the ramen noodles, then drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add the cream cheese, milk, ยฝ cup birria consommรฉ, ramen seasoning, and cumin. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Reduce the heat to low and add the Monterey Jack mozarella cheese. Stir until melted.

Add the cooked ramen noodles and shredded birria beef and toss until everything is coated in the cheesy birria sauce. Add another splash of consommรฉ if needed to loosen it up.

Top with diced onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and extra consommรฉ if you like.

Make sure to SAVE this one and FOLLOW along for more recipes ๐Ÿ™ƒ
Summer hosting doesnโ€™t have to be complicated. I Summer hosting doesnโ€™t have to be complicated. 
I kept this backyard dinner simple with crispy chicken sandwiches that were a HUGE hit! I lightly coated chicken tenders in @lafishyfry Louisiana Fish Fry Brand Seasoned Chicken Fry, fried them until perfectly golden, then piled them onto toasted buns with sliced cheddar and peppery arugula tossed in @Tessemaes Spicy Dill dressing. So simple, so good.
To round out the spread, I set out @powerupsnacks Power Up Premium Trail Mix for an easy snack, @sourpunchcandy Sour Punch Bites for a sweet treat, and served everything on @SOLOcup cups and plates, which made cleanup so easy.
#Tessemaes #LAFishFry #SOLOBoldHold #SourPunchXBabbleBox #PowerUp
No-bake peanut butter pie. Creamy peanut butter No-bake peanut butter pie. 

Creamy peanut butter filling, a chocolate cookie crust, and absolutely no oven required. 

For the crust:
16 Oreo-style cookies
4 tablespoons melted butter

For the filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
โ…“ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
6 ounces Cool Whip, thawed

Optional toppings:
Melted chocolate, crushed Oreo cookies, chopped peanut butter cups, or chopped peanuts.

Pulse the cookies into fine crumbs and mix with the melted butter. Press into a small pie dish and refrigerate while you make the filling.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until light and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until everything is combined.

Spread the filling into the crust, smooth the top, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight for the best texture.

Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies if youโ€™d like.

Save this one for your next summer get-together!
FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ No ice cream mak FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ

No ice cream maker needed! These are layers of Biscoff cookies filled with the creamiest homemade no-churn Biscoff ice cream and an extra swirl of cookie butter through the center.

Easy to make and perfect for summer

Comment ICE CREAM and Iโ€™ll send you the full recipe!

Save this for an easy summer dessert and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more simple, family-friendly recipes.
Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it a day.
Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce T Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce 

The chicken is smoky, garlicky and grilled until juicy, but the creamy cilantro green sauce is what really makes this recipe. I could put it on just about everything.

I kept the heat family-friendly by using just one seeded jalapeรฑo, but you can always leave some of the seeds in or add another jalapeรฑo if you like things spicy. Serve it with rice, grilled corn, potatoes or veggies for an easy summer dinner the whole family will love.

For the chicken:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
ยฝ tsp black pepper

For the creamy green sauce:

1 packed cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 small jalapeรฑo, seeds removed
1 garlic clove
Juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp grated parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
ยฝ tsp kosher salt
ยผ tsp black pepper

Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, vinegar and seasonings. Add the chicken and toss until well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Add all of the green sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add another squeeze of lime or pinch of salt if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 5โ€“7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through to 165ยฐF. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and drizzle generously with the creamy green sauce.

Serve with rice, grilled corn, avocado, roasted potatoes or your favorite veggiesโ€”and definitely keep extra green sauce on the side.

Save this easy chicken dinner for later, share it with someone who needs new weeknight dinner ideas, and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy, family-friendly recipes! ๐ŸŒฟ
CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN Rich and cheesy, perfect com CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN

Rich and cheesy, perfect  comfort food mashup I. 

I used our favorite @momofukugoods noodles, Trader Joeโ€™s birria, and plenty of cheese. The birria consommรฉ gets mixed right into the creamy cheese sauce, so you get that birria flavor in every bite. Finish it with onion, cilantro and plenty of lime. 

3 packages Momofuku noodles
1 package Trader Joeโ€™s Beef Birria, cooked and shredded (reserve ยฝ cup consommรฉ)
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces cream cheese
ยพ cup milk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
1 ramen seasoning packet
ยผ teaspoon cumin
Diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges for serving

Cook the ramen noodles, then drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add the cream cheese, milk, ยฝ cup birria consommรฉ, ramen seasoning, and cumin. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Reduce the heat to low and add the Monterey Jack mozarella cheese. Stir until melted.

Add the cooked ramen noodles and shredded birria beef and toss until everything is coated in the cheesy birria sauce. Add another splash of consommรฉ if needed to loosen it up.

Top with diced onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and extra consommรฉ if you like.

Make sure to SAVE this one and FOLLOW along for more recipes ๐Ÿ™ƒ
Summer hosting doesnโ€™t have to be complicated. I Summer hosting doesnโ€™t have to be complicated. 
I kept this backyard dinner simple with crispy chicken sandwiches that were a HUGE hit! I lightly coated chicken tenders in @lafishyfry Louisiana Fish Fry Brand Seasoned Chicken Fry, fried them until perfectly golden, then piled them onto toasted buns with sliced cheddar and peppery arugula tossed in @Tessemaes Spicy Dill dressing. So simple, so good.
To round out the spread, I set out @powerupsnacks Power Up Premium Trail Mix for an easy snack, @sourpunchcandy Sour Punch Bites for a sweet treat, and served everything on @SOLOcup cups and plates, which made cleanup so easy.
#Tessemaes #LAFishFry #SOLOBoldHold #SourPunchXBabbleBox #PowerUp
No-bake peanut butter pie. Creamy peanut butter No-bake peanut butter pie. 

Creamy peanut butter filling, a chocolate cookie crust, and absolutely no oven required. 

For the crust:
16 Oreo-style cookies
4 tablespoons melted butter

For the filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
โ…“ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
6 ounces Cool Whip, thawed

Optional toppings:
Melted chocolate, crushed Oreo cookies, chopped peanut butter cups, or chopped peanuts.

Pulse the cookies into fine crumbs and mix with the melted butter. Press into a small pie dish and refrigerate while you make the filling.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until light and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until everything is combined.

Spread the filling into the crust, smooth the top, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight for the best texture.

Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies if youโ€™d like.

Save this one for your next summer get-together!
FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ No ice cream mak FROZEN BISCOFF ICE CREAM BARS ๐ŸคŽ๐Ÿฆ

No ice cream maker needed! These are layers of Biscoff cookies filled with the creamiest homemade no-churn Biscoff ice cream and an extra swirl of cookie butter through the center.

Easy to make and perfect for summer

Comment ICE CREAM and Iโ€™ll send you the full recipe!

Save this for an easy summer dessert and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more simple, family-friendly recipes.
Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it Just out here doing my little tasks and calling it a day.
Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce T Peruvian-style chicken with creamy green sauce 

The chicken is smoky, garlicky and grilled until juicy, but the creamy cilantro green sauce is what really makes this recipe. I could put it on just about everything.

I kept the heat family-friendly by using just one seeded jalapeรฑo, but you can always leave some of the seeds in or add another jalapeรฑo if you like things spicy. Serve it with rice, grilled corn, potatoes or veggies for an easy summer dinner the whole family will love.

For the chicken:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
ยฝ tsp black pepper

For the creamy green sauce:

1 packed cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 small jalapeรฑo, seeds removed
1 garlic clove
Juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp grated parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
ยฝ tsp kosher salt
ยผ tsp black pepper

Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lime juice, vinegar and seasonings. Add the chicken and toss until well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

Add all of the green sauce ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add another squeeze of lime or pinch of salt if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 5โ€“7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through to 165ยฐF. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and drizzle generously with the creamy green sauce.

Serve with rice, grilled corn, avocado, roasted potatoes or your favorite veggiesโ€”and definitely keep extra green sauce on the side.

Save this easy chicken dinner for later, share it with someone who needs new weeknight dinner ideas, and follow @gina_gibson_cooks for more easy, family-friendly recipes! ๐ŸŒฟ
CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN Rich and cheesy, perfect com CHEESY BIRRIA RAMEN

Rich and cheesy, perfect  comfort food mashup I. 

I used our favorite @momofukugoods noodles, Trader Joeโ€™s birria, and plenty of cheese. The birria consommรฉ gets mixed right into the creamy cheese sauce, so you get that birria flavor in every bite. Finish it with onion, cilantro and plenty of lime. 

3 packages Momofuku noodles
1 package Trader Joeโ€™s Beef Birria, cooked and shredded (reserve ยฝ cup consommรฉ)
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces cream cheese
ยพ cup milk
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
1 ramen seasoning packet
ยผ teaspoon cumin
Diced white onion, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges for serving

Cook the ramen noodles, then drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add the cream cheese, milk, ยฝ cup birria consommรฉ, ramen seasoning, and cumin. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Reduce the heat to low and add the Monterey Jack mozarella cheese. Stir until melted.

Add the cooked ramen noodles and shredded birria beef and toss until everything is coated in the cheesy birria sauce. Add another splash of consommรฉ if needed to loosen it up.

Top with diced onion, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and extra consommรฉ if you like.

Make sure to SAVE this one and FOLLOW along for more recipes ๐Ÿ™ƒ
Summer hosting doesnโ€™t have to be complicated. I Summer hosting doesnโ€™t have to be complicated. 
I kept this backyard dinner simple with crispy chicken sandwiches that were a HUGE hit! I lightly coated chicken tenders in @lafishyfry Louisiana Fish Fry Brand Seasoned Chicken Fry, fried them until perfectly golden, then piled them onto toasted buns with sliced cheddar and peppery arugula tossed in @Tessemaes Spicy Dill dressing. So simple, so good.
To round out the spread, I set out @powerupsnacks Power Up Premium Trail Mix for an easy snack, @sourpunchcandy Sour Punch Bites for a sweet treat, and served everything on @SOLOcup cups and plates, which made cleanup so easy.
#Tessemaes #LAFishFry #SOLOBoldHold #SourPunchXBabbleBox #PowerUp
No-bake peanut butter pie. Creamy peanut butter No-bake peanut butter pie. 

Creamy peanut butter filling, a chocolate cookie crust, and absolutely no oven required. 

For the crust:
16 Oreo-style cookies
4 tablespoons melted butter

For the filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
โ…“ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
6 ounces Cool Whip, thawed

Optional toppings:
Melted chocolate, crushed Oreo cookies, chopped peanut butter cups, or chopped peanuts.

Pulse the cookies into fine crumbs and mix with the melted butter. Press into a small pie dish and refrigerate while you make the filling.

Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until light and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until everything is combined.

Spread the filling into the crust, smooth the top, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight for the best texture.

Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed Oreo cookies if youโ€™d like.

Save this one for your next summer get-together!

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