Eggnog French Toast Recipe (Gluten Free)

This gluten free Eggnog French Toast Recipe is perfect for Christmas morning! It's made in a skillet with vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

My recipe for Eggnog French Toast was first published on Life Tastes Good where I am a contributor.

When it comes to holiday breakfast, you can't beat this Eggnog French Toast! It's lightly sweetened and full of seasonal flavors.

Everything becomes a little more decadent during the holiday months, even breakfast. If you're serving breakfast to guests this holiday season, make sure to check out this French toast. It's made with eggnog in place of milk or heavy cream, giving it a great seasonal flair.

This recipe is easy to prepare and pairs nicely with all of your favorite savory breakfast items. It's made with sliced bread that's soaked in a mixture of eggs, eggnog, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

The bread is cooked in a skillet on the stove top with butter or ghee until it's golden brown and fragrant. It's perfect topped with some maple syrup or whipped cream if you really want to get decadent.

This French toast is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Jump to:

• What Type Of Bread Is Best For Gluten Free French Toast?
• Ingredients For Eggnog French Toast
• What Is Eggnog?
• How To Make The Eggnog Custard
• How To Make Eggnog French Toast
• Which Pan Is Best For Cooking French Toast?
• How To Use Leftover Eggnog
• What To Serve With Eggnog French Toast
• How Long Does French Toast Last In The Fridge?
• Can It Be Frozen?
• Eggnog French Toast Recipe (Gluten Free)

What Type Of Bread Is Best For Gluten Free French Toast?

The ideal bread for making French toast (gluten free or otherwise) is thick, sturdy, and can hold up to being dipped into the egg and milk mixture without falling apart.

Examples of bread varieties that work great for making French toast include brioche, challah, sourdough, Italian loaf, and Texas Toast.

This recipe is gluten free and calls for a hearty, sturdy variety of gluten free sliced bread. Gluten free sourdough, brioche, or challah is great if you can find it. Otherwise, feel free to use your favorite brand of gluten free sliced white bread or sandwich bread.

It's important that the bread is hearty and not too flimsy or soft, or it will not hold up to the custard mixture.

I love this Homestyle Sandwich White Sourdough Loaf from BFree. Other great choices include Katz Sliced Challah Bread, Udi's Sandwich Bread, Schar Deli Style Bread, or Canyon Bakehouse.

French toast is not meant to be diet food so a seeded multi-grain bread won't do. It's meant to be decadent and a little over the top, so I recommend a variety of bread that you enjoy and will hold up to the cooking process.

Ingredients For Eggnog French Toast

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• 1 loaf Gluten Free Bread (such as brioche, challah, sourdough, or sandwich bread)
• 5 large Eggs
• 1 ½ cups Eggnog
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 2 tsp. Cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. Nutmeg
• pinch of Kosher Salt
• 4 Tbsp. Butter or Ghee
• Maple Syrup for serving (optional)

What Is Eggnog?

Eggnog is a decadent drink made with milk, cream, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and is sweetened with sugar. It can be served chilled or hot on its own or with the addition of alcohol such as brandy, whisky, or rum.

It's enjoyed during Christmas and easily found in the dairy section of most grocery stores during the holiday season. The variety sold in the grocery store is non-alcoholic.

Eggnog is great when used to make French toast because it can be used in place of the heavy cream. It's already sweetened and spiced, which makes the process of preparing this Eggnog French Toast Recipe even easier.

Most brands of eggnog are gluten free, but it's best to check the label on the package to be sure if gluten is an issue for you.

How To Make The Eggnog Custard

The heart of a good French toast recipe is a thick and sturdy bread and a creamy custard base.

This custard is super easy to prepare because the eggnog is already sweetened and spiced. All that's needed to make it is to whisk together a combination of eggs, eggnog, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.

1. To make the custard, crack 5 large eggs into a mixing bowl. Use a whisk to stir until completely combined.
2. Add 1 ½ cups of eggnog to the bowl.
3. Add 1 tsp. of vanilla extract, 2 tsp. cinnamon, ¼ tsp. nutmeg, and a pinch of kosher salt to the mixture.
4. Whisk all of the ingredients until totally combined.

How To Make Eggnog French Toast

Once the custard is ready, all that's needed is to place the bread in a shallow dish like a cake pan and pour it over the top until the bread is completely coated.

I recommend doing this process in stages so that all of the bread is coated evenly. Start with half of the bread and pour half of the custard over the top. Flip each slice of bread over a few times and then repeat.

Here are a few tips when making French toast:

• Soak the bread in the custard mixture for a few minutes so that it is thoroughly coated.
• Use a large enough skillet so that all of the French toast fits and does not overcrowd the skillet.
• Make the French toast in batches. Do not try to fry it all at once.
• Make sure the skillet is completely heated before adding the bread. The French toast should sizzle as it hits the pan.
• Make sure the skillet is hot enough to cook the French toast evenly, but not so hot that it burns it.
• Use butter, ghee, or a combination of butter and olive oil to achieve the optimal golden brown color.
• Do not overcook the French toast, or it will become dry.

1. Place half of the sliced bread in a shallow dish (such as a cake pan) and pour half of the custard over it.
2. Flip each piece of bread over a few times to make sure each is fully coated.
3. Allow the bread to sit for a few minutes in the custard.
4. Cook the first half of the French toast and then soak the second half of the sliced bread in the rest of the custard.
5. Make sure to discard any leftover custard mixture.

Which Pan Is Best For Cooking French Toast?

When it comes to pans, a large skillet or griddle pan works great.

Stainless steel, nonstick, cast iron, or a griddle pan are all good choices. Make sure to use enough butter, ghee, or a combination of butter and ghee to help prevent the French toast from sticking to the surface as it cooks.

1. Place a large skillet or griddle on the stove top and heat to medium. Allow the pan to become completely heated.
2. Once heated, add 1 Tbsp. of butter or ghee or a combination of butter and olive oil and allow it to melt.
3. Add as many pieces of the soaked bread as will fit in the pan (the bread should sizzle as it hits the skillet). Toast the bread until the first side is golden brown (this usually takes 4-6 minutes).
4. Flip the bread over and toast for an additional couple of minutes on the second side (cooking times will vary).
5. Once both sides are golden brown, remove from the skillet and set aside. Add another Tbsp. of butter and repeat with another batch of the soaked bread.
6. Continue this process until all of the bread is toasted, making sure to add more butter each time.

How To Use Leftover Eggnog

You may have some leftover eggnog in the carton after making this Eggnog French toast.

Fortunately, it's a great thing to have on hand during the holidays and there are lots of ways to use it up!

• Drink it chilled
• Heat it up and add some brandy, whisky, or rum
• Use as a creamer for coffee or in a latte
• Use it to make a drizzle or frosting for desserts
• Add to oatmeal
• Use to make ice cream
• Use in your favorite desserts, such as cheesecake or pudding

What To Serve With Eggnog French Toast

Once all the bread is toasted it's ready to serve.

I like to serve this Eggnog French Toast Recipe with warm maple syrup and sprinkle of nutmeg. Freshly grated nutmeg is even better.

It's also great with a dusting of powdered sugar or whipped cream if you're really feeling festive.

Here are some delicious toppings for French toast:

• Yogurt
• Jam
• Nut Butters
• Honey
• Fresh Fruit
• Toasted Nuts

Sweet dishes like this one are great paired with savory ones like eggs, bacon, sausage, or hash browns. It's perfect with egg dishes like this Southwest frittata, ham and cheese frittata, Denver omelette egg muffins, or sweet potato turkey hash.

When it comes to breakfast items like this French Toast you can't go wrong with some coffee.

If you're looking for a boozy beverage, this Tom and Jerry Holiday Cocktail or Whiskey and Bailey's Affogato are great options.

How Long Does French Toast Last In The Fridge?

Any extra Eggnog French Toast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

It may be re-heated in the microwave or in the oven.

Can It Be Frozen?

This Eggnog French Toast may be frozen!

How To Freeze

1. To freeze, simply place the cooled French toast in a heavy-duty freezer bag and press all the air out of the bag.
2. Label with the date and store up to 3 months in the freezer.

How To Thaw

1. Transfer the French toast from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before use.
2. Heat in the microwave or place in a baking dish, cover with tinfoil, and place the baking dish in an oven heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake until heated through.

This recipe can be doubled if you're serving a group of people. Guests visiting over the holidays will love the flavors in here. It makes a great breakfast or dessert.

It turns out that eggnog is not just for sipping!

Love French toast? Check out this Cardamom French Toast and Gluten Free French Toast Casserole!

Love breakfast? Check out these recipes!

• Gluten Free Pancakes
• Banana Cinnamon Pancakes
• Gluten Free Pumpkin Waffles
• Roasted Banana Muffins
• Pumpkin Scones
• Gluten Free Buttermilk Biscuits
• Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowls
• Cheddar Chive Scones

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