Imagine waking up to the smell of sweet custard and warm cinnamon, knowing that breakfast is going to be something truly special. This cornflakes-crusted Eggless French toast with a Nutella surprise is not just breakfast; it’s a bit of dessert, a bit of comfort, and a lot of fun all rolled into one. The idea of making French toast like this came from wanting to make something classic feel new again, something that had both nostalgia and a modern twist. The inspiration? Those lazy Sunday mornings when you crave something indulgent and homemade but with a little extra magic.
As you dip thick slices of bread into a velvety custard soak—enriched with cream and a hint of spice—the anticipation builds. You know it’s going to be good, but then comes the layer of Nutella. That creamy, chocolatey filling waiting in the center feels like a secret, something you almost want to keep to yourself because it’s just that good. And then, the moment when you press crushed cornflakes onto the soaked bread, creating a crisp, golden coating that’s satisfyingly crunchy and the perfect contrast to the gooey Nutella inside.
Frying it feels like a ritual in itself, the bread turning golden and toasty, with the smell of cinnamon and cream filling the air. And when it’s finally done and you add that scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s not just breakfast anymore. It’s a celebration—a combination of crunchy, creamy, warm, and cold, all in one bite. This isn’t just French toast; it’s that small, delicious luxury you treat yourself to, a moment to slow down and savor something a little extra special.
I hope you love it as much as I do.
WHAT YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE
- Eggless
- No-oven
- Easy to make
- Minimum ingredients
- Under 10 mins
INGREDIENTS USED IN EGGLESS CORNFLAKES FRENCH TOAST
Bread
Bread serves as the main structural component of the recipe, holding the layers of Nutella and soaking up the milk mixture without disintegrating. The bread’s ability to absorb the milk soak is crucial for creating the signature soft and moist texture inside while maintaining a crispy exterior. It soaks up the sweetness and creamy flavor, ensuring that every bite is rich and indulgent.
Bread, once soaked and coated in cornflakes, crisps up beautifully when fried. This provides a contrast between the crispy exterior and the soft, custardy interior, enhancing the overall texture and eating experience.
Different types of bread (e.g., brioche, whole wheat, sourdough) can influence the overall flavor and texture of the dish, allowing for versatility based on personal preference. Choosing the right bread ensures the final result is both delicious and structurally sound. However, for this recipe, I have used regular bread.
Fresh Cream
Fresh cream makes the soak richer and creamier, adding a luxurious, velvety texture to the bread. This results in a custard-like, soft interior when fried, enhancing the French toast’s indulgence factor. This thicker consistency makes the bread easier to coat in crushed cornflakes without becoming overly soggy. Fresh cream provides a subtle, natural sweetness and a creamy flavor that rounds out the other ingredients, like the custard powder and cinnamon, giving the French toast a well-balanced, nuanced taste.
Milk
The milk helps thin out the fresh cream and custard powder, creating a soak that is rich but not overly thick. This balanced consistency ensures the bread absorbs the soak evenly without becoming too dense or soggy.
The sugars and fats in the milk mixture can aid in browning the bread, giving it a beautiful golden color and adding a hint of caramelized flavor during the frying process. This effect is enhanced when combined with the cornflake coating, which benefits from milk’s natural browning properties during frying.
You can easily flavor the milk mixture with ingredients like cinnamon, vanilla, or nutmeg to add a new dimension of flavor to the toast, making it adaptable to personal preferences.
Custard powder
With a subtle vanilla flavor, custard powder brings a gentle sweetness and warmth to the soak. This complements the cinnamon and Nutella, adding a familiar, dessert-like taste to the toast. Custard powder often contains a slight yellow hue, which contributes to a warm, golden color in the soak mixture. This effect can result in a more visually appealing, golden-brown finish on the fried French toast. By adding creaminess to the soak, custard powder enriches the texture without the need for additional eggs, making the soak smoother and giving the finished toast a soft, tender interior.
Icing sugar
The light sweetness from icing sugar balances the rich Nutella filling and cornflake crunch, creating a harmonious flavor profile when paired with the slightly spicy cinnamon. Because icing sugar is powdered, it blends seamlessly with the other ingredients, unlike granulated sugar which might leave a gritty texture. This allows for a silky soak that absorbs well into the bread.
Nutella
Nutella brings a creamy, chocolate-hazelnut filling to the center of the French toast. This adds a rich, indulgent layer that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy, cornflake-coated exterior. When you cut into the toast, the Nutella filling offers a surprise, making it feel special and indulgent—perfect for a dessert or brunch treat. Nutella’s creamy texture pairs well with the custardy, soft bread and the crisp cornflake crust. The melted, gooey center enhances the mouthfeel, providing a decadent, melt-in-the-mouth experience with every bite.
Cornflakes
Cornflakes create a crispy, crunchy coating around the French toast, providing an enjoyable contrast to the soft, custardy interior. When crushed and pressed onto the soaked bread, cornflakes form an even layer that browns nicely when fried. This adds to the visual appeal, creating a beautifully golden crust. Cornflakes add a mild, toasty flavor that complements the sweetness of the custard soak and the richness of the Nutella filling without overpowering them. Cornflakes provide a delightful crunch, appealing appearance, and subtle flavor, turning classic French toast into a more indulgent, multi-textured experience.
EQUIPMENTS USED FOR MAKING EGGLESS CORNFLAKES FRENCH TOAST
I have used these mixing bowls to make the soak mixture.
Every recipe requires proper quantities of ingredients. I used these measuring spoons and measuring cups to measure my ingredients precisely.
I have used a Stahl pan to fry my French toast.
TIPS TO MAKE EGGLESS CORNFLAKES FRENCH TOAST
- The soak should be thick enough to coat the bread but not overly thick. If it’s too thick, add a little extra milk to adjust.
- Add a pinch of salt or a dash of vanilla extract to enhance the sweetness and balance the flavors of the soak.
- Use lightly crushed cornflakes so they stick easily to the soaked bread but still add a satisfying crunch. Press the cornflakes gently into the bread to make sure they adhere well.
- Make sure the oil is hot (but not smoking) before adding the toast. This will prevent the toast from becoming too oily and will help it cook quickly for a golden crust.
- If making multiple sandwiches, fry one at a time to maintain oil temperature, ensuring each one turns out crispy and evenly cooked.
- Place the fried French toast on paper towels briefly to absorb any excess oil before plating.
OTHER RELATED RECIPES FROM THE BLOG
For more indulgent recipes, you can also order my new book “CHOCOLATE” now.
- For the soak-
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup fresh cream
- 2 tbsp custard powder
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon powder
- 2 bread slices
- 2 tbsp Nutella
- Cornflakes
- Oil, for frying
- Vanilla ice cream to top
- For the soak- in a bowl, add milk, fresh cream, custard powder, icing sugar and cinnamon. Whisk until well combined.
- Sandwich two slices of bread with a generous spread of Nutella in between.
- Dip the sandwich fully into the prepared soak. Then cover it in crushed cornflakes, pressing gently so the cornflakes stick.
- Carefully fry the sandwich in hot oil until it turns golden brown. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
If you like my easy Eggless Cornflakes French Toast recipe and happen to make them in your kitchen, do tag me on Instagram and share pictures with me using #Bakewithshivesh. Happy Baking!
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