13 French Toast and Waffle Recipes That Turn Any Morning Into a Weekend

Is there anything better than waking up to the smell of butter, cinnamon and warm maple syrup? These French toast and waffle recipes turn an ordinary morning into a lazy weekend brunch, even on a Tuesday. Some are make ahead, some take 15 minutes, and all of them are worth getting out of bed for. Pour the coffee, warm up the syrup and pick your favorite..

Classic French Toast With Berries and Maple Syrup

Good French toast is crisp and caramelized on the outside and soft, almost custardy, inside. The secret is slightly stale, thick bread like brioche or challah, which soaks up the egg mixture without falling apart. A pinch of cinnamon and a splash of vanilla make the whole kitchen smell amazing. Top it with fresh berries, butter and real maple syrup. Quick poll: A) syrup, B) powdered sugar, C) whipped cream, or D) all three?

You will need: 6 thick slices brioche or challah (a day old), 3 eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, pinch of salt, 2 tbsp butter, fresh berries, maple syrup, powdered sugar.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a shallow dish. 2. Melt a little butter in a skillet over medium heat. 3. Dip each slice for about 10 seconds per side. 4. Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side until deep golden. 5. Keep warm in a low oven while you cook the rest. 6. Serve with berries, butter, syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

Imagine French toast with a sweet, creamy surprise hiding inside. A layer of vanilla cream cheese and sliced strawberries is sandwiched between two slices of bread, then dipped and cooked until golden. When you cut into it, the warm filling oozes out like cheesecake. It is a show stopper for birthdays, Mother’s Day or any morning you want to feel fancy. Who would you make this for?

You will need: 8 slices bread, 4 oz cream cheese (softened), 2 tbsp powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 3 eggs, 2/3 cup milk, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, butter for the pan, whipped cream to serve.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese with the powdered sugar and vanilla. 2. Spread it on 4 slices of bread, add strawberries and top with the other slices. 3. Whisk the eggs, milk and cinnamon. 4. Dip each sandwich quickly on both sides. 5. Cook in butter over medium low heat 3 to 4 minutes per side so the inside warms through. 6. Cut into triangles and top with cream and berries.

French Toast Sticks Kids Can Dip

Turn breakfast into finger food with crispy French toast sticks. Cutting the bread into strips means more golden edges and makes them perfect for little hands and dunking into syrup. They also freeze well: cook a big batch, freeze them flat, then reheat in the toaster or air fryer on school mornings. Bonus tip: roll the hot sticks in cinnamon sugar for a churro style treat. Dip or drizzle: how does your family eat them?

You will need: 6 thick slices bread (cut into 3 strips each), 3 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon, butter or oil, cinnamon sugar (optional), maple syrup for dipping.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon. 2. Dip each strip quickly so it does not get soggy. 3. Cook in a buttered skillet, turning, until golden on all sides, about 5 minutes total. 4. Or air fry at 370F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once. 5. Roll in cinnamon sugar if you like and serve with syrup.

Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole

Hosting brunch? This is your secret weapon. Cubes of bread soak overnight in a cinnamon custard, so in the morning all you do is bake it while you set the table. It comes out puffed and golden with a crunchy brown sugar topping and a soft, bread pudding middle. One dish feeds a crowd, and nobody has to stand at the stove flipping slices. Would you add berries, apples or pecans?

You will need: 1 loaf (about 1 lb) brioche or French bread (cubed), 6 eggs, 2 cups milk, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon; topping: 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp cold butter, 1/2 cup pecans (optional).

How to make it: 1. Put the bread cubes in a buttered 9×13 dish or large skillet. 2. Whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon and pour over the bread. 3. Cover and chill overnight. 4. Rub the topping ingredients together and sprinkle on top. 5. Bake at 350F for 40 to 45 minutes until puffed and set. 6. Rest 5 minutes and serve with syrup.

Caramelized Banana French Toast

Bananas cooked in butter and brown sugar turn soft, sticky and golden, like a quick bananas Foster without any alcohol. Spoon them over thick slices of French toast and the caramel sauce soaks right in. It tastes like dessert, yet it is made from simple breakfast staples you probably have right now. Add a few chopped walnuts for crunch. Is this breakfast or dessert in your house?

You will need: French toast (see the classic recipe), 2 bananas (sliced), 2 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, pinch of salt, 1 tbsp water or milk, chopped walnuts (optional).

How to make it: 1. Make the French toast and keep it warm. 2. Melt the butter in a skillet and stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon and salt until bubbly. 3. Add the bananas and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden. 4. Splash in the water to loosen the sauce. 5. Spoon the bananas and caramel over the toast and add the walnuts.

Creme Brulee French Toast With a Caramel Crust

This one is inspired by the famous dessert. Thick bread soaks in a rich vanilla custard, then bakes on top of a layer of melted butter and brown sugar. When you flip it out, the bottom has turned into a glossy caramel crust. It is perfect for a holiday morning or a special brunch. Have you ever tasted creme brulee? This is its breakfast cousin.

You will need: 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp corn syrup or honey, 6 thick slices brioche, 5 eggs, 1 1/2 cups half and half or milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt, berries to serve.

How to make it: 1. Melt the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup until smooth and pour into a 9×13 dish. 2. Arrange the bread slices on top. 3. Whisk the eggs, half and half, vanilla and salt and pour over the bread. 4. Chill at least 2 hours or overnight. 5. Bake at 350F for 35 to 40 minutes. 6. Serve each slice caramel side up with berries.

Crispy Buttermilk Waffles From Scratch

Once you make waffles from scratch, the boxed mix may never come back. Buttermilk makes them tender and a little tangy, and melted butter gives them crisp, golden squares that hold pools of syrup. Do not overmix the batter; a few lumps are your friend. Make a double batch and freeze the extras for weekday mornings. Here is a question: do you fill every little square with syrup, or just pour it over the top?

You will need: 2 cups flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 eggs, 1 3/4 cups buttermilk, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 tsp vanilla.

How to make it: 1. Heat the waffle iron. 2. Whisk the dry ingredients in a large bowl. 3. Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, butter and vanilla. 4. Stir the wet into the dry just until combined. 5. Rest the batter 5 minutes. 6. Cook in the greased iron until golden and the steam slows, 4 to 5 minutes.

Fluffy Belgian Waffles With Whipped Cream

Belgian style waffles have deep pockets and a light, airy inside. The trick is whipping the egg whites separately and folding them in, which makes the batter as fluffy as a cloud. Cook them in a deep pocket waffle maker and top with a big spoon of whipped cream and a drizzle of syrup. They taste like a treat from a cozy cafe. Cream or ice cream on top?

You will need: 2 cups flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 3 eggs (separated), 1 3/4 cups milk, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 tsp vanilla, whipped cream and syrup to serve.

How to make it: 1. Heat the waffle maker. 2. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 3. Whisk the yolks, milk, butter and vanilla and stir into the dry mix. 4. Beat the egg whites to soft peaks and gently fold them in. 5. Cook until deep golden. 6. Serve with whipped cream and syrup.

Mixed Berry Waffles for Brunch

Piled high with strawberries and blueberries, these waffles look like a celebration on a plate. The berries add natural sweetness, color and a little fiber, so you can go lighter on the syrup. Warm a handful of frozen berries in a pan with a spoon of honey to make a quick, jammy sauce. It is a beautiful way to start a birthday or a slow Sunday. Strawberries or blueberries: which one wins?

You will need: Waffles (classic buttermilk recipe), 1 cup strawberries (sliced), 1 cup blueberries; quick sauce: 1 cup frozen mixed berries, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp lemon juice; Greek yogurt or whipped cream to serve.

How to make it: 1. Cook the waffles and keep them warm. 2. Simmer the frozen berries with the honey and lemon for 5 minutes until jammy. 3. Spoon yogurt or cream onto each waffle. 4. Pile on the fresh berries. 5. Drizzle with the warm berry sauce and serve right away.

Chicken and Waffles, Sweet and Savory Heaven

Crispy fried chicken on a fluffy waffle with butter and syrup might sound strange, but one bite explains why this Southern soul food classic is so loved. The salty crunch of the chicken and the sweet syrup are a perfect match. For an easier home version, bake breaded chicken tenders or use the air fryer. Add a dash of hot sauce to your syrup for a spicy kick. Would you try it, or is it a hard no?

You will need: 1 lb chicken tenders, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup flour, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, oil for frying, 4 waffles, butter, maple syrup, hot sauce (optional).

How to make it: 1. Soak the chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. 2. Mix the flour and spices. 3. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture. 4. Fry in 350F oil for 5 to 6 minutes, or air fry at 400F for 12 minutes, until cooked through. 5. Put the chicken on warm waffles. 6. Top with butter and syrup mixed with a little hot sauce.

Chocolate Waffles With Strawberries

For chocolate lovers, this is breakfast heaven. Cocoa powder turns the batter rich and dark, and a few chocolate chips melt into little pockets of goo. Serve them with fresh strawberries and a drizzle of melted chocolate for a brunch that feels like dessert. They also make a fun base for an ice cream sundae on movie night. Breakfast, dessert or both?

You will need: 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1/3 cup melted butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, strawberries and melted chocolate to serve.

How to make it: 1. Heat the waffle iron. 2. Whisk the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder and salt. 3. Whisk the eggs, milk, butter and vanilla and stir into the dry mix. 4. Fold in the chocolate chips. 5. Cook until crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes. 6. Top with strawberries and a drizzle of chocolate.

Hazelnut Banana Waffles With Berries

A swipe of chocolate hazelnut spread, a fan of banana slices and a handful of berries turn a plain waffle into a cafe style treat in under a minute. It is a fun build your own breakfast for kids and sleepover guests. Set out the toppings and let everyone design their own plate. For a lighter version, swap the spread for peanut butter or yogurt. What would you put on yours?

You will need: 4 waffles (homemade or frozen), 4 tbsp chocolate hazelnut spread, 2 bananas (sliced), 1 cup mixed berries, chopped hazelnuts, a drizzle of honey (optional).

How to make it: 1. Toast or cook the waffles until crisp. 2. Spread a spoon of chocolate hazelnut spread over each warm waffle. 3. Arrange the banana slices on top. 4. Add the berries and chopped hazelnuts. 5. Drizzle with honey and serve right away.

Scandinavian Heart Waffles With Jam

In Norway and Sweden, thin, soft waffles shaped like hearts are a much loved treat, often served with jam and sour cream at coffee time. They are not crispy like American waffles but tender and slightly chewy, with a hint of cardamom. You can roll them up or eat them flat. So, which of these French toast and waffle recipes will you try first? For more cozy mornings, try these fluffy pancake recipes too.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp ground cardamom, pinch of salt, 3 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup melted butter, berry jam and sour cream to serve.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the eggs and sugar until light. 2. Add the milk, sour cream and butter. 3. Stir in the flour, baking powder, cardamom and salt. 4. Rest the batter 10 minutes. 5. Cook in a heart waffle iron until light golden, 2 to 3 minutes. 6. Serve warm with jam and sour cream.