Name: Eggnog French Toast Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 loaf crusty country-style bread, sliced 1-inch thick; 1 1/2 cups eggnog, store-bought or homemade; 2 tablespoons dark rum (optional, can omit or use 2 teaspoons rum extract); 4 large eggs; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 to 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; Whipped cream; Maple syrup

There’s something downright magical about that first bite of warm, custardy toast infused with holiday spices and creamy richness. That’s exactly why I love sharing this Eggnog French Toast Recipe with you—it takes classic French toast up a notch with the cozy, festive flavor of eggnog that you’ll want all season long.

Two thick slices of golden-brown French toast are stacked on a white plate with a decorative edge. The toast is shiny with amber syrup dripping over the sides and pooling on the plate. The top slice shows a crispy texture with some darker browned spots. Behind the plate, there is a clear glass bowl filled with white whipped cream, and next to it, a clear glass mug holds dark brown coffee. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Eggnog French Toast Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Eggnog French Toast Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Eggnog French Toast Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to admit, every time I make this Eggnog French Toast Recipe, it feels like a special occasion—even if it’s just a regular weekend morning. The warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg combined with the creamy sweetness of eggnog creates this irresistible, fluffy delight on your plate.

Festive Flavor Boost: Eggnog adds a unique, rich flavor that transforms ordinary French toast into a seasonal treat.
Perfect Texture: Using crusty country-style bread soaks up the batter beautifully without falling apart.
Easy to Make: No fancy ingredients or complicated steps—just classic comfort on your breakfast table.
Customizable: You can add rum for a grown-up twist or omit for family-friendly mornings.

The image shows two slices of toasted bread stacked slightly on a white plate with a detailed, embossed pattern. The top slice is golden brown with a rough, crispy texture, while the bottom slice looks a little darker and more cooked. Both slices have a dusting of white powdered sugar. Behind the plate are small bowls filled with bright red pomegranate seeds and a halved pomegranate with shiny, jewel-like seeds. There is also a glass of amber-colored liquid and a silver fork wrapped in a red cloth napkin on a white marbled surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Eggnog French Toast Recipe plays a role in creating that perfect balance of creamy, spiced, and crispy delight. Here’s why I love each one and a few tips for picking the best versions:

Flat lay of a few thick slices of crusty country-style bread, a small white bowl of creamy eggnog, four whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with dark golden unsalted butter chunks, a small white bowl containing ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white bowl of smooth maple syrup, and a dollop of fresh whipped cream on a simple white ceramic plate, all arranged in perfect symmetry and natural proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Crusty Country-Style Bread: Its thick, sturdy slices soak up the batter without turning mushy, providing the perfect base texture.
Eggnog: Whether store-bought or homemade, it adds rich creaminess and warm holiday spices that infuse each bite.
Dark Rum (Optional): Adds depth and a subtle boozy warmth, but you can skip or substitute with rum extract for a kid-friendly option.
Large Eggs: They bind the batter together and help achieve that fluffy custard-like texture inside.
Ground Cinnamon: A classic spice that complements eggnog perfectly with its sweet warmth.
Ground Nutmeg: Just a pinch adds that nutty, fragrant note that elevates the dish without overpowering it.
Vanilla Extract: Brings a lovely aromatic sweetness and balances the spices beautifully.
Unsalted Butter: For frying, it adds flavor and ensures the toast crisps up beautifully without burning.
Whipped Cream & Maple Syrup: The perfect finishing touches—creaminess and sticky sweetness—that make every bite feel indulgent.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

Over the years, I’ve played around with this Eggnog French Toast Recipe to suit different moods or guests, and honestly, it’s so flexible! Feel free to tweak it according to what you love most.

Variation: I sometimes swap the dark rum for bourbon for a richer, smokier flavor, which my friends rave about during holiday brunches.
Dairy-Free Twist: Use a plant-based eggnog and dairy-free butter to make this recipe work for everyone at your table.
Texture Preference: For crunch lovers, try lightly toasting the bread before soaking—it adds a nice contrast when fried.
Extra Fluffiness: Whisk the eggs with a splash of cream or milk for an even richer batter that’s ultra-soft inside.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Eggnog French Toast Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Bread Ready

Start by slicing your country-style bread into 1-inch thick slices. I like to leave the slices out on the counter for at least 15 minutes to let them dry out a bit—that helps the bread soak up the eggnog batter without getting soggy. You can even prep this step a day or two in advance; it only makes the texture better!

Step 2: Make the Eggnog Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggnog, eggs, dark rum (if using), cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until everything’s smooth and combined. You want a lovely, spiced custard base that smells incredible even before cooking.

Step 3: Soak Your Bread

Dunk two or three slices of bread at a time into the batter, flipping them to coat each side. Let the bread soak a few seconds on each side—long enough to absorb that custardy mixture but not so long it falls apart. This is the sweet spot for the perfect texture!

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt about a tablespoon of unsalted butter. Gently transfer soaked bread slices into the pan and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp outside. Use a spatula to flip carefully, especially if your bread soaked up lots of batter. Keep the cooked toast warm in a 250°F oven on a wire rack while you fry the rest.

Top Tip

From my many brunch experiments with this Eggnog French Toast Recipe, I’ve picked up some neat tips that make a big difference. Let me share them so you can nail this recipe the first time—and every time after.

Choose the Right Bread: Country-style, day-old bread soaks up the batter without falling apart. Fresh, soft bread can get mushy.
Don’t Over-Soak: A few seconds on each side is enough—too long and your toast gets soggy and tricky to flip.
Butter Your Pan Well: Use unsalted butter and keep it medium heat to avoid burning and ensure even browning.
Keep Toast Warm in Oven: This avoids cold or soggy toast as you finish cooking the batch—trust me, it keeps the perfect texture.

How to Serve Eggnog French Toast Recipe

Eggnog French Toast - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top mine with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream and a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Sometimes, I'll sprinkle just a little extra cinnamon or nutmeg on top to highlight those warm spices. For an extra festive touch, chopped toasted pecans or a dusting of powdered sugar are delightful too.

Side Dishes

Pair your Eggnog French Toast with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for salty contrast. Fresh fruit like berries or sliced apples brings a lovely brightness. And if you’re feeling indulgent, a side of soft scrambled eggs rounds out a truly satisfying meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday brunches, I like stacking the toast slices high and topping with whipped cream, nuts, and cranberries or pomegranate seeds for pops of color. Arrange on a festive platter with extra syrup on the side and maybe a sprig of fresh mint to make it feel extra special and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Eggnog French Toast stores best in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. I find the texture holds up pretty well, though it’s best eaten sooner rather than later for peak softness and flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze cooked slices by placing them on a baking sheet in a single layer until firm, then transferring to a freezer bag. They keep well for up to 1 month. This way, you have a quick holiday breakfast ready to pop in the toaster or oven.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers or frozen slices in a toaster oven or oven set to 350°F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through and crisp. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that slightly crispy exterior—it tends to make it soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade eggnog for this Eggnog French Toast Recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade eggnog works beautifully and will make your French toast taste even fresher and more personalized. Just make sure your eggnog is well-chilled and has that rich, creamy consistency.

What kind of bread is best for Eggnog French Toast Recipe?

I recommend using sturdy, crusty country-style bread or brioche. These breads soak up the eggnog batter without falling apart and have enough texture to give you that perfect bite every time.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Swap out the eggnog for a dairy-free plant-based version like almond or oat milk eggnog, and use a dairy-free butter substitute for frying. The flavors will still be fantastic.

How do I prevent the French toast from getting soggy?

The key is not over-soaking your bread in the batter—just a few seconds per side—and using sturdy bread. Also, cooking on medium heat with enough butter helps crisp the outside nicely. Keeping finished slices warm in the oven helps them stay crisp.

Final Thoughts

This Eggnog French Toast Recipe truly holds a special place in my heart because it brings that cozy, festive feeling to any morning, especially during chilly weekends or holiday brunches. I hope you try it soon—you'll love how it tastes like a warm hug on a plate. Give it a go and enjoy every delicious bite like I do with friends and family!