French toast, oh, it’s a weekend morning hug on a plate, isn’t it?

It reminds me of lazy Sundays at Mama’s house, the scent of cinnamon and butter swirling through the air. She always made it with such love, and it was pure comfort food.

But sometimes, even the most cherished classics deserve a little…flair.

Recently, I was thinking about how much I adore everything bagels. All those savory, toasty seeds and spices clinging to a chewy bagel. And that’s when it hit me: why not combine the best of both worlds?

So, I set out to create a French toast that’s both familiar and unexpected: Everything Bagel French Toast.

Imagine a thick-cut bagel, soaked in a creamy custard, then coated in a generous layer of everything bagel spice. It’s a delightful savory-sweet dance on your tongue.

I think y’all will really enjoy this one. It’s a simple twist that elevates a beloved breakfast staple.

French toast is a breakfast staple for good reason. It’s comforting, customizable, and relatively simple to make.

But sometimes, simple needs a little something extra, don’t you think?

This French Toast Bagel recipe takes everything you love about French toast and elevates it with the satisfying chewiness of a bagel. Think of it as a blank canvas ready for deliciousness.

Now, for my special touch: I’m adding an everything bagel spice crust. I think y’all will like this, it adds a savory, textural counterpoint to the sweetness that makes this recipe sing.

The everything bagel seasoning provides just the right amount of salt, garlic, and onion to balance the sweetness of the custard. It’s a delightful surprise in every bite.

The texture is also divine. The crust gets wonderfully crisp when pan-fried, creating a delightful contrast to the soft, custardy interior.

The slightly dense bagel holds its shape well during soaking and cooking, so you avoid a soggy mess. The inside stays wonderfully soft, while the outside is perfectly golden brown.

Essentially, you get the best of both worlds: the nostalgic comfort of French toast and the unique flavors and textures of an everything bagel. What’s not to love?

I hope you enjoy this updated version as much as I do. Bon appétit, as they say!

For this French Toast Bagel recipe, we’re taking a delightful detour from the ordinary. Instead of a plain bagel, we’re embracing the savory goodness of an everything bagel, then crusting it again with, yes, even more Everything Bagel Spice. Get ready for a breakfast experience that’s both familiar and intriguingly new.

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this uniquely delicious treat. The beauty of this recipe is how simple it is, really. Don’t be intimidated by the extra step; it’s what makes this dish so special.

• 2 Everything Bagels, halved
• 2 large Eggs
• 1/4 cup Milk, whole milk works best
• 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons Everything Bagel Spice, divided
• 2 tablespoons Butter, for cooking
• Maple Syrup, for serving
• Optional toppings: fresh berries, whipped cream

A note on the Everything Bagel Spice: don’t skimp! It’s the star of the show. If you don’t have a pre-made blend, you can easily make your own with a mix of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and sea salt flakes.

With these ingredients in hand, you’re well on your way to a breakfast that’s anything but boring. Trust me, y’all, this French Toast Bagel will become a new favorite.

Step 1: Prepare the Egg Mixture

In a shallow dish, whisk together 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup of milk (I like whole milk for richness), 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Make sure it’s all combined well; no one wants eggy clumps.

Step 2: Slice and Soak the Bagel

Carefully slice your bagel in half horizontally. Now, generously soak each half in the egg mixture. Let them sit for about 30 seconds per side, ensuring the bagel really absorbs that deliciousness. Don’t overcrowd the dish; do one half at a time.

Step 3: Create the Everything Bagel Crust

On a small plate, spread out about 2 tablespoons of everything bagel spice. This is where the magic happens, friends. We want a nice even coating.

Step 4: Coat the Bagel with Spice

Gently press the soaked bagel halves, one at a time, face down into the everything bagel spice mixture. Make sure the entire cut side is covered. This crust is what makes our French toast bagel truly sing.

Step 5: Cook the French Toast Bagel

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, carefully place the coated bagel halves in the skillet, spice-side down.

Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Watch it closely to prevent burning, especially with the spices.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the French toast bagel from the skillet and place it on a plate. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings. I’m partial to a drizzle of maple syrup and a dollop of whipped cream, but fresh berries are delightful, too.

This is best enjoyed hot, so don’t delay! Dig in and savor every bite of that crispy, savory-sweet goodness.

Here are a few ways I like to enjoy my French Toast Bagel, and I think y’all will too.

First, a simple pat of butter and a drizzle of good maple syrup is always a winner. It lets the flavor of the bagel and the egg custard shine.

For a more decadent treat, try topping it with whipped cream and fresh berries. The sweetness of the berries complements the savory Everything Bagel Spice Crust beautifully.

If you’re feeling a little adventurous, a smear of cream cheese adds a tangy counterpoint. The cream cheese echoes the bagel’s essence, creating a delightful harmony.

And don’t forget the savory side. A side of crispy bacon or sausage is the perfect accompaniment. The salty meat provides a wonderful contrast to the sweet French toast.

I also enjoy it with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a touch of elegance. It’s all about finding the combination that makes your taste buds sing.

No matter how you choose to serve it, this French Toast Bagel with its special Everything Bagel Spice Crust is sure to be a breakfast or brunch favorite. Enjoy!

Now, even with my best intentions, I sometimes end up making more French toast bagels than I can eat in one sitting. It’s a delicious problem to have, I must say!

The good news is, French toast bagels, especially with that wonderful Everything Bagel Spice crust, are easy to store and reheat. You can keep enjoying that sweet and savory flavor for days.

Storing Leftovers:

First, let your leftover French toast bagels cool completely. This is important to prevent them from getting soggy.

Next, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, or place them in an airtight container. Be sure to keep them in a single layer, if possible, to prevent sticking.

They’ll keep nicely in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze them! Wrap them tightly as described above, then place the wrapped bagels into a freezer bag. Frozen French toast bagels will last for up to 2 months.

Reheating Instructions:

When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover Everything Bagel French toast bagels, you have a few options for reheating.

From the Refrigerator:

My preferred method is to use the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the French toast bagel on a baking sheet and bake for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. This helps to crisp up that lovely Everything Bagel crust.

You can also use a toaster oven for smaller portions, the time remains relatively the same.

For a quicker option, you can microwave the French toast bagel for about 30-60 seconds. Keep in mind that this method may result in a slightly softer texture.

From the Freezer:

No need to thaw! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen French toast bagel on a baking sheet and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until heated through. Again, this helps keep that texture just right.

Enjoy your reheated French toast bagels with a drizzle of syrup, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a sprinkle of extra Everything Bagel spice. I hope y’all enjoy!

Now, I know some of y’all might be lookin’ to tweak this French Toast Bagel recipe to fit what you have on hand, or maybe just put your own spin on things. That’s perfectly alright by me. Cooking should be about having a little fun in the kitchen, after all.

So, let’s talk about some easy swaps and variations you can make to this recipe. Remember, the beauty of this recipe is how simple it is to make a flavorful, delicious breakfast!

• Bagel Type: While I absolutely love using everything bagels for that delightful, savory crust, any bagel will do. Plain, sesame, or even cinnamon raisin bagels would work. Adjust the spices accordingly if you omit the everything bagel seasoning.
• Milk: I typically use whole milk because it adds richness, but feel free to use 2%, skim, or even non-dairy milk like almond or soy milk. The texture might be a bit different, but it’ll still be delicious.
• Sweetener: Maple syrup is my go-to, but honey, agave, or even a sprinkle of brown sugar would be lovely. If you’re watching your sugar intake, you can use a sugar substitute.
• Spices: If you aren’t a fan of cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice, you can simply omit them or use a different warming spice like cardamom. Consider trying pumpkin pie spice for a fall-themed treat.
• Extract: Vanilla extract adds a nice touch, but you could experiment with other extracts like almond or even a little bit of citrus zest for a brighter flavor.
• Toppings: Fresh berries are always a great option. You could also add sliced bananas, chopped nuts, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Get creative with it!
• Everything Bagel Spice Boost: Want to take the “everything” flavor even further? Sprinkle extra Everything Bagel Spice on top after cooking for an extra pop of flavor and texture.

There you have it! Just a few ideas to get you started on your own French Toast Bagel adventure. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what you like best. I’m sure whatever you come up with will be wonderful.

Let’s tackle some frequently asked questions about this delightful French toast bagel, especially with that special Everything Bagel Spice Crust we’re adding.

Can I use any type of bagel for french toast bagel?

While you can use any type of bagel, I find that plain or slightly sweet bagels work best as a blank canvas. However, for this recipe, the Everything Bagel spice already brings a salty and savory element. So, a sweeter bagel like cinnamon raisin might clash. Stick to plain, or even sesame if you want to amp up the sesame notes.

What if I don’t have Everything Bagel spice for the french toast bagel crust?

Okay, so the Everything Bagel spice is kinda the star of this particular show, ain’t it? If you absolutely don’t have it, you can make a substitute. Combine equal parts sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and salt. It won’t be exactly the same, but it will capture the spirit of the crust. Or, consider other savory spice blends, though I highly recommend seeking out Everything Bagel spice for the full experience.

How do I prevent my french toast bagel from being soggy?

Ah, sogginess! The nemesis of all French toast lovers. First, don’t soak the bagel for too long. A quick dip on each side is all you need. Second, make sure your pan is hot enough before adding the bagel. A good sizzle helps create a crispy exterior. Lastly, don’t overcrowd the pan, this lowers the temperature and leads to steaming instead of browning. And, be gentle, y’all. You don’t want to completely saturate the bagel, especially with that delicious Everything Bagel crust clinging on.

Can I make french toast bagel ahead of time?

French toast bagel is best enjoyed fresh, right off the skillet. If you absolutely need to make it ahead, I recommend only cooking it partway, just enough to set the egg mixture. Then, store it in the refrigerator and finish cooking it in a skillet or oven just before serving. Reheating fully cooked French toast can make it rubbery or, worse, soggy. That Everything Bagel crust won’t be quite as crisp either, but it’s better than nothing!

What toppings go well with an Everything Bagel french toast bagel?

Since we’ve got that savory Everything Bagel crust going on, sweet and savory pairings are where it’s at! Think a drizzle of maple syrup with a sprinkle of crumbled bacon. Or, a dollop of cream cheese with a scattering of chives. Avocado slices or a fried egg would also be delicious. Don’t be afraid to experiment; the possibilities are endless!