If you’re looking to take your breakfast game to the next level, this Coconut Crusted French Toast Recipe is here to steal the show. Imagine thick slices of bread, dipped in a creamy cinnamon-spiked egg batter, then lovingly coated with a crunchy, golden layer of toasted coconut. Each bite offers a heavenly balance of crispy texture and soft, custardy center that feels like a warm hug on a plate. This recipe brings a tropical twist to a classic breakfast favorite, making any morning feel instantly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Coconut Crusted French Toast Recipe relies on a handful of simple but wonderfully harmonious ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in delivering the perfect flavor, texture, and color that makes this dish so irresistible.
- Thick-cut bread: Using thick slices ensures a soft and fluffy interior that holds up to the dipping and frying process.
- Shredded coconut: This adds that signature tropical crunch and a subtle nutty sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: Helps the coconut and spices adhere beautifully to the bread slices.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses warmth and a lovely aroma that complements the coconut perfectly.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and bring out the flavors.
- Large eggs: The base for the custard batter that soaks into the bread.
- Milk: Creates a creamy texture in the egg mixture for that classic French toast richness.
- Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the batter.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor with a fragrant hint of warmth.
- Butter: Used for frying to achieve a golden, crispy crust while adding richness.
- Maple syrup: The perfect natural sweetener to drizzle on top when serving.
How to Make Coconut Crusted French Toast Recipe
Step 1: Gather and Prepare Ingredients
Start by bringing all the ingredients to your workspace: thick-cut bread, shredded coconut, flour, cinnamon, salt, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, butter, and syrup. Having everything ready makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
Step 2: Slice the Bread
Place the loaf on a cutting board and slice it into 1-inch thick pieces. Uniform slices ensure even soaking and cooking, which is key for that perfect texture throughout.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Coating
Combine shredded coconut, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a shallow dish. This blend will give your French toast a flavorful and crunchy coconut crust that’s simply irresistible.
Step 4: Whisk the Egg Mixture
In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. This creamy, spiced custard will soak into the bread, creating the tender inside you love.
Step 5: Heat the Skillet
Warm up a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add butter and let it melt, swirling to coat the pan evenly to ensure each slice fries beautifully without sticking.
Step 6: Dip the Bread
Take a slice of bread and submerge it in the egg mixture, coating both sides well and letting the excess drip off. This step soaks the bread in flavor and moisture, prepping it to develop a rich custard inside.
Step 7: Coat with Coconut Mixture
Press each dipped slice gently into the coconut mixture, making sure the shredded coconut evenly sticks to both sides. This is what makes the crust uniquely crunchy and full of flavor.
Step 8: Cook Until Golden
Place the coated slice on your hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side. The coconut crust should turn a gorgeous golden brown, crisping up perfectly without burning.
Step 9: Repeat and Butter as Needed
Continue the process with the remaining bread slices, adding more butter to your skillet whenever it starts to dry out. This keeps every slice rich and golden.
Step 10: Drizzle with Maple Syrup and Serve
After cooking all the slices, drizzle warm maple syrup generously on top. Serve the Coconut Crusted French Toast Recipe warm so you can enjoy that glorious melt-in-your-mouth sensation paired with crunchy edges.
How to Serve Coconut Crusted French Toast Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of flair and flavor, add fresh berries, sliced bananas, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. A dollop of whipped cream or a few toasted coconut flakes on top will also bring beautiful texture contrasts and freshness.
Side Dishes
A leafy green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette or a side of crispy bacon complements the sweetness of the Coconut Crusted French Toast Recipe wonderfully, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking your French toast slices in a neat tower or arranging them fan-like on a large platter for a brunch spread. You can even serve them with small bowls of flavored syrups or fruit compotes on the side for guests to customize their plates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keeping the crust crisp might be a challenge, but reheating carefully can help restore some of the texture.
Freezing
To enjoy this Coconut Crusted French Toast Recipe later, freeze cooked slices individually on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. This method prevents sticking and makes it easy to reheat just the amount you want.
Reheating
Reheat leftover or frozen slices in a toaster oven or a skillet over medium heat. This will help crisp up the coconut crust again, maintaining the wonderful crunch that makes this recipe so special.
FAQs
Can I use regular shredded coconut instead of sweetened?
Yes, unsweetened shredded coconut works great and lets you control the sweetness of the dish so you can keep it balanced with your syrup or toppings.
What’s the best type of bread for this recipe?
Thick-cut brioche or challah bread is ideal because of their soft crumb and lightly sweet flavor, but any sturdy bread that holds up to soaking will work wonderfully.
Can I prepare the coconut mixture ahead of time?
Absolutely! Mixing the coconut, flour, cinnamon, and salt in advance saves time on cooking day and keeps the process smooth and joyful.
Is there a dairy-free alternative for the milk and butter?
Yes, feel free to use almond, oat, or coconut milk, and replace butter with coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute to keep the dish dairy-free without compromising flavor.
How do I make the crust extra crispy?
Make sure your pan is hot enough and don’t overcrowd it; cooking in batches and using enough butter will give you that perfectly crisp coconut crust every time.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Coconut Crusted French Toast Recipe enough for anyone who loves to elevate classic breakfast treats. It’s simple, fun to make, and impressive to serve. Plus, the combination of creamy custard and crunchy coconut adds such a delightful twist that your mornings will never be the same. Go ahead and make this soon—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Coconut Crusted French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 20m
- Total Time: 0h 35m
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Coconut Crusted French Toast recipe offers a delightful twist on classic French toast by adding a crispy, golden coconut coating. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and vanilla, and served with sweet maple syrup, this breakfast treat combines rich texture and cozy flavors for a satisfying morning meal.
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 loaf thick-cut bread
Coconut Coating
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Egg Mixture
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Cooking and Serving
- Butter, for frying
- Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients for the recipe: thick-cut bread, shredded coconut, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, salt, large eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, butter, and maple syrup.
- Slice Bread: Place the loaf of thick-cut bread on a cutting board. Slice it into thick slices, about 1-inch in thickness, ensuring each slice is uniform.
- Prepare Coconut Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the shredded coconut, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients together until they are evenly incorporated.
- Make Egg Mixture: In a separate medium-sized bowl, crack the four large eggs. Add the milk, sugar, and vanilla extract to the eggs. Whisk the mixture until everything is fully combined and smooth.
- Heat Skillet: Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add a tablespoon or two of butter to the pan and let it melt, swirling the pan to ensure it coats the surface evenly.
- Dip Bread in Egg Mix: While the skillet is heating, take a slice of bread and dip it into the egg mixture. Make sure both sides of the bread are fully coated, but allow any excess egg mixture to drip off.
- Coat with Coconut Mixture: Immediately after dipping the bread, press it into the coconut mixture. Gently press down on the bread to make sure the coconut sticks to both sides.
- Cook the French Toast: Carefully place the coated bread slice onto the heated skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the coconut crust turns golden brown and crispy.
- Repeat Cooking: Once the French toast is cooked, transfer it to a plate. Repeat the process with the remaining slices of bread, adding more butter to the skillet as needed.
- Serve: Once all the slices are cooked, drizzle the coconut-crusted French toast with maple syrup to your liking.
- Enjoy: Serve the French toast warm and enjoy the crispy, coconut-crusted goodness with a generous pour of syrup.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bread for better texture and to hold the coconut coating.
- Ensure excess egg mixture is allowed to drip off before coating in coconut to prevent sogginess.
- Adjust cooking time slightly depending on the heat of your skillet to avoid burning the coconut.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.
- If shredded coconut is sweetened, reduce or omit added sugar in the egg mixture accordingly.
