Fluffy French Toast for Babies and Toddlers

If you ask me, French toast is one of the best breakfast foods to introduce to little ones.

This baby-friendly version keeps all the warm, cozy flavors of classic French toast but skips the added sugars and heavy ingredients. Soft bread gets dipped in a simple egg and milk mixture that’s perfect for developing palates.

It’s cut into easy-to-grab strips that are just right for tiny hands, and gently cooked until golden brown. A light dusting of cinnamon adds familiar comfort without overwhelming young taste buds.

It’s a family-friendly breakfast that makes mornings special while keeping things healthy and simple for both babies and toddlers.

What Kind of Bread Should I Use?

When making French toast for little ones, whole-grain bread is your best friend – it packs more nutrition than white bread and holds up well when soaked in the egg mixture. Regular sandwich bread works fine, but you might want to look for a thinner-sliced variety since it’s easier for small mouths to manage. If your bread is fresh, you can use it straight from the package, but slightly stale bread actually works even better since it soaks up the egg mixture without falling apart. Just make sure to check the ingredients list and pick a bread that doesn’t have added nuts or seeds, which could be choking hazards for babies and toddlers.

Options for Substitutions

Making this baby-friendly French toast is easy, and you’ve got plenty of options to work with:

• Milk: Any milk works great here – regular whole milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk. Just make sure to use unsweetened varieties for babies and toddlers.
• Eggs: For this recipe, eggs are essential and can’t be substituted as they’re key to the texture and protein content. If your little one has an egg allergy, you might want to try a different breakfast recipe.
• Bread: While whole-grain is great for nutrition, you can use any bread your little one enjoys – white bread, sourdough, or even gluten-free bread. Just avoid very thick slices as they might not cook through properly.
• Butter: Feel free to use coconut oil, avocado oil, or any mild-flavored oil instead of butter. If using oil, start with 2-3 teaspoons per batch.
• Spices: The cinnamon and nutmeg are optional – you can skip them entirely for younger babies or swap in gentler spices like a tiny pinch of cardamom. Some parents like to add a mashed banana to the mix for natural sweetness.
• Vanilla essence: You can skip the vanilla if you don’t have it, or use alcohol-free vanilla if you prefer. A tiny bit of maple syrup (for older toddlers) can work too.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making French toast for little ones is getting the egg mixture to fully coat the bread without making it too soggy – dip each slice quickly, about 2-3 seconds per side, rather than letting it soak. When cooking for babies and toddlers, many parents make the mistake of using too high heat, which can result in a burnt exterior and raw center – instead, keep your pan at medium-low heat and cook each slice for about 3-4 minutes per side. To make sure the French toast is safe for your little one, avoid common pitfalls like using expired eggs or leaving the cooked slices at room temperature for too long – serve immediately or keep warm in a low-temperature oven (170°F) for no more than 15 minutes. For the best texture that’s easy for small mouths to manage, cut the finished French toast into finger-sized strips and make sure the pieces are fully cooked but still soft enough to squish between your fingers.

What to Serve With Baby French Toast?

When making French toast for little ones, I like to create a balanced breakfast by adding some fresh fruits on the side – bananas, strawberries, or peaches work great when cut into safe, age-appropriate sizes. A dollop of plain Greek yogurt adds extra protein and makes the meal more filling for growing bodies. For toddlers who are more experienced eaters, you can include a small side of scrambled eggs or turkey breakfast sausage to round out the meal. Just remember to skip the maple syrup for babies under one year old, and use minimal sweeteners for toddlers!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once your little one’s french toast has cooled completely, place it in an airtight container with parchment paper between the slices. It’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it perfect for busy mornings when you need a quick breakfast option for your kiddo.

Freeze: This baby-friendly french toast is great for batch cooking! Let the slices cool, then place them in a freezer bag with parchment paper between each piece. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months – super handy for those hectic mornings with your little one.

Warm Up: When it’s breakfast time, you can warm up refrigerated or frozen slices in the toaster on low heat, or pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first. Just make sure to test the temperature before serving to your little one to avoid any hot spots.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	20-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 600-650
• Protein: 20-25 g
• Fat: 30-35 g
• Carbohydrates: 75-80 g

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any milk variety)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1 tablespoon salted butter, divided (or plant-based alternative)
• 8 slices whole-grain bread (such as thin-sliced variety)

Step 1: Prepare the Egg Mixture

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, almond milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the mixture becomes frothy.

This will ensure even distribution of flavors and a fluffy texture when cooked.

Step 2: Heat the Skillet

Place a skillet over medium heat and add 1 teaspoon of butter or vegan butter.

Allow the butter to melt completely and coat the bottom of the skillet.

This will provide a non-stick surface and add flavor to your French toast.

Step 3: Coat and Cook the Bread

Quickly dip one piece of bread into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated on both sides.

Immediately transfer it to the heated, buttered skillet.

Repeat this process with another piece of bread.

Cook the bread on the skillet until the underside is golden brown, about 2-4 minutes.

Flip the bread pieces over and allow them to finish cooking until both sides are golden brown.

Remove the cooked slices from the skillet and repeat with the remaining bread slices.

Step 4: Serve the French Toast

Cut the French toast into strips or bite-sized pieces, tailored to the age of the child.

For older babies aged 12 months and above, you can add a little bit of peanut or almond butter on top for an extra boost of healthy fat.

Serve and enjoy!