How many toddler french toast recipes does a dad really need (if any at all)? you may ask yourself. Easy answer: a really good one is always welcome. This is that. Drawing inspo from the french toast you’d find in a Hong Kong diner, here we hit all those kiddo dopamine notes: sweet, creamy, peanut buttery, kind of fried-y. All it needs is a cute name for you and your kiddo to call it and you–and it–are set for the better part of your child’s young life.
One note before we dive in: this toddler french toast does require a bit more time to come together than your usual non-recipe french toast. But it’s not much more time, nor effort–and it’s no less easy to pull off. Still, you may want to reserve a weekend breakfast or brunch for the first time you make this; it’s not a recipe that’s always compatible with a rush-out-the-door to school or camp kind of morning. That’s in part because the process is tailor-made for child participation: short of the oven and stove steps, they should be able to assist, if not lead, most of the prep. And everything is better when made together.
Check out more of our best breakfast recipes here!
🍞 Hong Kong Style French Toast For Toddlers
Imagine a plate of golden‑brown toast, buttery and just sweet enough for little hands—this is a toddler‑safe take on the decadent Hong Kong–style French toast. The New Dad’s Kitchen version strips it down to basics: thick sandwich bread soaked in a gently sweetened egg custard, fried lightly, and served warm. It’s soft, not crispy, and perfectly portioned for tiny eaters.
This version uses thick slices of sandwich bread (brioche, challah, Texas toast, or similar) dipped in an egg‑milk‑sugar custard, then griddled or pan‑fried until lightly set. It isn’t deep‑fried, and uses minimal oil but retains the soft, custardy interior. Top with a light touch of butter or a drizzle on the side if desired.
Instructions
(Adapted and kept faithful to New Dad’s Kitchen’s method)
- Make custard: Whisk together 3 large eggs, ⅛ cup sugar, and 1 cup milk (whole or 2%) until smooth.
- Prepare bread: Use 8 slices of thick sandwich bread—crusts optional for toddlers.
- Soak slices: Dip each slice in the custard, let it soak briefly (≈10 sec per side), then remove and let excess drip off.
- Cook: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium, add just enough oil to lightly coat the pan. Fry each soaked slice until golden and lightly puffed, about 2 minutes per side.
- Serve: Let cool slightly, slice into toddler‑friendly pieces. Optionally spread a tiny bit of butter or drizzle a little syrup or honey for older kids.
FAQ (based on the original page’s focus)
Q: Why this version for toddlers?
A: It omits deep‑frying and excess oil, uses mild sweetness, and soft bread so it’s easy to chew and digest.
Q: Can you use jam or peanut butter filling like traditional Hong Kong–style toast?
A: The toddler version doesn’t include fillings for simplicity and allergy safety. For adults or older tots, you can resemble the Hong Kong style by sandwiching peanut butter or jam between two soaked slices, then griddling.
Q: How to store or reheat?
A: Best eaten immediately. To reheat, place on a low‑temp baking sheet or microwave briefly—don’t soak in toppings until just before serving.
The Ultimate Toddler French Toast
Description
Stuffed with peanut butter and battered in custard, this Hong Kong-style french toast is soft and sweet in all the right ways. And with less oil and sugar than its inspiration, this recipe is a just-right toddler french toast indulgence for the weekends.
Ingredients
Instructions
Prep
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Preheat (toaster) oven to 200. Place bread slices on baking pan and cook until dried out and crisp but not toasted, roughly 8-10 minutes if thick, or 4-5 minutes if slices are thin. Remove from oven.
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While bread cooks and/or cools, beat eggs with sugar and a pinch of salt in a flat container until blended; add milk and blend until mixed, making sure sugar isn't clumping to bottom.
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Spread peanut butter all over one side of four pieces of bread. Place an un-peanut-buttered slice of bread on top of each of the peanut-buttered ones; gently press to adhere to make sandwiches.
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Add sandwiches to the container and allow to soak in the batter for at least one minute a side (if using thin bread, flip after 30 seconds). Shake off any excess batter drip before cooking.
Cook and Assemble
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Fill a skillet with enough oil to create a thin pool across the entire base of the pan; heat the pan to Medium.
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Once oil is shimmering, place the sandwiches into the pan and cook until golden brown all over, roughly 2-3 minutes a side. Remove from heat.
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Allow to rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing, then slice and allow another few minutes or so for steam to escape.
Serve
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It’s customary in Hong Kong to serve this topped with a pat of butter and/or a drizzle of condensed milk; neither is really needed, nor is maple syrup (unless your kiddo can’t have french toast without it). Given the richness of the french toast, we keep the rest of the plate light: just some berries or orange slices to tag along.
Adapt
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You can turn this into a monte cristo or croque monsieur sandwich easily by swapping the peanut butter for mayo on one side of bread, ham and/or turkey, sliced cheese, and mustard on the other slice; dip in batter and cook the same way as described in the recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Serving Size 1 french toast
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 225kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 8g13%
- Cholesterol 30mg10%
- Total Carbohydrate 25g9%
- Sugars 5g
- Protein 8g16%
- Vitamin A 90 IU
- Folate 30 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0.5 mcg
- Phosphorus 90 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
User Reviews
Never heard of this, but it had everything my kid likes so I tried it. Really good! Will make again