Chocolate French Toast Recipe

Chocolate French toast is what I make when a regular breakfast just isn’t going to cut it. It’s cozy, indulgent, and still grounded enough to feel like a real meal instead of dessert pretending to be breakfast. I usually make this on slower mornings when there’s time to linger at the table, coffee in hand, and no rush to clean up right away.

This recipe started as a way to make French toast feel a little more special without overcomplicating it. Adding chocolate felt like an obvious upgrade, but it took a few tries to get the balance right so it didn’t turn overly sweet or heavy. This version keeps the custard rich, the bread crisp on the outside, and the chocolate melted just enough to feel intentional.

Recipe Origin or Trivia

French toast has roots in frugal cooking, originally designed to use up stale bread. Chocolate-studded versions are a more modern twist, borrowing from dessert flavors while keeping the structure of a classic breakfast.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Comforting and indulgent: Perfect for slow mornings
• Crispy outside, soft inside: Ideal French toast texture
• Melty chocolate pockets: Just enough richness
• Simple ingredients: Nothing complicated
• Customizable sweetness: Easy to adjust
• Kid-friendly: Always a hit
• Works for brunch or dessert: Very flexible

Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results

• Use thick bread: Holds the custard better
• Let chocolate sit between layers: Helps it melt evenly
• Cook on medium heat: Prevents burning
• Rest briefly before serving: Chocolate sets slightly

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

1. Shallow bowl: For custard mixture
2. Whisk: To combine ingredients smoothly
3. Large skillet or griddle: For cooking
4. Spatula: Easy flipping
5. Measuring cups: For consistency

Ingredients in This Recipe

1. Thick-sliced bread: Brioche or challah works best
2. Eggs: Create the custardy interior
3. Milk or half-and-half: Adds richness
4. Cocoa powder: Deepens chocolate flavor
5. Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate: Melt into the bread
6. Sugar or maple syrup: Light sweetness
7. Vanilla extract: Adds warmth
8. Salt: Balances sweetness
9. Butter: For cooking
10. Optional toppings: Powdered sugar, berries, or whipped cream

Ingredient Substitutions

• Brioche → sourdough: Less sweet, still sturdy
• Milk → almond or oat milk: Dairy-free option
• Chocolate chips → dark chocolate chunks: Less sweet
• Sugar → honey or maple syrup: Natural sweetness

Ingredient Spotlight

• Chocolate: Adds richness without overpowering
• Bread: Structure is key for texture

Chocolate French Toast

Slices of bread are soaked in a mixture of eggs, milk, and melted chocolate, then pan-fried until golden brown with a crispy exterior. The final dish has a soft interior infused with chocolate flavor and a slightly caramelized surface. This method combines baking techniques and quick frying to create a rich, dessert-like breakfast dish.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: French

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• Thick-sliced bread: Brioche or challah works best
• Eggs: Create the custardy interior
• Milk or half-and-half: Adds richness
• Cocoa powder: Deepens chocolate flavor
• Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate: Melt into the bread
• Sugar or maple syrup: Light sweetness
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth
• Salt: Balances sweetness
• Butter: For cooking
• Optional toppings: Powdered sugar berries, or whipped cream

Equipment

• Shallow bowl: For custard mixture
• Whisk: To combine ingredients smoothly
• Large skillet or griddle: For cooking
• Spatula: Easy flipping
• Measuring cups: For consistency

Method

 

1. Prepare custard: Whisk eggs, milk, cocoa powder, sweetener, vanilla, and salt
2. Assemble bread: Sprinkle chocolate on one slice and top with another
3. Soak: Dip sandwich into custard, coating both sides
4. Heat skillet: Melt butter over medium heat
5. Cook: Cook until golden, then flip carefully
6. Finish: Cook until chocolate is melted and center is set
7. Serve: Rest briefly, then top as desired

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Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Prep custard ahead: Refrigerate up to 24 hours
• Refrigerate leftovers: Store up to 2 days
• Reheat gently: Skillet or toaster oven works best

How to Serve This Dish

• Classic: With powdered sugar
• Fresh: With berries
• Extra indulgent: With whipped cream

Creative Leftover Transformations

• French toast bites: Cut and reheat
• Breakfast sandwiches: Add banana slices
• Dessert plate: Serve with ice cream

Additional Tips

• Use good chocolate: Flavor really matters
• Adjust sweetness last: Toppings add sugar
• Serve immediately: Best texture fresh

Make It a Showstopper

• Stack slices high: Visual appeal
• Dust with cocoa powder: Extra chocolate note
• Finish with berries: Color and contrast

Variations to Try

• Chocolate banana French toast: Add banana slices
• Nutella-style: Spread chocolate hazelnut spread inside
• Orange chocolate: Add orange zest to custard
• Dark chocolate version: Use 70% chocolate
• Stuffed cream cheese: Add a thin cream cheese layer

FAQ’s

1. Can I make this dairy-free?: Yes, use plant-based milk and butter
2. Is this very sweet?: Balanced, not dessert-level
3. Can I use cocoa nibs?: Not recommended—they don’t melt
4. Does it reheat well?: Best fresh, but okay reheated
5. Can I make it ahead?: Cooked slices can be reheated
6. What bread works best?: Brioche or challah
7. Can I skip cocoa powder?: Yes, rely on chocolate filling
8. Is this kid-friendly?: Very
9. Can I double the recipe?: Easily
10. Can I add nuts?: Yes, finely chopped works best

Himani Jawa

Hi there! I’m Himani and welcome to Val’s Recipe Box. This little corner of the internet didn’t begin with me.
It began with Val my neighbourhood aunt whose kitchen held more warmth than any fireplace ever could.