Bite-Sized Brunch Bliss: Mini French Toast Bites with Candied Bacon

Mini French Toast Bites with Candied Bacon

Introduction

Mini French Toast Bites with Candied Bacon are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, delivering a satisfying combination of sweet and savory in every bite-sized morsel. Perfect for brunch spreads, party platters, or even a fun twist on breakfast-for-dinner, these bites are simple to make yet pack vibrant flavors and a delightful crunch. They’re a guaranteed hit for both adults and kids, so you can impress your guests or treat your family with minimal fuss.

Why Mini French Toast Bites with Candied Bacon Are a Winner

These bites offer the classic comfort of French toast—golden, custardy bread dusted with cinnamon—paired with the irresistible crunch of candied bacon. Serving them “mini” style makes them ideal for sharing, dipping, and portion control. Every bite delivers a mix of buttery, cinnamon-scented bread with a punch of salty-sweet, caramelized bacon.

Making the Sweet Custard (and Choosing the Bread)

For the French toast, use sturdy bread like brioche, challah, or thick white sandwich slices, cut into 1-inch cubes for easy handling. Soak the bread in a spiced egg custard so that each piece soaks up flavor without falling apart. Add a dash of vanilla and cinnamon to elevate the richness. Let the bread cubes sit in the mixture for a few minutes to absorb all those delicious flavors before pan-frying.

Preparing Candied Bacon

The bacon gets a sweet makeover with a coating of brown sugar, creating a glossy, caramelized exterior while keeping the bacon crisp. Lay bacon strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet, coat generously with brown sugar, and bake until bubbly and crisp. Once cooled, chop into small pieces for effortless sprinkling over your French toast bites.

Serving Suggestions for a Crowd-Pleasing Platter

Serve Mini French Toast Bites on skewers or in bowls, topped generously with chopped candied bacon. Drizzle with warm maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant finish. Pair with fresh fruit or a tangy yogurt dip on the side for balance and extra nutrition.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 24 mini bites, depending on your bread size. Each serving (4 bites, including bacon topping) contains approximately 220-250 calories. Bacon can increase sodium and fat content, but the bite-sized portions make it easy to enjoy as an occasional treat.

Mini French Toast Bites with Candied Bacon (Recap)

This recipe takes French toast to the next level—mini, dippable, and topped with sweet-salty candied bacon for the perfect brunch or party snack. Simple, delicious, and sure to be a centerpiece of any breakfast gathering.

Ingredients

6 slices thick-cut brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
4 slices thick-cut bacon
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for pan
Maple syrup and powdered sugar, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

  1. Prepare the candied bacon: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay bacon strips on the sheet and sprinkle both sides with brown sugar, pressing lightly so it sticks. Bake for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway, until bacon is caramelized and crispy. Let cool completely, then chop into small pieces.
  2. Make French toast custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. Soak bread cubes: Add cubed bread to the mixture and gently stir to coat. Let sit 3-5 minutes so the bread absorbs the custard but doesn’t get soggy.
  4. Cook the French toast bites: Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bread cubes in batches, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden and set, about 5-6 minutes per batch. Repeat with remaining butter and bread cubes.
  5. Assemble and serve: Plate warm French toast bites. Sprinkle generously with chopped candied bacon. Serve with maple syrup and powdered sugar, if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Mini French Toast Bites with Candied Bacon are easy to prep ahead and work well in a variety of meal plans—from fancy brunches to kid-friendly on-the-go breakfasts. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your meals, organize your shopping list, and sync ingredients across all your planned dishes in one click.

Planning Benefits:

  • Generates precise shopping lists for all your weekly meals
  • Combines ingredients, so you buy exactly what you need—no overbuying
  • Organizes list by store section for streamlined shopping
  • Easily slot recipes into any day of the week, great for automating meal prep

Pro tip: If you plan other recipes that use eggs or bread, schedule them together to see your total quantities updated—it saves money, reduces food waste, and ensures you never come home missing a key ingredient!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Enjoy these Mini French Toast Bites with Candied Bacon—a flavorful, make-ahead friendly dish that makes breakfast or brunch feel extra special!

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