So, I’ve never been much of a French toast person. If I am given an option of a decadent breakfast, I will always choose pancakes – always. Or cinnamon rolls. But I never choose French toast and I never choose waffles.
But on Saturday when I went to go meet Kathleen for breakfast, she showed up with a bag of doughy bread for me. She had stopped by Great Harvest that morning and bought me a loaf of gluten free cinnamon chip brad. I have the best friends ever. It was such a wonderful surprise! Even though I was sufficiently stuffed when I left brunch, I sort of kind of maybe tore off a piece of the bread so I could try it for myself. It. Is. Delicious.
Honestly I don’t know what bakeries put in their baked goods (crack?) but my homemade breads never taste that good. The first thing I thought about after I finished my piece was that I wanted to make French toast in the morning. And I also wanted to dip my batter crusted bread into coconut before searing it on the piping hot skillet.
Coconut Crusted French Toast
- 4 slices day old bread
- 1/3 cup egg whites
- 3 tbsp. almond milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- a few shakes of cinnamon
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut flakes
- coconut oil for skillet (or cooking spray)
Directions: In a small bowl, mix together the egg whites, almond milk, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour the coconut flakes on a small plate. Soak each slice of bread in the bowl for about 30 seconds on each side. Once the bread has been soaked, dip the bread slices into the coconut on each side. Heat a skillet with coconut oil or cooking spray and cook the bread for about 3 minutes on each side or until golden.
I topped mine with grilled banana, Greek yogurt, almond butter, and a drizzle of syrup.
I’m not so sure about those pancakes anymore – French toast is kinda where it’s at.
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oh my gosh, great harvest makes gluten-free cinnamon chip bread?? the one where i live just makes plain gluten-free bread only once a week. enjoy that french toast that sounds amazinggggg
They do! I know the one nearest my house makes a gluten free dakota - it’s the best!
Ummm this looks incredible!!!
Yum- sounds like an AWESOME bread for french toast!
Seems like you kinda hit this one out of the park!
oh my gosh! i love coconut and this sounds amazing!! maybe it will be my breakfast tomorrow!
I hope it was!
I’m 100% a french toast kind of girl. For me I’ll pass up pancakes anyday for an eggy piece of bread with syrup
but it’s about time you joined the “french toast is the bomb dot com” club
haha! Yeah I’m living on the wild side now!
I don’t usually opt for French toast either - oatmeal or yogurt + cereal are always my first choices! But the few times a year that I do make French toast, I always really enjoy it. I love your idea to add coconut!
Those look delicious, and great idea to put a grilled banana on top!
YUM. Need to try this ASAP. And I really think coconut flakes are like magical fairy dust - when present, everything tastes a bit better.
That is just so true.
I cooked my 1st pancakes on Sunday. I was so proud. It looks like the next thing on my to-try list (try to cook, that is) will be French toast!
Go you!!!!
We’re one of the same- if I want “decadent”, I want something cake-like. However, french toast is really fun to order at restaurants because they generally take it a step further than I ever would and it always turns out amazing.
I would have to agree, except there are like no restaurants that offer gluten free french toast. Lame.
The coconut crust is brilliant! I love french toast to pieces!
Happy Monday love! <3
Hmmm, I’m a waffle-leaver too (poor, sad, unloved waffles) but I do love me some French toast. This has my brain turning for a coconut milk based one now!
Waffles just don’t do it for me!
french toast is rarely my first pick either, but you sure do make it look good with this recipe! yum!
Yes I am all on board for coating my french toast in coconut flakes- I have a tropical french toast that melds all those lovely flavors! I am glad that french toast has caught your eye again, as it always been a favorite since I was a little girl, your recipe looks fantastic!
I’m the same way. Pancakes over everything else. But you’re totally right, when french toast is made with delicious bakery bread, it blows everything else out of the water. This further solidifies how I need to move somewhere with a great harvest!
You do need to move - their baked goods are incredible.
When I was younger I would ALWAYS order french toast when we ate out for breakfast, it was my absolute favorite thing ever!!!
Well, we just need to find a restaurant with GF french toast, now don’t we?
haha now that I’ve never seen, but I’m sure it’s out there somewhere!
I really like french toast, but it’s never my first choice to order or make either- I don’t know why! This looks delicious though and I’ve been on a huge coconut kick lately so I may have to make it this week
You should. That’s all.
I’m going to have to start making this on the weekends!
Hi Chelsey! I’ve been reading for a while now, and I decided to finally drop in a comment here! I also live in Chicago, and I’m just getting started in the blogging world.
umm… YUM! I’m pretty convinced that anything with coconut/pb/banana will taste AMAZING!
Hi Kelsey! Thanks for reading!
When I was younger, all I wanted for breakfast was french toast! I never really liked pancakes, but now I’m into pancakes! I’ll definitely have to try this out.
I really liked those french toast sticks that you would dip in a little tub of syrup, but I think that’s a little different - ha!
Oh my! This looks and sounds amazing….you had me at coconut and then you had to make it even better by adding grilled banana. Hmm…I’m thinking this might be Sunday’s breakfast
Ahhh! I never thought to add coconut. I will be making something similar in the very near future. Thanks for the inspiration
You’re welcome - enjoy!
I’ve been craving french toast for breakfast all weekend and have yet to make it. After seeing this I’ve decided that I’ll most likely be having breakfast for dinner tonight!
I love breakfast for dinner!
I’m not really a French toast ‘chooser’ either, but I do love it when I have it, so I don’t know why I never think of ordering it! Thanks for the recipe girl - coconut crusted just sounds sooo drool-worthy!
This is soooo perfect! From the coconut to the grilled banana to the nut butter…ohmygoodness. I think I need another breakfast
Nothing wrong with two breakfasts!
WOW. Why have I not thought of this!? Trying it tomorrow!
Omg I wonder if our Great Harvest makes GF bread too?! I need to check this out because cinnamon chip sounds awesome! I really like french toast actually and love the idea of adding coconut to it! Def making this next weekend!
Here’s the deal. We need to have a girl’s weekend. For real. You can cook things like this, and I’ll tell you jokes. I think it’d be sheer perfection!
Done.
I definitely struggle in picking a sweet breakfast entree! I always feel torn between a fluffy stack of pancakes, a pecan filled waffle, a sticky cinnamon roll, or a thick batch of French toast! I prefer a sampler plate.
lol
That would be fantastic.
Two words: Yummo & Bravo!
Wow I am so jealous of your GF cinnabread it sounds amazing. Can I borrow your friend. Lol. And I am totally a French toast person so needless to say I am drooling over this post
I’m very stingy with renting out my friends.
Oh Chelsey! I am drooling…must make immediately!
And…another thing to add to the ever growing list. I really am going to have to visit for a year.
I’d be totally okay with that.
This looks so delicious Chelsey! Yum. I’m actually not really a french toast fan either, I’d chose oatmeal or pancakes as well. You may have got me with this one. I’m OBSESSED with coconut
oh my goodness what an AMAZING idea! now i just must go buy my own loaf to recreate this. yummmmm!
haha! I’d ship the rest of my loaf to you but I’m feeling greedy.
Love love love!! French toast is definitely a favorite, and yours sounds delicious!!
Looks great! My sister just made crispy french toast with cereal and it was so good!
The Husband’s family does that too! They love it!
What a great idea! Just pinned it so that I remember to make it this weekend.
I am totally bookmarking this! I love anything coconut.
WOW!!! these look incredible!! I was never much of a french toast person either, more of a pancake girl
xoxo
~Michelle
looks amazing Chelsey! I never order french toast either, but this looks great
I’m usually not so big on french toast either, but coconut is my absolute obsession these days. Absolutely loving this!
Grilled bananas and coconut - what a great combo!
Mmm!
I haven’t had french toast forever and this sounds fantastic!
oh gosh - I just saw this post and now I must make this recipe asap! You better believe I bookmarked it for the morning
OMG. This look so yummy. Printing recipe as I type!
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