Bagel French Toast
Published Feb 16, 2015•Updated Jan 22, 2026
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Bagel French Toast is extra satisfying because the french toast custard soaks into all those nooks and crannies. Adding cinnamon whipped cream puts the dish over the top… because isn’t everything just better with whipped cream?
If I could eat breakfast three meals a day, seven days a week, I would. And French toast is at the top of the list. (For proof, see Croissant French Toast, Banana Bread French Toast, and Brioche French Toast Casserole.) But if you have an extra bagel or two sitting around, it’s hard to beat Bagel French Toast. Sturdy bagels need a bit longer to soak in the custard, but otherwise they make a delicious base for this classic recipe.
How to Make it
Couldn’t be easier!
- Make custard – use eggs and milk to make a custard
- Soak the bagels – this is key; you’ll need to soak the bagels for at least an hour and ideally overnight; this will give the custard time to soak into the sturdy bagels
- Sear in a buttered pan – then just cook them on both sides!
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Pin It NowAnd topped them with cinnamon whipped cream.
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Bagel French Toast
Equipment
- 9×9 Baking Dish
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowls
- Stand or Handheld Mixer
Ingredients
For the French Toast:
- 6 Eggs
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 2 Bagels, halved (just about any flavor will work, but plain or slightly sweet flavors are my preference)
- 1 Tablespoon Unsalted Butter
For the Whipped Cream Cheese:
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
Instructions
- In a square baking dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, and salt. Add the bagel halves and flip to coat both sides. Soak the bagels cut-side down in the egg mixture in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight.
- Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Use a fork to transfer the bagels to the pan (discard egg mixture), and cook on both sides until golden brown and crisp.
- While bagels are cooking, beat cream cheese, sugar and cinnamon until light and fluffy. (If too thick, add a bit of milk.)
- Serve bagels topped with whipped cream cheese.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Omgosh. I made this with blueberry bagels exactly as written (though I only soaked my bagels for about 45 minutes). It was phenomenal!!! Will definitely make again!
So glad you liked it! It’s one of my all-time favorites!
You could do this sweet or savory!
Yummy squared!!!
Great and fun to make!
my favorite is with pumpkin bagels!!!
OH My! You had me with the title…bagel french toast! yes please!! this looks totally delicious!
I love French Toast, and the photos spread out with the comments were irresistible. Thanks for the inspiration.
Bagel french toast — why have I never heard of this?? So smart!
Stop it Jess this is way too delicious looking and too simple to not make! Love the photo of the girls at pancake breakfast. Adorable!
Bagel french toast! Well shucks, I never woulda thought. Pinning this one for a weekend brunch soon.