Fluffy challah bread is dunked in a sweet custard bath and then pan-fried to buttery perfection. Top this apple cinnamon french toast off with a generous portion of rich apple cinnamon compote.

It is this time of year when I get all giddy about Fall and my husband jokingly questions if my loyalties are to pumpkin pie more than they are to him. And to that, I often follow with a retort about the start of football season and me having to fend for myself every Sunday between now and February. Touché.
While he’s watching football, I am in the kitchen cooking up a storm. So here I am officially kicking off Fall with this decadent apple cinnamon challah french toast.
This Apple Cinnamon Challah French Toast is so easy to make.
Now I normally avoid spending a weekend morning in the kitchen when it could be spent under the covers instead, but this french toast is worth waking up for. It doesn’t take too long unless you were me a few weeks ago and decided making bacon, eggs, fruit salad, and hash browns was also a good idea. Me and my stomach have learned their lesson since then.

Made with mostly egg, cinnamon, bread, and milk, french toast is rich in protein and when served with fruit, it is actually not as unhealthy as you would think. Well, unless you are someone who likes to douse theirs in syrup. Now why in the world would you do that?
How to Make the Best French Toast
Here are a few tips:
Use the right kind of bread. Challah or brioche were made for French toast and are commonly used in restaurants, bakeries, and bistros. Challah tends to be richer and more filling. Slice the bread thicker, about 3/4 of an inch. You can also use sourdough or french bread, both of which I commonly use for my baked cranberry orange french toast. Pre-sliced sandwich bread almost always pales in comparison to any of the above, so I don’t recommend that unless it is all you have on hand.

Use a seasoned cast iron pan or griddle for the best results. The cast iron cooks the toast at a higher temperature than a thinner pan, which helps to brown the french toast while keeping it soft and custard-like inside.
Do not soak the bread for more than 15 seconds, especially if using fresh bread. Challah bread tends to soak up a lot of the milk mixture, so it is best to dunk each slice until half submerged, count to three, and then carefully flip it over and repeat. Don’t leave the bread submerged for more than 15 seconds total, 30 seconds if using stale bread.
Watch the pan. If using the cast iron pan, the bread will cook quickly! Always watch your pan and when small bubbles start to appear or the sides of your bread start to brown, that is your signal to flip.

Keep the french toast warm in the oven. Before you start pan-frying your french toast, preheat your oven to 250˚F and line a large sheet pan with tin foil. This is a trick I learned from Food Network’s Ina Garten. This way, you can keep your french toast warm until you serve. You’ll want to lay them out so the slices do not overlap or they can get soggy.
The Topping
The decadent sautéed apple topping is filled with your usual mix of fall flavors: cinnamon, vanilla, brown sugar and a dash of nutmeg. It is quickly cooked over the stove but is big on flavor. The apples soak up the spices and break down into a wonderful indulgent sauce. This recipe can really be used with any topping, so feel free to mix it up or replace with one of your own.

Ok! Who is ready for weekend brunch?!
Print
Apple Cinnamon Challah French Toast
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 slices 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Description
Light and fluffy challah bread is dunked in a sweet custard bath and then pan-fried to buttery perfection. Top it off with a generous portion of rich apple cinnamon compote.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Challah bread or Brioche
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 T. honey
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1–1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- butter for frying
Apple Cinnamon Compote
- 2 large apples (peeled and sliced)
- 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 T. brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 T. butter
Instructions
To Make the French Toast
- In a large shallow pan or bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, honey, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg (all the French toast ingredients). Slice the Challah bread into 3/4 inch thick slices.
- If using fresh bread, dip a slice into the egg mixture for about three seconds and repeat with the other side. If using stale bread, dip the slice longer, about 10-15 seconds on each side. The challah bread should not be completely submerged in the egg mixture, just halfway.
- Heat a large cast iron pan or griddle over medium heat. Add about a tablespoon of butter. Carefully place your slice of soaked bread in the cast iron pan or griddle. Pan-fry for about 2 minutes each side until well browned.
- Repeat the above process with the remaining Challah bread slices.
To Make the Apple Cinnamon Compote
- Heat 1/2 T. butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add apple slices, cinnamon, vanilla extract, brown sugar, and water. Sauté for about a minute, stirring the apples slices and spices well. Occasionally mash some of the apples. Reduce and let it simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Serve the apple compote over the cooked french toast and drizzle with maple syrup.
Notes
Adapted from Ina Garten’s French Toast.
There’s french toast, yum… but the THERE’s French Toast with Apple Cinnamon Compote. I think I want have this three times a day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Wishful thinking but it’s so yum that I even want it as a midnight snack too. It looks so delicious!
Thanks Vanessa!
Gosh this is just mouth watering! It looks perfect for those cool autumn mornings. Apple and cinnamon is a match made in heaven.
★★★★★
Doesn’t this look like a great brunch? Today is the first day of FALL. Apple season is in full swing. This is a great recipe for both!!
★★★★★
Thanks Gloria!
French toast is one of my all-time favorite breakfasts. This looks so delicious for the fall. I can’t wait to try this!
★★★★★
I can’t think of anything better on a fall crisp morning than this apple french toast. Delicious!!!!
★★★★★
Did you say challah bread ? I am all over this recipe. I love your food photography as well. ! Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Thanks Shernell!
Butter, butter, butter! This recipe reminds me of my childhood – so delicious and light. Add that super flavorful apple cinnamon compote and you will get a toast that is hard to beat!
★★★★★
Oh my goodness. This looks fantastic. I love a good french toast but mine is usually plain nothing fancy. I think this Fall I will try out your recipe. It’s perfect for the upcoming holidays!
★★★★★
Love challah bread and then used on french toast it is a delightful way to use the ingredient and then enjoy for breakfast or as a treat. Fall dishes are the best!
★★★★★
Um I need to stop what I am doing right now and make this, its looks DECADENT! The kids will love it!
★★★★★
This looks absolutely amazing! If there’s one thing I love it’s french toast – for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And I have fresh apples from the orchard too! Making this one 🙂
★★★★★
oh wow – those thick challah slices and the spiced apples – this is like a gourmet restaurant breakfast – so delicious
★★★★★