This post is sponsored by Walmart. All opinions are my own.
Now that the baby has finally arrived, Jeff and I are spending a lot more time at home. I’ve been brushing up on my kitchen skills to prepare meals that are simple, comforting, and delicious. One breakfast I keep coming back to is homemade French toast—made in a toaster oven and finished with seasonal grilled fruit. I used a Cuisinart Griddler® Multifunctional Grill and a Cuisinart Custom Classic Toaster Oven Broiler for this version.
I partnered with Walmart to recreate one of my favorite breakfast classics and to add a seasonal twist with grilled fruit. Since we’re at home so much now and life feels a little extra while adjusting to parenthood, I like to make breakfasts that feel special without too much fuss.
A little background on why French toast is so meaningful to me and how this recipe came about…
When I was a child, my family would go to a small breakfast spot called Bob’s Marina every weekend. My grandparents lived nearby, so we’d meet them there. I always ordered French toast while my parents and grandparents sipped coffee and my brother and I played by the water with the ducks and swans on the dock. It felt like a small tradition and a comforting ritual—one I wanted to recreate at home.
Years later, the restaurant still exists and whenever I return to California to visit family we go back. The memories of those breakfasts inspired this homemade version of French toast, served with warm, grilled fruit for a seasonal touch.
Here’s everything you need and how to make this toaster oven French toast with grilled fruit, adapted from those nostalgic breakfasts.
Toaster Oven French Toast with Grilled Fruit
Ingredients for French Toast (serves 4)
- 1 medium loaf of sourdough
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 eggs
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup flour
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
Ingredients for Grilled Fruit
I used apples and nectarines (two of each), but you can choose any seasonal fruit you like—pears, peaches, or citrus also work well for grilling.
- 2 apples (any variety)
- 2 nectarines
- 2 tablespoons butter
Directions
1. Use day-old bread, or bread a couple of days old, sliced 1–2 inches thick depending on how substantial you want the French toast to be. Preheat the toaster oven to 325°F.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Gradually sift the flour into the egg mixture while stirring, ensuring a smooth custard.
3. Add the bread slices to the custard and let them soak for 5–10 minutes, depending on thickness. Flip the slices halfway through if the custard isn’t fully absorbed to the top.
4. Prepare the baking pan by adding 2 tablespoons of butter. Remove the soaked bread from the custard, letting excess drip back into the bowl, and place slices in the pan. Bake in the toaster oven for about 14–17 minutes per side, adjusting time based on slice thickness.
5. When it’s time to flip the slices, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan and turn the pieces over. Bake another 14–17 minutes or until both sides are golden brown and set.
6. While the second side of the French toast is baking, prepare the grilled fruit. Lightly butter the nonstick grill plates of the Cuisinart Griddler® Multifunctional Grill with 2 tablespoons of butter. Wash and slice the apples and nectarines into 1/2-inch-thick pieces, or halve them for thicker grilled fruit. The Griddler’s floating hinge adapts to the thickness of the fruit.
Grill the fruit on medium heat for about 3–5 minutes until softened but not mushy. Use the searing feature if you want pronounced grill marks and a bit of caramelization.
7. When the French toast is done, remove it from the toaster oven and top with the warm grilled fruit. Finish with a pat of butter and a drizzle of syrup if desired.
If you’d like a coffee companion, a latte pairs wonderfully with this dish. You can make lattes at home with a Keurig K-Latte brewer using the coffee shot button and milk frother. It works with regular milk or plant-based alternatives for a quick café-style beverage.
What childhood breakfast do you still make today? Will you try this homemade French toast with grilled fruit? It’s an easy way to elevate a simple breakfast into something memorable—perfect for cozy mornings at home.
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This post is in partnership with Walmart. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper and Stitch running.