Nutella French Toast

This Nutella French Toast Recipe will make you want to jump out of bed in the morning! A decadent, indulgent breakfast treat made with 5 simple ingredients. Serve it on Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or any special occasion!

A Decadent Breakfast Treat

I love French toast. I really do. And my girls simply can't get enough of it either. It's basically like having dessert for breakfast, although this French toast recipe would make a wonderful dessert, too.

Unlike my recipe for French Toast Casserole, where the bread soaks in the custard and bakes in the Instant Pot or Oven, Nutella French toast is easily prepared like a traditional French toast recipe. But I haven't even gotten to the best part.

This breakfast treat is two slices of thick, sweet Challah bread sandwiched together with a generous portion of Nutella. No IHop breakfast needed here!

What is French Toast

One of the earliest versions of French toast has been traced back to the Roman Empire and it was first referred to as such in 17th-century England.

The French call it Pain Perdu (meaning "lost bread") and the Italians call it Pan Dulcis. Whatever the name, the dish typically starts with stale bread that gets soaked in an egg and milk custard, then fried in butter.

It is then topped with an array of toppings - more butter, maple syrup, berries, bananas or sweetened whipped cream.

What is Nutella French Toast

This Nutella French Toast takes the same general idea of a classic French Toast - but it's stuffed with a chocolate hazelnut spread called, Nutella! This takes it to another level of flavor-town. It's a sandwich version of French toast with warm Nutella oozing in every bite.

How do you pronounce Nutella?

Nutella, according to the manufacturer Ferrero, is pronounced "New-tell-uh". It's a spread made from the combination of roasted hazelnuts, skim milk and a hint of cocoa.

What's The Best Bread For French Toast

The list of the best bread for French toast is one to take note of, it is the star ingredient after all.

I prefer Challah for any French toast recipe. Golden on the outside and soft and pillowy in the center, with a slight eggy flavor, it's my go-to bread for French toast.

If you prefer, a Brioche loaf or whatever your favorite milk-egg bread will do. You could even substitute a sweet Whole Grain loaf, but just note the French toast will taste nuttier and less buttery.

For best results, purchase a whole Challah loaf, not the pre-sliced variety. This way you can control the thickness of your slices. I found ½ inch thickness per slice is the best way to end up with a soft French toast center that is also cooked all the way through.

Should I Use Stale Bread

The drier the bread, the better. A day-old Challah loaf will work, but 2-3 days old is even better. For this recipe I used a 3-day old bread. The dry bread ensures an evenly soaked bread while not becoming overly soggy.

If you're short on time, you can start with a fresh loaf, slice it and lightly toast it in your toaster at a low setting.

Can You Put Nutella On Toast

Yes, and that is just what we are doing today! I like to go easy on the Nutella, about 1.5 Tablespoons per sandwich. This gives you that soft, 'just enough' gooey center. But you can use more if you prefer.

Be careful though, don't overstuff the bread with Nutella. While cooking, the spread will ooze out of the sides and burn along the edges of the French Toast.

If you can't find Nutella in the grocery store or online, any chocolate or chocolate hazelnut spread will work. Just make sure not to use chocolate sauce.

The consistency of chocolate sauce is completely different. It's too runny to spread evenly between the two slices, so the results will not be the same.

Ingredients for Nutella French Toast

All you need is 5 simple ingredients to reach Nutella French Toast heaven. These ingredients include:

• Challah Bread: Purchase a Challah loaf 1-2 days before you are going to make the Nutella French toast. The drier the bread, the better the results. As noted, you can also use Brioche or whatever your favorite milk-egg bread.
• Nutella: The quintessential chocolate-hazelnut spread my family and I adore. I use 2 Tablespoons per sandwich. I know it may seem like a lot, but it creates a luscious and decadent stuffed French toast.
• Eggs: The base of any good custard recipe always starts with the freshest eggs you can find. I found 2 eggs to provide enough of a base for 2 Nutella sandwiches.
• Milk: You can either use 2% or Whole milk, whichever you have on hand. I would not, however, use 1% or skim milk, since you need some fat to create a rich custard base.
• Maple Syrup: A small bit of maple sweetness in the custard rounds out the flavors. Be mindful that you can always add as much maple syrup as you'd like on top! For even more floral sweetness, you can add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, too.

How To Make Nutella French Toast

• Slice Challah bread in about ½ inch thick slices. Spread Nutella or any other chocolate spread (not sauce) on each slice and press two slices together to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining slices and keep aside. (pic 1 & 2)

• In a wide mixing bowl, make the custard by whisking together eggs, milk and maple syrup. Optionally, you can add ½ a teaspoon of vanilla. (pic 3)
• Heat a fry-pan, preferably non-stick, on medium-high heat. Wait 30-40 seconds for it to get hot.
• Dip one Nutella sandwich in custard for about 30 seconds. Flip over and wait another 30 seconds. This allows the bread to soak up just enough custard without getting soggy. Keep aside on a plate and repeat with remaining bread. (pic 4)

• Drizzle about a teaspoon of olive oil in the pan and place the Nutella sandwiches. If making more quantity, make in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.(pic 5)
• Cover the pan and cook for 2 minutes. (pic 6)

• Flip the toast, cover the pan again and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove toast on a plate. Rest for 1 minute before eating. (pic 7 & 8)
• Sprinkle powdered sugar on top and serve warm with maple syrup and your favorite toppings, like fresh berries or whipped cream.

How Many Calories Are in a Piece of Toast with Nutella

One serving of Nutella French toast is 480 calories, but please note, that does not include any additional toppings.

I know it may sound like a lot, but this is a special treat after all. My family enjoys taking a brisk walk just after breakfast to burn off some of those extra calories - so I say go ahead and indulge!

How To Serve Nutella Stuffed French Toast

This Nutella French toast is best served immediately. As for toppings, it's whatever your heart desires! I love to sprinkle on powdered sugar and drizzle a bit of maple syrup. Fresh berries and sweetened whipped cream give it that special touch!

But the options are truly endless - you could also try bananas, chocolate chips, or toasted nuts (especially hazelnuts to bring out the flavor of Nutella).

Bonus Tip: If you are going to make Nutella Stuffed French Toast with Bananas or Strawberries, a few thin slices of banana, or strawberries, between the bread works wonders, too!

You Might Also Like: French Toast Casserole

Can I Re-Heat Nutella French Toast

This recipe is best served warm. If you want to make it ahead, you can always prepare the Nutella french toast the night before you are going to serve. In the morning, reheat it in a pre-heated 375-degree oven for about 10 minutes or using a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side.

Do not reheat the french toast in a toaster or toaster oven. The Nutella filling will ooze out everywhere, creating a bigger mess than you intended.

How To Serve This Breakfast Treat For a Crowd

This Nutella French toast is easily customizable to serve a crowd. Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of sandwiches you need and prepare as directed. Here are a few tips I recommend:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Here is where you can place the finished Nutella French toast sandwiches to keep warm while you finish cooking however many you need.
• Set up an assembly line - prepared Nutella sandwiches, custard, skillet, wire rack set over a baking sheet. This will make the cooking process much easier.
• Use the largest skillet you have and cook only a few Nutella sandwiches at a time. This helps to avoid overcrowding the pan so the French toast can cook to a crisp, golden brown. I use multiple skillets on different burners, this way I can make more at the same time.
• Set up a toppings bar. This way, your guests can finish their French toast anyway they prefer! I include the usual suspects like maple syrup (warmed up), whipped cream, and mixed berries.

Nutella French Toast Roll-Ups - Super Fun for Little Kids

Rather than a sandwich, you can also prepare the French toast as individual roll-ups with a few modifications:

• Flatten each slice of Challah gently with a rolling pin. The larger surface area helps make the bread easier to roll-up.
• Slather 1 Tablespoon of Nutella onto one end of the bread and roll like a jelly roll. The Nutella will keep it sealed.
• Roll each roll-up in the egg mixture and let sit for about 20 seconds.
• Cook for around 4 minutes, until each side is golden, rotating every 1 minute.
• Serve immediately with your desired toppings!

Recipe Tips For The Best Nutella French Toast

• For a healthier alternative, substitute Challah for sweeter Whole Grain bread. Note the french toast will taste a bit nuttier and less buttery.
• Soak the Nutella sandwiches for only 30 seconds on each side. This is just enough time for the custard to soak into the bread without it getting soggy.
• Use olive oil rather than butter when cooking the french toast. Butter tends to burn at such high heat. Save the butter for the topping, if desired.
• Always preheat the pan! A super hot pan creates a crisp, golden-brown crust every time.
• Want to freeze? Completely cool on a wire rack, place a piece of parchment between the two sandwiches, wrap tightly in foil, date and freeze for up to 1 month. Follow the reheating instructions above, adding 5 minutes to the cooking time to completely warm through.

More Breakfast Recipes From My Kitchen

• Egg Bites/ Frittata Muffins
• Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats - 8 Flavors
• French Toast Casserole
• 2-Ingredient Plum Jam
• Steamed Semolina Cakes
• Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs