Our pumpkin french toast is made with thick slices of brioche dipped in a creamy pumpkin custard, cooked until golden brown, and finished with a sprinkle of pumpkin spice sugar. Add a dollop of homemade whipped cream and a drizzle of warm maple syrup, and you have an easy fall breakfast that feels special without any tricky techniques.

Finally, a pumpkin french toast with real pumpkin flavor and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice sugar. Every fall I crave pumpkin french toast and so often it ends up tasting like regular french toast with a pinch of cinnamon, or soggy in the middle. Not this one.

head shot of Amanda from maple and thyme.

When I tested this recipe, I made it two ways: with brioche and with Pepperidge Farm pumpkin swirl bread. The pumpkin swirl bread seems like an easy way to add extra pumpkin flavor, but it threw off the pumpkin flavor and it was denser than the batch made with brioche. Brioche was the clear winner. It's rich, sturdy, soaks up the right amount of pumpkin custard and cooks up golden on the outside and tender on the inside.

My French baking background led me to the rich, buttery brioche that works so well here. The finishing touch is a sprinkle of pumpkin spice sugar right after flipping the slices, plus a dollop of homemade whipped cream. This pumpkin french toast is so good, I'm pretty sure that my husband went back for thirds. If pumpkin french toast has let you down before, I think this is the version that will change your mind.

pumpkin french toast with whipped cream and maple syrup.

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Quick Look: Pumpkin French Toast
Key Ingredients
How to Make Pumpkin French Toast
Why Brioche Works For Pumpkin French Toast
What To Serve With Pumpkin French Toast
Substitutions and Variations
More Pumpkin Recipes
📖 Recipe

two slices of pumpkin French toast on white plates with maple syrup.

Quick Look: Pumpkin French Toast

Ready In: about 20 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Calories: about 500 kcal per serving
Add to Your Shopping List: brioche, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, milk, and heavy cream (if you are topping with homemade whipped cream)
Dietary Info: contains gluten, dairy, and eggs
Baker's Note: Sprinkle the pumpkin spice sugar on right after you flip each slice. The warm surface helps the sugar cling and melt slightly, so you get a sweet, spiced crust on every bite.

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Key Ingredients

labeled ingredients for pumpkin French toast in small bowls on a white background.

This pumpkin spice french toast is made with simple ingredients, and most of them are already in your pantry.

Brioche - Rich, buttery brioche has a sturdy crumb that holds up to the pumpkin custard. I use a presliced loaf from the grocery store that is sliced about ¾ inch thick. Day-old or slightly dry brioche soaks up just the right amount of custard without falling apart.

Pumpkin puree - Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which already has sugar and spices mixed in. The puree gives the custard real pumpkin flavor.

Maple syrup - Just a tablespoon in the custard adds a little sweetness and a warm maple flavor that pairs well with pumpkin.

Pumpkin pie spice - This is where the cozy fall flavor comes from. If you'd like to make your own, try our homemade pumpkin pie spice.

How to Make Pumpkin French Toast

This pumpkin french toast recipe comes together in about 20 minutes, and most of that time is spent at the stove.

brioche for pumpkin French toast on white platter.

Prep the bread. If you're using presliced brioche, you're ready to go. If your loaf is fresh and unsliced, cut it into ¾ inch slices and let them sit out for a few hours, or dry them in a 200°F oven for 10 minutes.

white bowl of cinnamon and sugar with butter and eggs.

Mix the pumpkin spice sugar. In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Set it next to the stove so it's easy to grab when you flip.

custard for brioche French toast in glass measuring cup with whisk and container of eggs.

Whisk the custard. In a large, shallow mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until smooth.

Heat the pan. Warm a large skillet or griddle just below medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Wait until the butter melts and starts to foam.

brioche soaking in white bowl of custard with container of eggs and bowl of cinnamon and sugar.

Dip the brioche. Dip each slice into the custard for 5 to 10 seconds per side. That's all it needs.

two slices of brioche French toast in frying pan with butter.

Cook the first side. Add the slices to the pan with a little space between each one. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

gold spoon sprinkling cinnamon and sugar over brioche French toast in buttered frying pan.

Flip and sprinkle. Flip each slice and immediately sprinkle a generous pinch of pumpkin spice sugar over the top. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the second side is golden and the centers feel springy when you press them gently.

Serve. Serve right away with warm maple syrup, homemade whipped cream, and another sprinkle of the pumpkin spice sugar. Add more butter to the pan between batches as needed.

Why Brioche Works For Pumpkin French Toast

Brioche is a French bread made with eggs and plenty of butter, which gives it a rich flavor and a soft but sturdy crumb. The sturdiness matters here. It keeps the bread from falling apart when you dip it in the custard.

Look for presliced brioche. Most grocery stores carry presliced brioche loaves, and the ¾ inch slices are just right for dipping and making French toast.

Make Trader Joe's pumpkin brioche french toast. If you can find Trader Joe's pumpkin brioche during the fall, it makes an extra pumpkin brioche french toast.

Other breads. Don't have brioche? You can use challah, Texas toast, or even sliced white bread.

What To Serve With Pumpkin French Toast

Pumpkin french toast is already finished with a sprinkle of pumpkin spice sugar, so a few simple toppings and sides are all you need. Here are some of my favorites:

Homemade whipped cream - A dollop of our homemade whipped cream takes this from weekend breakfast to something special. For a pumpkin latte twist, whip in 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.

Warm maple syrup - Warm the syrup in a small saucepan or the microwave before serving. It soaks into the french toast instead of cooling it down.

Toasted pecans - A handful of chopped, toasted pecans adds a nice crunch. Toast them in the oven at 290°F for 8-10 minutes.

Bacon or breakfast sausage - A side of crispy bacon or sausage gives you something savory with the french toast.

Substitutions and Variations

Make your own pumpkin pie spice. Our pumpkin spice french toast recipe uses 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice in total (½ teaspoon in the custard and ½ teaspoon in the sugar). If you don't have any in the cabinet, mix ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ginger, and a pinch each of nutmeg and cloves. Or make a full jar of our homemade pumpkin pie spice to use all fall!

Dairy-free. Swap the whole milk for your favorite plant-based milk, and use a little bit of dairy-free butter for the pan. Oat milk is a good pick, since it's naturally a little creamy.

Gluten-free. Use a sturdy gluten-free bread in place of the brioche. A thicker sliced loaf holds up better in the custard than thin sandwich slices. Dry the slices out a bit first, just like you would with regular brioche.