Introduction: Why Churro Stuffed French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar is a Must-Try
If you’re looking for the ultimate indulgent breakfast or brunch, churro stuffed French toast with cinnamon sugar is the answer. It takes two beloved favorites — classic French toast and the crispy, cinnamon-coated churro — and combines them into one magical bite. This dish is not just sweet, it’s also creamy, crispy, and satisfying in every way.
Even better, it’s naturally free from alcohol, wine, pork, and pork gelatin, making it a perfect choice for all guests. In fact, stuffed French toast recipes have become a star on brunch menus globally, thanks to social media trends.
What is Churro Stuffed French Toast? 😋
Churro stuffed French toast is essentially thick-sliced bread filled with a luscious cream cheese filling, dipped in a classic custard, pan-fried or baked, and finally coated in generous cinnamon sugar. It’s soft inside, crispy outside, and packed with warming, comforting flavors.
Unlike regular French toast, this version is elevated by its churro-inspired sugary crust, making it ideal for special breakfasts, brunch buffets, or dessert-style breakfasts.
Ingredients for the Perfect Churro Stuffed French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar 🥖🍥
🟣 Base Ingredients:
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8 slices of thick-cut brioche, challah, or Texas toast
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4 large eggs
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1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1/4 cup sugar
🟣 Cream Cheese Filling:
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200g cream cheese (or dairy-free alternative)
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3 tablespoons powdered sugar
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
🟣 Churro Coating:
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1/2 cup sugar
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1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
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50g melted butter (or plant-based butter)
Optional Toppings:
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Fresh berries 🍓
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Whipped cream
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Chocolate drizzle
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Maple syrup
Tip: Choose brioche or challah for a softer and richer bite.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Churro Stuffed French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar 👩🍳
Step 1 — Prepare the Filling
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In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 2 — Assemble the Stuffed Toast
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Spread the filling on 4 slices of bread.
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Top with the remaining slices to make sandwiches.
Step 3 — Make the Custard
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Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, and sugar.
Step 4 — Dip and Cook
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Dip both sides of each sandwich into the custard.
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Cook in a skillet with a little butter over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.
Step 5 — Coat Like a Churro
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Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a bowl.
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Brush the cooked French toast with melted butter.
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Roll each toast generously in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Step 6 — Serve and Enjoy
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Top with berries, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of chocolate.
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Serve warm for the ultimate brunch treat.
Pro Tips for Success 🥇
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✅ Use thick bread to prevent soggy French toast.
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✅ Allow the cream cheese to soften for easy spreading.
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✅ Don’t over-soak the bread in custard.
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✅ For a crispier texture, bake for 5 minutes after pan-frying.
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✅ Always coat while the toast is warm so the cinnamon sugar sticks perfectly.
Creative Variations of Churro Stuffed French Toast 🎨
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🟣 Chocolate-Stuffed: Add Nutella or chocolate chips inside.
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🟣 Berry Compote Filling: Mix fresh berries into the cream cheese.
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🟣 Vegan Version: Use dairy-free cream cheese, plant-based milk, and an egg replacer.
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🟣 Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free bread.
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🟣 Mini Sticks: Cut into strips for party-friendly finger food.
Serving Suggestions 🍽️
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Serve with whipped cream and fresh fruits.
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Drizzle with chocolate sauce or maple syrup.
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Pair with coffee, chai latte, or a fresh fruit smoothie.
Bonus: Serve slightly warm for the best texture and flavor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid ❌ When Making Churro Stuffed French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar
Even though this recipe is simple, there are a few common pitfalls that can affect the final result. But don’t worry — they’re easy to avoid if you know them beforehand.
🚫 Using Thin Bread — It Will Fall Apart
Thin or soft sandwich bread is tempting but won’t hold up once you add the filling and soak it in custard. It tends to collapse, tear, or become overly soggy.
✅ Solution: Always use thick-sliced bread like brioche, challah, or Texas toast. These varieties hold their shape and absorb just the right amount of custard without falling apart.
🚫 Skipping the Cinnamon Sugar Step — It’s What Makes It Churro-Style!
The signature element of this recipe is the iconic cinnamon sugar coating. Without it, you’re simply making stuffed French toast, not churro stuffed French toast.
✅ Always coat the freshly cooked toast while still warm with melted butter and immediately roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture to achieve that authentic churro-like texture and taste.
Tip: Use fine granulated sugar for the best texture.
🚫 Overfilling — Leads to Leaking
It’s tempting to load up the cream cheese filling, but too much will cause it to ooze out while cooking, leading to unevenly cooked centers or messy pans.
✅ Keep the filling layer moderate, about 1-2 tablespoons per slice. This gives you a creamy bite without risking leakage.
Remember: Less is sometimes more!
🚫 Over-Soaking — Makes the Bread Soggy Instead of Fluffy
Over-soaking may seem like a way to make it extra moist, but too much custard results in soggy, heavy French toast.
✅ Quickly dip each sandwich for a few seconds on each side, just enough for the bread to absorb but not collapse.
Tip: Let excess custard drip off before transferring to the skillet.
Healthier Tweaks 💡
If you’d like to make your churro stuffed French toast a little lighter while keeping it delicious, here are some simple adjustments:
✅ Use Low-Fat Cream Cheese or Greek Yogurt for the Filling
Replace regular cream cheese with low-fat cream cheese or plain Greek yogurt. Both provide creaminess but reduce the overall fat content.
Bonus: Greek yogurt adds a slight tang, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
✅ Swap White Sugar for Coconut Sugar 🌴
Coconut sugar is a less-refined alternative with a natural caramel-like flavor. It works wonderfully for the cinnamon sugar coating and inside the filling.
It also has a lower glycemic index compared to white sugar.
✅ Try Baking Instead of Pan-Frying 🍽️
Baking the stuffed toast reduces the amount of oil used while still giving you a crispy exterior.
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Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15–20 minutes, flipping once halfway.
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Brush lightly with melted butter before baking for a golden finish.
This method is great when making multiple servings for a brunch crowd.
FAQs About Churro Stuffed French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar ❓
🥄 Can I make churro stuffed French toast without cream cheese?
Yes! While cream cheese is the most common filling, you can easily substitute it with:
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Sweetened ricotta – gives a lighter and slightly grainy texture with a mild flavor.
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Greek yogurt – thick and creamy, and when sweetened with a touch of honey or powdered sugar, it makes an excellent alternative.
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Nutella – for an indulgent and chocolatey twist, perfect for kids and chocolate lovers.
Tip: Adjust sweetness depending on the alternative you use.
🕒 Can I prepare it the night before?
Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for make-ahead brunches. Simply:
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Assemble the stuffed bread slices with the filling.
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Cover and refrigerate overnight.
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The next day, dip them in the custard and cook as usual.
Bonus: Chilling overnight actually helps the filling firm up, making cooking easier.
🍞 What’s the best bread for this recipe?
For the perfect churro stuffed French toast, always choose thick, soft bread such as:
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Brioche – soft, buttery, and tender.
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Challah – slightly sweet with a wonderful texture.
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Texas toast – thick-cut white bread that holds up well.
Avoid thin sandwich bread as it can fall apart when stuffed and soaked.
🔥 Can I bake instead of fry?
Yes, and it’s a great option if you want a lighter version or need to prepare for a crowd.
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Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
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After dipping the stuffed slices in custard, arrange them on a lined baking sheet.
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Bake for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway for even browning.
Optional: Finish with a quick broil for an extra crispy exterior.
✨ How do I get the cinnamon sugar to stick properly?
The key is to coat the toast immediately after cooking, while it’s still warm.
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Brush the entire toast with melted butter.
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Roll or sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
The warmth helps the butter melt slightly into the crust, and the sugar adheres perfectly for that signature churro texture.
Conclusion 🌟
Churro stuffed French toast with cinnamon sugar is everything you want in a brunch treat — soft, creamy, crispy, and sweet. Whether you make it for a family breakfast, a special brunch, or just to spoil yourself, it will never disappoint. Plus, it’s flexible, alcohol-free, and easy to customize for everyone at the table.
✨ The Ultimate Churro Stuffed French Toast with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe | Crispy, Creamy & Sweet
This churro stuffed French toast combines the creaminess of stuffed French toast with the crispiness and sweetness of a churro! Perfect for brunch, dessert, or weekend breakfast. Coated with cinnamon sugar and filled with creamy goodness.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 large servings (or 8 smaller portions) 1x
Ingredients
For the Stuffed French Toast:
8 thick slices of brioche, challah, or Texas toast
200g cream cheese (or low-fat or plant-based option)
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Custard:
4 large eggs
1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
50g melted butter (or plant-based butter)
Optional Toppings:
Fresh berries
Whipped cream
Chocolate drizzle
Maple syrup
Instructions
- Prepare the filling by mixing cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
- Assemble by spreading the filling on 4 slices of bread and topping with the remaining 4 slices.
- Make the custard by whisking eggs, milk, vanilla, and sugar.
- Dip each stuffed sandwich in custard.
- Cook on a skillet with butter until golden on both sides.
- Coat immediately with cinnamon sugar while still warm.
- Serve with toppings of your choice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Pan-fried | Optional Oven-Baked
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex Inspired | American Brunch
- Diet: Vegetarian