If you’re searching for a breakfast or brunch treat that’s adorable, utterly delicious, and guaranteed to steal the spotlight, let me introduce you to these French Toast Churro Bites in Heart Shapes. Imagine plush brioche hearts, golden and crisp, tumbled in cinnamon sugar for that unmistakable churro sparkle, then served warm with chocolate or caramel for dipping. Whether you’re whipping these up for Valentine’s Day, a birthday breakfast, or just to spoil someone you love, these sweet little bites turn an ordinary morning into pure magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These French Toast Churro Bites in Heart Shapes come together with a handful of pantry staples, each playing a crucial role in making every bite taste like a hug. Here’s why each ingredient deserves a spot in your lineup!
- Thick brioche or challah bread (6 slices): These rich, eggy breads are sturdy enough to hold their shape yet tender enough to soak up the custard beautifully.
- Large eggs (3): The eggs create that classic creamy French toast interior and help the bread crisp up outside.
- Whole milk (1 cup): Whole milk adds richness and moisture to the custard, making every heart extra luscious.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A splash of vanilla brings warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
- Ground cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon for custard, 1 teaspoon for coating): Cinnamon is the soul of any churro-inspired treat, infusing each bite with cozy spice.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just a hint of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Sugar is what transforms these from French toast to churro territory, giving that signature sparkle and crunch.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons): Butter brings golden color and unbeatable flavor to the pan-fried hearts.
- Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons): Oil helps prevent the butter from burning and gives the bites an extra crisp finish.
- Warm chocolate sauce or caramel (optional): For dipping, because who can resist a drizzle of chocolate or caramel with their churro bites?
How to Make French Toast Churro Bites in Heart Shapes
Step 1: Cut Out the Heart Shapes
Start by grabbing your thick slices of brioche or challah bread and a small heart-shaped cookie cutter. Press the cutter firmly into the bread to create as many hearts as you can from each slice. Save the scraps for snacking or breadcrumbs! This step sets the stage for the cutest French Toast Churro Bites in Heart Shapes you’ve ever seen.
Step 2: Whisk the Custard
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt. You want the mixture to be well combined and silky, so each bread heart soaks up that luscious custard with every dip.
Step 3: Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
Mix the granulated sugar with the remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon in another shallow bowl. This is your churro magic—get it ready so you can toss the hot French toast hearts straight from the skillet while they’re still warm and ready to soak up all that sparkly goodness.
Step 4: Dip and Cook the Hearts
Heat the butter and vegetable oil together in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. While that’s warming up, dip each heart-shaped bread piece into the custard, letting any excess drip off. Place them carefully into the hot skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until they’re beautifully golden and slightly crisp on the edges.
Step 5: Toss in Cinnamon Sugar
As soon as the hearts are cooked, immediately toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating each one fully. This step is key to capturing that classic churro crunch and flavor. Work in batches if needed, making sure every bite gets its fair share of the sweet coating.
Step 6: Serve Warm (with Dipping Sauce!)
Pile the finished French Toast Churro Bites in Heart Shapes onto a platter and serve them warm. If you’re feeling decadent, offer a side of warm chocolate sauce or caramel for dipping. Get ready for big smiles and happy hearts at the table!
How to Serve French Toast Churro Bites in Heart Shapes
Garnishes
For a picture-perfect finish, dust your French Toast Churro Bites in Heart Shapes with a little powdered sugar just before serving. You can also add a few fresh berries or a mint sprig to brighten up the platter and make those heart shapes pop even more.
Side Dishes
Pair these sweet bites with fresh fruit salad, crispy bacon, or even scrambled eggs for a well-rounded brunch. Their cinnamon-sugar flavor is rich, so sides that balance with freshness or a hint of savory goodness work beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with your presentation! Thread a few hearts onto skewers for “churro kabobs,” or arrange them in a circle for a festive breakfast wreath. For celebrations, serve each guest their own little pile of heart-shaped bites with a personal dipping cup for a special touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra French Toast Churro Bites in Heart Shapes (though they tend to disappear fast!), let them cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days—they’ll still be delicious when reheated.
Freezing
For longer storage, arrange cooled bites on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to a month, making it easy to enjoy these treats whenever a churro craving strikes.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the bites in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–10 minutes or until warmed through and crisp. You can also use a toaster oven or air fryer for added crunch. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.
FAQs
Can I use regular sandwich bread instead of brioche or challah?
You can, but for the best texture and heartiness, stick with thick slices of brioche or challah. Regular sandwich bread tends to be too soft and may fall apart when soaked in the custard.
Can I make these French Toast Churro Bites in Heart Shapes gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just swap in your favorite gluten-free brioche or challah-style bread. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so everyone can dig in.
What’s the best way to keep these warm for a crowd?
Place the cooked churro bites on a baking sheet in a 200°F (95°C) oven while you finish the rest. This keeps them warm and crisp until you’re ready to serve the whole batch at once.
How do I prevent the bread hearts from falling apart?
Using day-old bread helps a lot, as it’s sturdier and absorbs the custard without getting mushy. Be gentle when dipping and transferring them to the skillet, and use a spatula to turn them carefully.
Can I use different shapes for other occasions?
Definitely! Heart shapes are perfect for Valentine’s Day or anniversaries, but feel free to use stars, circles, or any cookie cutter shape to fit your celebration. The recipe works perfectly with any fun shape.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to sprinkle a little extra joy onto your breakfast table, these French Toast Churro Bites in Heart Shapes are the way to go. Each bite is pure comfort and fun, guaranteed to win hearts with every cinnamon-sugar-dusted nibble. Give them a try, and watch your loved ones light up!
Print
French Toast Churro Bites in Heart Shapes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 heart-shaped bites
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Stovetop, Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these adorable French Toast Churro Bites shaped like hearts, perfect for a festive Valentine’s Day breakfast or a sweet treat any time. Made with rich brioche or challah bread dipped in a cinnamon-vanilla custard, pan-fried to golden perfection, and coated in cinnamon sugar for that classic churro flavor. Serve warm with optional chocolate or caramel dipping sauce for an extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Bread and Custard Mixture
- 6 slices thick brioche or challah bread
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cooking Fats
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Optional
- Warm chocolate sauce or caramel sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Cut Hearts: Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes from each slice of bread. This creates the cute bite-sized pieces perfect for serving.
- Prepare Custard: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until fully combined. This custard will soak into the bread for that rich French toast flavor.
- Mix Cinnamon Sugar: In a separate shallow bowl, combine the granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. This will be used to coat the cooked bites for a churro-like finish.
- Heat Fat: In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat the unsalted butter and vegetable oil until melted and hot, ready for frying.
- Dip and Fry: Dip each heart-shaped bread piece into the custard mixture, letting excess drip off to avoid sogginess. Immediately place into the hot skillet. Fry each side for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: As soon as you remove each cooked heart from the skillet, toss it in the cinnamon sugar coating to perfectly cover the surface with sweet cinnamon goodness.
- Serve: Arrange the French Toast Churro Bites on a serving plate and serve warm. For a decadent twist, offer warm chocolate sauce or caramel sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Day-old bread is preferred since it holds up better when dipped in the custard, preventing the bites from becoming mushy.
- You can prepare the hearts ahead of time by cutting and storing them in an airtight container until you’re ready to cook.
- For an extra festive presentation, sprinkle powdered sugar on top before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 bites
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
