This French toast recipe is a twist on the traditional brunch dish that uses panettone bread instead of white. This Italian bread is a sweet holiday specialty filled with nuts, candied fruits and raisins, often enjoyed during Christmas and New Year. It's a great way to use leftovers that can dry up pretty quickly.

Stack of panettone French toast dripping syrup on a white plate with a silver fork.

If you're wondering what to do with that leftover panettone from the holidays, I've got just the solution: Panettone French Toast. It's an easy and tasty way to give your breakfast a sweet upgrade.

We love taking traditional dishes and sprucing them up with unique ingredients, like the panettone bread pudding, or exciting flavor combinations, like the ham and cheese French toast.

French toast made with panettone served hot and sizzling with a drizzle of maple syrup is several steps above the classic brunch favorite, especially if you have a sweeter tooth.

Panettone has a light, airy yet thick texture and is traditionally studded with candied fruits, nuts and raisins, offering bursts of sweetness.

These add-ins can vary nowadays and might include chocolate chips and dried fruit. So, the flavor of your French toast can vary accordingly.

Close up of two slices of panettone French toast on a white plate. Silver fork and white background.

Table of Contents Open

Ingredient list

Panettone: use your favorite one.
Eggs: fresh, large.
Milk.
Salt.
White granulated sugar. It's optional, depending on the sweetness you want and how you serve this eggy toast. It's all explained in the recipe card.
Powdered sugar or maple syrup to serve. Or other toppings of choice.

See the recipe card towards the end of this post for quantities. You can check the Ingredients page for more details and the brands we use.

Wooden board on a gray surface with slices of panettone, eggs, butter, milk and salt.

Variations & substitutions

Bread: change the type of panettone you use. Nowadays, it comes with different add-ins.
Chocolate chip: for chocolate lovers, using a chocolate chip panettone or adding chocolate chips to the egg mixture before soaking can create a rich, indulgent version of this dish.
Stuffed: make a sweet sandwich with slices of panettone and cream cheese, mascarpone or fruit jam before dipping in the egg mixture.
Savory: while panettone is typically sweet, you can make a semi-savory version by using ham and cheese (like this stuffed French toast) and pepper in the egg mixture.
Panettone casserole: for a convenient and crowd-pleasing option, cut the panettone into cubes, soak them in the egg mixture, and bake everything in a casserole dish. This is perfect for feeding a large group with minimal effort. Similar to the panettone bread pudding but less sweet.
Creamier: substitute half the milk for whipping or heavy cream. The egg custard will be richer and denser, and so will the dish.

How do I prevent the Panettone from becoming too soggy?

This is a common concern. Don’t soak the panettone slices in the egg mixture for too long to avoid sogginess. Just a quick dip is enough, as panettone is more delicate than regular bread. Also, ensure your pan or griddle is adequately heated before adding the slices, as this helps to cook them quickly and evenly.

Panettone slices falling apart

This bread can be quite delicate, especially when sliced. Try cutting the slices a bit thicker, about 1 inch, to provide more structural integrity. Also, allow the panettone to stale slightly leaving it unwrapped. The dryer bread holds up better when soaked in the egg mixture.

White plate with stack of panettone French toast with syrup. Silver fork, white jug in the white background.

How to make panettone French toast

A twist on a traditional French toast recipe, this fantastic, sweeter version is just as easy to make.

How to slice the panettone: I recommend thick slices to prevent them from falling apart and flipping them over easily. This is not the recipe for thin slices of bread.

Egg mixture: this holiday bread is sweet, so I don't recommend adding much sugar to the custard, especially if sprinkling it with powdered sugar and/or drizzling it with maple syrup or honey. That said, you can add a tablespoon or two of sugar if you have a serious sweet tooth.

Top view of white bowl with egg mixture and slice of panettone. Gray surface.

Dip slices on both sides, but don't leave them to soak too long, as that will make the bread soggy. Dip them as you cook them; don't let them waiting.

Balck skillet with panettone French toast piece being cooked.

Cook on medium-low or low heat to allow the crust to form and the egg to cook. Use butter between sandwiches.

Drizzling maple syrup of two slices of panettone French toast on a white plate.

Can this French toast be made in advance?

While best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare Panettone French toast in advance. Cook the slices as usual, let them cool, and then store them in the refrigerator. Reheat them in a toaster or oven when ready to serve. This can slightly change the texture, but it's still a convenient option for busy mornings.

What are some toppings for Panettone French Toast?

Consider maple syrup and a sprinkling of powdered sugar with fresh fruits like berries, sliced bananas, or fruit compote. Natural yogurt, a drizzle of honey, or a sprinkle of nuts and seeds can also add flavor and nutrition without excessive sugar.

Let me know in the comments below if you made this recipe and loved it and if you had issues so we can troubleshoot together. I love to hear what you think, always. Thanks for being here. It's much appreciated.
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