Hamburger Bun French Toast

Hamburger bun French toast makes for the perfectly indulgent breakfast or brunch. Fluffy hamburger rolls get dipped in a vanilla-infused custard making this a tasty, easy recipe your family will love for a weekend treat. A great idea for leftover hamburger buns!

Leftover hamburger bun French toast

French toast has always been a staple during my childhood. My mom would always make them on Sunday mornings, and I still remember the smell wafting through our house. It was mouthwatering. The enticing scent never failed to lure me into the kitchen and help my mom set the table.

This tradition continues now in my own home. My family adores French toast like my condensed milk French toast and English muffin toast, and I literally can’t make it often enough. As well as for Sunday brunch, we enjoy this dish for special occasions year-round.

Finding myself frequently with leftover, stale hamburger buns, I’m constantly looking for ways to turn them into delicious meals. I’m thrilled to share my hamburger bun French toast recipe with you!

My adaption has everything you love about classic French toast: Fluffy buns get soaked in a rich custard and are pan-fried to crisp perfection. The outside is golden brown and caramelized, while the interior tastes soft and custardy. Breakfast heaven!

What to do with leftover hamburger buns? Quite a lot, actually! If you’re looking for more ideas, try our hamburger bun bread pudding and hamburger bun garlic bread next.

Why you’ll love hamburger bun French toast

• Hamburger buns make all the difference: Though challah and brioche are popular choices for French toast, using stale hamburger buns works just as well. You taste the buttery fluffiness in every bite and will wonder why you didn’t try this earlier.
• Basic ingredients: All the ingredients to make French toast buns are basic pantry and refrigerator staples, making them a convenient option without going on an extra grocery store trip.
• Quick to make: You’ll be able to prepare this hamburger roll French toast recipe in under an hour. Perfect for those weekend mornings when you’d rather spend time with your fam than standing in the kitchen.
• Tasty family breakfast: Whether you need this for a quick family breakfast or want to celebrate a special occasion, French toast with hamburger buns is perfect for you.

Ingredients

The ingredients list for hamburger bun French toast is super simple. Once you have your hamburger buns on hand, then you likely already have everything else in your kitchen ready to go! Refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post to see exact measurements.

• Stale hamburger buns: This is one of my favorite recipes to use leftover hamburger buns. You can any use hamburger buns or other dinner rolls. We love brioche buns.
• Milk: I opted for whole milk because the fat content adds to the richness. Of course, you can use whatever milk you have in your refrigerator.
• Eggs: Let your eggs sit out on the counter to mix easier into the custard mixture.
• Sugar: Granulated (white) sugar adds sweetness to the French toast but not too much.
• Vanilla: Add a splash of warmth and coziness with vanilla extract. Optionally, also add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for extra flavor.
• Butter: We need butter to fry the French toast. Alternatively, choose a neutral-tasing vegetable oil or coconut oil.
• Equipment: You’ll need a large mixing bowl, a whisk, and a non-stick frying pan or skillet.

How to make hamburger bun French Toast

Follow these instructions, and you’ll have tasty French toast in your hands! Plus, it’s an excellent way to save stale hamburger buns from being discarded. Here is a breakdown of the recipe step-by-step:

#1: Break up the eggs

• Add the eggs into a large mixing bowl. Whisk to break up the eggs and mix until the yolks and whites look well combined.
• Whisking the eggs beforehand helps create a smooth, even custard and prevents eggy bits on your French toast.

#2: Mix custard

• Next, stir in the sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. I like to use slightly warm milk because bread soaks up warm milk better. But this is optional.

#3: Soak buns

• Pour the egg mixture into a small, rimmed baking sheet.
• Lay 2 to 3 hamburger buns with the cut side down into the custard and let soak for 30 to 60 seconds. You don’t want to soak the buns much longer, or the bread will become soggy and fall apart.

#4: Heat oil

• While the buns soak, add 1 tablespoon of butter to a large non-stick frying pan or skillet and melt over medium-high heat.

#5: Fry until crisp

• Slide a frying spatula under a hamburger bun and place it in the hot pan, again with the cut side down.
• Fry 2 to 3 buns at a time, making sure they are spaced out, over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown.
• Then turn the buns around and cook the back for another 1 to 2 minutes.

#6: Repeat

• Repeat this process with the reaming hamburger rolls until all French toast buns are cooked.
• If you see burnt bits in the pan, remove them with your spatula or a paper towel.

#7: Serve

• Serve warm and enjoy with powdered sugar, syrup, fresh fruit, and whipped cream.

Tips for success

Hamburger bun French toast is a delight. I’ve gathered up a couple of tips and tricks to help you out so that your French toast turns out perfectly!

• Hamburger buns should be stale. For the rolls to absorb the egg custard and not fall apart, you want your hamburger buns dried out and stale. I like to let my buns sit out on the counter the night before.
• Dry out fresh buns. Don’t panic if you only have fresh buns. You can dry them out quickly. Simply arrange the hamburger bun halves on a baking sheet (tray) and heat in a 300°F /150°C / gas mark 2 oven for 10 minutes, turning them halfway through.
• Don’t let the buns soak for too long. Hamburger rolls are pretty delicate. So be sure to soak them not longer than 30 to 60 seconds in the custard mixture – otherwise, they might disintegrate into crumbs. Be sure to put the cut side down.
• Use butter for frying. If possible, don’t use oil. The golden, rich butter flavor tastes so much better on French toast than oil.
• Serve right away. Hamburger bun French toast is best served immediately. If you need to keep it warm, place the buns on a cooling rack set inside a baking sheet (tray). Put the baking sheet (tray) in a 200°F / 100°C / gas mark 1/4 oven to keep warm. The wire rack protects the French toast buns from getting soggy.
• Add flavor. If you want to experiment with the taste of the egg custard mixture, try adding different extracts. Almond, rum, and coconut extract are tasty alternatives to vanilla.

Serving suggestions

Topping ideas for hamburger bun French toast are endless. I mean, where would you even begin? From sauces and syrups to whipped cream, to fresh fruit and berries, to compote and jam… you have so many choices to build your perfect French toast. I recommend:

• Cinnamon sugar
• Powdered sugar and fresh berries
• Homemade vanilla sauce
• Maple syrup, honey, or pancakes syrup
• Whipped cream or ice cream
• Chopped nuts or almond slices
• Chocolate spread or Nutella
• Fruit salad
• Scrambled eggs and crisp bacon

Storage instructions

Hamburger roll French toast tastes great the next day, too. Here are my best tips on how to store French toast and heat it up to eat later!

• Store hamburger bun French toast: Once the French toast hamburger buns have cooled, place the rolls in an airtight container and put them in the refrigerator. This easy French toast recipe will last 2 to 3 days.
• Reheat your French toast: You can reheat your French toast buns in the microwave or even in a toaster. Microwave 1 bun at a time in 20-second bursts until it’s nice and warm and heated through.

Can you freeze hamburger bun French toast?

Yes! Making a huge batch of dinner roll French toast is one of my favorite make-ahead breakfast recipes. Follow these easy steps:

1. Let the fried buns cool completely.
2. Once the buns have cooled completely, place them on a lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes to an hour.
3. The transfer into a freezer-friendly bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
4. Thaw in the microwave and then crisp in a hot oven or toaster.

More breakfast and brunch recipes

French toast is a breakfast classic, and I know if you love hamburger bun French toast, then you’ll go crazy over these other breakfast and brunch recipes, too. Give them a try, and let me know which one is your favorite!

• Condensed Milk French Toast
• Hot Dog Bun French Toast
• English Muffin French Toast
• Fluffy Condensed Milk Pancakes
• Bread Pudding with Condensed Milk
• Vanilla Muffins
• Blueberry Cream Cheese Bagel Spread
• Mini Pancake Cereal
• Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal by All The Healthy Things

FAQ’s

Can I make hamburger bun French toast ahead of time?

Hamburger bun French toast is best served fresh. To make it ahead of time, turn the dish into a hamburger bun French toast casserole. You can set it up and store it overnight in the fridge. Then all you have to do is bake it up the next day. Easy!

1. Grease a 13 in x 9 in / 33 cm x 23 cm casserole dish with butter.
2. Carefully cut the hamburger buns into 1.5 in / 3 cm pieces and place them in the baking dish.
3. Mix the custard mixture and pour over the buns in the casserole dish.
4. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge overnight.
5. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C / gas mark 4.
6. Bake the French toast casserole in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the top looks golden-brown.
7. Remove from the oven and enjoy warm.

How do you make gluten-free hamburger bun French toast?

That’s easy! Prepare the French toast recipe with your favorite gluten-free hamburger buns.

Can I make this recipe with English muffins?

Yes, you can make French toast with English muffins. It’s delicious, and I have a dedicated recipe for English muffins French toast!