Hot Dog Bun French Toast

This easy-to-make hot dog bun French toast is the ultimate way to use leftover hot dog buns. Soaked in delicious custard and roasted crisp, the rolls are made with simple ingredients and ready to enjoy in under 20 minutes. Perfect for breakfast and brunch!

Amazing hot dog bun French toast

Is there anything better than warm French toast in the morning? I love a good, sweet breakfast, and today I’m coming in hot with a delicious hot dog bun French toast recipe.

It’s a twist on traditional French toast, intended to use up stale, leftover hot dog rolls. The buns are soaked in vanilla custard, pan-fried on the stovetop until crisp, and then topped with cinnamon sugar.

This is such a comforting classic and will become a new family favorite breakfast, brunch, or dessert recipe. It’s super-fast to throw together but welcoming and flavorful. Oh, and it makes your kitchen smell incredible too!

If you’re a French toast lover like I am, you’ll not only enjoy this leftover hot dog buns recipe, but also our condensed milk French toast, English muffin French toast, and hamburger bun French toast.

Ingredients

The ingredient list is simple and straightforward for these French toast hot dog buns. The vanilla added to the custard and cinnamon sprinkle topping make all the difference for really delicious French toast. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements.

• Hamburger buns: You need 4 hot dog buns. Though my recipe works with fresh buns, a day or two old buns are ideal. Stale hot dog buns soak up the milk-egg mixture better when a bit dry.
• Milk creates the base of the custard. I prefer whole milk because it brings richness and taste to the custard. Of course, any type of milk will work here.
• Eggs: The recipe calls for 5 large eggs. Ensure they are at room temperature. If you forget to take them out of the refrigerator in time, place them in a bowl of warm water for 10 minutes.
• Sugar: You need only a touch of sugar to sweeten the custard. I used light brown sugar, but you can sub in white or dark brown if you like.
• Vanilla Extract: A tablespoon of vanilla extract provides a flavorful addition to the custard. You can also use vanilla bean paste or the seeds of a scraped vanilla bean pod.
• Butter helps fry the French toast buns to crisp perfection and infuses every bite with a delicious, buttery flavor. You can also use cooking spray if preferred.

Cinnamon sugar topping

The cinnamon sprinkle really is the chef’s kiss for this French toast recipe. It’s super simple, and you’ll only need 2 ingredients:

• Brown sugar: Light and dark brown sugar can be used interchangeably.
• Ground cinnamon creates a warming and comforting aroma. Feel free to jazz up the sugar topping with a spice mix such as pumpkin pie spice or chai spice.

How to make hot dog bun French toast

Wondering how to make hot dog bun French toast? Prepare an egg custard, slice the buns, dip them in custard, and then fry them in butter. Here are the detailed step-by-step instructions with process photos:

Step 1: Cinnamon topping

First, prepare the cinnamon topping by mixing the brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. You’ll sprinkle this on each side of the French toast buns.

Step 2: Cut the hot dog buns in half

With a serrated knife, cut each hot dog bun in half lengthwise. Some hot dog buns are already pre-cut, which means you can skip this step.

Step 3: Mix the custard

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. I like to use a whisk for this, but you could also use a fork.

Step 4: Dip

Submerge each hot bun half in egg custard, fully dipping both sides. Let the buns sit for at least a minute to soak up as much liquid as possible. Let the excess drip off. Repeat this process for every bun.

Step 5: Heat the skillet

Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large non-stick skillet or pan over medium heat.

Step 6: Fry and flip the buns

Add 2 to 3 hot dog buns, ensuring they are spaced out and not touching. Fry the French toast buns for 3 minutes, until it turns golden brown. Then flip the bun and cook the other side for 2 to 3 more minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked in the center.

Step 7: Caramelize cinnamon sugar

Sprinkle on a generous amount of cinnamon sugar on each bun and flip. Let cook for 15 to 20 seconds and repeat on the other side. This will caramelize the cinnamon sugar and create a delicious crust.

Step 8: Repeat

With a paper towel, wipe your pan to remove the brown bits. Repeat the frying process until all French toast buns are cooked.

Step 9: Serve warm

Serve with syrup, whipped cream, and fresh fruit, and enjoy while warm!

Tips for success

Hot dog bun French toast is pretty flexible and forgiving, but there are a few tips that will help to make it the best:

• Let the buns soak: Let your hot dog buns soak up the egg mixture for at least 60 seconds on each side. That way, the rolls can soak up more flavor and hold on to it.
• Fry with butter: I recommend butter for that golden rich flavor of butter on your French toast buns. It tastes so much better than oil.
• Brown the buns: All stovetops heat differently. So make sure to start off frying the buns on medium or medium-low heat. The goal is to cook them golden brown and not burn them.
• Keep it warm: French toast is best served immediately. Still, if you need to keep it warm, place the buns on a cookie sheet, cover with foil, and put in a 200°F / 100°C / gas mark 1/2 oven.
• Flavor the custard: If you want to experiment with the flavor of the custard, try different extracts such as almond, rum, or coconut.

Topping ideas

Now that you whipped up a batch of French toast, every piece deserves to be loaded with a mound of toppings. The most important being maple syrup, of course! Here are a few more ideas:

• syrup
• whipped cream
• fresh berries and fruit
• pecans or walnuts
• powdered sugar

Serving suggestions

To make a well-rounded meal, complete your French toast breakfast with fruit salad, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausages, or crispy bacon. We love this recipe with a homemade Orange Julius or a strawberry smoothie on the side.

Variations

French toast with hot dog buns is absolutely wonderful as written. But before ending this post, I want to show you 2 delicious variations you can create with this recipe, French toast sticks and leftover buns casserole. Enjoy!

French toast sticks

Hot dog buns are fantastic to be turned into crisp and delicious French toast sticks! Try these easy instructions:

1. Using a serrated knife, slice each hot dog bun in half lengthwise. Then cut each half either in half or in thirds.
2. Mix the custard and dip each bread strip in the egg mixture.
3. Fry the breadsticks on each side for 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat until all the French toast sticks are cooked.

Leftover buns casserole

This recipe also makes a fabulous hot dog bun French toast casserole! Follow these simple steps:

1. First, grease a baking dish with butter to prevent the buns from sticking.
2. Then mix the custard and pour it into the prepared baking dish.
3. Cut your hot dog buns into 1-in / 2.5 cm pieces and gently fold them into the custard mixture.
4. Cover with plastic wrap (cling film) and place in the refrigerator overnight or bake it right away.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F / 180° / gas mark 4.
6. Bake the hot dog bun French toast casserole for 30 to 40 minutes, until it puffs up and the top looks golden brown.
7. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and eat your hot dog bun breakfast casserole warm.

Storage instructions

How to store hot dog bun bread pudding

Let your hot bun French toast cool completely. Then cover leftovers well with foil or plastic wrap (cling film) or put them into an airtight container. Refrigerate the French toast for 3 to 5 days.

Reheat a portion at a time in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. You can also reheat your French toast in the toaster, simply toast on medium until crisp on the outside.

Can you freeze hot dog bun French toast?

Absolutely, French toast buns are a great breakfast to freeze for later! Let the French toast buns cool to room temperature, and then place in a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat the French toast, 1 serving at a time, in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.

Can you make hot dog bun French toast ahead of time?

Yes, this hot dog bun breakfast is excellent to make ahead for busy mornings! Prepare the buns according to the recipe instructions, let cool, and then place the cooked French toast buns in a zip-lock bag or pre-warp to warm up quickly. They will last in the fridge for 4 to 5 days or in the freezer for 3 months.

More breakfast recipes

• Fluffy Condensed Milk Pan Cakes
• Hot Dog Bun Bread Pudding
• Vanilla Muffins
• Brown Sugar Muffins
• Pistachio Muffins
• Egg Muffins
• 3 Ingredient Banana Bread