Chai Spiced French Toast – Cozy Fall Breakfast Recipe

Why is it so hard to find a decent chai spiced French toast recipe online? I’ve been looking for weeks and everything I found was either way too complicated or didn’t actually taste like chai. Just regular French toast with a sprinkle of cinnamon. That’s not chai, people.

So I decided to make my own version and honestly? It took me four tries to get it right. The first batch was too spicy (apparently a tablespoon of ginger is TOO much—who knew?), the second was too bland, the third burned because I got distracted by my phone, and the fourth… the fourth was perfect.

This chai spiced French toast has become my weekend breakfast obsession. It’s got all those warm chai spices—cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves—soaked right into the egg mixture. And it makes your whole kitchen smell like a coffee shop. The good kind, not the one in the gas station.

I think I originally got the idea from… actually, I can’t remember. Maybe my sister mentioned something about chai French toast when she visited last month? Or maybe I saw it on TikTok? Honestly my brain is mush these days.

What Makes Chai Spiced French Toast Special :

Here’s the thing—regular French toast is great and all, but chai spiced French toast is next level. The combination of spices gives it this warm, cozy flavor that’s perfect for fall mornings when it’s cold outside and you just want to stay in your pajamas all day.

The cardamom is what really makes it taste like actual chai. Without cardamom, it’s just cinnamon toast. With cardamom? Game changer. Trust me on this one.

My kids were skeptical at first because they’re used to regular French toast with maple syrup, but now they request this version specifically. My 10-year-old calls it “the fancy toast” which I’m taking as a compliment.

Why This Recipe Actually Works :

Look, I’m gonna be honest—the secret is using the right amount of spices and letting the bread soak long enough. Not too long or it falls apart (been there), but long enough that the egg mixture really penetrates the bread.

Also, thick-cut bread makes a huge difference. I tried making this with regular sandwich bread once and it was just… sad. Too thin, got soggy immediately, fell apart in the pan. Waste of good chai spices.

Use Texas toast or brioche or challah—something substantial that can handle being dunked in egg mixture without disintegrating.

Chai Spiced French Toast Recipe :

Ingredients :

Okay, here’s everything you need. I usually make extra because leftovers are amazing reheated in the toaster.

• 8 thick slices of bread (I use Texas toast from Walmart, but brioche is fancy if you’re feeling it)
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 cup milk (whole milk works best but I’ve used 2% when that’s all I have)
• 2 tablespoons sugar (or maple syrup if you want it sweeter)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom (don’t skip this—it’s essential)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (fresh grated is better but ground works fine)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (a little goes a long way)
• Tiny pinch of black pepper (sounds weird but adds that chai kick)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Butter for cooking (I use salted butter because that’s what’s in my fridge)

For Serving:

• Maple syrup (obviously)
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Fresh berries if you’re trying to be healthy about it
• Whipped cream if you’re not

Shopping tip: You can find cardamom in the spice aisle but it’s kind of expensive. I bought a big jar from Costco and it’s lasted me like six months. Worth the investment if you’re gonna make this regularly.

How To Make Perfect Chai Spiced French Toast :

Step 1: Mix Your Chai Spice Mixture

In a shallow dish (I use a 9×13 baking dish because it fits the bread perfectly), whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, all your spices, vanilla, and salt.

Whisk it really well. Like, more than you think you need to. You want those spices evenly distributed, not clumped in weird spots. I learned this the hard way when I got a bite that was 90% cloves and nearly died.

Step 2: Let the Bread Soak

Now here’s where people mess up—you can’t just dip the bread for two seconds and call it done. These chai spices need time to soak in.

Dip each slice of bread in the egg mixture and let it sit for about 20-30 seconds per side. The bread should be thoroughly soaked but not falling apart. If it’s falling apart, your bread is too thin or you’re soaking it too long.

I usually do two slices at a time while the pan is heating up. Makes the whole process more efficient.

Step 3: Heat Your Pan

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add about a tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Don’t let the butter burn—if it’s browning too fast, your heat is too high.

Medium heat is key here. Too high and the outside burns before the inside cooks through. Too low and it just gets soggy and gross. Medium is the sweet spot.

Step 4: Cook the French Toast

Place your soaked bread slices in the pan. Don’t crowd them—they need space to breathe or they’ll steam instead of getting that nice golden crust.

Cook for about 3-4 minutes on the first side until it’s golden brown and has those beautiful crispy edges. Then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes on the other side.

The key is—oh wait, I forgot to mention—you might need to add more butter between batches. I always do because otherwise the later slices stick to the pan and it’s annoying.

Step 5: Keep Warm While You Cook

If you’re making a lot (which you should be because this goes fast), you can keep the finished slices warm in a 200°F oven on a baking sheet while you cook the rest.

I used to just pile them on a plate and they’d get cold and sad by the time I finished cooking, but the oven trick changed everything. Now everyone gets hot French toast at the same time. Revolutionary.

My Tips For Amazing Chai Spiced French Toast :

The Cardamom is Non-Negotiable

I know I already said this but I’m saying it again—don’t skip the cardamom. It’s literally what makes this taste like chai instead of just cinnamon toast. I tried making it without cardamom once when I ran out and it was just… disappointing.

If you can’t find ground cardamom, you can crush whole cardamom pods and use the seeds, but that’s kind of a pain. Just buy the ground stuff.

Fresh Ground Spices Taste Better

Okay, so I’m not one of those people who grinds all their own spices or whatever, but I did notice that fresh spices make a difference. If your cinnamon has been in your cabinet since 2019, maybe get new cinnamon. Just saying.

The flavor is so much better with fresh spices.

Bread Thickness Matters

Use thick bread. Thick. Not regular sandwich bread. I can’t stress this enough. I wasted an entire batch trying to make this work with regular bread and it was a disaster. Complete disaster.

Texas toast is my go-to because it’s cheap and available everywhere, but challah or brioche are amazing if you can get them.

Don’t Oversoak

There’s a fine line between “perfectly soaked” and “falling apart in the pan.” Watch your bread. If it’s getting mushy, it’s been in too long. You want it saturated but still holding its shape.

I’ve definitely lost slices to over-soaking. They just disintegrate when you try to flip them and you’re left with scrambled eggs with bread chunks. Not cute.

Serving Ideas I’ve Actually Tried :

Classic Maple Syrup: Obviously this is the standard and it’s delicious. The maple syrup complements the chai spices perfectly.

Honey and Butter: Tried this last week and it was SO good. The honey adds a different kind of sweetness that works really well with the spices.

Whipped Cream and Berries: When I’m trying to impress someone (or pretending I have my life together), I add whipped cream and fresh berries. Makes it look fancy for like two extra minutes of effort.

Nutella: My kids discovered this combination and now it’s all they want. I’m not judging. It’s actually really good.

Greek Yogurt and Honey: This is my “I’m pretending to be healthy” version. The tangy yogurt balances the sweet spices nicely.

Why Chai Spiced French Toast is Perfect For Fall :

So I started making this in September when it was finally cool enough in the mornings to want something warm and cozy for breakfast, and now it’s become a weekly thing.

There’s something about the combination of those chai spices that just screams fall, you know? Like pumpkin spice but better because it’s not in absolutely everything.

And it makes your house smell incredible. My husband came downstairs last Sunday while I was making this and said “Why does it smell like a Starbucks in here?” which I’m taking as a massive compliment.

Weekend Brunch Perfection :

This has become my signature weekend brunch dish when we have people over. It looks impressive—especially if you dust it with powdered sugar and add some berries—but it’s actually super easy to make.

I made it for my book club last month (okay, we don’t actually read the books anymore, we just eat and gossip) and everyone asked for the recipe. One person said it tasted “better than the French toast at that fancy brunch place downtown” and I’ve been riding that high for weeks.

Pair it with some bacon or sausage and fresh fruit and you’ve got a legit brunch spread without having to stress.

My Honest Assessment of This Recipe :

Look, I’m not saying this chai spiced French toast will change your life or solve all your problems. But it might make your mornings better, which is honestly almost the same thing.

It’s one of those recipes that seems fancy but is actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it. The first time takes a bit longer while you figure out the timing and the spice balance, but after that it becomes second nature.

And the best part? It’s customizable. Want more ginger? Add more ginger. Not a fan of cloves? Leave them out. Think it needs more sweetness? Add extra sugar to the mixture. Make it your own.

I’ve been tweaking this recipe for weeks now and I think I’ve finally got it where I want it. But who knows, next week I might try adding a splash of rum extract or something. The possibilities are endless.

If you’re tired of boring regular French toast and want something that feels special without being complicated, give this chai spiced French toast a try. Seriously. Let me know how yours turns out because I’m always curious if other people make changes or additions.

Now I’m definitely making this tomorrow morning. My stomach is already planning ahead. ☕🍞