Add vegetables to a classic kid-favorite breakfast! This savory vegetable French toast or eggy bread is an EASY and fun way to use up leftovers. It’s suitable for babies six months and up.
What makes this French Toast perfect for babies?
Having vegetables for breakfast may feel strange if you usually gravitate towards the sweet options. But I want to encourage you to incorporate them into your routine. Let’s teach our children from early on that it’s normal and delicious to have vegetables in the morning. The more they see them, the more likely they’ll be to try and accept them.
And if you have a picky eater, play the exposure game HARD! Familiarity is one of the most powerful determinants of a child’s liking for a particular food. Children like what they know and they eat what they like. So let’s provide them with plenty of opportunities to see, touch, play, etc.
Is your toddler becoming picky?
Arm yourself with these strategies that will transform your mealtimes!
If you have a child who’s especially reluctant to having vegetables or something savory for breakfast, I hope this French toast will serve as a bridge.
You’re going to love it because it’s such an easy way to use up leftover vegetables, helping you reduce food waste. It will also help you incorporate variety into your little one’s diet with minimal effort!
If you need help with incorporating more variety of vegetables without spending hours in the kitchen, Join my 5 day FREE email series.
Ingredients
Bread: Pictured is no sodium added Ezekiel bread. See below for more detils.
Vegetables: This is a super versatile recipe. Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand, just like for these egg veggie pancakes. I like to use raw grated carrots and cooked broccoli.
Spices: Again, feel free to use whatever you wish - Here are some herbs and spices to try!
Nuts/seeds: This is optional but will be a great way to boost nutrition!
Milk: Use full-fat cow's milk or these two plant-based alternatives
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Whisk together all the ingredients up to bread
- Soak both sides of the bread in the mixture.
- Cook in a pan.
- Flip and cook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Soft breads can gum up and stick to their mouth, making it difficult to swallow or spit out. That’s why it’s important that you toast the bread so it’s slightly firm, not too crunchy.
Or in this case, by cooking the soaked bread in butter/oil, the outside will get slightly crunchy while the inside becomes creamy.
This recipe does contain an egg and milk, two of the top food allergens. So be sure to introduce them separately prior to serving this. That way you'll know which one is responsible if your baby does have a reaction.
Look for one with the lowest amount of salt and sugar. My personal favorite is Ezekiel bread. It’s made from whole sprouted grains. The process of sprouting increases nutrients and makes them easier to digest and absorb. It also contains legumes, which provide iron and zinc.
Here's a more in-depth dive on bread as well as toast topping suggestions.
For French toast, opt for a sturdy bread that's not too finely sliced. Otherwise, it will get too soggy or fall apart during the cooking process.
6-8 months: slice into strips about the width of two adult fingers pressed together. This will make it easier for them to grab with their palms and bring to mouth
9-12 months: As your baby develops a pincer grasp and starts to pick up smaller pieces, cut into bite-sized pieces. Or keep the pieces large, especially if you have a shoveler. The latter will be great for learning to take bites and chew.
Yes! These are the top two alternatives that I recommend.
Absolutely! You can even make it the night before. There's no need to reheat, unless your child prefers warm food. My son actually prefers to eat his eggy bread cold
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Savory French toast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon milk of choice
- 3 tablespoons vegetables of choice (I used raw grated carrots and cooked broccoli)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- (optional) 1-2 teaspoons ground nuts/seeds
- 1 slice bread
- butter or oil to grease pan
Instructions
- In a wide bowl, whisk together all the ingredients up to bread
- Dip bread in the mixture and gently press down to absorb the mixture. Flip and repeat. Be sure ALL the liquid gets absorbed into the bread.
- Melt butter or heat oil in a pan. Place soaked bread in the pan. Spoon remaining vegetables on top, spreading evenly. Cook on medium heat for a 1-2 minutes or until bottom turns golden brown. Flip and cook on other side.
- Slice and serve as is or top with yogurt, peanut/nut/seed butter, hummus, etc.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.
Katherine says
My baby loved this recipe, and I love the minimal mess!! Currently cooking many vegetables this morning that are getting toward the end of their freshness in my fridge. I will chop them and freeze them in 3 tablespoon portions for future editions of this recipe. Thanks for everything you do, I love the way you present your recipes with some many options and alternatives - really making sure people can look in their fridge and use what they have there before needing to go to the grocery store. So wonderful!
Min says
Yes!! This is my go-to recipe when I have leftover veggies! And thank you for your encouraging words! I truly appreciate it 😉
Alison says
My baby loves this! I like how versatile this is, I used spinach as the primary veg and it tastes great.
Min says
Yes yes super versatile and easy to whip up! So glad it's a hit with your baby 😉
E says
Can you serve this cold or at room temperature like in a lunch box? Or best to only eat it hot?
Min says
You can serve it cold! I pack this for my son's lunchbox all the time (they don't reheat food at his school)
DD says
Hi! Is it possible to make a big batch of these and freeze so that I can take out one at a time and thaw when I need it?
Dilukshi Dissanayake says
Is it possible to make a big batch of these and freeze to eat at a later date? Or does it have to be consumed right away?
Min says
Sure! It's just so easy to whip up that I normally just make 1-2 slices at a time to enjoy immediately
DD says
Hi, I love your recipes! Is it possible to freeze this?
Min says
Sure but will be best to consume fresh
Judy says
Tried this out this morning for breakfast and baby loves it! I put in cauliflower and squash and some lentils instead. My 8 mo old has been picky about what she eats lately but she loved this one!
Plus the mess is way less than just regular toast and any other breakfast items.
Min says
I'm so glad!! Ooh will def try adding lentils next time!
Ela says
Love this! I think I can actually swing this one. 😌 But if baby can't have cow's milk before 1, what other milk can I use besides breast milk (don't have much and we don't do formula)? Can't wait to try it out!
Min says
Unless your baby has a dairy allergy, you can cook with it! You just don't want to offer it as a drink. If allergic, then any plant-based alternatives will work - check out this post: https://www.mjandhungryman.com/whats-the-best-milk-for-toddlers/
Ela says
I had no idea it was okay to cook with it! My 9 month old is not allergic to dairy, thankfully, but we usually drink oat milk in our house, just wasn't sure if that was okay introduce. Thanks for all the info!! I'm going to give it a go in the morning 😃