Chocolate French Toast is rich, lightly sweet, and surprisingly easy to make. Top it with crisp candied bacon for a sweet-and-salty brunch that feels special but comes together fast.
I first made this chocolate French toast for a New Year’s brunch, and it instantly became one of those recipes everyone asks for again. It looks a little fancy, but it’s actually quick and simple to pull together. The cocoa gives it a deep chocolate flavor without making it overly sweet, and when you add the candied bacon on top… it’s that perfect sweet-and-salty combination that makes this feel like something you’d order at a restaurant.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich chocolate flavor without being overly sweet
- Easy enough for weekends but special enough for guests
- Candied bacon adds an irresistible sweet-salty crunch
- Works with different breads (challah, French, or whole grain)
- Can be made indulgent or light depending on toppings
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Perfect for weekend brunch, holiday mornings, or even breakfast-for-dinner.
Best Bread for Chocolate French Toast
Thick-cut bread works best for chocolate French toast because it absorbs the batter without falling apart. Challah is a great option for a slightly sweet, soft texture, but French bread, brioche, or even hearty whole grain bread all work well. Slightly stale bread is ideal because it soaks up more flavor without becoming soggy.
After the quick soak, both sides of the bread get grilled and browned in butter. Coconut oil is also a good frying option. One nice thing about this recipe too is, while the bread is soaking, you can get the fruit or syrup or whatever you’re serving with the French toast ready to plate.
Candied bacon is the finishing touch that really makes this dish stand out. That sweet and salty combination is hard to beat, and it comes together faster than you’d think. You can absolutely use regular bacon, but if you have a few extra minutes, this version adds something really special.
FAQs
Can you taste the chocolate in French toast?
Yes, but it’s not overpowering. The cocoa gives a rich flavor without making the French toast overly sweet.
What is the best bread for French toast?
Challah, brioche, or thick-cut French bread work best because they absorb the batter without becoming soggy.
Do you have to soak French toast?
A short soak (5–10 minutes) gives the best texture. Longer soaking creates a deeper chocolate flavor.
Can I make this without candied bacon?
Absolutely. It’s delicious with just syrup, fruit, or powdered sugar.
Whether you soak the French toast until it’s chocolate through and through, or leave it marbled like is beautiful here… Whether you doll it up for a sinful treat with the candied bacon, sweet white bread, and even maybe some hot fudge… Or whether you do what my husband prefers and leave the sugar out of the batter, use whole wheat bread, and add nuts and fruit (pumpkin seeds anyone?)… Chocolate French Toast with Candied Bacon must appear at your table soon. You’re gonna love it.
What to Serve With Chocolate French Toast
- Fresh berries or sliced strawberries
- Whipped cream or yogurt
- Scrambled eggs or breakfast sausage
- Coffee or cold brew
Whether you soak the bread for a deep chocolate flavor or keep it slightly marbled, this recipe works both ways. Dress it up with candied bacon and syrup or keep it simple with fruit and nuts—either way, it’s one you’ll come back to again and again.
Chocolate French Toast (Easy Brunch Recipe with Candied Bacon)
Ingredients
For the Candied Bacon:
- 12 slices bacon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp maple syrup
For the French toast
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder natural or Dutch processed
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp table salt
- 1 ¼ cup whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 loaf challah bread or any loaf bread sliced into ¾-inch slices, about 8 slices
- butter for frying
Topping options
- maple syrup
- fresh strawberries
- confectioners' sugar
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Candied Bacon:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a bowl, mix brown sugar, rice vinegar, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and black pepper.½ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp maple syrup, freshly ground black pepper
- Toss bacon in the mixture until coated.12 slices bacon
- Arrange bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake 18–22 minutes, until caramelized.
- Let cool, then chop or crumble.
Chocolate French Toast-
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.⅔ cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ¼ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp table salt
- Add milk, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.1 ¼ cup whole milk, 4 large eggs, 1 Tbsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pour mixture into a shallow dish or pan.
- Dip bread slices into the mixture, turning to coat both sides. Let soak 5–10 minutes (longer for deeper chocolate flavor).1 loaf challah bread or any loaf bread sliced into ¾-inch slices,
- Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat and add butter.butter for frying
- Cook bread slices 3–4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.
- Serve immediately with desired toppings.
Topping options:
- Serve with the candied bacon and any French Toast toppings you like.maple syrup, fresh strawberries, confectioners' sugar
Notes
Notes & Tips
- Don’t over soak thinner bread—it can fall apart
- Use medium heat so the chocolate batter doesn’t burn
- Add butter between batches for best browning
- For less sweetness, reduce or skip sugar in batter
- Candied bacon can be made ahead and stored in the fridge
Amazing! Easy to make and tastes great. I made it with lactose-free milk and had some banana with it.
Mmm this looks soooo good! I am a big French Toast fan, but I have never had it in a chocolate version. I definitely have to try this! 🙂
Holy WOW Sally! I think maybe you should add *couch as an ingredient after. This looks and sounds amazing, love it all, especially your friend’s mention of sticky bacon. Beautiful finishing touch.
Nice fork, too! 😉
Lol!! Kevin you make my day on a regular basis. Thanks for the share on your FB <3
Hey Sal, This ones sounds great. I have always made a “candied bacon” for my boys, they call it Dad’s Sticky Bacon. I add a touch of ground clove to mine, just for a “what was that” touch. French touch is my favorite breakfast food. Soon to try.