Mini Pie Maker French Toast Bites
These cozy French toast bites are like little individual French toast casseroles, filled with soft bread cubes, warm cinnamon custard, and sweet pockets of homemade quince jam. Cooked right in a mini pie maker, they develop delicious golden edges while staying soft and tender inside. This easy, comforting breakfast is a wonderful way to use leftover bread and turn a handful of simple pantry ingredients into something special!
Equipment
- Mini Pie Maker
Ingredients
- 3 cups bread cubes (approximately 3–4 slices of bread, depending on thickness)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 6 tsp homemade quince jam (1 teaspoon per mini casserole) or jam of choice.
Instructions
Preheat the Mini Pie Maker
- Plug in your mini pie maker and allow it to preheat according to the manufacturer's instructions. Lightly grease the wells if needed to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Bread Cubes
- Cut your bread into small, bite-sized cubes.
- Divide the bread evenly among the six wells of your mini pie maker, gently filling each one without packing the cubes too tightly.
Add the Homemade Quince Jam
- Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of quince jam over the bread cubes in each well.
- Allow the jam to settle between the pieces of bread, creating little pockets of fruity sweetness.
Make the Cinnamon Egg Custard
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
Pour the Custard Over the Bread
- Carefully spoon or pour the cinnamon egg mixture over the bread cubes and quince jam in each well.
- Divide the custard evenly, allowing it to soak into the bread without overflowing.
Cook the French Toast Bites
- Gently close the lid of your mini pie maker and cook for approximately 10–15 minutes, or until the French toast bites are golden brown around the edges and the egg custard is completely set. Cooking times will vary depending on your appliance.
Carefully Remove and Serve
- Once cooked, gently loosen each French toast bite with a silicone or wooden utensil and carefully lift it from the pie maker.
- Serve warm and enjoy those cozy cinnamon flavors and sweet pockets of quince jam!
Notes
- Mini pie maker sizes: This recipe makes six individual French toast bites in my six-well mini pie maker. If your appliance has larger or smaller wells, adjust the amount of bread, jam, and custard accordingly.
- Bread choices: Day-old homemade bread, sandwich bread, brioche, or leftover dinner rolls all work beautifully. Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard especially well.
- Homemade quince jam: I love using homemade quince jam for its sweet, fruity flavor, but you can substitute apple butter, peach preserves, or your favorite homemade fruit jam.
- Avoid overfilling: Leave a little room in each well because the egg custard may puff up slightly as it cooks.
- Check for doneness: The centers should be set rather than wet or runny. For egg safety, the center should reach 160°F.
- Serving ideas: Enjoy these mini French toast casseroles warm on their own, with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, or an extra spoonful of homemade quince jam.
- Storage: Allow leftovers to cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat until warmed through.