Crispy and cinnamony on the outside and custard-like on the inside, Rabanada, Brazilian French Toast is the perfect breakfast treat or dessert at Christmas or any time of year!
Rabanada: Christmas french toast
Around Christmastime, you will find rabanada popping up in many Brazilian homes. This deliciously indulgent version of French toast is a Christmas staple for good reason!
Rabanada came to Brazil by way of Spain and Portugal. In fact, it is a rendition of a Spanish fried bread dish that they traditionally eat during the Holy Week before Easter.
In Brazil, they eat these beautifully golden fried bread slices as a dessert or afternoon treat, rather than for breakfast (like we do with our French toast in the States).
But, we say, why not break them out of breakfast too?
Honestly, they’re so good, we’d eat them any time of day!
Our Brazilian cinnamon fried bread recipe
Brazilian fried bread differs from the French toast that we are used to in the States in a couple of ways. While the ingredients are the same: eggs, milk, bread. The construction and cooking methods differ.
For Rabanada, thick slices of stale bread are dipped first in milk and then in beaten eggs. This lets the milk soak into the bread first and coats only the exterior with the egg.
The result is a fried bread that is crispy and eggy on the outside. But on the inside, it is wonderfully creamy and custardy.
Instead of pan-frying in a bit of butter, like French toast in the States, you fry Rabanada in some oil until golden brown. Then, you coat the fried bread in cinnamon sugar, to make that crispy exterior nice and sweet!
This is some serious cinnamon toast heaven!
Rabanada (Brazilian French Toast)
This unique, cinnamon-infused, twist on French Toast will have you and your crew coming back for more!
Ingredients
- ¼ c sugar
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
- 3 c milk
- 4 eggs
- 1 loaf, stale French bread, Italian bread, brioche, or challah, sliced 1 inch thick
- Oil for frying, (olive or canola)
Instructions
- On a large plate, mix the sugar and cinnamon until blended, set aside.
- Place the milk in one shallow bowl and the eggs in another. Lightly beat the eggs.
- In a medium skillet, heat ½ inch of oil to just before it begins to smoke (350-375F).
- Working with a few slices at a time, dip the bread in the milk letting it soak in. Then, dip the bread in the beaten egg, coating both sides.
- Place the soaked bread in the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Carefully remove the fried French toast from the hot oil and place on a platter that has been lined with paper towels.
- Continue with the remaining bread.
- While the fried French toast is still warm, dip both sides in the plate with cinnamon sugar, and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 gAmount Per Serving: Calories: 675
If you liked this recipe, here are some similar dishes you may enjoy!
Sarah founded Curious in 2010 as a way to save her recipe creations and share culinary experiences. Her love for cultural cuisines was instilled early by her French Canadian Grandmother. Her experience in the kitchen and in recipe development comes from over 10 years working in professional kitchens. She has traveled extensively and enjoys bringing the flavors of her travels back to create easy-to-make recipes.
Lux
Friday 24th of September 2021
Like a good Brazilian, I like mine with sweetened milk added to the milk. Scrumptious!
Sarah Ozimek
Saturday 25th of September 2021
Yum!
Gui
Tuesday 25th of December 2018
Rabanada is a Portuguese desert...and is amazing!
Sarah Ozimek
Friday 28th of December 2018
Hi Gui, There is much Portuguese influence in Brazil, so this makes sense!