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A close-up of stacked Coconut French Toast on a white plate, topped with raspberries, coconut flakes, and drizzled with syrup.

Tropical Coconut-Crusted French Toast

Elevate your breakfast with this irresistible coconut-crusted French toast, featuring thick slices of bread dipped in a rich batter and coated in sweet, shredded coconut for a crispy, golden, and flavorful morning treat.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 slices
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American, Tropical
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Coconut Crust
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
For the French Toast Batter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk (or full-fat coconut milk for extra flavor)
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • pinch salt
For the French Toast
  • 4 slices thick-sliced bread (e.g., brioche, challah, Texas toast, about 3/4 to 1-inch thick)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or coconut oil, for cooking)
For Serving (Optional)
  • Maple syrup
  • Fresh berries
  • Powdered sugar

Equipment

  • Shallow dish or pie plate (for batter)
  • Shallow dish or plate (for coconut mixture)
  • Whisk
  • Large non-stick skillet or electric griddle
  • Spatula

Method
 

Prepare the Coconut Coating
  1. In a shallow dish or plate, combine the shredded sweetened coconut and all-purpose flour. Stir gently to ensure the flour evenly coats the coconut. Set aside.
Prepare the French Toast Batter
  1. In another shallow dish (such as a pie plate or baking dish), whisk together the eggs, milk (or coconut milk), granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until well combined and smooth.
Dip and Coat the Bread
  1. Dip one slice of bread into the egg batter, allowing it to soak for about 15-20 seconds per side, or until fully saturated but not soggy.
  2. Carefully lift the bread, letting any excess batter drip off. Immediately transfer the batter-soaked bread to the coconut mixture. Gently press the coconut onto both sides of the bread, ensuring an even and generous coating. Repeat for the remaining slices.
Cook the French Toast
  1. Heat a large non-stick skillet or electric griddle over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter or coconut oil, allowing it to melt and coat the cooking surface.
  2. Place two coconut-crusted bread slices onto the hot skillet, ensuring they have enough space. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown, the coconut is toasted, and the French toast is cooked through. Add the remaining butter/oil and cook the remaining slices.
Serve
  1. Transfer the cooked coconut-crusted French toast to plates. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, fresh berries, and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Notes

For an even richer coconut flavor, use full-fat canned coconut milk in the batter instead of regular milk.
If the coconut starts to brown too quickly, reduce the heat slightly.
This French toast is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in a toaster or oven.
Experiment with different thick-sliced breads; brioche or challah provide the best texture.