Heart Healthy French Toast

(5.0)
By Judy Capodanno
Updated 10/21/2025
Dietitian Reviewed: Jane Schwartz, RDN, CLT
Approved for These Diets:
Heart Healthy | Diabetic | Vegetarian
Heart Healthy French Toast
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Whip up warm, syrupy heart-healthy French toast that’s delicious and low-calorie. This luscious 6-ingredient heart healthy breakfast recipe makes it easy to start the day on a lighter note. At only 98 calories per serving, there is only 1 gram of fat. That’s a sweet breakfast! Follow our tips to ensure your French toast is perfectly browned and never soggy.

If you are a French toast lover, you are also going to want to try making our healthy French Toast Casserole, which is great for brunch and special gatherings. We also have a delicious assortment of low calorie breakfast ideas that will keep you feeling satisfied while keeping your health goals on track.

Total Time
30 minutes
Servings
6
Calories
98

What Makes This Heart-Healthy French Toast Healthy

This French toast recipe is designed to be heart-healthy by making smart, simple ingredient choices that lower fat, cholesterol, and calories while delivering sweet and satisfying flavor.

  • Using Egg Whites: We skip the yolks to significantly reduce dietary cholesterol and fat.
  • Whole Wheat Bread: Provides more fiber than white bread, which supports digestive health and satiety.
  • Skim Milk: Delivers creaminess with minimal fat compared to whole milk or cream.
  • Flavor from Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg provide warmth and sweetness, reducing the need for added sugar in the batter.

Key Health Highlights

  • Extremely Low in Fat: Contains only 1 gram of fat and 0 grams of saturated fat per serving.
  • Low Calorie Breakfast: At just 98 calories for two slices, it fits easily into a calorie-conscious meal plan.
  • Diabetic-Friendly: When served with sugar-free syrup, this recipe is a great option for a diabetic diet.
  • Zero Cholesterol: Made with egg whites, this recipe contains 0mg of cholesterol.
  • Good Source of Protein: Provides 7 grams of protein per serving to help you stay full longer.

FAQs About French Toast

While traditional French toast can be high in fat, calories, and sugar, it can definitely be made healthy. This recipe is a great example—it uses egg whites to cut cholesterol, skim milk to lower fat, and whole wheat bread for fiber. By making these smart swaps and choosing healthy toppings like fruit, French toast can be a nutritious part of a heart-healthy diet.

Soggy French toast is usually caused by using bread that's too fresh or soaking it for too long in the egg mixture. Use day-old, sturdy bread and just dip each side for a second or two. Also, ensure your skillet is preheated to medium-high heat.

Sturdy, whole-grain bread is an excellent choice because it's high in fiber and holds up well to the egg mixture. Day-old challah or brioche can also work, but be mindful they are often higher in calories and fat.

For healthy toppings, try fresh berries, a dollop of Greek yogurt, a sprinkle of cinnamon, sliced almonds, or a light dusting of powdered sugar alternative.

Yes, absolutely. Using only egg whites is a great way to make French toast with zero cholesterol and less fat, which is exactly what this heart-healthy recipe does.

This version can be very suitable for diabetics. It uses whole wheat bread and minimal sugar in the batter. The key is to serve it with a sugar-free pancake syrup or other low-glycemic toppings like fresh berries.

More Heart-Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Quick & Healthy Starts

If you loved this Heart-Healthy French Toast, explore more delicious ways to begin your morning on a nutritious note. Our collection features quick and easy breakfast recipes that are flavorful, tasty, and designed to support your health and fitness goals.

Healthy Cooking Inspiration

A heart-healthy lifestyle begins with a healthy breakfast every day, and we have plenty of inspiration to jumpstart your mornings. Discover everything from heart-healthy favorites and protein-packed breakfasts to low cholesterol meals to enjoy any day of the week.

High Protein Breakfast Dishes to Serve with French Toast

Add some staying power to your breakfast or brunch by combining the sweet taste of French toast with one of these high-protein breakfast recipes. 

More Sweet Breakfast Recipe Ideas:

If you love eating something sweet in the morning but want it to be healthy, try one of these sweet-tasting healthy breakfast recipes.

Ingredients

Recipe yields 6 servings

Directions

  1. Step 1

    In a large, shallow bowl, whisk together egg whites, skim milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar.

  2. Step 2

    Dip bread into mixture, but do not soak. Lightly coat a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat until hot. Arrange dipped bread in skillet, and cook, in batches if necessary, until browned on each side. Serve with syrup.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size:
2 slices

98
Calories
1
g
Fat
0
mg
Cholesterol
290
mg
Sodium
22
g
Carbs
0
g
Sat. Fat
7
g
Fiber
7
g
Protein

Alternative Cooking Methods

How to Make Baked French Toast

For a hands-off approach, you can bake this French toast. Arrange the dipped bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with nonstick spray. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. This is a great way to cook for a crowd without standing over the stove.

Serving & Storage Tips

  • Serving: Serve immediately with 1-2 tablespoons of sugar-free syrup and a side of fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries for added fiber and vitamins.
  • Storage: Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: For the best texture, reheat slices in a toaster, air fryer, or on a skillet over medium heat until warmed through and slightly crisp. Microwaving may result in a softer texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk as a dairy-free, low-fat alternative.

Any sturdy, day-old whole-grain bread will work well. Gluten-free bread can also be used if needed.

You can omit the brown sugar entirely or use a zero-calorie brown sugar substitute to further reduce sugar content.

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