This Nutella & Dark Chocolate Stuffed French Toast recipe is what dreams are made of - think perfect slices of French toast stuffed with just the right mix of Nutella and dark chocolate, gently bathed in a berry compote sent directly from the heavens. Ready in 20 minutes.
Honestly speaking, chocolate stuffed French toast may be one of the greatest breakfast recipes ever created. Not only is it off-the-scale yummy, but it’s just as easy as making regular French toast. I prepared this for a group of friends, and one of them put it best: “You know what this is? This last bite…it’s like that last kiss before your lover leaves for war.”
Try it and you’ll understand the magic. It’ll be like having a chocolate-covered, berry-coated loaf thrown at your face. (In a really, really, good way.)
Jump to:
What is Stuffed French Toast?
For the uninitiated, you may be wondering what exactly chocolate stuffed French toast is? Don’t worry, I got you. It’s pretty simple.
Stuffed French toast is essentially a French Toast sandwich - two slices of French toast filled with something tasty. This recipe uses Nutella and dark chocolate as the filling, but there really is an unlimited number of options. As for how to stuff French toast - no fancy techniques required! It’s as simple as spreading jam on toast, and then sandwiching it with another slice of bread.
It’s similar to Hong Kong French Toast (but HK French Toast tends to be more deeply fried!).
Ingredients
For the French Toast:
- Brioche or Challah bread
- Large egg
- Milk (3% or half-and-half preferred)
- Pure vanilla extract
- Unsalted butter
For the Filling:
- Nutella (or your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread)
- Dark chocolate
For the Berry Compote:
- Mixed berries
- White sugar
- Water
For Serving:
- Fresh strawberries (optional)
- Icing sugar
- Maple syrup (optional)
How to Make Chocolate Stuffed French Toast
Step 1: Prepare the Berry Compote
Mix the berries, white sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Leave the mixture to simmer over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture has reduced slightly, lightly mash with the back of a fork. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Custard Base
Whisk the egg, milk, and vanilla extract together in a large flat dish. This will be your soaking mixture for the French toast. (Optionally: you can add a small pinch of salt to help bring out the flavors more.)
Step 3: Assemble the Sandwich
Spread 2-3 tablespoons of Nutella on one slice of bread. Place the pieces of chocolate towards the middle of each sandwich - they’ll melt down to create pockets of gooey deliciousness in the finished dish. Top with the remaining slice of bread to create a sandwich.
Step 4: Soak and Cook
Soak each side of your sandwich in the egg mixture for 1-2 minutes, depending on how quickly it absorbs. Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat (you can use a non-stick spray too, but I prefer the flavor that butter adds). Add the sandwich and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Step 5: Serve
Remove the sandwich from the pan and slice in half diagonally. Plate, drizzle with the berry compote, and a dusting of icing sugar. Add a drizzle of maple syrup, and garnish with fresh strawberries for an extra special touch. Taste heaven.
Tips
Use Slightly Stale Bread: The slight staleness allows the bread to absorb more of the custard without risk of tearing or breaking. If your bread absorbs too much batter and becomes delicate, gently remove it from the soaking dish.
Don’t Over-Mash the Compote: You want to preserve some of that wonderful berry texture when making your compote.
Control the Heat: Cook over medium heat to ensure the inside gets warm and the chocolate melts while the outside develops a perfect golden crust. While it’s fine to cook your bread slices in a skillet or a griddle, make sure to stay on top of that heat management.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can make the custard batter the night before and refrigerate it for easier morning prep.
Working with Loafs: In order to create a thick stuffed loaf slice (as opposed to sandwich with two slices of bread), simply create a 2-inch slit using a paring knife into your loaf, and stuff the filling inside with a rubber spatula.
What bread to use
Brioche and challah bread are ideal choices for this recipe. Their rich, slightly sweet flavor and sturdy texture make them perfect for absorbing the custard while holding up to the filling. Here are some alternatives:
- Potato bread: A great substitute that works wonderfully (actually what I used the very first time I made Nutella French toast)
- Texas toast: Thick-cut and sturdy
- All-butter croissants: For an extra indulgent twist, croissant French toast is always a memorable brunch!
- Sourdough: Sturdy and can absorb lots of liquid without breaking
One bread to avoid is classical French baguette - while sturdy, it requires too much bite, especially when slightly stale.
Variation ideas
Filling ideas
- Peanut butter and banana slices
- Cream cheese and strawberry jam
- Mascarpone and fresh berries (blueberries work wonderfully here!)
- S’mores-style French toast with marshmallow fluff and graham cracker crumbs
Compote alternatives
- Mixed berry compote with blackberries and raspberries
- Make it simpler with raspberry compote (swap out the mixed berries for just raspberries)
- Peach and vanilla compote
- Simple strawberry sauce (if you’re feeling lazy, you can use store-bought strawberry sauce)
Make it extra special
- Drizzle with salted caramel sauce and some toasted hazelnuts
- Serve with fresh strawberries if cooking for the love of your life
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert-style breakfast
- Dust with cocoa powder instead of icing sugar
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Custard Base: Can be made the night before and refrigerated
- Berry Compote: Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Best Served: Immediately while warm for optimal texture and melted chocolate experience
- Freezing? I don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
Why This Recipe Works
Without a doubt, this is one of my most indulgent breakfast recipes. It’s rich and full of flavor, and the tartness of the berry compote cuts through the sweetness in all the right ways. The combination of creamy Nutella, rich dark chocolate, and tangy berries creates the perfect balance that will have you coming back for more.
Fun fact: this was actually one of the very first recipes I published to Chocolates & Chai back in January 2015 (that’s why you can see two sets of the chocolate French toast in photos). It’s still one of my favorites, and after all these years, it continues to be a showstopper that never fails to impress.
Final Thoughts
I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “This is too much. I don’t deserve this much deliciousness.” I want you to cast aside those silly thoughts. You have worked hard this week. And you deserve this delicious French toast experience.
French toast is one of those perfect breakfasts - it’s indulgent enough to be a hit every time you make it, but it’s also easy enough to make without breaking a sweat. This stuffed version takes that comfort food magic and elevates it to something truly special. It doesn’t take much to sell me on a French toast recipe, and stuffed French toast is, in a word, sexyawesometastic (and it tastes good too!).
Whether you’re making this for a lazy weekend morning, a special brunch with friends, or treating yourself to a midweek pick-me-up, this recipe delivers that perfect balance of comfort and indulgence. The combination of warm, custardy bread, melted chocolate, and bright berry compote creates an experience that’s nothing short of magical.
Besides, what’s better than dessert for breakfast? Trust me on this one - make it once, and you’ll understand why this recipe has stood the test of time. Your taste buds (and your loved ones) will thank you.
📖 Recipe
Nutella & Dark Chocolate Stuffed French Toast
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 2 stuffed French Toast sandwiches 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This decadent Nutella & Dark Chocolate Stuffed French Toast is what dreams are made of! A berry compote takes it from Heavenly to a whole new level. (Good thing it’s super easy to make to!)
Ingredients
- 2 thick slices of Brioche/Challah
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoon Nutella
- 2 bars of dark chocolate
- ¼ cup of mixed berries
- 1tbsp white sugar
- 1tsp icing sugar
- 1tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Mix the berries and white sugar in a ¼ cup of water, and leave the mixture to simmer (stirring occasionally) over a low-medium heat. Once the mixture has reduced slightly, lightly mash with a fork.
- Whisk the egg, milk, and vanilla extract together and pour into a large flat dish. Spread 2-3tbsp of Nutella on one slice of bread, then place the two bars of dark chocolate towards the centre of the spread (they’ll melt down to create pockets of gooey deliciousness in the finished dish); use the remaining slice of bread to create a sandwich.
- Soak each side of your newly formed sandwich in the egg/milk/vanilla batter for 1-2 minutes (depending on how quickly it absorbs).
- Melt butter in a large frying pan, add the sandwich and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Once golden, remove the sandwich and slice in half.
- Plate, drizzle on the berry compote, and dust with icing sugar to finish. (Optional: Pour on a little maple syrup)
Notes
If you don’t have access to brioche or challah bread, potato bread works great too! Regular white sandwich bread works okay, but it doesn’t have quite the same flavour/texture.
Pro Tip: Don’t go crazy when mashing the berry compote. You want to preserve some of that wonderful berry texture.
Pro Tip: Drizzling on a little maple syrup is a great way to ramp up the sweetness!
Make-Ahead: You can make the batter the night before and refrigerate it.
Milk Substitutions: Although, this doesn’t require milk with a specific fat content, I find best results from from 3% or half-and-half. However, you should be fine substituting with your milk of choice!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Breakfast & Brunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
nehdia
Hi
there is no sugar in French toast coating. p.s I am not adding berry compote on the top. how much sugar should i add? please excuse such basic question but i am beginner in cooking world.
Riz
Hi Nehdia! All questions are valid 🙂 The icing sugar that you dust on at the is just to add a little extra hit of sweetness to the recipe, so how much you add really depends on how sweet you want your french toast to be. Personally, I don’t add too much – less than a 1/4 teaspoon. Hope you enjoy it!
Jo Vanderwolf
Pretty sure this has ruined me for all other French toast. It’s okay, I can live with eating only this for breakfast forever lol Your photos are amazing, by the way!
Riz
Awww, thanks Jo! You’re lovely. (Not to brag…well, actually…to brag a little bit…one of my french toast loving friends said that this recipe beats out his favourite french toast from a very popular local brunch spot!) I hope you enjoy it too!
Colleen
OMG Riz! Everytime I come here I am drooling. Where do you come up with such decadent creations.? I need this asap!
Riz
Thanks Colleen!!! I like to believe that we foodies think with our stomachs 🙂
Favour
Wow Riz. This is The most amazing breakfast i have ever tried . It is super delicious for a nutella lover.
Riz
Yaay! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. it’s one of my personal favourites too!
Dana
Holy moly—this is just sinful in the best. way. EVER. <3
French toast is always such a nice weekend breakfast treat, but this takes that treat to a whole new level of indulgence and I am HERE FOR IT. Gorgeous shots, too!
Riz
LOL! Thanks Dana! New levels of indulgence are what I’m all about (…except when I’m kidding myself and trying to make healthy brunches lol!)!
Jessica
OMG, those photos have me legit drooooling right now! This looks so decadent and perfect for when my Nutella craving strikes. LOVE the photos too!
Riz
Thanks so much Jessica! Nutella cravings strike me pretty often…so this is one of those recipes that is near and dear to me!
Joss
Where have you been all my life? Yum!
Riz
Right here, Joss. Like all things fated, this stuffed French toast recipe, has been quietly sat here waiting for the universe to lead you to it. 🙂
Fatima Nayani
Hi Riz,
I tried this recipe and it turned out yumm!
I made it once without dark chocolate and that tasted nice as well. But adding dark chocolate gives tastier result.
Riz
Hi Fatima! Thank you so much for trying the recipe!! And I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
That is my kind of breakfast! We made a Nutella and banana stuffed french toast, so we know how awesome it is! I love the addition of the berry compote. To me, chocolate and berries go hand in hand. Yummy!!
Riz
Oh! I’ve made that version too! I’ve been planning to try caramelising the bananas and seeing how that tastes too! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Whoa! So decadent! This would make for a delicious holiday breakfast (with coffee, of course 😉 ).
Riz
Of course…a holiday breakfast wouldn’t be completed without a delicious cup of coffee!
Joyce
Looks delicious!
Riz
Thank you!
Maya OS
THEY WERE SO GOOOOOOD!!!!!!! I’m going to make them again this weekend!
Riz
Woohoo! I’m so glad to hear that Maya!!!
Fal
OH. MY. GOD. @@
Riz
My. Sentiments. Exactly.
Niels @ Have Another Bite
Oh, that looks so good! I’ve never made those before and I def will next weekend! Thanks for sharing.
Riz
Hope you enjoy them!
bel @ Mums Take Five
Thanks for sharing with us for The Sunday Brunch Magazine, lovely to see you Bel & Eliza xx
Kat
Mmmmmmmmm… I’ll be dreaming about breakfast 🙂
Riz
I hope you like it, it’s one of my personal favourites!