French Toast Smash Burger

Name: French Toast Smash Burger with Maple Syrup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 slices thick-cut brioche bread; 2 large eggs; 1/4 cup milk; 1 tbsp butter; 4 oz ground beef; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1 slice American cheese; 2 tbsp yellow onion, diced and grilled; 1/4 cup smash sauce; 1/4 cup maple syrup

A French Toast Smash Burger combines crispy, lace-edged ground beef with melted American cheese and grilled onions, all sandwiched between golden French toast slices and topped with smash sauce and maple syrup for a sweet-savory brunch hybrid.

🌍American 🏷️Smash burger 🏷️French toast burger 🏷️Burger 🏷️Sweet and savory Breakfast burger

🏷️

🏷️Brunch

-0:00

devourpoweronTikTok

Total

15 min

Servings

1

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$22–$36

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by devourpower

-0:00

devourpoweronTikTok

Ingredients

2 slices thick-cut brioche bread
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp butter
4 oz ground beef
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 slice American cheese
2 tbsp yellow onion, diced and grilled
1/4 cup smash sauce
1/4 cup maple syrup

11 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Prepare the French toast batter by whisking eggs and milk together. Dip each slice of brioche bread into the batter, ensuring it's fully coated.
2
Melt butter on a hot griddle and cook the French toast slices until golden brown on both sides.
3
Place a ball of ground beef onto the hot griddle.
4
Using a burger press and a piece of parchment paper, smash the beef patty until it's very thin with lacy edges.
5
Season the smashed patty with salt and pepper.
6
Once a crust has formed, scrape the patty off the griddle and flip it over to cook the other side.
7
Top the patty with a slice of American cheese and a sprinkle of grilled onions.
8
To assemble, drizzle smash sauce on the bottom slice of French toast.
9
Place the cooked cheeseburger patty on top of the sauced toast.
10
Drizzle maple syrup over the patty.
11
Place the second slice of French toast on top to complete the burger.
12
For serving, pour additional smash sauce and maple syrup over the finished burger.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use a flat-top griddle or cast-iron skillet preheated until a water droplet evaporates instantly; smash the beef hard with a spatula within 30 seconds of placing it down to create the signature crispy, lacy edges.
Dip brioche slices in egg mixture for only 1–2 seconds per side to avoid over-soaking; cook in butter over medium heat until golden brown (not dark) so the bread stays structurally sound.
Place cheese on the beef patty immediately after smashing and remove from heat to allow carryover melting while you finish the French toast.
Grill the diced onions in a separate pan with a pinch of salt until deeply caramelized (5–7 minutes) for maximum sweetness and depth.

Substitutions

American cheese → Swiss or cheddar (milder or sharper flavor)
Brioche → challah (similar sweetness and structure)
Smash sauce → mayo-based burger sauce or aioli (adjust maple syrup drizzle accordingly)
Ground beef → plant-based patty or smashed portobello mushroom (adjust cooking time as needed)

Storage & make-ahead

Assemble and serve immediately for best texture. Leftover cooked patties and French toast can be stored separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a 300°F oven before reassembling.

Equipment

flat-top griddle or cast-iron skillet · meat spatula (for smashing)

Common Questions

Can I make the French toast ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare and cook the French toast up to 2 hours ahead, then wrap in foil and reheat gently in a 300°F oven for 3–5 minutes before assembling.

What type of ground beef works best for smash burgers?

Use 80/20 ground beef. The fat content creates the crispy, lace-edged crust when smashed hard on a hot griddle.

Can I use regular bread instead of brioche?

Brioche's richness and slight sweetness complement the maple syrup and smash sauce. Challah is a good substitute; avoid thin sandwich bread as it will become soggy.