IHOP brought back its “fan-favorite” Stuffed French Toast with much fanfare in September after a six-year hiatus. This time around, the toast has been stuffed with more sweet cream filling than before, IHOP says. So just how much saturated fat and sugar did they manage to cram in? Here’s a look at the numbers. 

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What’s in the IHOP Stuffed French Toast

In some ways, IHOP’s Stuffed French Toast is nothing new. It debuted in 2003, was taken off the menu in 2020, and made a comeback after becoming the chain’s “#1 requested menu item on social media,” says the breakfast restaurant’s press release.

But one thing is new: more stuffing.

“We worked with the supplier and actually created a new proprietary injection process to get more cream into the Stuffed French Toast,” IHOP’s president told the trade publication Nation’s Restaurant News. “We now like to say, ‘From corner to corner, it is filled with sweet cream.’”

That “proprietary injection process” also fills up your daily (20-gram) saturated-fat allotment. A standalone order comes with two stuffed toasts cooked in batter and topped with vanilla sauce and glazed strawberries or blueberry topping. Nutritionally, it’s like having a stack of three Dunkin’ Vanilla Crème Donuts for breakfast.

Blueberry Vanilla Stuffed French Toast nutrition information 

• 940 calories 
• 21 grams of saturated fat (105% of the Daily Value) 
• 800 milligrams of sodium (35% DV) 
• 58 grams of total sugars

Strawberry Vanilla Stuffed French Toast nutrition information 

• 920 calories 
• 21 grams of saturated fat (105% DV) 
• 810 milligrams of sodium (35% DV) 
• 56 grams of total sugars

Note: IHOP’s Nutrition Facts don’t include any syrup you add at the table. Every tablespoon of syrup tacks on about 50 calories and 8 grams of sugars.

How much added sugar is in the IHOP Stuffed French Toast?

IHOP’s website doesn’t disclose exactly how much of the total sugar occurs naturally in the French toast’s ingredients (like berries or milk) and how much is added.

But based on the ingredients list, we estimate that most of the 56 to 58 grams of sugar is added. And because it takes just 50 grams to hit the recommended added-sugars daily maximum for adults, you’re looking at roughly a full day’s worth by the time your first meal of the day is over. 

What’s in the IHOP Stuffed French Toast “BreakFEAST”

IHOP also markets the Stuffed French Toast as a “combo” (one stuffed toast with hash browns, two eggs, and bacon, ham, or sausage) or a “BreakFEAST” (one stuffed toast with hash browns, two eggs, two bacon strips, two sausage links, and two pieces of ham).

All told, depending on how the eggs are cooked, the “FEAST” will cost you 1,150 to 1,310 calories and 1,990 to 2,130 milligrams of sodium. That’s nearly a full day’s sodium max—the DV is 2,300 mg—but that’s par for a processed meat smorgasbord.

Stuffed French Toast BreakFEAST nutrition information (Blueberry Vanilla with hash browns, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and ham) 

• 1,310 calories 
• 30 grams of saturated fat (150% of the Daily Value) 
• 2,050 milligrams of sodium (89% DV) 
• 31 grams of total sugars 

Is Stuffed French Toast a 'luxury'? 

A video on IHOP’s Facebook depicts customers in over-the-top outfits eating Stuffed French Toast with their pinkies up, all set to the pop song “Pinky Up” by KATSEYE.

The ad campaign centers on “the idea that a little everyday luxury can be found at IHOP,” explains the company’s press release. The message: Stuffed French Toast “delivers a luxurious experience without the luxury price tag.”

That depends on what you call “luxurious.”

Along with the usual suspects (white flour, oil, butter, and sugar), the French toast’s ingredients include the synthetic food dyes Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, which our Chemical Cuisine guide to food additive safety rates as “Avoid.” Then there’s carrageenan and cellulose gum, two thickeners we rate as “Caution.”

Luxurious? Hardly. Smart marketing? You bet. 

What’s the healthiest thing you can order at IHOP?

If you’re in search of a lighter, unstuffed French toast breakfast, you could order IHOP’s Thick ‘N Fluffy Classic French Toast (which comes with two pieces), split it with a dining companion (or take-home half), and have a side of scrambled egg whites. Per person, the total comes to: 

• 510 calories 
• 9 grams of saturated fat (45% of the Daily Value) 
• 800 milligrams of sodium (35% DV) 
• 14 grams of total sugar 
• 21 grams of protein

IHOP also offers a Veggie Egg White Omelet topped with avocado and served with a bowl of fruit, so you get healthier fats, more fiber, and no refined grains (though slightly more sodium, since it’s a savory dish): 

• 510 calories 
• 6 grams of saturated fat (30% DV) 
• 1,280 milligrams of sodium (56% DV) 
• 18 grams of total sugar (from fruit and vegetables) 
• 21 grams of protein 

More tips on ordering healthier meals at restaurants

While it depends on the cuisine or meal, at any restaurant you can probably find ways to reduce or replace white flour, boost the fruits or vegetables, shave off some sugar or sodium, and save part of any oversized portions for tomorrow.

Learn more: How to order a healthy takeout meal from any restaurant