When it comes to brunch, nothing is as satisfying as a plate full of French toast. But that doesn’t mean you should just reach for some stale bread and a couple of eggs that are hanging out at the back of your fridge.
For the best French toast, you’ll have to go beyond the basics. A good French toast recipe includes rich cream, warm spices and thick-sliced bread. It all comes together for a decadent breakfast that everyone will love. Here’s how to make French toast the right way with lots of tips from our Test Kitchen experts.
French Toast Ingredients
- Half-and-half cream
- Egg yolks
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Ground nutmeg
- Day-old brioche bread (1-inch thick)
- Optional toppings: butter, maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream and confectioners’ sugar
Directions
Step 1: Mix ingredients in a shallow bowl
Begin by constructing a French toast assembly line. Take out your bread and set it aside. Then, grab a shallow bowl that can fit one or two slices. To make a rich custard, whisk together the half-and-half, egg yolks, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
Preheat a greased griddle over medium heat.
Test Kitchen Tip: Be sure the eggs are entirely whisked, with no sign of separation.
Step 2: Soak the bread
Dip the day-old brioche bread into the custard, using one hand to immerse it. Soak for about five seconds on each side. This will give your toast a creamy middle without making it too soggy. Let any excess drip off.
Step 3: Cook until golden brown
It’s time to get cooking! Place the soaked bread on the buttered griddle and cook until the bottom turns golden brown. (You can lift a corner to take a peek.) Then flip the toast and repeat. Once both sides are cooked to your liking, your pièce de résistance is ready to serve.
Finish it off with your favorite toppings. We love fresh berries, maple syrup, powdered sugar and a dusting of cinnamon. Or, try something new and go with a dollop of homemade hazelnut whipped cream.
Test Kitchen Tip: Need to make a big batch? Set the oven to its lowest setting and house the toast inside. This will keep it warm as you prepare the rest.
French Toast Recipe Variations
- Swap milks: You can use any type of milk you have on hand, but half-and-half adds a ton of richness. Avoiding dairy? Almond, soy, coconut and cashew milk are all good substitutes.
- Mix flavor: To mix up the flavor, swap out the brown sugar for honey or maple syrup.
- Use an extract: Experiment with different types of extract, like almond, coconut or orange.
- Go savory: Don’t like sweets for breakfast? Make your French toast savory instead. Omit the sugar and extract, then serve it with a few sausage patties and scrambled eggs.
- Play with spice: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves are classics, but you can get creative with lemon zest, anise, cardamom or whatever else your spice cabinet has to spare.
- Add some crunch: Create more texture by topping your toast with crunchy add-ons. This nut-filled French toast recipe piles on chopped walnuts, but just about any other nut would work well, too.
- Use a different type of bread: Go for whole wheat, sourdough or a crusty artisan loaf. This creative recipe goes above and beyond, creating French toast from premade blueberry muffins. Yum!
- Load up the toppings: French toast can be the foundation for your wildest creations. Top it with peanut butter and jelly, fresh fruit and powdered sugar or smother it in marshmallow fluff—the possibilities are endless.
How do I store leftover French toast?
If you have any leftovers, French toast is best kept by storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat leftovers by toasting them in a skillet with butter or giving them a zap in the microwave for about a minute.
Can I freeze leftover French toast?
Freezing lets you keep your French toast much longer. To do so, allow the French toast to cool completely, then place slices in an airtight container with parchment or wax paper between any layers of toast. Store in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheat frozen French toast by placing the slices on a baking sheet. Bake them at 425°F for eight minutes, then flip the slices and bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and heated through.
French Toast Recipe Tips
What kind of bread works best for French toast?
When it comes to French toast, fresher doesn’t always mean better. In fact, the French call this dish pain perdu, which translates to “lost bread.” Use day-old bread that’s sturdy and slightly stale. This way it’ll soak up the custard without becoming soggy.
If you only have fresh bread on hand, you can dry your slices out a bit by lightly toasting them. Pop them in a 300° oven for about 10 minutes, giving them a flip halfway through. Make sure they’re not getting much color on the slices, you’re aiming for dryness, not toastiness.
Why is my French toast soggy?
There are a few reasons why your French toast might turn out soggy. The first we covered in the question above: your bread could be too fresh. Another culprit could be leaving your bread to soak in the custard mix for too long. You should only let your bread soak for about five seconds on each side.
You could also be cooking your French toast on too high of heat. This chars the outside of the toast without properly cooking it through, leaving you with a soggy slice. Keep your griddle or skillet at medium heat for the best results.
Can I make French toast custard ahead of time?
It’s not the best idea. Your custard can start to separate and leave you with fried egg-like spots on your French toast. Also, eggs are prone to picking up scents and flavors from the fridge when they’re out of the shells, so your custard could taste off. If you need to free up some time in the morning, go with this overnight French toast recipe for something hands-off.
What sides should I serve with French toast?
We’ll be honest, you can serve just about any breakfast favorite with French toast! Some great options include bacon or sausage, fresh berries or melon, hash browns or a couple of eggs. The sky’s the limit!
