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This delicious French Toast will be your new favorite brunch recipe and delectable morning sweet treat. Transform your favorite bread into a nicely browned, buttery, and caramelized masterpiece that melts in your mouth!

syrup pouring over a 3 stack of french toast on a white plate with butter and a strawberry.

What’s in this French Toast Recipe?

It’s hard to resist bread slices slathered in an egg-milk mixture of sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg toasted to caramelized perfection. Drizzle some maple syrup on top, and you’re in heaven!

  • Day-Old Bread: Slightly stale bread soaks up the egg mixture more easily. Use bread that has a good structure, like brioche or Texas toast.
  • Milk: Whole milk adds moisture and gives the richest flavor, but you can use any kind of milk.
  • Eggs: Create that beautiful craggy coating.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the egg mixture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor.
  • Cinnamon + Nutmeg: Add warmth and spice.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavor of the toast.
  • Unsalted Butter: Helps it to cook without burning and adds delicious flavor.

Pro Tip: If you only have fresh bread on hand, place slices in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 200°F for 10 minutes, flipping once, until lightly toasted and dry.

Variations on Brioche French Toast

  • Change up the spices however you like. Try adding cardamom or ginger!
  • Add orange or lemon zest to the custard for a pop of freshness.
step by step photos for how to make french toast.
Why is it called French toast?

French toast is the American name for a French dish called “pain perdu”, meaning “lost bread”. This refers to the fact that it is usually made from day-old (“lost”) bread. Americans dubbed it French because it was introduced to them by French immigrants.

What is the best bread for French toast?

The best bread is whatever day-old bread you have on hand. I personally like a thick, enriched bread like brioche, challah, or Texas toast, but you can even use regular sandwich bread.

Can I make it without milk?

Milk adds both moisture and fat, so I do not recommend skipping it. You can, however, use heavy cream, half-and-half, or plant-based milk if you prefer.

Should French toast be wet in the middle?

Nope! You never want your French toast to be wet or undercooked in the middle. To prevent this, only briefly dip the bread into the egg mixture, and be sure to let the excess drip off. Make sure to cook it over medium heat, as too high or too low of heat could cause the middle to be undercooked.

overhead view of slices of french toast on a white plate with syrup, butter, and a strawberry.

How to Make Ahead and Store

Fully cooked French toast can be prepared up to 30 minutes in advance and kept warm in a 200°F oven in a single layer on a baking sheet until ready to serve.

Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How to Freeze and Reheat

Freeze French toast in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the toaster oven or a 350°F conventional oven for about 10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

  • Add whatever toppings you like, such as fresh fruit, nut butter, jelly, honey, or syrup.
  • Cut up the bread to make sticks for small hands.
  • Stuff it with cream cheese!
  • Add it to a casserole dish and make a bread pudding-like bake.
  • Add ham and cheese and turn 2 slices into a Monte Cristo Sandwich!
three-quarters view of french toast on a white plate with butter, syrup, and a stawberry.

More French Toast Recipes We Love

featured french toast.

French Toast Recipe

This French toast is a delicious caramelized masterpiece that’ll melt in your mouth, making it your new go-to sweet treat!

Instructions

  • IF USING FRESH BREAD: Place slices in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 200°F for 10 minutes, flipping once, until lightly toasted and dry.

    8 thick slices day-old bread

  • Whisk the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a shallow bowl.

    1½ cups whole milk, 4 large eggs, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt

  • Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large nonstick skillet or on a griddle over medium-high heat.

    4 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • Working 2 slices at a time, soak the bread in the egg mixture for 5-10 seconds, then flip and repeat on the opposite side. Transfer to the hot skillet or griddle and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until nicely browned.

  • Transfer cooked French toast to the baking sheet in the oven in a single layer to keep them warm while repeating the process with the remaining bread. Serve hot with desired toppings.

    Butter, Maple Syrup, Powdered Sugar, Fresh Fruit

Notes

  • Make sure you use bread that is around 3/4″ to 1″ thick. Bread that’s too thin will fall apart when it’s dipped into the custard, and bread that’s too thick won’t cook to the center.
  • To prevent egg whites from showing up on your toast, make sure to whisk the custard thoroughly until the dairy, eggs, and spices are well combined.
  • I like to use day-old bread, but you can also use the tip in step 1 to turn fresh bread French-toast ready!
  • Don’t let the bread sit in the custard, but do give the bread time to soak up the custard by setting it aside while you heat up your skillet/griddle.
  • Set the cooked pieces in a 200°F oven to keep warm while you make the rest so everyone can enjoy breakfast at the same time!
  • Nutritional information does not include optional toppings.

Storage: Store French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

French Toast Recipe

Amount Per Serving (2 slices)

Calories 249
Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 10g63%

Trans Fat 0.5g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 206mg69%

Sodium 179mg8%

Potassium 206mg6%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 0.2g1%

Sugar 11g12%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 741IU15%

Vitamin C 0.01mg0%

Calcium 145mg15%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More Breakfast Recipes to Try

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? We love creating delicious breakfast recipes (with chicken or eggs, of course!). Which one will you try first?



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