French Toast

Nothing kickstarts the day better than French toast for breakfast. Picture golden slices of bread, lovingly soaked in a rich mixture of eggs, milk, and spices, then crisped to perfection on a sizzling griddle. Each bite reveals a symphony of flavors: a delicate balance of sweetness, warmth, and subtle hints of vanilla. It’s a morning ritual, a culinary hug that soothes the soul and awakens the senses. French toast is a timeless breakfast classic that effortlessly bridges lazy weekend mornings and hectic weekday routines, bringing families together around the breakfast table.

Video tutorial

How to Properly Cook French Toast

To achieve perfectly cooked French toast, it’s essential to use the right equipment. A non-stick skillet or a cast iron pan works beautifully, but if you’re well-equipped, a griddle—like one used for pancakes—can be an excellent alternative. The key is to maintain a medium heat setting. This ensures that the butter or plant-based alternative you use in the pan or griddle doesn’t burn while cooking.

Keep the heat steady throughout the process to ensure even cooking. Consistency is crucial—both in temperature control and in your technique. With a bit of practice and attention to detail, you’ll be rewarded with French toast that’s delightfully crisp on the outside while remaining soft and perfectly cooked on the inside. It’s all about balancing the textures for that ideal bite!

French Toast Variations

Dairy-Free French Toast

It’s absolutely possible to make French toast dairy-free! When preparing the batter, simply use a plant-based milk, such as almond milk or rice milk, instead of cow’s milk. The amount of milk needed remains the same regardless of the type you choose, and while the flavor will differ slightly, it’s still delicious.

In traditional recipes, butter is used for cooking, but for a dairy-free version, you can swap it out with vegetable margarine or coconut oil. We recommend vegetable margarine as the best substitute, as it won’t alter the final result too much. Coconut oil, on the other hand, will give the French toast a deep, intense coconut flavor. This variation works especially well if you’re serving your French toast with chocolate or coconut flakes.

Vanilla or Not?

Vanilla adds a rich, deep flavor to the dish, but as with all recipes, it’s really a matter of personal preference. There’s also a notable difference between vanilla beans and vanilla extract—not just in taste but in price. Vanilla beans can be quite expensive depending on the type, so if you’re on a budget or simply don’t want the extra expense, feel free to skip the vanilla entirely or substitute it with a tablespoon of honey. It will still be delicious without it!

Gluten-Free French Toast

In the classic recipe, sliced bread or homemade bread is used, but for a gluten-free version, simply swap in gluten-free bread. Many supermarkets now offer excellent gluten-free bread options that work perfectly for French toast. It’s an easy switch that ensures you can enjoy this dish even if you’re avoiding gluten.

Chocolate Chips in French Toast

Adding chocolate chips to French toast is a simple yet indulgent variation. After cooking the French toast, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top, place the slices on a baking sheet, and pop them in the oven for about 3 to 4 minutes. There’s no need to preheat the oven or worry about setting a specific temperature—just enough time for the chocolate chips to melt slightly and create a gooey, delicious topping.

Pan Perdu or French Toast

The recipes for French toast and pain perdu are quite similar, with the main difference lying in the type of bread used. In the French toast recipe, sliced bread (often soft white bread) is the traditional choice. However, for pain perdu (French toast), stale bread from a few days ago is typically used, sliced into pieces. This method not only creates a delicious dish but also helps reduce food waste by making use of bread that would otherwise be discarded. The idea behind pain perdu is to give new life to leftover bread while enjoying a tasty and satisfying meal.

Stuffed French Toast

A delicious twist on the classic recipe is stuffed French toast—a perfect choice for those looking to elevate their breakfast game. The process is simple yet indulgent. Start by dipping slices of bread into the batter as usual. Then, place your filling of choice between two slices—think creamy cinnamon-spiced cheese, fresh strawberries, or even a dollop of your favorite jam.

Once the filling is in place, top it with another batter-dipped slice of bread. Gently press the edges together with your hands to seal the filling inside. This creates a delightful pocket of flavor ready for cooking. Keep in mind that the cooking time will be slightly longer than usual to ensure the filling is warm and the bread is perfectly golden and crisp. It’s a decadent treat that’s worth the extra effort!

Sugar-Free

Making French toast sugar-free is incredibly simple and a great option for those looking to cut down on sugar without sacrificing flavor. All you need to do is replace the sugar in the recipe with a natural sweetener. For instance, stevia works perfectly as a substitute. This way, your French toast will retain its delightful sweetness but without any added sugar, making it a healthier choice while still being just as delicious.

french toast with salted caramel

Tips and Tricks

  • Add the vanilla bean to your egg mixture to intensify the vanilla flavor.
  • Once you’ve prepared the egg, milk, and vanilla mixture, let it rest for about ten minutes. This allows the vanilla to release all its flavor.
  • Cinnamon pairs very well with vanilla in French toast.
  • Use a small amount of butter for each slice of bread. If the butter in the pan becomes too dark, wash the pan and start with fresh butter. The taste of burnt butter will make your French toast bitter.
  • The best combinations for a perfect breakfast are adding maple syrup, Nutella or salted caramel to complete the dish.
  • French toast can also be savory; just don’t add sugar and replace the vanilla with a spice of your choice, such as chili and aromatic herbs.
  • You can use many different types of bread, the most classic being sliced white bread.
  • It is recommended to use a vanilla bean instead of extract for a more intense flavor.
  • The eggs should be fresh and from free-range hens.
french toast with salted caramel

How to Store

To store French toast, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. You can place parchment paper between the slices to prevent them from sticking together. Store the French toast in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. If you want to freeze it for later use, arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to eat, simply reheat the French toast in a toaster, oven, or microwave until warmed through.

Can You Save French Toast Batter?

Yes, you can save French toast batter! It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days, making it a convenient option if you want to prepare ahead of time. Simply cover the batter tightly or transfer it to an airtight container before refrigerating. This way, you can have it ready to go whenever you’re ready to cook your French toast, saving time while still enjoying a freshly made breakfast or brunch.

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French Toast

Nothing kickstarts the day better than French toast for breakfast.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 6 slices slices of white sandwich bread
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 10 gr sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 5 eggs
  • 150 ml milk
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, crack the eggs.
  • Add a pinch of salt.
  • Whisk the eggs until the mixture is smooth.
  • Add the sugar.
  • While still whisking, add the milk.
  • Using a knife, split the vanilla bean in half.
  • Scrape the vanilla seeds with the help of a knife.
  • Add the vanilla seeds to the mixture.
  • Let the mixture rest for 5/10 minutes.
  • In a non-stick skillet, melt a teaspoon of butter over medium heat.
  • Dip the bread slices into the mixture until they absorb a good amount of it.
  • Cook the well-soaked bread slices for 3/4 minutes on each side.
  • Do not add too many slices of bread to the skillet at once.
  • Serve the French toast on a large serving plate, adding fresh berries and your favorite topping.

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 224mg | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 136mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 535IU | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 1mg
breakfast idea, french toast
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