Easy French Toast Recipes You Can Try!

Nikhil Goswami

Everyone loves a good French toast. This popular breakfast meal can be prepared in different ways. It is quick and easy to make and requires just a handful of ingredients.

French toasts are a great way to use your days-old bread to create something special. Both children and adults find this breakfast classic indulgent, and delicious. The golden-brown crust on the outside and the fluffy, tender insides make this mouthwatering meal so loved.

There’s the classic way to make French toast. However, there are several other ways to spice up your French toast recipe. In this article, we will show you a classic French toast recipe and several other variations of the classic version.

Even though most French toast recipes use eggs and milk, there are some dairy-free recipes that are worth trying too. Also, there are some recipes that involve less traditional bread, like pita. It’s quite easy to make low fat, high protein, high fiber french toast with only a few smart ingredient substitutions that would be good for your diet if you’re looking to lose weight. 

Interestingly, even though French toast is often seen as a sweet breakfast meal, it could also be prepared as a savory dish. All you’ll need for these recipes are some staple pantry ingredients, a skillet or nonstick pan, and a perfect recipe. We’re sure you have the first two covered, so we’ll give you the third- fantastic, evergreen recipes. We’ll show you ten of our favorite French toast recipes. But first, a brief history of our beloved French toast.

A Brief History of French Toast

One fun fact to note is that French toasts did not originate from France as most people think. Where then did the dear beloved French toast originate from? Well, the earliest reference to the classic French toast recipe was in an old collection of recipes from the time of the Roman Empire in the 1st Century CE.

The recipe stated in this book is similar to the present-day French toast recipe. It involved dipping bread in eggs and milk and frying it. Many also believe the recipe was formulated by European cooks centuries ago who wanted to avoid food wastage. Knowing that near-stale bread could be revived by heating, they came up with the idea of French toast. However, the phrase “French toast” was first seen in print in the late 19th Century.

In modern times, different places and regions have different French toast recipes. French toast also goes by different names in different parts of the world.

In Britain, they are often called eggy bread or gypsy toast. They are popularly known as pain perdu in France. In Georgia, they’re often served as a savory dish called kikiliko. French toast is popular in India and is called Bombay toast by locals. It’s popularly sold as street food.

Best Bread for French Toast Recipe

The best bread for making French toast is not a one-size-fits-all. However, you’ll need a thick-cut bread that can hold its own when dipped in the egg batter.

Sourdough and French bread are popular for making French toast. Also, challah and brioche are French toast-friendly loaves of bread.

It’s best to avoid thin, airy slices of bread that may not withstand saturation in an eggy mixture. Also, it’s best to cut thick slices if you have an unsliced loaf. Ideally, a slice should be about ¾ inch thick.

French toast is also a great way to avoid waste since near-stale bread is perfect for the recipe. In fact, French toasts are traditionally prepared with day-old bread.

Besides the bread types we listed, you can use any local bread you prefer. White bread and whole wheat bread are also great for making French toast.

Ingredients Needed for French Toast Recipe

Most French toast recipes require only a few ingredients that might already be available in your home.

Bread: This is a foundational ingredient in any French toast recipe. Your choice of bread will also greatly affect the outcome of your French toast. Thus, it’s important to use the right bread.

Also, as we stated earlier, day-old bread might be the best way to go for this recipe. However, fresh bread works great too.

Eggs: Eggs are a major part of your French toast batter. This great protein source also helps your batter bind consistently.  Adding eggs to your diet may be one of the easiest things to do for weight loss. 

Milk: This is also an integral part of your egg mixture that gives a creamy richness to your toast. For the best texture, choose whole milk. You can also use half-and-half.

Salt: Just a pinch, and your toast comes out with tastier flavors.

Cinnamon and Vanilla: These ingredients give your toast a special flavor. They are optional and can be replaced with other ingredients like nutmeg.

Butter/Oil: To fry your French toasts.

Maple syrup: To serve.

Best 10 French Toast Recipes

1.   Classic French Toast Recipe

We’ll begin with a classic take on the famous French toast. This recipe might be the simplest to make, but it still produces the tasty toasts we all know and love.

For this recipe, you’ll need dense bread like sourdough. You’ll also need 6 big eggs, 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract, 1¼ cups of milk or heavy cream, a pinch of grated nutmeg, salt, and ½ teaspoon of nutmeg.

For your bread, you’ll need 6 slices of day-old or fresh bread. You’ll need 4 tablespoons of butter and frying oil to fry the toast. You may also need honey or maple syrup for serving.

First, put the eggs and cream with the vanilla/nutmeg and cinnamon in a bowl and whisk. Add salt to taste. Then, set aside.

Place your bread on a dish, pour the mixture on the bread, and wait for 10-15 minutes until the bread is soaked. Turn the bread to the other side and repeat the process until the bread is soaked thoroughly.

Place a skillet over medium heat and heat 2 tablespoons of oil and the same of butter. Fry each side of the bread slices for about 3 minutes each until they are golden brown.

Ensure your oven is preheating at this point. When the bread is fried to a perfect golden brown, take them off the pan and put them on a wire rack in the oven. Clean your skillet, and repeat this process, using the remaining butter and oil to fry the remaining slices of bread.

When they are ready, leave them in your preheated oven until you are ready to serve. You can pour maple syrup or honey on the toast when it’s time to serve.

2.   Baked French Toast Recipe

For this casserole recipe, it’s best to go for an egg-based bread like brioche or challah. This casserole recipe is an instant crowd pleaser and is perfect for a family Easter brunch.

For this recipe, you’ll need a loaf of egg-based bread cut into ¾-inch slices. 2 cups of whole milk and 8 eggs are needed for the recipe. You’ll also need 10 ounces of raspberries and 3-4 pears. The pears should be sliced lengthwise after being cored and peeled. For taste and flavor, you’ll need a teaspoon of cinnamon powder, ¾ cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract.

First, pour half a cup of sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt into a bowl and whisk till they mix well. Then, add in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract and continue to whisk until thoroughly mixed. Set the mixture aside.

Bring out a 3-quart baking dish and arrange the slices of bread with the fruits in layers. Ensure that the layers are even and overlapping.

Then, pour the egg batter on the bread and fruit arrangement, and ensure that they are submerged in the mixture. Cover the pan and let it stand for 1 hour to 90 minutes.

Ensure to preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, mix the remaining cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle the mix on top of the fruits and bread in the pan. Bake for about an hour until the casserole puffs up and is golden brown.

Let it cool slightly before serving with your preferred toppings.

3.   Vegan Banana French Toast

This vegan option of French toast is as tasty as its nutritious. This vegan recipe is perfect for you if you want to avoid the animal products in regular French toast. It’ll take 45-50 minutes to prepare this recipe for 8 servings.

Firstly, you’ll need 2 or more bananas, one full and others sliced for serving. Also, you’ll need three tablespoons of maple syrup, ¾ cup of silken tofu, and one cup of almond milk. For flavor, you’ll need a teaspoon of cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

A baguette is preferable for this recipe. It’s best to use day-old loaves cut into one-inch thick slices. You’ll also need about 3 spoons of coconut oil to pan-fry the toast.

To get started, first preheat your oven to 250°. Then, use a food processor to blend the tofu, almond milk, maple syrup, banana, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Let it blend to a smooth consistency. Pour the mixture into a shallow bowl and let sit.

Put a skillet on medium heat and heat a tablespoon of coconut oil. Then, soak the bread slices in the tofu mixture, ensuring it’s properly soaked. Take out the bread slices from the mixture and fry them in the skillet, ensuring that both sides of the bread are cooked properly.

When a golden crust forms on the bread, take it off the pan and set it in the oven. Repeat the steps for every slice of bread, adding more oil to the pan each time.

When they are ready to be served, top them with sliced bananas, honey, or maple syrup.

4.   Baked Stuffed French Toast

This delicious, family-friendly meal makes for a great brunch entrée. To make this sweet and savory French toast, you’ll need:

  • A 14-inch loaf pane Pugliese or any other rustic bread
  • 8 ounces sliced Gruyere
  • ⅔ cup whole milk
  • Unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 8 eggs
  • 8 thin slices of ham
  • Salt
  • Ground pepper
  • Maple syrup

First, butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Then, use a knife to create a deep slit in the bread slices to make a hollow pocket. Place a slice of ham in each of the pockets and add cheese to each pocket. It’s best to trim the ends of the bread for this recipe.

Next, whisk the eggs and milk in a small bowl and stir in salt and pepper. Pour this mix into the baking dish you prepared. Then, place the bread slices on the egg mixture and press them until they are submerged. Ensure the slices do not layer and let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes on each side. (For a more delicious treat, let this bread mixture sit overnight.)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, use the remaining ham and cheese as toppers on the bread mix. Bake for 25 minutes until the cheese melts and the egg mix sets.

Ensure the rack is about five inches from the heat source. Then, turn the oven to broil. Take out the toast after one minute, when it looks golden brown. This meal is best served hot with maple syrup.

5.   Pita Bread French Toast

For another delightful twist on French Toast, you can try out this pita bread French toast. We have a delicious recipe for you if you never know what to do with leftover pizza.

For this recipe, you’ll need 6 large eggs, 1.5 cups of whole milk, and half a cup of granulated sugar. You’ll also need grated lemon zest, a pinch of coarse salt, and a tablespoon of butter. Lastly, of course, you’ll need 4 pitas.

To start cooking, whisk the eggs, lemon zest, salt, milk, and sugar in a bowl. Then, cut each Pita slice in half and place them in the mixture for about 20 minutes. Remember to flip the slices 10 minutes in for an even coating.

Next, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. When the butter begins to foam, place the pitas batch by batch into the pan. Fry until it’s golden brown, for about 10 to 15 minutes. Keep the pita French toast wrapped in foil until you’re ready to serve.

When it’s time to serve, serve with a dusting of confectioner’s sugar

6.   Pumpkin Pie French Toast

This French toast recipe was inspired by the classic pumpkin pie. This French toast recipe is a fun way to enjoy a savory version of French toast.

The ingredients needed for the recipe include butter to grease the baking dish, 1 8-ounce baguette cut in half inch slices, 1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice, Confectioners’ sugar, 4 large eggs, and a can of pumpkin puree. You’ll also need 1 quart of half-and-half and light-brown sugar each, vanilla extract, and salt.

First, preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square shallow baking dish and set it aside. Place the bread slices on a baking sheet and put them in the oven, occasionally turning to ensure it toasts evenly. In about 20 minutes, your bread should have turned into a light brown toast. Then, remove them from the oven.

Next, whisk the eggs and the half-and-half together with the pumpkin puree. Also, mix in the vanilla, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and brown sugar. Submerge the toasted bread inside this mix, and cover with plastic wrap.

Place a plate on top of the plastic wrap and put a canned good on top to weight it. Let the bread soak completely for about 30 minutes.

Next, place the mixture on a prepared baking sheet. Bake it until it’s firm. To ensure it’s ready, place a toothpick at the center. If it comes out clean, then your baked good is ready. This baking process should take 60 to 75 minutes.

You can either sell this meal warm or at room temperature. To serve, dust it with confectioners’ sugar and add a whipped cream topping.

7.   Cinnamon and Sugar French Waffle Toast

This delicious waffle recipe only takes 30 minutes to prepare. You’ll need 9 slices of bread, 4 large eggs, one cup milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. You’ll also need a waffle iron for this recipe. You can also adjust the amount of milk to suit your preference.

To begin preparing, first, preheat the waffle iron adequately, and use a cooking spray to spray it. Next, whisk the milk and eggs together, then add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sugar. Dip your bread slices into this mixture and place it into the waffle iron.

Let it cook for about two minutes until it’s golden brown. Then, serve with your favorite syrup and toppings.

8.   Banana-Nut French Toast Sandwiches

This recipe is a heartier version of banana-nut bread featuring a mix of walnuts, bananas, and brown sugar. It’s best to use brioche bread for this recipe.

For this recipe, you’ll need a cup of walnut halves, 1.5 cups whole milk, heavy cream or half-and-half, and 6 eggs. You’ll also need 6 firm, ripe bananas cut into quarter-inch slices and half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Also, you’ll require one stick of butter, a pinch of nutmeg and salt, and 1.5 cups of brown sugar. Finally, you’ll need 10 slices of day-old bread to make this recipe.

To get started, preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Line your walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and let them toast for about ten minutes until it’s fragrant. Then let it sit until it’s cool. When it’s cool, chop the walnuts coarsely.

Then, get a bowl and whisk your eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, cream, and salt. In another bowl, mix the sugar, toasted walnuts, and bananas.

Place six slices of bread on your clean counter, and top each slice with some of the banana mixtures. Then, create a sandwich by topping it with another slice.

Next, line the sandwiches in shallow baking dishes and don’t stack them. Then, get your egg mix and pour it over the bread in the pan. Let them soak in the mix, and ensure you turn the sandwiches carefully to ensure thorough soaking. Each side should soak for about 10 minutes.

Reduce your oven’s temperature to 250 degrees. Then, use a skillet to heat the remaining banana mixture over medium-low heat until the bananas appear translucent and the sugar melts. This should take about 3 minutes. Mix in 4 tablespoons of butter and keep the mixture warm.

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and butter each using a large skillet. Then place the sandwich inside, frying each side for two to three minutes.

Then, place a wire rack over a baking sheet. Transfer the sandwiches to the wire rack and keep them warm in the oven while you repeat the steps for the remaining sandwiches.

For each batch, wipe the skillet and use an adequate amount of butter and oil to fry the remaining sandwiches. When it’s time to serve them, cut them into triangles and serve with maple syrup or your desired syrup.

9.   Panettone French Toast Casserole

There are so many ways to use leftover panettone. This tasty Christmas bread is great for a French toast casserole recipe. This casserole might take 2 hours and 40 minutes to prepare, but every bite will be worth it.

You’ll need the following for this recipe:

  • 1.5 pounds panettone, cut into two halves, then cut into 3/4-inch thick slices
  • 8 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 1 pinch of kosher salt
  • Confectioners’ sugar

To begin, arrange the bread slices in a 3-quart baking dish, ensuring that the bread layers overlap. Then, thoroughly whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Pour this egg mixture over the Brad in the baking dish. You can press the bread slices in with your pan to ensure they are fully submerged in the batter. Cover the pan and let it stand for an hour.

This casserole mix can be stored in a fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. When it’s ready to bake, take out the casserole mix from the fridge and let it sit for 30 minutes before baking.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Bake until the bread puffs and shows a golden brown color. This should take up to 50 minutes. If the bread is browning too fast, tent it with foil.

Let it cool for about 10 minutes, then dust some confectioners’ sugar on the casserole. You can also drizzle some maple syrup on it.

10.               French Toast Sticks

This delicious recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner. It features some unexpected toppings like mushrooms and cheese. For this recipe, you’ll need the following:

  • 6  eggs
  • 6 slices of thick-cut bread (cut into long stripes)
  • 6 slices of bacon
  • 2 diced onions
  • 12 ounces button stemmed mushrooms
  • 1.5cups or milk
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

First, heat a skillet over medium heat. Then, cook your bacon for about 4 minutes until it browns. Take out the bacon from the pan to drain them on paper towels. Set them aside.

While the skillet is still on the stove, add the onions and stir continuously until the onions start to get soft. This should take less than 3 minutes.

Add the mushrooms to the onions and cook them until they are tender. This should take about 5 minutes. After the liquid has completely evaporated from the skillet, transfer the mixture to a bowl. When it cools, chop one half and let the other half sit.

Arrange the bread strips in a baking dish, and ensure they do not stack or overlap. Then, pour the egg mix over the bread and let it soak for 12 minutes on both sides.

Set aside a wire rack on a baking sheet and preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Place a skillet on the stove and heat a tablespoon each of butter and vegetable oil. Fry the bread strips for about 3 minutes per side, ensuring they are golden brown. Fry in batches, placing every prepared toast on the wire rack in the oven.

Repeat the same process for every batch, wiping out the skillet before every use. Keep the prepared meal in the oven until you’re ready to serve.

You can heat the leftover onion mix in a frying pan to use as a topping. You can also use crumbled bacon and cheese if you desire.

If you would like to spice things up a notch, you can have several other recipes such as weed butter, you can learn how to make weed butter. For dessert we hope you would like something chocolaty, we also have the recipe on how to make weed brownies if you would like to check that out.

Conclusion: How To Make French Toast?

We’ve rounded up our favorite French toast recipes in this article. Even though we all love the classic version, there’s so much more to French toast than the classic recipe. We’ve included a vegan option, savory options, and other fun ways to make your favorite breakfast meal.

We all love the warm comfort of French toast and our favorite toppings, and there are so many interesting ways to make French toast. You can go all out to explore these recipes or even create your own delicious French toast recipes. 

 

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