How to Make French Toast

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Get ready to make the most incredible French Toast you’ve ever had!

French Toast is a simple enough recipe, but to make AMAZING French Toast takes paying attention to a few key components.

I remember my dad used to make us French Toast on weekend mornings every once in a while. Those days were such a treat! They might be the reason why I prefer French Toast over pancakes and waffles to this day.

He always said his secret to a great classic French Toast recipe was using copious amounts of vanilla. I don’t disagree!

This easy French Toast recipe yields the most delicious breakfast you’ll possibly ever eat – right at home in your own kitchen.

I hope you give this recipe a try for your weekend breakfast, next time you’re hosting brunch, or to treat mom to a special breakfast on Mother’s Day!

Sprinkle of Science

How to Make French Toast

Here are all the tips you need to make the best French Toast recipe that your family will be begging you for every Sunday morning brunch.

What is The Best Type of Bread for French Toast?

Using the best bread is the most important part of any amazing French Toast! Whatever bread you use, make sure it’s sliced about 3/4-inch thick to achieve that pillowy interior but caramelized exterior. Thick slices of bread are the key to incredible French toast.

• My absolute go-to is good quality Challah bread. Not all grocery store Challah bread is created equally, so take a look at the ingredient label to see if the ingredients are simple. If there are a bunch of weird additives and food-like substances, it probably won’t do your French Toast many favors.
• If you can’t find Challah, use Brioche. It’s even richer than Challah, which can be too much for some people in the morning.
• Alternatively, use thick-cut Texas toast bread. It’s sturdy enough to hold up to the custard batter coating and frying.

Why Use Whole Eggs and Egg Yolks?

This French Toast recipe calls for 3 large eggs plus 3 egg yolks. The egg whites are what contain those distinct sulfur compounds that make things taste “eggy.” So by reducing the whole eggs and bumping up the egg yolks, we’re getting enough moisture and richness – but not creating French Toast that basically tastes like scrambled eggs.

Be sure to use large eggs (about 56 grams in shell) – larger or smaller eggs will produce different results.

What Type of Milk for French Toast?

I highly recommend using whole milk when making French Toast. I haven’t tried using milk alternatives, like almond milk or oat milk, but feel free to experiment if needed.

How to Make French Toast in 5 Easy Steps:

1. Dry out the bread.
2. Whisk together the wet ingredients.
3. Dip each slice of bread in the egg mixture and allow to soak through on each side.
4. Heat the butter in a skillet.
5. Cook the soaked bread on each side. Serve with maple syrup and enjoy!

How to Soak Your French Toast Before Cooking

Be sure to soak your French Toast for enough time! Let the slices of bread relax in the custard mixture for at least a few minutes. If you like French Toast that has more of a texture of bread pudding, let it soak for even longer – up to 15 minutes.

Note: Soak your bread for less time if using a more delicate bread, or a bread that’s sliced thinner than 3/4-inch thick.

How to Avoid SOGGY French Toast

The story goes that French Toast, or Pain Perdu, was invented to use up day-old bread. We now live in a modern society where most bread is manufactured in a way to prevent staling, so day-old bread is a different kind of concept.

However, that nearly-stale bread is what makes for the best French Toast recipe that remains light and fluffy instead of becoming soggy from the richness of the egg-and-milk mixture.

How to Dry Bread for French Toast

For this French Toast recipe, I took a tip from Cooks Illustrated and slightly “dry out” the bread on a baking sheet in the oven at a very low heat while preparing the remaining ingredients. This allows the bread to soak in just the right amount of custard to be rich and fluffy without getting weighed down.

So if you use the right kind of bread, dry it out slightly, and then follow the tips in the next heading below, you’ll be sure to have perfect French Toast!

How to Make Crispy, Golden Brown French Toast

When I say crispy, I mean caramelized and golden brown at the edges while still light and fluffy inside. I find this comes down to frying technique:

• Use a combination of butter and oil to fry: The butter provides flavor and the milk solids help to create caramelization. However, using only butter often leads to French Toast that’s burnt on the exterior and undercooked on the interior. That’s because those milk solids can brown very quickly. So the combination of butter + oil is the perfect solution.
• A small amount of brown sugar in the batter: This helps to create those caramelized lacey exteriors.
• Medium heat when frying: Too low, and you won’t get any caramelization and you’ll end up with limp sad slices of French Toast. Too high, and you’ll get toast that’s burnt on the outside and soggy on the inside.

How to Make Flavorful French Toast

• I love to use a hint of orange zest and vanilla to round out the flavors in my French Toast recipe.
• Feel free to omit the orange zest if you prefer or add a splash of Grand Marnier instead.
• You can also use a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or other spices, to suit your personal preferences.
• The other key ingredient is high-quality vanilla extract.
• You’ll also want to use quality milk and eggs. I usually go for pasture-raised.
• Lastly, be sure to use real maple syrup for serving! It makes such a difference.

Topping Ideas:

• Maple syrup, of course!
• Whipped cream
• Fresh berries – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.
• Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
• Powdered sugar
• Peanut butter
• Nutella
• Bacon or sausage (if you’re into salty-sweet combinations!)

Can French Toast be Made Ahead of Time?

You can keep slices of cooked French Toast warm in a low oven for up to 1 hour. I find French Toast is best served soon after it’s made. If you need to make it ahead of time, you might be better off with a casserole-style French Toast recipe like my Lemon Blueberry Overnight French Toast Casserole.

Products I Love for This Recipe:

• Cast iron skillet 
• Whisk
• Measuring spoons
• My favorite sheet pan

More French Toast Recipes:

• Churro French Toast
• Bananas Foster French Toast
• Lemon Blueberry Overnight French Toast Casserole

More Amazing Breakfast Recipes:

• The Best Pancake Recipe
• The Best Homemade Waffle Recipe
• How to Make Crepes
• Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
• Home Fries
• How to Make Perfect Scones

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How to Make

French Toast

By: Tessa Arias

5 from 11 votes

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Review Print SaveSaved!

How to Make the French Toast that's slightly crisp at the edges, fluffy in the center, and buttery throughout. Tons of tips for the BEST French Toast recipe you'll ever have!

Ingredients 

• ▢ 8 slices challah or brioche bread, sliced 3/4-inch thick
• ▢ 3 large eggs
• ▢ 3 egg yolks
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• ▢ 1 teaspoon grated orange zest (optional)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• ▢ Unsalted butter
• ▢ Vegetable oil
• ▢ Maple syrup
• ▢ Fresh fruit, for serving

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 250°. Place the slices of bread on a sheet pan inside the oven to dry out slightly while you prepare the other ingredients, no more than 15 minutes.
• In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, yolks, milk, orange zest, vanilla, sugar, and salt. Soak as many slices in the egg mixture as possible for 4 to 5 minutes, turning once.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter and 1 tablespoon of the oil in a very large saute pan or griddle over medium heat.
• Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until well browned. Place the cooked French toast back on the sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven until ready to serve.
• Fry the remaining soaked bread slices, adding butter and oil as needed, until it’s all cooked.
• Serve hot with maple syrup, fresh fruit, and extra butter, if desired.

Show us!If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a picture and share it on Instagram with #handletheheat so we can all see!

This post was originally published in 2013 and has been updated with new photos and recipe tips. Photos by Ashley McLaughlin.