If you are tired of your boring breakfast routine, this French toast recipe is the answer to your Saturday morning blues! With hints of cinnamon and vanilla, buttery crisp edges, and a custardy center, this is the best French toast recipe around and runs circles around your mom’s basic French toast.
This is the Best French Toast Recipe
In many homes, french toast is a staple breakfast food. It’s so simple to make and tastes delicious with lots of different toppings. I’ve got a whole list for you below, if you are looking for inspiration, but I especially love topping it with honey. It’s something I picked up when we were traveling through Cappadocia in Turkey and I’ve preferred french toast with honey ever since. The french toast recipe that I’m sharing today is by far the best french toast recipe. Not only does it hold up well with the challah bread, but the added brown sugar and nutmeg in the egg mixture helps to bring it all to life and really packs a flavorful punch you didn’t know that your plain french toast was missing. We don’t like to skip breakfast, especially on weekends! Some of our other favorites are Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Easy Belgian Waffles, and Homemade Blueberry Muffins.
Why the type of bread matters to make The Best French Toast
One of the great things about french toast is that you can make it with almost any type of bread. But thicker bread makes the best french toasts because it can hold up to the added moisture that it will be soaked in and give that custard-like texture the really good french toast is known for. Regular white sandwich bread has a tendency to fall apart and doesn’t bring a lot of flavor to the table to begin with. I’ve even used leftover homemade rolls a few days after a holiday dinner to make french toast by slicing them horizontally into halves or thirds (depending on how big they are). It works really well and is a great way of using up leftovers without letting them go to waste! Fun fact: french toast isn’t actually French, although they do eat it there. In France, it’s referred to as “pain perdu,” which means lost bread, and it is eaten as a dessert. It’s called lost bread because the dish is supposed to use old, stale pieces of leftover bread. If I have my druthers, though, I will always make french toast with homemade challah bread. Brioche bread is my second choice, followed by Italian bread, french bread, and Texas toast. Also, you can totally make cinnamon roll french toast using unfrosted cinnamon rolls that have been cut in half or in thirds and it is fantastic. Another delicious option is my apple fritter bread, banana bread, or panettone (an Italian Christmas bread).
Best French Toast ingredients
The ingredient list for french toast is really simple. You can make french toast without cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, or vanilla, but each of those little additions makes a big difference in this french toast recipe!
Eggs Whole milk (or even heavy cream) Cinnamon Nutmeg Brown sugar Vanilla extract Butter Bread
How to make Homemade French Toast
Classic French Toast Recipe tips
Use the right bread: Use thick slices of bread, like brioche or challah, as they absorb the batter well and offer a rich flavor. Batter Balance: Create a batter using eggs, milk or cream, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. Ensure the mixture is well-combined but not too runny or too thick. Soaking Time: Let the bread soak in the batter for a few seconds on each side, allowing it to absorb but not become overly soggy. Pan Preparation: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add butter or oil. This helps prevent sticking and adds flavor. Cooking Technique: Cook the soaked bread until it’s golden brown on each side. Ensure it’s cooked through but not overly dry. Temperature Control: Make sure your heat isn’t too high, or you’ll end up burning the outside of the toast before the inside is properly cooked.
Serving Suggestions for this Classic French Toast Recipe
While I already mentioned that I love French toast with honey (seriously, it’s so good and if you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it), there are actually a lot of different things that you can top your French toast with including:
Butter (because we are frying our French toast in butter, I never feel the need for more, but to each his own) Maple syrup (so basic but who cares when it’s so delicious?) Coconut Syrup Freshly whipped cream Fresh fruit Jams or preserves Flavored butter (like Whipped Cinnamon Honey Butter or Raspberry Butter) Buttermilk caramel syrup (Kneader’s in Utah serves their French toast like this and it’s amazing) Peanut butter Nutella Or even vanilla ice cream for dessert!
It’s crazy how, with a little creativity, an easy French toast recipe can become a completely different experience each time. That alone, definitely makes it one of the best breakfast foods.
Storing Leftover Homemade French Toast
Let the French toast to cool down to room temperature before storing it. Place the leftovers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then refrigerate for up to 2-3 days.
Can I freeze this Fluffy French Toast?
Yes, French toast freezes well. To freeze, wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap or wax paper to prevent sticking. Place the individually wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Frozen French toast can last for about 1-2 months without compromising taste too much.
How to reheat The Best French Toast
Reheat leftover French toast in a toaster, toaster oven, or microwave until warmed through. If frozen, thaw the French toast slices in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven for a crispy texture or use the microwave for a quicker result.
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