What's the best bread for French toast?

Challah and brioche are top choices for their rich, eggy texture, but any good-quality white bread works wonderfully. The key is having slightly stale bread (1-2 days old) as it absorbs the custard better without falling apart.

Why is my French toast soggy?

Soggy French toast usually happens when the bread is too fresh, soaked too long, or cooked at too low a temperature. Make sure your pan is properly heated before adding the bread, and don't rush the cooking process. If using very fresh bread, try toasting it lightly before soaking.

Can I make the custard mixture ahead of time?

Absolutely! The egg mixture can be prepared the night before and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a good whisk before using, as some ingredients may settle.

What can I use instead of maple syrup?

Honey, agave nectar, fruit compotes, chocolate sauce, or even a simple sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar all make delicious alternatives to maple syrup. For a lighter option, fresh fruit and a dollop of yogurt work beautifully.

Classic French Toast Recipe

Name: Classic French Toast Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (1-pound) uncut loaf white sandwich bread, challah, or brioche; 5 large eggs; 1 3/4 cups whole milk, half-and-half, heavy cream, or a combination; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 3 to 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, plus more for serving; Maple syrup or powdered sugar, for serving

This Classic French Toast recipe transforms ordinary bread into a luxurious breakfast treat with minimal effort. Golden-brown on the outside, soft and custardy on the inside, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and comforting flavors that will make any morning special. Ready in about 30 minutes, this timeless breakfast favorite is ideal for both lazy weekend brunches and weekday morning surprises when you want to start the day with something special.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Simple: Just a handful of basic ingredients transforms into something magical – no fancy techniques required!
Quick Satisfaction: From start to finish in about 30 minutes, making it doable even on busy mornings when you want something special.
Customizable: Works beautifully with whatever bread you have on hand, and you can adjust the sweetness and flavorings to suit your taste.
Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe scales easily for feeding a hungry family or impressing weekend guests.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Bread: The foundation of great French toast! White sandwich bread works wonderfully, but challah or brioche will elevate it to restaurant quality with their richer, eggy texture.
Eggs: These create the custardy richness that makes French toast so satisfying – they’re what transform plain bread into something magical.
Milk/Cream: Use whole milk for standard richness, or mix in some half-and-half or heavy cream for a more decadent version. The fat content directly impacts the luxuriousness of your French toast.
Sugar: Just enough to add sweetness to the custard without making it cloying. It also helps with that beautiful caramelization on the outside.
Vanilla Extract: Adds that warm, aromatic sweetness that makes your kitchen smell like a bakery. Don’t skimp here!
Cinnamon: Provides that classic warm spice note – you can adjust to your preference or even add other spices like nutmeg or cardamom.
Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors. Don’t skip this!
Butter: For cooking – it creates that beautiful golden crust and adds rich flavor. Use unsalted so you can control the saltiness.
Toppings: Classic maple syrup is traditional, but powdered sugar makes for a beautiful presentation. Both are delicious!

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to make this French toast your own? Try these delicious twists:

Berry Topped: Serve with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream for a fresher take.
Banana Foster Style: Top with caramelized bananas and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Nutty Version: Add some toasted sliced almonds or chopped pecans to the top for extra crunch.
Chocolate Lover’s: Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the egg mixture and serve with chocolate syrup.
Stuffed French Toast: Make sandwiches with cream cheese and jam before dipping and cooking for an indulgent treat.
Savory Turn: Reduce the sugar and vanilla, add herbs, and serve with avocado and a fried egg on top.

How to Make Classic French Toast

Step 1: Prepare Your Setup

Heat your oven to 200°F and place a wire rack on a baking sheet. This keeps your first batches warm and crisp while you finish cooking the rest.

Step 2: Slice the Bread

Cut your loaf into thick slices (¾-1 inch is perfect). Slightly stale bread actually works better than fresh as it absorbs the custard without falling apart.

Step 3: Make the Custard Mixture

In a 9×13-inch baking dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until completely combined. The wide, shallow dish makes dipping much easier than a bowl.

Step 4: Soak the Bread

Place several slices in the custard mixture, giving them about 1 minute per side for white bread (just 15 seconds per side for richer breads like challah or brioche). They should be saturated but not soggy enough to fall apart.

Step 5: Cook to Golden Perfection

Melt a tablespoon of butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the soaked bread slices until golden-brown and crisp (3-4 minutes per side), adjusting the heat if they’re browning too quickly.

Step 6: Keep Warm and Repeat

Transfer the cooked slices to the oven to stay warm while you cook the remaining bread, adding fresh butter to the pan between batches.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Serve immediately with maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, or your favorite toppings.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Use Slightly Stale Bread: Day-old bread absorbs the custard better without falling apart.
Don’t Rush the Soak: Give the bread enough time to really absorb the egg mixture – this creates that custardy center we all love.
Watch Your Heat: Medium heat is key – too hot and the outside burns before the inside cooks; too low and it gets soggy.
Fresh Butter for Each Batch: Adding fresh butter between batches prevents burning and ensures each slice gets that rich buttery flavor.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Leave space between slices so they cook evenly and develop that perfect crust.
The Thickness Test: If using a very thick bread, press the center gently while cooking – if custard oozes out, it needs more time.

How to Serve

French toast is versatile enough to pair with almost anything. Here are some favorite serving ideas:

Classic Pairings:

Serve with additional butter, warm maple syrup, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Add fresh berries or sliced bananas for color and freshness.

Savory Sides:

Balance the sweetness with some crispy bacon or breakfast sausage on the side.

Drink Pairings:

Coffee, tea, or fresh orange juice all complement French toast beautifully. For special occasions, mimosas or a coffee with Bailey’s make delightful accompaniments.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Freezing

French toast freezes beautifully! Place cooled slices on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For best results, reheat frozen or refrigerated French toast in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until heated through and crisp again. You can also use a toaster for refrigerated slices, or microwave for 30 seconds followed by a quick toast to restore crispness.

FAQs

What’s the best bread for French toast?

Challah and brioche are top choices for their rich, eggy texture, but any good-quality white bread works wonderfully. The key is having slightly stale bread (1-2 days old) as it absorbs the custard better without falling apart.
Why is my French toast soggy?

Soggy French toast usually happens when the bread is too fresh, soaked too long, or cooked at too low a temperature. Make sure your pan is properly heated before adding the bread, and don’t rush the cooking process. If using very fresh bread, try toasting it lightly before soaking.
Can I make the custard mixture ahead of time?

Absolutely! The egg mixture can be prepared the night before and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a good whisk before using, as some ingredients may settle.
What can I use instead of maple syrup?

Honey, agave nectar, fruit compotes, chocolate sauce, or even a simple sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar all make delicious alternatives to maple syrup. For a lighter option, fresh fruit and a dollop of yogurt work beautifully.

Final Thoughts

This Classic French Toast recipe proves that sometimes the simplest dishes are truly the most satisfying. With its golden-brown exterior and custardy center, it transforms ordinary ingredients into something special enough for celebrations yet easy enough for any morning. Give this recipe a try next weekend – or surprise someone on a weekday morning – and watch how a little breakfast magic can set the tone for a wonderful day ahead.