French Toast

This French Toast recipe that’s been my family’s go-to for decades – the kind we all grew up waking up to. It turns out soft and custardy inside, perfectly golden outside, and it fills the kitchen with that “breakfast is ready” smell everyone loves. Best part? It’s made with simple ingredients and comes together under 20 minutes, so you can enjoy a café-style breakfast without any fuss.

What Is French Toast?

French Toast is one of those timeless dishes that’s been around for ages. Funny enough, it wasn’t actually invented in France. People were already making early versions of it in ancient Rome, long before France became a country. Much later, it became known as pain perdu, meaning “lost bread”, because it was a clever way to use up stale loaves. The modern name “French toast” appeared even later, likely introduced by French immigrants in the U.S., and it stuck simply because it sounded good on a menu.

Today, French Toast has evolved far beyond its modest beginnings. You’ll find it on café menus everywhere, often piled high with berries, syrup, powdered sugar, or even whipped cream. My version keeps the same café-style indulgence but stays wonderfully simple – transforming humble bread into into something that tastes like a morning treat.

Why You’ll Love This French Toast Recipe

It’s no surprise French Toast is one of the most loved breakfasts around the world. It’s the kind of recipe that gets passed down through generations – a little different in every home, yet always familiar. I’ve loved it since I was a kid, and it’s still my favorite way to start the day. Here’s why this version has stayed with me all these years:

• It’s a quick and easy breakfast that takes only about 20 minutes from start to finish.
• I love that this recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have, yet it still gives you that rich, café-style French Toast that feels anything but ordinary.
• It’s incredibly budget-friendly, making it easy to enjoy a great homemade breakfast without stretching your grocery bill.
• This recipe is easy to customize – keep it simple or add your favorite topping to make it exactly the way you like.
• It can be make ahead by preparing the custard mixture the night before, so in the morning all that’s left is to dip the bread and cook.

French Toast Ingredients

Before we dive into cooking, let’s take a moment to look at the ingredients. Each one plays a small but important role, and knowing why helps you make French Toast that turns out perfect every time.

Bread

If you’ve ever wondered what is the best bread for French Toast, I’ve tested them all – and it really comes down to the texture you love most. What matters is choosing slices with a denser crumb (fewer large holes) so they soak up the custard without falling apart.

• Brioche is my forever favorite. It’s rich, buttery, and just slightly sweet, with a soft crumb that soaks up the custard like a sponge while holding its shape beautifully.
• Challah comes close behind. It’s still rich and eggy but a little lighter and less buttery, which gives a firmer bite and a touch more chew. It also very good at absorbing custard while holding its shape.
• If you prefer something lighter, thick-cut white sandwich bread also works – just avoid very soft or thin slices, which soak too quickly and fall apart.
• For a rustic variation, I go with sourdough or country-style bread that adds a subtle tang and a slightly firmer texture.

Whatever bread you use, stale slices work best. The loaf you were about to throw away usually makes the best French Toast. But if all you have is fresh bread, it’ll still turn out great – just a little softer. When I can’t resist using a fresh loaf, I simply unwrap it and let it air-dry overnight so it’s ready for breakfast.

Eggs

Eggs are the foundation of a good French Toast custard. Without them, the bread would stay soggy no matter how long you cook it. As the eggs heat up, their proteins set and thicken, giving the custard structure and that rich, classic French Toast texture.

Milk and Cream

Milk and cream are what make the mixture a true custard – without them, it cooks more like scrambled eggs. Milk keeps the texture light, while a splash of cream adds that rich, café-style smoothness. If you don’t have heavy cream, half-and-half works as well, or you can use just milk for a lighter version.

Seasoning

A little sugar, salt, and spices give the custard its character. Sugar lightly sweetens and helps the surface caramelize, while vanilla, cinnamon, allspice, and a hint of nutmeg add that familiar warmth that makes French Toast so inviting.

Butter

It’s hard to imagine perfect French Toast without butter, right? I like to use unsalted butter so I can control the seasoning and melt just enough to coat the skillet before adding each batch.

Each of these ingredients is simple on its own, but together they make French Toast that never disappoints.

Tips for the Best French Toast

French Toast is easy to make, but a few simple techniques can take it from good to exceptional. I grew up watching this recipe being made, and over the years, I’ve picked up a handful of tips that consistently give me the best result.

What’s the Best Skillet for French Toast

A good skillet sets you up for evenly cooked, golden French Toast. It should distribute heat evenly and be wide enough to flip slices easily. My go-to choices are cast iron or nonstick skillet – both hold steady heat and release beautifully without tearing that delicate texture. If you have a griddle, even better. It keeps the temperature consistent and lets you cook a full batch at once, so everyone gets warm slices straight from the pan.

How to Preheat Your Skillet Properly

A cold skillet is one of the main reasons French Toast turns out pale or soggy. When the pan isn’t hot enough, the custard doesn’t set right away and starts to seep out. Preheating your skillet or griddle over medium heat solves this – you want it evenly hot (not smoking) so a tiny drop of water sizzles on contact. That way, the custard begins to cook the moment the bread hits the surface, giving you a golden crust right from the start.

How to Keep French Toast from Burning

It’s tempting to turn the heat up to speed things along, but with French Toast it only leads to burnt edges and an undercooked center. Medium heat is the sweet spot that lets the custard cook through while the surface turns golden. If it browns too quickly, just lower the heat and give it a little more time.

How to Prevent Butter from Browning Too Quickly

Butter tends to brown quickly – especially if you’re cooking several batches. To keep the color even and prevent a burnt flavor, I add a small splash of neutral oil (like canola, avocado, or peanut) to the skillet along with the butter. The oil raises the smoke point, helping the butter stay golden instead of burning.

How to Mix French Toast Custard

A well-mixed custard is essential. If the eggs aren’t whisked thoroughly with the milk and cream, they don’t fully blend into the liquid and won’t soak into the bread properly – they will just cook into little strands on the surface. Spices need attention too: they naturally float, so unless they’re whisked in well, most of them will cling to the first slice you dip, leaving the rest barely seasoned. Take a moment to whisk everything until the custard is completely smooth and the spices are evenly mixed – it makes every slice cook evenly and taste the same.

Don’t Over-Soak the Bread

I usually dip each side for about 30-40 seconds, just until it’s coated and slightly heavy. If the slices sit too long, they’ll absorb too much and fall apart. For the best texture, transfer them straight from the custard to the skillet while they’re still easy to handle.

Now that we’ve covered how to make French Toast turn out perfectly, let’s talk toppings and all the little extras that make each slice shine.

French Toast Topping Ideas

A good topping can make French Toast feels like a café-style treat. Here are some of my favorite ways to dress it up:

• Butter and Maple Syrup. Top your warm French Toast with butter and a pour of maple syrup for that sweet, comforting classic.
• Fresh Berries. A mix of strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries adds juicy sweetness and a refreshing contrast to the warm French Toast.
• Powdered Sugar. A light dusting adds that café-style look and a touch of sweetness. I use a small sieve so it falls like snow – it’s simple but always looks beautiful.
• Yogurt or Whipped Cream. When I want something creamy, I go for a spoonful of Greek yogurt for a tangy balance or lightly whipped cream for a softer finish. Both pair perfectly with fruit or honey.
• Sauces. Chocolate, caramel, or fruit sauces bring a gentle sweetness and richness to enhance the French Toast – just a light drizzle is all you need.
• Nuts. Sometimes I use toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts to add a delicate crunch and a nutty flavor that contrasts beautifully with the custardy texture of the toast.

That’s how I like to top mine, but everyone has their own twists. What’s your favorite way to serve French Toast? Share it in the comments below – I’m always looking for new ideas to try!

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

If you ever end up with a few slices left over – which rarely happens for me – let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

If you’ve made a big batch, you can also freeze the slices. Lay the cooked and cooled French Toasts in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Defrost in the microwave for 45-60 seconds or in the fridge overnight.

When you’re ready to reheat, warm the slices in a skillet (my favorite method), pop them in a toaster, or bake for 5-7 minutes at 180°C / 350°F. I tend to avoid the microwave for reheating – it softens the texture more than I like.

Frequently Asked Questions