Leslie Massey
French toast is a decadent breakfast dish that is simple to make and perfect for a leisurely weekend morning. The classic French toast is made by dipping slices of bread into a mixture of egg and milk, cinnamon, and vanilla, then frying them in butter until golden. The traditional topping for French toast is maple syrup, but it can also be served with fresh berries, bananas, bacon, or a dusting of icing sugar. For a savoury take on this dish, you can skip the sweet toppings and opt for roasted tomatoes and sauteed mushrooms instead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Thick slices of French, Italian loaf, brioche, sourdough, challah, or any stale bread |
| Eggs | 2-3 |
| Milk | 1/2 cup |
| Cinnamon | 1/2 tsp |
| Vanilla | 1 tsp |
| Sugar | 1 tbsp |
| Salt | A pinch |
| Toppings | Maple syrup, icing sugar, butter, berries, bananas, bacon, roasted tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients and measurements
The ingredients for French toast are fairly flexible, and you can adjust the quantities and add extra ingredients to suit your taste. The core ingredients are:
- Eggs: Most recipes call for two or three eggs.
- Milk: Use around half a cup of milk.
- Bread: Thick slices of French or Italian loaf, brioche, sourdough, or challah are good options. The bread should be a few days old so it can firm up and hold up better when dipped in the egg mixture.
You can also add the following ingredients to enhance the flavour:
- Cinnamon: A small amount, such as half a teaspoon, adds warmth and coziness.
- Vanilla: A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds complexity.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavours of the other ingredients without making the dish taste salty.
- Sugar: A tablespoon of white sugar adds sweetness, or you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top of the cooked French toast.
For a savoury option, you can create a Parmesan crust on your French toast. Alternatively, you can serve it with crispy bacon.
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Preparation and cooking
To make French toast, you'll need eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla as a base. Some recipes also include flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. For the bread, you can use any type of bread, but thick slices of French or Italian loaf bread that are a few days old are ideal.
Before you start dipping the bread, prepare your egg mixture. Whisk together 2–3 eggs with 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp vanilla. You can also add a tablespoon of sugar and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavours. If you want to make a fluffy French toast, slowly whisk the milk into the flour before adding the remaining ingredients.
Once your egg mixture is ready, dip your bread slices. Make sure the bread is fully saturated by allowing it to soak up the mixture. You can also try pouring the remaining batter on top of the cooking bread for an extra eggy treat.
Now it's time to cook your French toast. Melt some butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Shake off any excess egg mixture from the bread and place the slices in the pan. Cook for about 1–2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. If you're making a large batch, preheat your oven to 170°F and place a baking sheet inside. Transfer the cooked slices to the baking sheet to keep them warm while you cook the remaining French toasts.
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Serving suggestions
French toast can be served with either sweet or savoury toppings. For a sweet option, the most popular choice is maple syrup, either on its own or with fresh fruit such as bananas, blueberries, or strawberries. For a more indulgent option, you could add butter, cream, yoghurt, icing sugar, or powdered sugar. French toast can also be served with bacon, and one source suggests that this goes particularly well with banana and maple syrup.
If you prefer savoury flavours, French toast can be served with crispy bacon, roasted tomatoes, and sauteed mushrooms.
Some recipes suggest adding ingredients to the egg mixture that the bread is soaked in. These include vanilla, cinnamon, and almond or rum extract. One source suggests adding maple syrup to the egg mixture to control the sugar intake.
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Toppings and sides
French toast can be topped with sweet or savoury toppings, depending on your preference. The classic topping is butter and maple syrup, but you can also add fresh fruit such as sliced strawberries, bananas, or peaches. For a more indulgent option, try chocolate chips, lemon curd, or cinnamon sugar. If you're looking for a savoury option, natural Greek yoghurt, walnuts, and diced tiger nuts are a great combination. You can also experiment with different types of bread, such as brioche or rye, to change up your French toast.
If you want to get creative, try adding some orange zest and a bit of Triple Sec orange liqueur to the batter for a unique twist. You can also play around with different types of milk and flour to create a more traditional "batter" and ensure your French toast is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. For a sweet tooth, a dusting of powdered sugar or icing sugar can be added, and for those who prefer savoury, a small drizzle of rice malt syrup or honey can be a nice addition.
When choosing bread for your French toast, slightly stale, thick slices of French or Italian loaf bread are ideal. This is because fresh bread tends to soak up the mixture too quickly, resulting in a soggy texture. If you only have fresh bread, you can dry it out by popping it in the oven at 180°C/350°F for a few minutes on each side. However, if you're using crusty sourdough, there's no need to do this step.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different toppings and sides to find your perfect combination. French toast is a versatile dish that can be tailored to your taste preferences, so feel free to get creative and enjoy your perfect breakfast or brunch!
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Variations
There are many ways to put a twist on the classic French toast recipe. For a savoury take, you could try Parmesan French toast, which features a Parmesan crust. If you're looking for a sweeter option, you could add a tablespoon of sugar to the batter, or sprinkle powdered sugar on top. You could also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter to enhance the flavour.
For a boozier variation, add some orange zest and a bit of Triple Sec orange liqueur to the batter. If you're making fluffy French toast, you could add some flour to the batter to bind the liquids together and create a more traditional "batter", helping to prevent soggy results.
When it comes to toppings, the classic choice is butter and maple syrup, but you can also get creative. Try serving French toast with fresh berries, bananas, bacon, roasted tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms. For a sweet and tangy option, top with yoghurt mixed with ginger jam.
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Frequently asked questions
Thick slices of French or Italian loaf bread that are a few days old are ideal for French toast. Thin slices of fresh bread tend to fall apart or get mushy. Good options include brioche, sourdough, French bread, or challah.
French toast is typically cooked by frying. Heat butter in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Dip the bread slices into the egg mixture, then cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side or until browned and golden.
French toast is classically topped with butter and maple syrup, but there are many other options. Fresh berries, bananas, bacon, yoghurt, ginger jam, and powdered sugar are all popular choices. If you don't like sweet toppings, you can also serve French toast with savoury flavours.
The basic egg mixture for French toast consists of eggs, milk, and cinnamon. However, you can also add ingredients like vanilla, orange zest, triple sec, sugar, and salt to enhance the flavour.
Preheat your oven to a low temperature, such as 170°F, and place a baking sheet inside. Transfer the cooked slices of French toast to the baking sheet in a single layer to keep them warm without becoming soggy.
