The Best French Toast Ever

Ditch the boring toast! This recipe unlocks the secrets to the best French toast, a fluffy and flavorful breakfast that’s easier than you think.

Looking for the best French toast recipe?

We all get stuck in a rut sometimes, same old cereal or toast getting a little, well, boring. But what if you could take that basic bread and turn it into something truly epic? Enter French toast, the breakfast champion that’s about to level up your mornings.

French toast is one of our favorite things to make for breakfast. We love jazzing up basic French toast recipes and making delicious desert-like breakfast creations like Grand Marnier French toast and Apple Pie French toast. However, we’re keeping things simple for this recipe. Not basic, but simple. This fluffy French toast recipe is what breakfast dreams are made of. 

What Is French Toast?

French toast, also known as pain perdu (which translates to “lost bread” in French), is a breakfast (or sometimes brunch) classic that’s both delicious and incredibly easy to make. It transforms ordinary bread into a special breakfast treat by dipping it in a rich egg custard mixture and then cooking it until golden brown.

The result? Fluffy, eggy bread with crisp edges, bursting with flavor from the sweet custard. French toast can be enjoyed plain with a simple drizzle of maple syrup or dressed up with a variety of toppings like fresh fruit, whipped cream, powdered sugar, or even a sprinkle of brown sugar for a caramelized crunch.

The best part is that you can use whatever type of bread you like for French toast. We love using challah bread to make thick, fluffy French toast!

How to Make Homemade French Toast

• Whisk the Custard (Make Ahead Optional): In a medium bowl, whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, honey, and a pinch of salt. If you’re short on time, you can do this step the night before and store the mixture in the fridge.
• Preheat the Oven: While you’re getting ready to cook, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help keep your cooked French toast warm while you finish the rest of the slices.
• Prepare the Bread: Pour the custard mixture into a shallow dish or pie pan. Now, it’s time to prep your bread! Dip each slice of bread into the custard, letting it soak for about 30 seconds on each side.
• Let the Bread Rest: This is a key step! After soaking, transfer the bread slices to a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. Let them sit for 1-2 minutes. This allows the excess custard to drip off, preventing your French toast from becoming soggy.
• Cook the French Toast: Melt a tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat in a large non-stick skillet. Once the butter is melted and starts to sizzle gently, add two slices of bread at a time. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and delicious.
• Keep Warm and Serve: As each batch of French toast cooks, transfer it to a wire rack placed in the preheated oven. This will keep your French toast warm while you cook the remaining slices.
• Enjoy! Once all the bread is cooked, it’s time to enjoy your delicious French toast! Serve immediately with your favorite toppings like warm maple syrup, whipped cream, or fresh fruit.

How to Store Leftovers & Reheat

Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also freeze it for up to one month. To freeze, place leftover French toast on a baking sheet in a single layer and flash freeze for 1-2 hours. Then, transfer to a plastic bag. 

Before reheating, make sure you allow frozen French toast to thaw in the fridge overnight. 

To reheat, place French toast slices in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the slices for a minute or two on each side to warm them up. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup or any other toppings you like. 

What to Serve With French Toast

Create the ultimate brunch feast by pairing your French toast with other breakfast dishes like a potato frittata and biscuits with gravy and sausage.

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Ditch the boring bowl of cereal and whip up this amazing French toast recipe instead! If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader! 

The Best French Toast Ever

Does Alton Brown have the formula for the best French Toast ever? The short answer, yes.

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Breakfast

American

Author: Kita Roberts

35 minutes mins

Serves: 4 servings

Equipment

• Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids (Set of 3) by Fitzroy and Fox, Blue or Red
• Ultra Cuisine 100% Stainless Steel Wire Cooling Rack for Baking fits Half Sheet Pan – Cool Cookies, Cakes, Breads – Oven Safe for Cooking, Roasting, Grilling – Heavy Duty Commercial Quality
• Coombs Family Farms Organic Maple Syrup, Grade A Amber Color, Rich Taste, 16 oz Jug

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup half-and-half
• ▢ 3 large eggs
• ▢ 2 tablespoons honey - warmed in microwave for 20 seconds
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 8 1/2-inch slices day-old or stale country loaf, brioche or challah bread
• ▢ 4 tablespoons butter

Instructions

• In medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, honey, and salt. You may do this the night before.
• When ready to cook, pour custard mixture into a pie pan and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Dip bread into mixture, allow to soak for 30 seconds on each side, and then remove to a cooling rack that is sitting in a sheet pan, and allow to sit for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a 10-inch nonstick saute pan.
• Place 2 slices of bread at a time into the pan and cook until golden brown, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• Remove from pan and place on rack in oven for 5 minutes. Repeat with all 8 slices.
• Serve immediately with maple syrup, whipped cream or fruit.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 222mg | Sodium: 423mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g

Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.

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Recipe FAQs

Can I make French toast ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the custard mixture the night before and store it in the fridge. In the morning, simply soak and cook your French toast as usual. Leftovers can also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and reheated in the oven or pan for a quick and delicious breakfast the next day.

What are some fun topping ideas?

• Classic: Maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh fruit (berries, bananas, peaches)
• Decadent: Drizzle with chocolate sauce and top with whipped cream and chopped nuts.
• Savory: Use savory cheese like parmesan or cheddar in your custard and top with sliced ham and a fried egg.
• Fruity: Top with a dollop of mascarpone cheese and fresh berries, or drizzle with a homemade fruit compote.

What kind of milk can I use?

Half-and-half is the classic choice, offering a balance of richness and creaminess. However, you can also use whole milk (for a slightly lighter option) or even almond milk or coconut milk for a dairy-free twist. Experiment and see what you prefer!

My French toast turned out soggy. What happened?

There are a few culprits for soggy French toast:

• Over-Soaking: Aim for 30 seconds per side in the custard mixture. Any longer and your bread will become saturated.
• Skipping the Rest: Let your soaked bread slices rest on a wire rack for a minute or two. This allows excess custard to drip off, preventing sogginess.
• Too High Heat: Medium-low heat is key! High heat will burn the outside before the center cooks through, leading to a soggy interior.