French toast is a beloved breakfast favorite, often made on autopilot. Whether you're an expert or a beginner, small adjustments can take your recipe to the next level. Looking to make it even better? Try these simple tips for the best French toast results.
How to Prepare French Toast
French toast is a classic comfort food, and fortunately, it’s incredibly easy to make. Before diving into our expert tips, let's go over the basic steps for preparing this breakfast favorite.
- Start by cutting your bread into slices, about 1/2 to 1 inch thick.
- Prepare the custard by whisking eggs, milk, sugar, and your preferred spices like cinnamon.
- Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture one at a time.
- Cook the soaked bread slices on a skillet for around 4 minutes per side, until golden and crispy.
- Top with your favorite additions like maple syrup, powdered sugar, butter, or fresh berries and enjoy!
Top French Toast Tips
These helpful tips will transform your French toast from good to absolutely unforgettable.
1. Choose the Best Bread for French Toast
For classic French toast, opt for a dense white Pullman bread. For a richer twist, try using eggy challah or buttery brioche. The drier the bread, the better it absorbs the custard mixture.
A day-old loaf is perfect, but if you're in a hurry, you can dry the bread slices in a 275°F oven for 10 minutes before soaking. While dried or stale bread is ideal, it’s not essential—feel free to use what you have on hand for a quicker preparation.
2. Slice to Fit the Perfect Bite
To get the most out of your French toast, slice it thick—no thinner than half an inch, but feel free to go up to an inch. The thicker slices have more character, offering a better texture and absorbing more of the delicious egg and milk mixture for richer flavor in every bite.
For a quicker prep, you can grab pre-sliced Texas toast from the store, which typically comes in about 1-inch thick slices. Alternatively, pre-sliced challah or brioche works well, just make sure they're at least half an inch thick.
3. Perfect the Egg-to-Milk Balance
Eggs and milk are the heart of the custard mixture that gives French toast its soft, tender texture. But if the ratio isn’t right, you’ll end up with undercooked slices that have an unappetizing, savory "scrambled eggs" taste.
A general guideline is to use about 1/4 cup of milk and one egg for every two slices. To avoid the "scrambled" flavor, consider using just the egg yolks (the sulfur compounds in the whites are what cause that distinct "egg" taste).
For French toast, always choose a milk with a high fat content, like whole milk. You can even enhance the richness with a splash of half-and-half or heavy cream. If you prefer non-dairy options, opt for a creamy variety such as coconut or macadamia nut milk for the best outcome.
While milk and eggs are the essential components of the custard base, it’s the seasonings that give French toast its unique flavor. A dash of cinnamon and vanilla extract are classic additions, and a touch of sugar never hurts. You could also try adding cardamom or pumpkin pie spice to bring in more warmth and depth of flavor.
French toast is traditionally made by dipping bread into an egg mixture. Since bread soaks up a lot of egg, it's best to cook it in a non-stick pan . While regular pans can give you a nice, flavorful color, you don't want to waste time scrubbing away stuck-on egg. Non-stick pans are especially helpful when making large batches and you want to minimize cleanup between servings.
When it comes to topping your French toast, opt for real maple syrup instead of corn syrup substitutes. Many so-called breakfast or pancake syrups aren't actually maple syrup at all. Choose genuine maple syrup, the complex and sweet product made from the sap of maple trees.
Top your French toast with a creamy scoop of ricotta cheese and a dollop of your favorite jam, like cherry or apricot. You can also experiment with compound butter that pairs well with sweet flavors, such as honey butter, for a new twist. These alternatives can replace maple syrup, but feel free to combine them for a mix of flavors.
While there are times when you might prefer oils like grapeseed, French toast isn't one of them. Butter brings a rich, comforting depth to this breakfast treat. To avoid burning or smoking, try using a blend of butter and oil when cooking the toast.
Now that you've mastered the art of perfect French toast, it's time to dive into some delicious recipes. What better way to start than with these fantastic French toast ideas?
Challah bread makes an ideal base for French toast with its thick, soft, and rich texture. This recipe incorporates orange zest in the custard, adding a lively citrus note to every bite. Finish with a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a sweet touch.
If you're not a fan of sweets, this savory French toast casserole is for you. Packed with red onions, Fresno chiles, and cilantro, it offers a bold twist on the classic. The casserole bakes until golden, and it's best served with a sweet chutney to balance the savory elements.
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