Wake up to an irresistible weekend breakfast that’s super quick! This is how to make French Toast – whisk 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, cinnamon and vanilla. Dip bread, pan fry in butter for 2 minutes each side until golden, then douse with maple syrup!
French toast will always be a staple for leisurely weekend breakfasts along with my favourite fluffy Pancakes and Pancakes bursting with Blueberries. So skip the bistro queue and make brunch at home this weekend!
French toast
You know when you feel like making something grand-ish for a weekend breakfast and but you’re too bleary to tackle Eggs Benedict?
French toast is your answer. Always.
Why? Because it’s effortless, and there’s a plethora of topping options!
How to make French Toast
Whisk 2 eggs with 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp vanilla. Dunk bread of choice (stale is best), then pan fry in butter until blushing gold on the surface and crispy golden on the edges, then douse liberally with maple syrup.
See? Effortless!
What does French Toast taste like?
It’s sort of like Bread and Butter pudding. Custardy on the inside with buttery crispy golden edges, it’s even great to eat plain but, like pancakes, ideal for smothering in maple syrup!
The best bread for French Toast
Buttery brioche is my bread of choice – pictured in the photos. It’s a total shameless indulgence, a copycat of trendy local bistros that charge a small fortune.
So in my opinion, the best bread is:
- Brioche – my first choice, hands down the most indulgent;
- Challah is also excellent – similar texture to Brioche but not as buttery;
- Good ole’ white sandwich bread;
- Other plain white breads – even rolls and baguette cut into slices (see my Mini French Toast recipe);
- Crusty artisan breads (sourdough etc). I personally don’t favour the sourdough flavour in my French toast, but I know some people love it!
French toast topping options
From everybody’s favourite maple syrup, to fresh fruit, caramelised fruit, compotes or fruit syrups, ice cream (for breakfast!), chocolate and caramel sauces, nuts, BACON (yes, yes, YES!!!)…..
So many amazing possibilities, but I’ll tell you a secret:
My favourite is plain French Toast with just maple syrup and a little pat of butter.
The only reason I added strawberries is to make the photos look a teeny bit prettier. Because, as readers know, I’m very conscious that my blog is so dominated by so much yellow and brown foods, and this French Toast recipe falls firmly into that bucket.
So just to make myself feel a bit better, I added strawberries. Just for a bit of colour. 😂 – Nagi x
Cute spins on French Toast
- Cinnamon French Toast Sticks
- Strawberry Nutella French Toast Roll Ups
- Cinnamon French Toast bites
- Bacon French Toast Roll Ups
- Monte Cristo (Ham Cheese French Toast Sandwich)
French toast recipe
Watch how to make it
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French Toast
Ingredients
- 6 slices brioche or white sandwich bread , slightly stale (Note 1)
- 30 – 40g / 2 – 3 tbsp butter
Egg Mixture:
- 2 large eggs (~60g / 2 oz each)
- ½ cup / 125 ml milk
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Macerated Strawberries, optional:
- 250g / 8 oz strawberries, halved
- 1 tbsp white sugar
Serving:
- Maple syrup, butter
Instructions
- Whisk together Egg Mixture in a bowl. Vigorous whisk = avoid cinnamon floating on top.
- Melt 15g / 1 tbsp butter in a non stick skillet over medium heat.
- Dunk a piece of bread quickly into the egg mixture, coating both sides. Place in pan. Repeat with more slices to fill the pan, but don’t crowd it (do 2 or 3 at a time).
- Cook for 2 ½ - 3 minutes on each side until the surface is golden, then transfer to serving plates.
- Add more butter into the pan and cook remaining bread.
- Serve with butter and plenty of maple syrup, and Macerated Strawberries if using!
Macerated Strawberries (optional):
- Toss strawberries with sugar, set aside for 20 minutes+. The strawberries will soften and sweat, and create a bit of syrup.
Recipe Notes:
- Cinnamon and vanilla is recommended, but still absolutely delish without.
- I personally don’t recommend using cream in place of milk. I know it might seem like it will make it richer, but I feel like it leaves a greasy feel in the mouth.
- The right egg to milk ratio is quite important – I think 2 eggs to ½ cup of milk is perfect.
- I don’t use sugar in the egg mixture because a) there’s plenty of sweet poured on top later; and b) it makes the bread prone to burning. 3. Nutrition is for plain white sandwich bread, excludes topping.
Nutrition Information:
Originally published June 2018. Updated for housekeeping matters, no change to recipe.
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I was just browsing your site because my 5yo daughter loves watching your cooking/baking videos when we saw this post. We decided to make this for breakfast and it was perfect. Served with a side of bacon and eggs. Even hubby loved it and he is not big with french toasts. Thank you!
You’re awesome!
A perfect recipe, as usual!
Thanks so much Steph! N x
Hi Nagi, this French toast was beautiful!
Just a tip though: if you put the toast in a 180 degree oven for 10 min after cooking, it will turn them into fluffy cafe quality!!
Awesome tip Sarah! Thanks!! N x
Hi Nagi, this French toast was beautiful!
Just a tip though: if you put the toast in a 180 degree oven for 10 min after cooking, it will turn them into fluffy cafe quality!!
My wonderful husband and our 5 year old made this for me yesterday and it was incredible. They topped with maple syrup, strawberries and raspberries and a side of bacon. THANK YOU!
Thank you for your posts. I love reading them. First time cook and tried your French Toast. Turned out perfect but I soaked the bread a little longer in the egg mixture so the first slice broke but others were fine. Thanks again! 😉 You’re awesome!!
Aww thanks Ewadi!! N x
I’ve always winged French toast but the ratios in this recipe was perfect. I’ll definitely be using this from now on. Thanks!
Wahoo, thanks so much for the awesome feedback Rebecca! N x
Can you use honey instead of maple syrup??
You could you any topping you like Manu!! N x
Could never work out the egg to milk ratio- and this is perfect. Personally I make mine savoury, salt and pepper, mixed herbs, garlic and melted cheese on top. Of course bacon on the side too. Thanks again 🙏🏼 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Now THAT sounds good! – N x
I’ve used this recipe for years now, my challah bread French toast is the bomb!!! The directions and pro tips make this a bullet proof hit with my family.
Wahoo!
I think it’s time French toast and garlic bread had a baby, and I think Nagi should be its mum… how about it? Imagine that eggy goodness cooked in garlic and herb butter, and served up with lashings of bacon, ofc, and maybe some mushrooms… is it time for breakfast yet? 🤣
Oh woah, I hadn’t even thought about that… but you have me at bacon… 🤔
😘👍
I love French toast so much. My dad makes the best French toast!
Me too! Such a decadent way to start the day ❤️
tried your recipe this morning and it’s a great success😀
Awesome Jen!
So glad I stumbled onto your site when looking for French toast. So yummy and true to predictions. First site I will visit in future when looking for recipes.
That’s so great to hear Lyn! Thanks for sharing your feedback – N x
Consider adding a dash of Cointreau to the macerated berries.
oooh YES!
simple, easy and yummy as always Nagi! 😋😊😍
Glad to hear you enjoyed this Sheila!! Thanks for letting me know 🙂 N x ❤️
Best treat for me at breakfast, Nagi! French Toast, Fruit and Coffee, YES, an ideal meal! 😍
– Natalie Ellis