How To Make Great French Toast at Home

updated Apr 20, 2022
How To Make Great French Toast
Jump to Recipe
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
Credit: Dana Velden

Ah, French toast! That iconic, special-occasion, breakfast-in-bed treat that so many people long for – only to end up with soggy, burnt toast and a big mess in the kitchen.

The ideal French toast is browned and crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. It is not dry and it is not soggy. It has a rich, custard flavor (without being too eggy), and is usually sweetened with sugar and garnished with maple or fruit syrup, fresh fruit, and butter, and perhaps partnered with a tray of oven-cooked bacon.

It isn’t actually that difficult (or that messy!) to make golden, crispy-edged, truly delicious French toast at home. Let me show you how.

Credit: Dana Velden

French toast has very few ingredients, so it’s important to pay attention to them. Try to purchase quality eggs, use half-and-half if possible, and select the right bread for the kind of results you are looking for — and don’t skimp on the maple syrup!

The Bread

French toast is mostly bread, so the kind of bread you use is important. Challah or egg bread is made with eggs and butter and will give you gorgeous creamy insides. This is my go-to bread for French toast. Tightly crumbed, country-style breads are nice, too, and will give you a sturdier, less creamy French toast. Classic French baguettes sliced on the diagonal make a nice, chewy version.

Just avoid generic white sandwich bread and rustic breads with large holes and thick crusts if at all possible. The rustic bread just won’t hold the custard and the generic bread is too soft and characterless.

I like to purchase a loaf that is not pre-sliced so I can have control over how thick my slices are. I usually like at least a one-inch-thick slice, which helps keep the bread from becoming too soggy while promoting a nice, creamy interior. Ideally it should be slightly stale, as fresh bread will often end up with a limp texture. Rich breads like challah and egg bread can be left out with the wrapper open the night before, but country breads are better if kept packaged. Bottom line: It’s not the end of the world if your bread is fresh, but a slightly stale loaf is preferable.

Credit: Dana Velden

The Milk and Eggs

The milk-and-egg mixture into which you dip your bread is basically a custard; this is an important component to your success. Try to use quality eggs, as the egg is a dominate flavor, and I prefer half-and-half over milk for its richness. Whole milk is a good substitute, but avoid thin skim milk if possible. You can use cream for extra richness, but I find it to be a little too much.

Some people simply dip their bread in the custard, which works OK with the thinner, pre-sliced sandwich bread. The sturdier country loaf and baguette can handle a longer soak, which will also help to soften their often tough crusts. With thick slices of challah, I find that a short soak produces the best texture.

Sweet … and Occasionally Savory

Most of the time French toast is served as a sweet dish — with a touch of sugar in the custard and plenty of maple syrup poured on top — but don’t forget that French toast also makes a delicious savory breakfast. Leave out the sugar and serve it topped with savory things, like sautéed spinach, mushrooms, bacon, ham, onions, etc.

Credit: Dana Velden

Additional Hints and Tips

The recipe below instructs you to whip up the custard in the pan which you are using to soak the bread. I like to use an 8×8-inch square cake pan, which will fit four slices at a time; this saves washing up an extra bowl. Also, to avoid a mess, set up the pan with the soaking bread as close to your stove as possible, and be sure to have your serving platter nearby — once you start cooking the bread, things move rather quickly.

Many recipes will have you preheat an oven on low to keep your first batch of French toast warm (just place it on a wire cooling rack and slide it into the oven). I find that the second batch really doesn’t take that long to cook, and so I don’t bother with this, but it might be a good idea if you’re doubling this recipe or if your pan size limits you to only cooking two pieces at a time.

When whisking the eggs and half-and-half for the custard, be sure the egg is completely whisked into the liquid and there are no bits of white or yolk — any un-whisked bits of egg will cook up hard and separate. Finally, be sure to let the excess custard drip off of the bread before you place it in the pan to avoid a custard puddle forming beneath the bread as it cooks.

How To Make Great French Toast

Makes 8 slices

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 3

    large eggs

  • 1 cup

    half-and-half

  • Pinch

    of salt

  • 1 tablespoon

    granulated sugar

  • 8 (1-inch thick) slices

    stale challah or other rich bread

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons

    butter, plus more for serving

  • Toppings (see Recipe Notes)

Equipment

  • Measuring cups and spoons

  • 8x8-inch cake pan, or other pan that will hold 4 slices of bread

  • Whisk or fork

  • 12- to 14-inch skillet

  • Spatula

  • Serving platter

Instructions

Show Images
  1. Whisk the eggs, half-and-half, salt, and sugar in the cake pan until the egg is completely incorporated into the liquid.

  2. Ready your cooking space: Place the frying pan on the stove over medium-low heat. Move the pan with the custard next to the stove.

  3. Soak the French toast: Place four slices of bread into the custard to soak for one minute. Flip the slices and soak another minute.

  4. Cook the French toast: While the bread is soaking, add 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan. When it starts to foam, tilt the pan to completely coat the bottom. Lift one piece of bread from the custard and hold it briefly over the custard to let any excess drip off. Lay the bread gently in the frying pan. Repeat with additional pieces.

  5. Flip the French toast: After a few minutes, peek under a slice of bread to see if the French toast has turned golden and browned. When it has, flip each piece and continue cooking. Monitor and adjust the heat so the toast doesn't burn.

  6. Soak the remaining bread: When the first batch has nearly finished cooking, place the remaining four slices of bread in the custard to soak, one minute per side.

  7. Cook the second batch: As the first batch of French toast finishes, transfer the pieces to a serving platter. Wipe out the frying pan. Return the pan to the flame, add 1 tablespoon of butter and cook the second batch of French toast as described above.

Recipe Notes

Additions for sweet French toast: You can add a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the custard or a tablespoon of brandy or a teaspoon of vanilla. Other popular additions include orange or lemon zest.

Sweet toppings for French toast: Maple syrup is classic, but you can branch out into other kinds of syrups, fruit sauces, or jams. Fresh fruit and powdered sugar are also popular.

For savory French toast: Omit the sugar in the custard. Top with sautéed vegetables, Parmesan cheese, and/or cooked ham or chicken.