10.01.2021
How to Make French Toast
Fast answers for classic, baked, sticks, and milk-free french toast. Tips for crisp edges, best breads, make-ahead methods, and toppings.
- Classic french toast uses a simple egg, vanilla, cinnamon, and milk custard and cooks on a greased skillet until golden.
- You can skip milk by using extra eggs or substitutes, make sticks for kids, or assemble baked french toast the night before.
- Use day-old or thick bread for best texture, cook over medium heat for crisp edges and a soft center, and finish with syrup or fruit.
French toast is known to be the perfect weekend breakfast, but it is also easy enough that it can even be made during the week before work or school! With the combination of cinnamon, warm sugar, and maple syrup, french toast can’t be beat. There are so many options to add to the final product, like fresh fruit, chocolate chips, or whipped cream; everyone in your household is going to be happy with this breakfast.
Best French Toast Recipe
The best french toast recipes consist of bread drenched in a mix of eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and milk, then pan-fried to get a crispy exterior while leaving the inside soft and gooey.
How to Make Easy French Toast
Who says french toast has to be saved for a weekend or is a “special treat”? With these easy french toast recipes, you can whip up whenever the craving arises.
Tools you’ll need:
- Whisk
- Lightly greased skillet or griddle
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon madagascar vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cassia cinnamon
- ¼ cup milk
- 4 slices of bread
- Maple syrup & butter, for serving
Instructions:
- Whisk together the egg, vanilla, and cinnamon in a shallow bowl, large enough to fit a slice of bread
- Stir in the milk
- Dip one slice of bread at a time into the egg mixture, turning to evenly coat both sides
- Cook bread slices on a lightly greased nonstick griddle or skillet on medium heat, and flip until browned on both sides
- Top with maple syrup, butter, and an extra dash of cinnamon
How to Make French Toast Sticks
French toast sticks bring back memories of childhood because they're so fun to dip and even more fun to eat. This french toast stick recipe is just as delicious as you remember and is perfect for kids and adults alike!
Tools you’ll need:
- Whisk
- Lightly greased skillet or griddle
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- ½ tablespoon madagascar vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cassia cinnamon
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 slices of thick cut bread
- Maple syrup, for dipping
- Cinnamon sugar mix for coating
Instructions:
- Cut each slice of bread into 4 sticks
- Whisk together the egg, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar, and heavy cream in a shallow bowl
- Dip each piece of bread into the egg mixture, turning to evenly coat all sides
- Cook the pieces of bread on a lightly greased nonstick griddle or skillet on medium heat, cook until golden brown on one side, then flip and continue cooking until the edges of all sticks are golden brown. Then, quickly toss sticks in cinnamon sugar to coat
- Serve with maple syrup for dipping
How to Make French Toast Without Milk
Whether you’re avoiding milk due to allergies, or if you just don’t happen to have any on hand when the desire for french toast arises, this french toast recipe will do the trick. You can still have the delicious flavors of french toast without the milk.
Tools you’ll need:
- Whisk
- Lightly greased skillet or griddle
Ingredients:
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon madagascar vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cassia cinnamon
- 4 slices of thick cut bread
- Maple syrup & butter, for serving
Instructions:
- Whisk together the egg, vanilla, and cinnamon in a shallow bowl, large enough to fit a slice of bread
- Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, turning to evenly coat both sides
- Cook the slices on a lightly greased nonstick griddle or skillet on medium heat until golden brown on one side, then flip and continue cooking until the edges are golden brown
- Serve with maple syrup & butter
How to Make Baked French Toast
The Spice House offers a great baked french toast recipe using our Madagascar vanilla extract and ground cassia cinnamon, that you can set up ahead of time and pull out of the refrigerator to bake whenever you’re ready. Once it’s in the oven, you don’t have to touch it, making it hassle-free and easier for entertaining than traditional french toast.
Tools you’ll need:
- Baking Dish, greased
- Whisk
- Oven
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf bread, sliced (challah or egg bread works best)
- 9 eggs
- 6 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon Madagascar vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cassia cinnamon
- Maple syrup & butter, for serving
Instructions:
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon in a bowl
- Place bread slices neatly in baking dish
- Pour egg mixture over the bread. Push bread down into liquid if needed
- Cover and refrigerate for several hours, or up to overnight
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Bake 35-40 minutes
- Slice and serve with maple syrup & butter
Best French Toast Toppings
French toast is quite versatile and can be enjoyed with a variety of delicious toppings. Here are some ideas for french toast toppings:
- Strawberries & blueberries
- Maple syrup & berry compote
- Cinnamon
- Spiced Sugars
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate chips
- Walnuts or peacans
- Carmelized bananas
For a fancy version of french toast, try making a stuffed french toast. This Strawberries & Cream Stuffed French Toast recipe is an impressive dish that features a rich cream cheese stuffing. This recipe is great for mother's day, family brunch, or a personal weekend treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bread works best for french toast?
Choose bread that holds up to soaking. Brioche, challah, Texas toast, or thick-sliced sourdough are ideal. Day-old or slightly stale bread soaks up custard without falling apart. Very thin soft sandwich bread can get too soggy.
How long should I soak the bread?
For regular sliced bread dip each side briefly until coated, about 5 to 10 seconds per side. Thicker or denser slices may need a few extra seconds. For a baked casserole let the bread sit in the custard in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
How do I get a crispy outside and soft inside?
Preheat a nonstick skillet or griddle on medium. Add butter and a little oil to prevent burning. Cook until the first side is golden before flipping, and avoid flipping too often. Thicker or day-old bread helps keep the center tender while the outside browns.
Can I make french toast without milk?
Yes. Use eggs alone or swap milk for cream, oat milk, almond milk, or another dairy-free option. For four slices, a common milk-free ratio is four eggs plus vanilla and cinnamon. Heavy cream will yield a richer custard.
How do I make baked french toast ahead of time?
Layer bread in a greased baking dish, pour the egg and milk mixture over it, press slices down so they absorb the custard, cover, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 35 to 40 minutes until set and golden.
What's the best way to make french toast sticks for kids?
Cut thick slices into sticks, use a richer custard with eggs, a splash of cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and a little sugar. Cook sticks on a greased griddle until golden, then toss in cinnamon sugar if desired. Serve with maple syrup for dipping.
Can I freeze french toast and how do I reheat it?
Yes. Cool cooked french toast, freeze in a single layer then transfer to a bag. Reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until hot. You can microwave slices for a fast option but the exterior will not be as crisp.
What toppings go well with french toast?
Classic choices are maple syrup, butter, fresh berries, and whipped cream. You can also try berry compote, chocolate chips, toasted nuts, caramelized bananas, or a dusting of cinnamon sugar. For a special brunch, stuff slices with cream cheese and fruit before cooking.
What bread works best for french toast?
Choose bread that holds up to soaking. Brioche, challah, Texas toast, or thick-sliced sourdough are ideal. Day-old or slightly stale bread soaks up custard without falling apart. Very thin soft sandwich bread can get too soggy.
How long should I soak the bread?
For regular sliced bread dip each side briefly until coated, about 5 to 10 seconds per side. Thicker or denser slices may need a few extra seconds. For a baked casserole let the bread sit in the custard in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
How do I get a crispy outside and soft inside?
Preheat a nonstick skillet or griddle on medium. Add butter and a little oil to prevent burning. Cook until the first side is golden before flipping, and avoid flipping too often. Thicker or day-old bread helps keep the center tender while the outside browns.
Can I make french toast without milk?
Yes. Use eggs alone or swap milk for cream, oat milk, almond milk, or another dairy-free option. For four slices, a common milk-free ratio is four eggs plus vanilla and cinnamon. Heavy cream will yield a richer custard.
How do I make baked french toast ahead of time?
Layer bread in a greased baking dish, pour the egg and milk mixture over it, press slices down so they absorb the custard, cover, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 35 to 40 minutes until set and golden.
What's the best way to make french toast sticks for kids?
Cut thick slices into sticks, use a richer custard with eggs, a splash of cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and a little sugar. Cook sticks on a greased griddle until golden, then toss in cinnamon sugar if desired. Serve with maple syrup for dipping.
Can I freeze french toast and how do I reheat it?
Yes. Cool cooked french toast, freeze in a single layer then transfer to a bag. Reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until hot. You can microwave slices for a fast option but the exterior will not be as crisp.
What toppings go well with french toast?
Classic choices are maple syrup, butter, fresh berries, and whipped cream. You can also try berry compote, chocolate chips, toasted nuts, caramelized bananas, or a dusting of cinnamon sugar. For a special brunch, stuff slices with cream cheese and fruit before cooking.
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