French Toast
Updated Oct. 11, 2023
- Total Time
- 10 minutes
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 5 minutes
- Rating
- Notes
- Read community notes
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Ingredients
Yield:1 serving
- 1large egg
- ¼cup milk
- Salt
- 2slices sandwich bread
- ½tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for serving
- Maple syrup, jam or other toppings, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 servings)
534 calories; 15 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 86 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 57 grams sugars; 15 grams protein; 603 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Powered byPreparation
- Step 1
In a bowl or shallow dish that will fit the bread, beat the egg, milk and a pinch of salt with a fork until very smooth and bubbly on top.
- Step 2
Add both bread slices (it’s OK to stack them if they don’t quite fit) and soak them, turning a few times, until the mixture is fully absorbed.
- Step 3
Set a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and swirl it around the pan until it melts. The soaked bread will be really soft, so carefully pick up each slice by sliding your whole hand under it, then setting it in the pan. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip the slices, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the other sides are brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Step 4
Enjoy hot, with more butter spread over the slices and with your favorite toppings.
Tip
- You can double, triple or quadruple the amounts to make enough for friends.
Private Notes
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Cooking Notes
Euphemia T
1/4 tsp vanilla and 1/2 tsp sugar to the egg mixture will significantly improve this recipe and take it to near gourmet heights. Otherwise, all it is is scrambled egg soaked bread.
Bill
Yes some vanilla, also like sprinkle of cinnamon in the batter.
Diana
Jacques Pepin makes this even easier - melt some real French vanilla ice cream and soak the bread in that! Deluxe. (Yes, French vanilla ice cream has egg in it.)
Steve
It wasn't until I was an adult that I found out, to my horror, that people make French toast with white sandwich bread. Growing up in Jewish house, French toast was made only Sunday mornings with Challah left over from Friday night. Challah is a rich, eggy bread similar to brioche, which enhances the custardy, dessert-like quality of the dish, and making it from 2-day old bread ensures that it's dried out just enough to thoroughly absorb the batter. Other than that, basically the same recipe.
Louie D
Add some vanilla, orange zest, almond extract, nutmeg and Grand Marnier. Top with butter and some powdered sugar. Heaven.
Jim
I learned a different take years ago, which I always follow. Mix milk, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar together. Soak the stale bread in that milk mixture, then dip it into the beaten egg and then into the frying pan. Separating the egg from the milk mixture makes a moist french toast that is still crispy on the outside.
jane
1/4 tsp vanilla and 1/2 tsp sugar to the egg mixture also like sprinkle of cinnamon in the batter
Elliott
Vanilla and cinnamon, as others have mentioned, are necessities. But "sandwich" bread? Are you kidding me? This recipe calls for challah!
Martha
Lately I've added cardamom. Freshly crushed is the best. Cinnamon has always been a staple though. And a touch of vanilla.
Fatso
I have been making delicious French toast for years. In my opinion, you should not allow the bread to get "soaked." The inside of the bread will become too mushy, and when you fry the bread slices, the outside may be cooked and the inside undercooked. This is especially so if the slices are thick. I allow the bread to stay in the egg for just a moment or two and then cook it. I do not use milk, just beaten eggs. Lastly, while the bread is frying, I sprinkle the slices with some cinnamon. Yum!
Debbie
A bit of grated orange rind and cinnamon add a lovely flavour.
Nick Padway
We often use an egg bread/challah and "re-butter" the pan while flipping the bread.
Sooz
Sliding your whole hand under it???
Brenda Wiegand
Why soft sandwich bread? A substantial French bread makes the best French toast by far — add some Sweet Treat (cinnamon sugar mix with vanilla) for an authentic Louisiana touch.
Pat w
Arnold’s oat nut bread is my go-to for French Toast. I add a dash of vanilla but no sugar.
Ben
My French toads recipe is as easy as 1, 2, and 3. 1 cup of milk, 2 tbsp of sugar, and 3 large eggs.
Chuck H
Hawaiian sweet bread is wonderful to make this dish.
JC
Vanilla, cinnamon, powdered ginger and sometimes a tiny bit of rum. Never soak for more than it takes to dip for a couple seconds and flip.
Steve Muni
I add a little sugar, a splash of dark rum, touch of vanilla, and some freshly grated nutmeg.
SJ
Add vanilla and cinnamon
Lizanne
I often use yesterday's baguette, sliced on an angle so the slices are a little longer.
CO
This tasted good but I’m sooo glad I read the comments first and added sugar, cinnamon and vanilla to the batter!
Lillian
It's good to have a specific recipe that gives the measured amounts. I add vanilla as other commenters have suggested. Adding some cinnamon takes it another step up. Instead of adding sugar to the eggs, after the the French toast is cooked, I sprinkle it with powdered sugar and skip the syrup. Serving it with some yogurt or sqeezing lemon juice on the toast adds some zip.
Susan
The first time I made this, I followed the recipe and it was okay. Just the right amount for one. The second time I made it I added a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar and it came out crispier an I liked it better.
Jackie
I added a little vanilla and cinnamon
tips
- 1/4 tsp vanilla -
Betty Mclean
This now a family favorite!
JR
I’m sure some will gasp at this suggestion, but stale hot dig buns (plain old grocery store kind) work amazingly well and have a nice chewy crust once soaked and cooked. I’d think hamburger buns would be similar but have not tried them. Vanilla or cinnamon or whatever is lovely. It’s hard to screw up French toast. Orange zest can also add some, uh, zest.
Grazyna
I spread a layer of sliced almonds in the pan and put soaked bread on top. Press the bread with the spatula so that the almonds become a little saturated with the egg mixture and cook for few minutes. Flip to the other side to finish.
RussianPrincess
It wasn't until this article that I discovered to my horror that people who use white sandwich bread are disrespected for using that kind of bread. People whose only neighborhood store is the Dollar General, people on SNAP benefits who can't afford artisinal breads, or who go to food pantries & the only available bread is white sandwich type, people who shop at day-old bread stores...if white sandwich is all you can access or afford, your choice is causing horror among the privileged foodies.
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