Upgrade Brunch: 10 Fantastic French Toast Recipes

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS.
10 French Toast Recipes that Wow | French toast is an easy brunch recipe that leaves you feeling full and satiated, and you can make it simple and healthy, or gooey, fluffy and...not so healthy. In this post, we're sharing 17 tips to take your French toast making skills to the next level, and we've also curated 10 simple recipes that wow. Click for our fav French toast upgrades, including a Denny's copycat recipe, stuffed French toast sticks, a buttery brioche bread recipe, and more!

Are you looking for a recipe that will elevate your next weekend brunch? Look no further than a batch of crispy, gooey, warm French toast! Loved by kids and adults alike, French toast is a delicious and comforting treat that is perfect for weekend brunches or lazy mornings.

Before trying one of our 10 French toast recipes, be sure to follow our tried-and-true tips and tricks to make the most delightful French toast right in your own kitchen. It will have everyone asking for seconds!

17 Tips for Making the Best French Toast

Here’s a list of tips to help you make the best French toast:

    • Choose the right bread – Opt for bread that is slightly stale or a day old, such as brioche, challah, or French baguette. Fresh bread may become too soggy during soaking.
    • Cut the bread thick – Cut your bread into thick slices, around 1 inch in thickness. Thicker slices will hold up better during the soaking process and result in a custardy interior.
    • Use a custard-like mixture – Prepare the soaking mixture by whisking together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg. This custard-like mixture adds flavor and richness to your French toast.
    • Soak the bread adequately – Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture, making sure both sides are well coated. Allow the bread to soak for about 20-30 seconds per side. This ensures the bread is thoroughly soaked but not overly saturated.
    • Preheat the pan properly – Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. It’s essential to give the pan enough time to heat evenly before adding the soaked bread.
    • Butter the pan first – Add a small amount of butter to the preheated pan just before adding the soaked bread. Butter adds flavor and helps prevent sticking.
    • Cook on medium heat – Maintain a medium to medium-low heat setting to cook your French toast. Cooking on high heat may result in burnt exteriors and undercooked interiors.
    • Cook in batches – Avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook the slices in batches, allowing space between them for even cooking.
    • Flip with care – After cooking the first side, use a spatula to gently flip the French toast. Be cautious not to press it down too much, as it can squeeze out the custard and make it dry.
  • Add toppings creatively – Serve your French toast with an array of delicious toppings. Classic options include powdered sugar, maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dusting of cinnamon. Or get creative and try toppings like whipped cream, chocolate chips, caramelized bananas, or nut butter.
  • Keep it warm – If you’re cooking multiple batches, keep the cooked French toast warm by placing it on a baking sheet in a low-temperature oven (around 200°F/95°C) until ready to serve.
  • Use real vanilla bean – Instead of vanilla ex tract, scrape the seeds from a vanilla bean and add them to the custard mixture. The authentic vanilla flavor and the beautiful specks of vanilla seeds will elevate the taste and appearance of your French toast.
  • Experiment with different spices – While cinnamon and nutmeg are commonly used spices, don’t be afraid to experiment with other flavors. Consider adding a pinch of cardamom, ginger, or even a hint of cloves to infuse unique and aromatic notes into your French toast.
  • Add a protein boost – For a heartier and more satisfying French toast, mix a tablespoon or two of protein powder into the custard mixture. This addition not only adds nutritional value but also provides a thicker, more substantial texture.
  • Try different coatings – Before soaking the bread in the custard mixture, you can coat it in various ingredients for added texture and flavor. Crushed cornflakes, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or even crushed graham crackers can create a delightful crust on your French toast.
  • Griddle or grill for a twist – Instead of using a traditional pan, consider cooking your French toast on a griddle or a grill. The slightly different cooking surface can lend a unique touch and create beautiful grill marks or a lightly crispy texture.
  • Make a stuffed French toast – Take your French toast to the next level by making it stuffed. Cut a slit in the center of each bread slice and fill it with your choice of sweet fillings, such as cream cheese, Nutella, fruit preserves, or sliced bananas. The gooey surprise inside adds a delicious twist.

10 French Toast Recipes that Wow

These 10 French toast recipes will make you say “Wow!”

  1. Denny’s French Toast | Insanely Good Recipes – This recipe is a copycat of a classic family diner we all know and love. Be sure to allow time for your eggs and milk to get to room temperature before whipping up your batter.
  2. Crispy Banana Bread French Toast | Marley’s Menu – If you have some day-old banana bread on hand, you can create a unique batch of French toast that’s crispy and full of flavor.
  3. Stuffed French Toast Sticks | Betty Crocker – Get creative with these French toast sticks by stuffing them with your favorite ingredients. Try some cream cheese, sliced bananas or apples, or a scoop of peanut butter.
  4. Best French Toast Recipe | Add a Pinch – Start the day off right with a batch of the best French toast. You can even make this recipe dairy free!
  5. McCormick French Toast | Insanely Good Recipes – Cinnamon lovers, rejoice! This recipe is simple enough for beginners and has cinnamon in the French toast and the syrup.
  6. Challah French Toast | Food and Wine – Challah bread is the star in this recipe. Make sure to thoroughly soak the bread and cook over medium-low heat for the best results.
  7. Stuffed French Toast with Cream Cheese | Carlsbad Cravings – This dreamy French toast is perfect for a weekend brunch or special occasion. You can stuff the bread ahead of time so you can brown up a slice in a pinch.
  8. Air Fryer French Toast Sticks | Insanely Good Recipes – Mix it up with some French toast sticks. The perfect breakfast finger food, you can sprinkle them with powdered sugar and dip them in syrup.
  9. Alton Brown French Toast | Food Network – If you love the Food Network, then you’re probably a fan of Alton Brown. This French toast recipe is best with brioche or challah bread.
  10. Crispy Captain Crunch French Toast | Marley’s Menu – A childhood breakfast favorite, Captain Crunch cereal coats slices of buttery brioche bread for a taste that’s out of this world!

Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust the recipe to your taste preferences. Enjoy your delicious homemade French toast recipes!

This post contains affiliate links. 

If you loved this list of French toast recipes, please share it on Pinterest!