Homemade French Toast Recipe

Are you craving restaurant-style French toast but want to skip the long lines? I’ve got you covered with this foolproof French toast recipe that’ll have you making golden, crispy-on-the-outside, custardy-on-the-inside slices right at home. Trust me, every bite will take your breakfast game to a whole new level. Whether it’s a cozy weekend morning where you just want to treat yourself, or you're cooking for a group of friends or family, this classic French toast recipe delivers consistently amazing results. The best part? It's so easy to make, and you’ll feel like a pro in the kitchen! Get ready for the most delicious French toast you’ve ever tasted, no restaurant required!

Why This French Toast Recipe Works

There's something magical about biting into a perfectly made slice of French toast. This recipe takes ordinary bread and transforms it into a breakfast masterpiece that's crispy around the edges, tender in the middle, and infused with warm notes of vanilla and cinnamon. Best of all, you can make it using simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

This recipe works beautifully for both intimate breakfast settings and larger gatherings. You can easily scale it up for a crowd or prepare it as a romantic breakfast for two. The versatility doesn't stop there – try it in the air fryer for extra crispiness, bake it in a sheet pan for hands-off cooking, or transform it into fun French toast sticks that kids love.

Ingredients

For the French Toast:

• 8 thick slices of day-old bread (artisan bread, brioche, or French bread work best)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter for cooking

For Serving:

• Pure maple syrup
• Fresh berries
• Powdered sugar
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Butter (optional)

Why These Ingredients Matter

The success of your French toast largely depends on your choice of bread. Day-old bread works best because its slightly dried-out texture helps it absorb the custard mixture without falling apart. Artisan bread, brioche, or French bread are ideal choices due to their sturdy structure and ability to hold up during cooking.

Using whole milk or half-and-half creates a richer custard than lower-fat alternatives. The combination of vanilla and cinnamon provides that classic French toast flavor, while a touch of sugar in the custard mixture helps create a beautifully caramelized exterior.

Instructions

Prepare the Custard Mixture

1. In a large, shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
2. Make sure there are no streaks of egg white visible in the mixture.

Soak the Bread

1. Place a slice of bread in the custard mixture.
2. Let it soak for 20-30 seconds per side, allowing it to absorb the mixture but not become soggy.
3. Transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to catch any drips.

Cook the French Toast

1. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
2. Add butter and let it melt until it starts to bubble but doesn't brown.
3. Place 2-3 soaked bread slices in the pan (don't overcrowd).
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
5. Transfer to a warm oven (200°F) while cooking remaining slices.

1. Step 1 : Prepare the Custard Mixture
   Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.

2. Step 2 : Soak the Bread
   Soak bread slices in custard for 20-30 seconds per side.

3. Step 3 : Cook the French Toast
   Cook soaked bread in buttered skillet until golden and crispy on both sides.

Homemade Syrup Recipe

While maple syrup is traditional, try this quick homemade syrup for something special:

1. Combine 1 cup sugar, ¼ cup water, and ¼ cup butter in a saucepan
2. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes
4. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5. Let cool slightly before serving

Cooking Methods and Variations

• Classic Pan Method

The traditional stovetop method described above gives you the most control over achieving that perfect golden-brown crust.

• Baked French Toast

For feeding a crowd:

1. Arrange soaked bread in a buttered 9x13 baking dish
2. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes
3. Flip pieces halfway through for even browning

• Air Fryer French Toast

1. Preheat air fryer to 370°F
2. Cook in single layers for 4-5 minutes per side
3. Perfect for extra crispy results

• Sheet Pan French Toast

1. Arrange pieces on a buttered sheet pan
2. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes
3. Flip halfway through

Equipment

Basic Equipment :

• Large skillet or griddle (12-inch size works best)
• Shallow wide bowl for the custard mixture (pie dish works perfectly)
• Whisk for beating eggs and mixing custard
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wire cooling rack
• Baking sheet (for catching drips and keeping cooked pieces warm)
• Spatula for flipping

Optional but Helpful Tools :

• Electric griddle - Perfect for making multiple slices at once
• Air fryer - For extra crispy results
• 9x13 Baking dish - For baked French toast variations
• Instant-read thermometer - To ensure proper cooking temperature
• Sheet pan - For large batch cooking
• Stand mixer with whisk attachment - For perfectly beaten custard mixture

Equipment Tips

• A heavy-bottomed skillet or griddle provides the most even heating
• Non-stick surfaces make flipping and cleanup easier
• If using a standard skillet, cast iron or stainless steel both work well
• An electric griddle with temperature control helps maintain consistent heat
• A wide, shallow bowl makes dipping bread slices easier than a deep bowl

Storage

• Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
• Freeze cooked French toast for up to 2 months
• Reheat in a toaster, oven (350°F for 10 minutes), or air fryer (370°F for 3-4 minutes)

FAQ

The Ultimate French Toast Recipe: Perfect for Any Breakfast or Brunch!

Whether you're making this French toast recipe for a relaxing weekend breakfast or hosting a special brunch, I've got all the tips and techniques to ensure it turns out perfect every time. What makes this recipe so great is its versatility—you can prepare it on the stove or in the oven and customize the toppings to your liking, from fresh fruit and powdered sugar to a dollop of whipped cream.

Give it a try, and you just might find your new go-to breakfast favorite!

Craving something savory? Check out our Avocado Toast with Poached Egg Recipe for a nutritious start to your day, or if you're in the mood for more classic breakfast flavors, try our Fluffy Banana Pancakes Recipe for a soft, delicious treat! 🍞🍌🥑✨

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this French Toast Recipe :

Homemade French Toast Recipe

This classic French toast recipe creates golden-brown slices that are crispy on the outside and perfectly custardy inside. Using simple pantry ingredients and day-old bread, you'll master restaurant-style French toast in just 25 minutes. Perfect for lazy weekend breakfasts or special brunches!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American, French-inspired

Keyword: French Toast, French toast ingredients, French toast recipe for 1, French toast recipe for 2, Simple French toast recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 350kcal

Cost: $8-$10

Equipment

• Large skillet or griddle 12-inch size works best
• Shallow wide bowl for the custard mixture pie dish works perfectly
• Whisk for beating eggs and mixing custard
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wire cooling rack
• Baking sheet for catching drips and keeping cooked pieces warm
• Spatula for flipping
• Air fryer - For extra crispy results (Optional)
• Electric griddle - Perfect for making multiple slices at once (Optional)
• 9x13 baking dish - For baked French toast variations (Optional)
• Instant-read thermometer - To ensure proper cooking temperature (Optional)
• Sheet pan - For large batch cooking (Optional)
• Stand mixer with whisk attachment - For perfectly beaten custard mixture (Optional)

Ingredients

For the French Toast:

• 8 thick slices of day-old bread (artisan bread, brioche, or French bread work best)
• 4 Large large eggs
• 1 cup cup whole milk or half-and-half
• 2 tablespoons tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons tablespoons butter for cooking

For Serving:

• Pure maple syrup
• Fresh berries
• Powdered sugar
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Butter (optional)

Instructions

1: Prepare the Custard Mixture

• In a large, shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
• Make sure there are no streaks of egg white visible in the mixture.

2: Soak the Bread

• Place a slice of bread in the custard mixture.
• Let it soak for 20-30 seconds per side, allowing it to absorb the mixture but not become soggy.
• Transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to catch any drips.

3: Cook the French Toast

• Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
• Add butter and let it melt until it starts to bubble but doesn't brown.
• Place 2-3 soaked bread slices in the pan (don't overcrowd).
• Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
• Transfer to a warm oven (200°F) while cooking remaining slices.

Notes

• Use slightly stale bread - fresh bread can become too soggy
• Don't soak the bread too long - 20-30 seconds per side is plenty
• Keep cooked pieces warm in a 200°F oven while preparing the rest
• Use real vanilla extract for the best flavor
• Let the custard-soaked bread rest on a rack briefly before cooking to prevent soggy centers

Nutrition

Serving: 2slices | Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 250mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 500IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 2mg