French Toast

Updated Aug. 22, 2024

French Toast
Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.
Total Time
10 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Rating
4(1,806)
Comments
Read comments

The best French toast feels like dessert, crackling and crisp on the outsides with pudding-soft centers. You get that effect quickly with this easy French toast recipe or you can take your time with Overnight French Toast, which tastes like bread pudding. Even though this version is fast enough for a weekday breakfast, it’s special enough for weekend brunch.

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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.

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Preparation

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

FAQS

  1. If you don’t want to use cow’s milk, you can substitute the same amount of almond or other nut milk or coconut milk (not coconut cream). Because oat milk is thicker, it isn't as readily absorbed by bread.

Ratings

4 out of 5
1,806 user ratings
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Comments

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.

Yes some vanilla, also like sprinkle of cinnamon in the batter.

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.)

I took earlier commenter’s advice (add 1/4 tsp vanilla and 1/2 tsp sugar to the egg mixture) and also sliced and fried peaches to serve it, and it was the best breakfast I’ve ever made. I complimented it out loud every two bites.

I like my French toast plain like this- no vanilla, no cinnamon. I like to eat it with just butter and maple syrup. Yum!

I like to add a sprinkle of nutmeg along with vanilla

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Credits

By Genevieve Ko

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