Classic French Toast

Start your day right with this classic French toast recipe. Simple ingredients and easy steps make for a delicious breakfast that everyone will enjoy and crave again.

You might also like banana bread French toast, French toast muffins, a maple cinnamon French toast skillet, or this tiramisu French toast casserole.

Why You’ll Love It

A timeless classic: French toast has been around for a long time and it’s something you can whip up at home for a special breakfast.
So delicious: The combination of bread, sugar, cinnamon, and eggs makes perfect French toast which will make your taste buds sing.
Use up your stale bread: Don’t toss out that stale bread. It might be too dry to make sandwiches but it’s perfect for making French toast!
Easy to customize: You can pair your French toast with anything you want, such as whipped cream, fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or your favorite syrup.

Homemade French Toast Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Brioche or white bread: It’s best if it’s slightly stale. Cut it into ½-inch thick slices.
Eggs: A key ingredient in perfect French toast.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warm, earthy flavor to the dish.
Heavy cream and milk: For that rich custard-like creaminess.
Butter: For frying the French toast. You could use margarine but butter is nicer.
White sugar: For sweetness. You can use brown sugar or sweetener instead.

How to Make French Toast

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Prepare the egg custard: Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, cinnamon, and sugar in a bowl.
Melt butter in a skillet: Add a tablespoon of butter to a skillet over a medium heat and wait until it bubbles.
Cook the French toast: Soak 2 slices of bread in the egg mixture until saturated and then cook for 2 minutes per side in the skillet or until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining bread slices and egg mixture.
Serve and enjoy: Serve your French toast recipe warm with fresh fruit, maple syrup and/or powdered sugar.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread.
White sugar: I add a touch of granulated sugar to the egg-rich custard to sweeten it slightly. You can substitute this with a teaspoon of vanilla extract if you prefer.
Milk and cream: A combination of milk and heavy cream works very well. You can however use all cow’s milk or plant milk or a mixture of Half & Half if you prefer. Just make it up to one cup.
Stale bread: You can use plain Texas toast instead of sliced white bread or brioche bread. It’s already cut into nice thick squares.

Serving Suggestions

With savory dishes: Pair your bacon, eggs Benedict and breakfast potatoes with this delicious French toast. 
With sweet dishes: Add some banana Nutella muffins to your breakfast or brunch spread too. Or perhaps strawberry oatmeal bars.
For dessert or a treat: It also pairs perfectly with an iced latte or mango smoothie.

How to Store French Toast

Store: French toast is best served and eaten as soon as it’s cooked. However, any leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or so.
Freeze: I wouldn’t recommend that you freeze French toast.
Reheat: Warm leftover French toast back up in a skillet on the stove or in the oven.