Sourdough French Toast is the perfect no-fuss recipe to make for your next brunch! This French toast is rich with warm vanilla and cinnamon flavor, has crispy edges, and a soft pillowy center. It's perfect for the whole family or entertaining friends and takes just 20 minutes to make.
Sometimes we buy a big loaf of sourdough bread, and before we know it, the bread has gone stale. Whenever that happens, we use it to make this delicious French toast. The stale sourdough bread is perfect for absorbing the rich egg mixture and making extra tasty French toast.
Combine these French Toast with scrambled eggs, fresh squeezed orange juice, or a berry smoothie for an extra satisfying meal.
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About Sourdough French Toast
- Taste - The slightly sour taste of the bread balances the sweet richness of the egg mixture and butter to create a balanced and rich brunch. Each bite has rich vanilla and cinnamon flavor.
- Texture - The outside of the toast is crispy and lightly browned while the inside is tender and fluffy.
- Effort - Making French toast is easy. All you need to do is make the egg mixture, dip the bread, then fry it.
- Time - Preparation takes 5 minutes and cook time is just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- Sourdough bread - Sourdough has a slightly sour flavor that balances the sweetness of the batter and other ingredients.
- Eggs - Eggs binds everything together and firms the liquid mixture upon heating.
- Milk of choice - Milk adds rich flavor and helps create the thick consistency of the egg mixture. Use dairy or dairy-free milk of choice!
- Vanilla extract - Vanilla extract adds complexity and sweetness to the french toast batter. For a stronger vanilla flavor, use vanilla bean paste.
- Cinnamon - Cinnamon adds a light yet distinct spice and warmth.
- Vegetable or avocado oil - Vegetable and avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it perfect for frying French toast. You can also use grapeseed oil or any other oil with a high smoke point.
- Fresh fruit - Fresh fruit makes a tart, sweet, and healthy addition.
- Butter and maple syrup - Butter adds rich flavor and maple syrup adds sweetness.
- Powdered sugar - Powdered sugar adds a sweet final touch.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
- Bread - You can use pretty much any bread for French toast. Besides sourdough sandwich bread, we love to make French toast with brioche and challah.
- Milk - Whole milk has the highest fat content and is the richest tasting, but you can also use oat milk or almond milk instead.
- Gluten free - In order to make this recipe, use a gluten free bread.
- Coconut Oil - Use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil if you want a slightly healthier oil or you just prefer the taste.
Variations
- Whipped Cream - If you want to make this dish extra rich and indulgent, top the French toast with our Easy 2-Ingredient Whipped Cream.
- Stuffed French Toast - Stuff the French toast with cream cheese or Nutella. In order to stuff the French toast, take 2 slices of hot French toast, spread the filling of your choice on one slice and top with the other. When you serve it, slice in half on the diagonal to show the filling inside.
- Berry medley - Add blackberries and raspberries for extra berry deliciousness.
- Banana - Slice banana for extra nutrition and sweetness.
- Cinnamon poached pears - Add cinnamon poached pears for caramelized deliciousness.
- Nuts - Chopped pecans and walnuts add crunchiness.
- Apple curd - Enjoy the waffles with apple curd for a rich caramel apple flavor.
- Dessert - If you want to enjoy this French toast as a dessert, add a dollop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Instructions
- Heat the oven - Preheat the oven to 150°F.
- Make egg mixture - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- Dip and fry bread - Heat the oil in a 12 inch iron skillet over medium heat. If the mixing bowl can't fit a slice of bread on the bottom, pour the egg mixture in a shallow dish or larger bowl, such as a pie dish. Dip each slice of bread in the mixture until well-coated then place in the skillet 2 at a time. Fry each side until golden brown.
- Place in oven to keep warm - After you fry each slice, add the French toast to a baking dish or baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm.
- Serve - Once all of the slices are fried and added to the baking dish, dust the slices with powdered sugar and serve with fresh fruit. Serve immediately with butter and maple syrup.
Pro Tip: Be sure to coat the bread thoroughly in the egg mixture. Just don't let it soak too long or the French toast will be soggy and break apart when transferred from the egg mixture to the pan.
Recipe FAQ
It is unclear how it got its name. But it is clear that other recipes where bread is dipped in an egg mixture have existed around the world for centuries, including the Roman Empire. The term French toast is believed to have been first used in 17th century England, before being brought to America by English settlers.
It depends on what ingredients you use. If you want to make this recipe healthy, use a low fat milk like oat or almond milk, low sugar or sugar free syrup, and add extra fruit as a topping.
Equipment
This French toast recipe requires a few kitchen essentials, including a mixing bowl, shallow bowl or pie dish, spatula, non-stick pan or standard pan, and baking sheet or baking dish.
To explore more kitchen items to make your kitchen complete, head to our Kitchen Essentials shop.
How to Store and Reheat Sourdough French Toast
While French toast is best enjoyed fresh out of the pan, sometimes you have leftovers. Store leftover French toast in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day or freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month. To reheat the leftovers, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over low heat and fry each side for a minute or two.
Cooking tips
- Be sure to dip the French toast thoroughly in the egg mixture so it penetrates the outer layer of the bread.
- If you are cutting an uncut sourdough loaf, cut it into thick slices (at least ½ inch thick). Bread that is too thin will not hold together when dipped. Bread that is too thick won't cook in the center.
- Use a non-stick pan so the French toast are easy to flip and there is minimal cleanup.
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Sourdough French Toast
Equipment
- baking sheet optional
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup dairy or non-dairy milk of your choice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6-8 slices of sourdough bread depending on how big slices are
- vegetable or avocado oil
For serving
- fresh berries
- sliced fruit like banana, apples, pears
- powdered sugar
- butter for serving
- maple syrup
Instructions
- Heat the oven - Preheat the oven to 150°F.
- Make egg mixture - In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.4 eggs, ½ cup dairy or non-dairy milk of your choice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, vegetable or avocado oil, ½ teaspoon salt
- Dip and fry bread - In a 12 inch skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Pour the egg mixture in a shallow dish or bowl, such as a pie dish. Dip each slice of bread in the mixture until well-coated then place in the skillet 2 at a time. Fry each side until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes on each side.6-8 slices of sourdough bread
- Place in oven to keep warm - After you fry each slice, add the French toast to a baking dish or baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm.
- Serve - Once all of the slices are fried and added to the baking dish, dust the slices with powdered sugar and top with fresh fruit. Serve immediately with butter and maple syrup.fresh berries, sliced fruit, powdered sugar, butter
Notes
- Be sure to dip the French toast thoroughly in the egg mixture so it penetrates the outer layer of the bread.
- If you are cutting an uncut sourdough loaf, cut it into thick slices (at least ½ inch thick). Bread that is too thin will not hold together when dipped. Bread that is too thick won't cook in the center.
- Use a non-stick pan so the French toast are easy to flip and there is minimal cleanup.
- Store leftover French toast in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day or freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month. To reheat the leftovers, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over low heat and fry each side for a minute or two.
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