How to Make Classic French Toast for Weekend (or Weekday) Morning Success

French toast

French toast is one of the most popular breakfast, brunch and brinner dishes to order out, or make at home. A fluffy stack of French toast, coated in custard and cooked until golden brown, then drizzled with maple syrup? There's nothing better to wake up to, in our opinion.

French toast may seem easy enough to cook, but more times than not, we get it wrong. Perhaps you used too much egg? Or not enough milk or half and half? Maybe there's an odd taste to your French toast? Or it is too soggy and falls apart when you try to cook it? All of these mishaps can leave you feeling frustrated and ready to fire up the take-out apps.

We've all been there, but Chef Jon Aston's best French toast recipe takes the guesswork out of making it so you get perfectly fluffy, classic restaurant-style French toast every time.

Related: Most Unique French Toast Recipes

What’s the Best Bread for French Toast?

• Challah bread

• Sourdough bread

• Brioche bread

• Texas Toast

• French Bread

• Sandwich bread

• If you're on a gluten-free diet and want to make gluten-free French toast you can also substitute any of these options for gluten-free bread.

Ingredients Needed to Make French Toast:

• Day-old Challah bread or your preferred bread

• Egg and egg yolks

• Half and half

• Vanilla extract

• Ground cinnamon

• Brown sugar

Best Milk for French Toast

Half and half is actually better to use than milk because it has a higher fat content. This will give a rich custard to your French toast.

What Can I Use Instead of Vanilla Extract in French Toast?

If you don't happen to have vanilla extract on hand (or don't prefer the flavor) you can use a vanilla extract alternative such as maple syrup, almond extract, honey or agave, bourbon, vanilla almond milk, vanilla ice cream, vanilla powder or the seeds from real vanilla beans (for an extra flavor bomb of vanilla).

How Do You Make French Toast Not Soggy?

Always toast your bread. This will prevent your French toast from becoming soggy later on. Also, don't leave your slices soaking in the custard too long! Over-soaking French toast slices in your custard makes it soggy.

Related: The Secret Ingredient for Rich, Tender French Toast, According to Legendary Chef Jacques Pépin

How Long Should You Soak French Toast?

15-20 seconds per side is all you need for a properly dipped French toast.

Can You Make French Toast Eggless?

Yes, you can make French toast eggless. In place of eggs you can use nutritional yeast for the same flavor. Or, if you just want less of an "eggy" taste to your French toast, use only egg yolks instead of whole eggs with their whites.

Related: Best Stuffed Waffles Recipe

How to Make the Best Homemade French Toast

1. Slice your day-old loaf of Challah bread 1-inch thick slices.

3. Add slices to a rack on your baking pan, spreading out in even rows. Toast French toast slices for 12-16 minutes until golden brown.

4. Next, make your custard. Combine egg, plus egg yolks, half and half, vanilla extract, cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl and whisk until evenly mixed.

5. Pour your custard into a 13x9" Pyrex dish to soak bread slices. Add two slices at a time, soaking for 15-20 seconds each side.

6. Preheat your griddle or frying pan to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or medium-high heat. Add some oil, then place cook each slice of bread for a couple minutes on each side until golden brown.

7. Cook in batches, 6 at a time on a griddle until all slices are cooked. If you're cooking in a frying pan, simply oil the pan and cook two slices at a time until all slices are cooked.

8. Serve with a dab of butter and maple syrup, or seeing our other serving suggestions for French toast below.

Best French Toast Recipe (Video):

Best French Toast Tips

1. Always toast your bread first before attempting to make French toast for better flavor.

2. Use your finger as a guide to know how thick to slice your French toast slices. They should be as thick as your finger. The ideal thickness for a slice of French toast is 3/4" to 1" thick.

3. If it's too thin or too thick it won't cook evenly or get soggy.

4. Line your baking sheet with a cooling rack to help air circulate.

5. You know your bread is toasted enough when it doesn't sink down to the touch like a sponge. About 12-16 minutes is all you need depending on your oven.

6. Make sure to whisk the custard until the dairy, egg and spices are well combined.

7. Use a Pyrex baking dish to dip your bread into the custard instead of a bowl for ease.

8. Only leave each side in the custard for 15-20 seconds, otherwise it will get too soggy.

9. Preheat your griddle to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or medium-high heat), which is the perfect temperature for cooking French toast.

How to Serve French Toast

1. There are many ways you can serve French toast, but a few of the classic accompaniments include butter, powdered sugar and maple syrup.

2. For a fun play on cinnamon French toast, crush up 2 cups of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and dip your custard-coated French toast slices in the cereal. Then cook a couple minutes per side.

3. For bananas foster French toast, you need 2 bananas, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 2 Tbsp butter and 2 Tbsp brown sugar. Cook the bananas in the brown sugar, butter, maple syrup in a pan for 5-10 minutes until they're glazed nicely then top your French toast with them.

Best French Toast Variations

• Overnight French Toast

• Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

• Bobby Flay's PB&J French Toast Waffles

• Pecan-Crusted French Toast

• French Toast Blueberry Muffins

• Apple Peanut Butter French Toast

• Air Fryer French Toast

• Best Instagram French Toast

• Brioche French Toast

• Buttermilk French Toast

• Vegan French Toast

• Nutella French Toast

• French Toast Kebabs

• Gluten-Free French Toast

• Easy Baked French Toast Cups

• Stuffed French Toast

• Honey Nut Stuffed French Toast

• Make-Ahead French Toast

• Peanut Butter-Banana French Toast with Honey Drizzle

Every week we’re making recipes easy on Keep it Simple. Follow along with Jon Ashton as he shows you how to level up your home cooking, and subscribe for new videos every Thursday!

Classic French Toast Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 loaf day-old Challah bread

• 1 egg and 3 egg yolks

• 1½ cups half and half

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• Powdered sugar, for serving

• Maple syrup, for serving

• Butter, for serving

1. Slice your day-old loaf of Challah bread 1-inch thick slices.

2. Add slices to a rack on your baking pan, spreading out in even rows. Toast French toast slices for 12-16 minutes until golden brown.

3. Next, make your custard. Combine egg, plus egg yolks, half and half, vanilla extract, cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl and whisk until evenly mixed.

4. Pour your custard into a 13x9" Pyrex dish to soak bread slices. Add two slices at a time, soaking for 15-20 seconds each side.

5. Preheat your griddle or frying pan to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or medium-high heat. Add some oil, then place cook each slice of bread for a couple minutes on each side until golden brown.

6. Cook in batches, 6 at a time on a griddle until all slices are cooked. If you're cooking in a frying pan, simply oil the pan and cook two slices at a time until all slices are cooked.

7. Serve with a pat of butter, powdered sugar and maple syrup.