French Toast
Updated April 17, 2025
Quick Summary
Learn how to make the best French toast with this easy, classic recipe using buttery brioche bread. Crispy on the outside, soft and custardy on the inside, this French toast is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any time you want something a little extra special. Ready in under 20 minutes with simple ingredients!
Table of Contents
The Best French Toast (Easy Recipe!)
French toast has always been my favorite breakfast. If I have a choice between pancakes, waffles, or French toast, I always pick French toast.
There’s something magical about starting your morning with a stack of golden, buttery French toast. Whether it’s a lazy Sunday brunch or a special holiday breakfast, classic French Toast is the ultimate comfort food that feels indulgent yet effortless.
Brioche, with its soft, pillowy texture and rich flavor, is hands down the best bread for French toast. It soaks up the custard mixture beautifully without falling apart, giving you that dreamy combination of a crispy, caramelized outside and a soft, custardy center.
You also get the perfect hint of cinnamon and vanilla in every bite and I highly recommend topping with a pat of butter and a drizzle of warm maple syrup. If you want to take it to the next level, add a handful of fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar for a plate that looks as amazing as it tastes.
This recipe is all about getting back to basics—simple ingredients, easy steps, and that perfect balance of flavor and texture that makes this dish unforgettable.
Tips for Perfect French Toast
- You can use an electric griddle or skillet on the stove. We like to use an electric griddle because we can cook several pieces at the same time. Make sure the griddle or skillet is hot before you start cooking.
- Mix the batter in a shallow pan or pie pan. I mix the batter right in the pan so I don’t have to dirty another dish. You can use a whisk or fork to mix the batter together. Make sure the eggs and milk are thoroughly beaten together.
- Don’t skip the vanilla and cinnamon, these two ingredients are essential for making the best French toast. They add so much flavor to the bread.
- Add half of the cinnamon and mix it in. When you have cooked half of your French toast, add the rest of the cinnamon. This will make sure all of the French toast pieces have a good amount of cinnamon and not just the first few pieces.
- To flip, use a spatula, fork, or tongs to flip the bread in the French toast batter.
- Make sure you soak each side of the bread in the French toast batter. You want both sides of the bread to soak up all of the egg mixture. Don’t leave the bread in the mixture too long or it will get soggy.
- Cook the bread slices in butter. It will give the French toast extra flavor and create a nice golden brown crust. Place a little butter on the hot griddle or pan and let it melt. Place the soaked pieces of bread onto the hot, buttery pan.
- Cook on both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Make sure the temperature isn’t too hot or the outsides will burn and the inside will be soggy.
Classic French Toast
Equipment
- Electric Griddle (this is the one I like)
- Large Skillet (I use my Lodge cast iron one!)
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
- Pinch of salt
- 8 slices Brioche bread
- Unsalted butter, for cooking
- Maple syrup, powdered sugar, and berries for serving, if desired
Instructions
- If using an electric griddle, preheat the griddle to 350 degrees F.
- In a shallow pan or pie plate, add the eggs, milk, vanilla, half of the cinnamon, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
- Dip each side of the bread in the egg mixture. Note-add the other half of the cinnamon after you have dipped half of your bread slices and mix again. This will make sure all of the slices get a good amount of cinnamon.
- Melt a little butter on the hot griddle or in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the French toast until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Serve the French toast warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and berries, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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Frequently Asked Questions for This Recipe
Can I use another type of bread for French toast? Yes! While rich, buttery brioche is my favorite, challah, thick-cut Texas toast, or French bread also work great. The key is using thick, slightly stale slices. If you need the recipe to be gluten-free, make sure you use gluten-free bread.
What milk is best for French toast? Whole milk or half-and-half give the richest flavor, but dairy-free alternatives like almond milk, oat milk, or even coconut milk also work well.
Can I make French toast ahead of time? Yes! You can prep the custard mixture the night before and store covered in the fridge. In the morning, soak the bread and cook!
Can I freeze French toast? Yes! Let slices cool completely, then freeze on a baking sheet. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat on a hot griddle, hot skillet, or place slices in a 350°F oven until heated through. You can also use the toaster. I don’t recommend reheating in the microwave because it makes the bread a little soggy.
Toppings
You can’t go wrong with butter, pure maple syrup, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Sometimes, for a special treat, I will make my Brown Butter Buttermilk Syrup to pour over the top. Other topping ideas:
- Whipped cream: Add a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent touch!
- Nuts: Garnish with sliced almonds, chopped candied pecans or pecans, or walnuts.
- Granola: Top with a sprinkling of your favorite granola for an added crunch!
- Nut butter: Peanut butter and almond butter are a great addition!
- Fruit: Berries, banana slices, peaches, or even cinnamon apples!
- Jam or Nutella: Use your favorite jam or go all out with Nutella to sweeten things up!
Serving Suggestions
This French toast is guaranteed to be the star of any breakfast and it is good on it’s own, but if you want a full breakfast spread, you can serve the French toast with:
- Bacon or Sausage
- Crispy hash browns or breakfast potatoes
- Egg casserole or Quiche
- Fruit salad
This was the first time making French toast and my husband said it was the best he’s ever had! I used regular whole wheat bread which worked out well. My three kiddos devoured it. I added blueberries and sliced strawberries on top! So good and easy. Thank you so much for sharing and for the simple instructions!!
I tried this recipe, yes very good however I barely had enough to do 7 pieces. Next time I will increase it by doing either a quarter or half more of this recipe.
This looks delicious! My 7 year old grandson and I made chocolate sourdough bread today, in the morning we are trying fresh toast using this recipe. Can’t wait to try it.
Simple, ingredients on hand, and most important delicious. Grandkids eat lots of them.
This is the only recipe you need! Cooked up perfectly. Brioche bread is the BEST if you can find it, although quite expensive. I used all organic ingredients this time, including the maple syrup. My family agreed it was the best French toast they’d ever had. I will use this recipe in the future.
I have always soaked for a short time. Don’t want to waste all these ingredients. I recommend some soaking. its great.
Sounds scrumptious and I love all of your detailed tips! We live in Seattle and my husband uses the cinnamon loaf of bread from the Great Harvest Bakery for his French Toast. It’s our favorite, but I want to try the brioche bread for m Trader Joe’s!
Cheers to French toast!
We love that cinnamon bread too. It makes great French toast!
Love this recipe. It’s simple and tastes amazing. I make it with the Trader Joe’s Brioche bread which I think makes the difference. The bread sweetens the French toast perfectly for my 2 year old son that he doesn’t need maple syrup. He even eats them on the go. My partner also loved them, but with maple syrup lol. Highly recommend, easy to make even in the mornings before school/work.
I am so glad you love our French toast recipe! That bread is perfect for French toast!
Amazing recipe! I just made it with brioche bread and I will never go back to any other bread for french toast! So fluffy.
It’s the best French toast!
Very simple and very good! I added a TB or so of sugar because all I had was leftover soda bread, gluten-free at that, and this was absolutely delish! I used a ton of cinnamon because I love it, but the reason I was here was for the proper quantities for the custard mixture, and this was it! Thank you!
Cinnamon is a MUST! Glad you loved the French toast.
This was delicious! I used sourdough bread I made and topped it with blueberries and maple syrup.
Perfect. I love sourdough.