Perfect French Toast

My Go-To French Toast Recipe

If you’ve been searching for your “forever” French toast recipe, this is it! ♡

Our boys have been on a major French toast kick lately, which (ok, twist my arm) gave me the perfect excuse to really dial this one in. After plenty of testing, I landed on a simple ratio and method that delivers every time — slices that are rich and custardy in the center, lightly crisp and golden on the outside, and perfectly scented with cinnamon and vanilla. (No soggy middles or dry edges here!)

It comes together with a handful of pantry ingredients in about 20 minutes, and it’s one of those back-pocket breakfasts we turn to again and again. Serve it simply with maple syrup or load it up with all of your favorite toppings. However you serve it, this French toast is sure to disappear quickly!

Recipe Tips

French toast is meant to be easy! But these simple tips will take this recipe from good to so good:

Use day-old bread. Slightly stale brioche or Texas toast is best for soaking up the custard without falling apart, giving you that perfect creamy center.
Don’t oversoak. A quick dip is usually enough, especially for thinner slices. If it soaks too long, the bread can get soggy instead of custardy.
Go half butter, half oil. Butter adds flavor, oil prevents burning. A 50/50 combo is the secret trick for evenly golden, never scorched French toast.
Cook over medium heat. If the heat’s too high, the outside will brown before the inside cooks through. Low and steady for the win here.
Whisk the custard really well. You want everything fully combined so you don’t end up with streaky egg bits.
Keep batches warm in the oven. A 200°F oven can keep everything toasty while you finish cooking, which I find especially helpful when making a larger batch for a crowd.
Wipe and refresh the pan as needed. If butter starts to brown too much, give the pan a quick wipe with a paper towel and add fresh oil/butter before the next batch.

Recipe Variations

This recipe is super flexible! Here are some fun ways to mix it up:

Add orange zest to the custard for a citrusy twist (so good!!).
Swap the milk for half-and-half to make it extra rich and creamy.
Make it dairy-free by using almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
Stuff the bread with cream cheese and berries for a fun version.
Sprinkle in nutmeg or cardamom for extra warming spices.
Use challah or sourdough instead of brioche for a different texture and flavor.

FAQ

can i make french toast ahead of time?

Yes! Just cook it, then reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes. It won’t be quite as perfect as it is served fresh, but it’s still very good.

what’s the best bread for french toast?

Brioche and Texas toast are my favorites because they’re soft, rich, and sturdy. Challah is another great option, or a good sourdough is a tangy twist.

why did my french toast turn out soggy?

Usually it’s from soaking the bread too long or using bread that’s too fresh. Slightly stale bread + a quick dip fixes this.