French Toast Recipe

Bread: Preferably stale, as it soaks up the egg mixture better without becoming too soggy.

Eggs: Acts as the base for the custard mixture that coats the bread.

Milk: Adds creaminess to the egg mixture, making the French toast rich and tender.

Vanilla extract: Provides a sweet, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste.

Cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy note that complements the sweetness of the vanilla extract.

Butter: Used for cooking the bread slices, giving them a golden brown, crispy exterior.

To achieve a perfectly crispy exterior and a soft, custardy interior, use stale bread for your French toast. Stale bread absorbs the egg mixture better without becoming too soggy. If you don't have stale bread, you can lightly toast fresh bread to achieve a similar effect.

• stale bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche is rich and slightly sweet, making it an excellent choice for French toast.

• stale bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is a soft, slightly sweet bread that absorbs the egg mixture well.

• eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoon water per egg. This is a good vegan alternative.

• eggs - Substitute with banana: Use ¼ cup mashed banana per egg. This adds a natural sweetness and binds the ingredients.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative that works well in the egg mixture.

• milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk adds a rich, creamy texture and a hint of coconut flavor.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor to French toast.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds sweetness and a distinct flavor.

• cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg provides a warm, slightly sweet flavor similar to cinnamon.

• cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: This blend includes cinnamon and other spices, adding a complex flavor.

• butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil is a dairy-free alternative that adds a slight coconut flavor.

• butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine is a plant-based alternative that works similarly to butter in cooking.

• Allow the French toast to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the toast soggy.
• Place a sheet of parchment paper between each slice of French toast to prevent them from sticking together.
• Store the slices in an airtight container or a zip-top freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible before sealing.
• Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of freshness.
• For short-term storage, keep the French toast in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• For long-term storage, place the French toast in the freezer. It can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing quality.
• To reheat refrigerated French toast, use a toaster or toaster oven for a crispy texture. Alternatively, you can microwave it for 30-60 seconds, but it may be less crispy.
• For frozen French toast, reheat directly from the freezer. Use a toaster oven or conventional oven preheated to 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also microwave it for 1-2 minutes, but again, it may be less crispy.
• Avoid reheating French toast multiple times, as this can lead to a loss of texture and flavor.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the French toast slices on a baking sheet.
  3. Cover the slices with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through.
  5. For a crispier texture, remove the foil for the last 2 minutes of heating.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the French toast slices on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover the slices with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
  4. Ensure the French toast is heated evenly by flipping halfway.

• Toaster Method:

  1. Place the French toast slices in a toaster or toaster oven.
  2. Toast on a medium setting until heated through and slightly crispy.
  3. Keep an eye on the slices to prevent burning.

• Skillet Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of butter or oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the French toast slices in the skillet.
  4. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until heated through and crispy.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the French toast slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through for even heating.
  4. Check for desired crispiness and warmth before serving.

• Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.

• Whisk: A utensil used to blend the egg mixture until smooth and well combined.

• Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used to cook the French toast slices over medium heat.

• Spatula: A tool used to flip the bread slices to ensure they are golden brown on both sides.

• Measuring cups: Tools used to measure the milk accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Tools used to measure the vanilla extract and cinnamon accurately.

• Butter knife: A knife used to spread the butter on the skillet for cooking.

• Plate: A dish used to serve the hot French toast with your favorite toppings.

Use stale bread: Stale bread absorbs the egg mixture better, reducing soaking time.

Pre-mix ingredients: Whisk eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon the night before to save time in the morning.

Heat the skillet first: Preheat your skillet while preparing the bread to ensure it’s ready for cooking immediately.

Batch cooking: Cook multiple slices of bread at once if your skillet is large enough.

Use a non-stick skillet: A non-stick skillet reduces the need for extra butter and makes cleanup faster.