Easy French Toast (Perfectly Golden & Fluffy)
This from-scratch French toast recipe yields delightfully fluffy and perfectly crisp French toast every time. Made with 5 simple everyday ingredients and ready to enjoy in under 30 minutes, it’s a welcome weekday or weekend breakfast the whole family will love.
- An easy homemade breakfast: You only need 5 ingredients and 30 minutes to make this classic, decadent French toast.
- Makes any day feel special: Sweeten any morning with this feels-fancy-but-is-so-simple French toast. It’s an instant day brightener and perfect for simple weekdays or special occasions!
- Kid-friendly: A hit with kids (and adults!) every time. I love setting up a toppings bar so everyone can customize their French toast.
- Easy to freeze: Bonus! French toast is a great recipe to meal prep and keep in the freezer for an easy breakfast during the week.
“Made this last weekend and it was SO good! I used Texas toast white bread, and it was perfect. The brown sugar and cinnamon mixture was amazing 🤩” – Alyson C.
- Eggs: The base of the creamy custard each slice of bread soaks in before cooking.
- Milk: Any kind of milk works! For a richer French toast, use whole milk or even heavy cream. For a dairy-free option, use your favorite milk alternative (oat milk is my pick!).
- Maple syrup: A splash of maple syrup adds that classic sweetness.
- Bread: For best tasting French toast, use thick-cut bread (about ¾ – 1 inch thick). White breads like artisan, brioche, or Texas toast will soak up the egg mixture more easily, but whole grain and even gluten free breads work as well.
- Butter: It’s not traditional French toast if it’s not cooked in butter!
For a little something extra, don’t skip the cinnamon sugar topping (brown sugar + cinnamon) – it instantly elevates this homemade recipe!
How to Make Perfect French Toast
For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card for a list of ingredients and instructions.
If using the cinnamon sugar mixture, combine the cinnamon and brown sugar together in a small bowl to have ready to go. This is totally optional, but is an easy way to completely elevate this classic breakfast recipe!
Combine the eggs, milk, and maple syrup in a bowl that’s deep enough to submerge each slice of bread – this is the “custard” mixture that creates rich French toast. While the butter melts in a nonstick skillet over low/medium heat, begin the dipping process.
Working 1 slice of bread at at time, place the bread in the egg mixture and press down so it’s totally submerged. Let it soak for about 1 minute before lifting out of the bowl – much longer and the bread will begin to disintegrate and result in soggy French toast.
Let the excess liquid drip off of each slice of bread and place in the preheated skillet (I find about 2 slices fit at a time, but it depends on how big your slices of bread are).
Cook on low for about 3 minutes (or until one side turns golden brown). Flip the slices and cook for 2-3 more minutes, or until golden brown. Sprinkle a generous amount of the cinnamon sugar on each slice of French toast and flip. Cook until caramelized (about 20 seconds) and do the same thing on the other side. Transfer to plates or a baking sheet.
Wipe out the pan, reduce the heat to low/medium, and repeat until all French toast slices are cooked.
how to make
French Toast in the Oven
This Sheet Pan French Toast is the answer to your brunch dreams! It’s ready to serve in under 30 minutes, and can easily be doubled to serve a crowd.
Flavor Variations & Topping Ideas
- Spices: Instead of cinnamon sugar, use chai spice or pumpkin pie spice.
- Milk: Use your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk.
- Bread: Any kind of bread works – white, wheat, whole grain, or gluten free.
- Fresh berries
- Sliced bananas
- Homemade whipped cream
- Peanut butter or almond butter
- Walnuts or pecans
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Jam
How to Make
Cold Brew Coffee
Check out this super simple tutorial on how to make your own cold brew coffee at home with just 2 ingredients!
You might be surprised, but French toast actually keeps really well! Let the slices cool completely, place in an airtight container, and refrigerate for 3-4 days.
FAQ
Not necessarily. This French toast recipe is a great way to use up stale bread, but fresh bread works just as well.
Yes. Transfer French toast slices to a foil-lined baking sheet. Cover with foil and keep in a 200°F oven until ready to serve (up to an hour so the slices don’t dry out). For a make-ahead French toast recipe, I recommend this overnight French toast bake.
-
Make the cinnamon sugar topping by combining the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
-
In a large bowl (big enough to soak individual slices of bread), whisk the eggs, milk, and maple syrup together.
-
Working one slice of bread at a time, submerge each slice of bread in the egg mixture for about 1 minute to really soak up all the goodness.
-
Lift the bread out of the mixture and let excess egg drip off each piece of bread. Transfer to a clean plate until ready to cook. Repeat with the remaining slices of bread.
-
Heat 1 tablespoon of butter over low/medium heat in a large nonstick skillet. Add 2 French toast slices to the pan, ensuring they are spaced out and not touching. Cook on low for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.
-
Flip the slices and increase the heat to medium. Cook for 2-3 more minutes or until golden brown.
-
Before removing from the pan, sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon sugar on each slice of French toast and flip. Let cook for 20 seconds to caramelize, then do the same thing on the other side.
-
Use a piece of paper towel to wipe the brown bits out of the pan. Reduce the heat to low/medium and repeat this process until all French toast slices are cooked.
- Milk: Any kind of milk works! For a richer French toast, use whole milk or even heavy cream. For a dairy-free option, use your favorite milk alternative (oat milk is my pick!).
- Bread: For best tasting French toast, use thick-cut bread (about ¾ – 1 inch thick). White breads like artisan, brioche, or Texas toast will soak up the egg mixture more easily, but whole grain and even gluten free breads work as well.
- Spices: Instead of cinnamon sugar, use chai spice or pumpkin pie spice.
- Stove Temperature: All stovetops vary, so make sure to start off on low/medium heat. The goal is to cook the egg and not burn the slices!
Calories: 432 kcal, Carbohydrates: 41 g, Protein: 14 g, Fat: 24 g, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 11 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
