This is the only French Toast recipe you’ll need and you can use whatever bread you prefer. Serve with maple syrup and your favorite toppings for the perfect weekend breakfast.

Watch the video tutorial and learn our tips for making the best French Toast that is perfectly cooked and never soggy. You’ll love step 5 which is perfect for feeding a crowd!

Stacked French toast drizzled with maple syrup and topped with berries

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Did you know French Toast isn’t really French? It originated in Rome and was invented as a way to re-purpose stale or leftover bread. It’s still a pretty brilliant idea today! We’ve done so many variations of French Toast including Caramel French Toast and French Toast Casserole.

French Toast Recipe Video

Watch Natasha make a classic French Toast and see how easy it is to make a memorable breakfast! If you enjoyed this video, please subscribe to our Youtube Channel.

Tips for the Best French Toast

  • Dry out your bread – stale, day-old bread absorbs liquids better
  • Batter consistency – adding the extra egg yolks creates a thicker and richer batter that will cook up better and prevent soggy toast.
  • Sautéing in hot butter crisps up the edges
  • Oven-finished – transferring the toasts to a hot oven keeps toasts warm for serving all at once, plus it sets the custard in the center. You’ll even see them puff up in the oven.

Ingredients

This recipe feeds a crowd and will make 8-10 slices (depending on the size of your bread slices). It’s also easy to cut the recipe in half for a smaller batch.

  • Eggs – use 6 whole eggs and 2 yolks for a richer batter.
  • Milk – Any kind of milk (1%, 2%, or whole milk), half and half, or heavy cream will all work great. You can also use dairy-free milk such as coconut milk or almond milk.
  • Vanilla extract – or use bourbon, rum, or brandy for variety.
  • Cinnamon – our favorite spice, but you can also add a pinch of nutmeg
  • Honey – adds sweetness to the batter. You can also substitute it with sugar.
  • Bread – 1 lb of thick-sliced bread (see options below)
Ingredients for making French toast with eggs, milk, cinnamon, honey, butter, salt

What is the Best Bread for French Toast?

You can use any thick-sliced bread. Challah, Brioche and Texas toast are our favorites. Any of these will work well:

  • Sweet Breads Brioche bread, Challah or Easter Bread
  • Texas Toast – comes pre-sliced into thick slices
  • White Country Loaf – slice 3/4″ thick pieces
  • Sourdough – the spongy texture is perfect for soaking up the custard without getting soggy
  • Croissant – transforms French Toast with a unique texture. We shared a recipe for this in Natasha’s Kitchen Cookbook.
  • Banana Bread – if you want a treat in the morning, sliced banana bread is a terrific choice.
The best breads for making french toast

Pro Tip:

This recipe is the best way to use up bread that is a day old and a little dry. If time allows, set your bread slices out onto a wire rack to air dry for 1-2 hours before using.

How to Make French Toast

This is a simple breakfast to make. You will master it in no time.

  • Slice bread – into 3/4″-thick pieces and preheat the oven to 275˚F.
  • Egg mixture – In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, yolks, milk, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, and honey until well blended. Transfer to a casserole dish.
  • Preheat skillet – set a large cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium-low heat and melt in 2 Tbsp butter.
  • Soak Toasts – just 30-40 seconds per side.
  • Sautee French Toast – transfer to the hot buttered skillet and sautee 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
  • Bake – transfer toasts to a baking sheet and keep them in a 275˚F oven while sauteeing the remaining toasts. Once all of the toasts are done, bake another 10-15 minutes to set the custard.

Can I make French Toast in the air fryer?

Yes. To make it in the air fryer, spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Allow any excess egg wash to drip back into the dish then place soaked toasts in a single layer and air fry at 400˚F for 8-9 minutes flipping halfway.

French toast arranged on a serving platter

To Serve

Sometimes keeping it simple is best and we often just serve it with maple syrup and butter. Here are more great options to keep breakfast interesting:

French Toast on a plate served with butter, powdered sugar and maple syrup

Make-Ahead

  • To Refrigerate: Allow the cooked toast to cool completely to room temperature then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
  • Freezing: Arrange cooked and cooled toasts on a baking sheet and freeze for 2 hours then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for easier storage. Thaw in the microwave for 45-60 seconds, or in the refrigerator overnight
  • To Reheat: warm on a skillet, or in the air fryer or toaster until hot.
Make ahead French Toast on a baking sheet

We love special breakfasts for the weekends and holidays like Easter and Christmas morning especially since French Toast tastes like dessert for breakfast.

More Breakfast Recipes

Easy French Toast Recipe

5 from 130 votes
This French Toast is quick and easy to prepare and is a genius way to use up leftover bread. It's a hearty and satisfying breakfast and perfect to feed a crowd.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 9 slices of French Toast
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp warm honey
  • 1 lb bread such as Challah, Brioche, or Texas Toast, (about 8-10, 3/4”-thick slices)
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, to saute toasts

Instructions

  • Slice your bread about 3/4" thick, and arrange on a wire rack for 1-2 hours if time permits to dry out the bread slightly. Preheat the oven to 275˚F.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, yolks, milk, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, and warm honey until well blended and honey has dissolved. Pour into a casserole dish that fits 4 pieces of toast at a time, or as many as will fit your skillet at a time.
  • Preheat your skillet over medium-low heat and melt in 2 Tbsp butter.
  • Dip 4 pieces of bread into the egg mixture at a time and soak for 30-40 seconds per side depending on the thickness of the bread. Remove bread slices from egg wash letting excess drip back into the dish then place the bread slices into the hot skillet and saute for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
  • Transfer to a baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm at 275˚F. Repeat step 4 with the remaining toast, adding more butter as needed. Once all are sauteed, keep them in the oven for another 10-15 minutes for the custard center to fully set then serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Nutrition Per Serving

260kcal Calories28g Carbs10g Protein12g Fat5g Saturated Fat1g Trans Fat191mg Cholesterol312mg Sodium143mg Potassium1g Fiber4g Sugar484IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C103mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Easy French Toast Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
260
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Cholesterol
 
191
mg
64
%
Sodium
 
312
mg
14
%
Potassium
 
143
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
28
g
9
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
10
g
20
%
Vitamin A
 
484
IU
10
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
103
mg
10
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy French Toast, French Toast, French Toast Recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 260
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
5 from 130 votes (80 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Valentina
    March 19, 2021

    This french toast recipe is so EASY and so delicious! The whole family loves when I make this easy french toast recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 19, 2021

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Valentina!

      Reply

  • Kimberly H
    December 23, 2020

    May I use the thick regular french toast bread and add honey for the sweetness. If so this will be my Christmas Morning breakfast.

    Reply

  • Lena
    July 17, 2020

    I’m curious, is this something i can make ahead of time and freeze? At what point could I freeze? After frying or after baking?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 19, 2020

      Hello Lena, this French toast does freeze and reheat well. I would thaw frozen toasts before reheating them.

      Reply

    • Gina
      March 20, 2021

      I often freeze French toast and it works out great.

      Reply

  • Brianna Parks
    November 17, 2019

    Really great recipe, I love the use of vanilla and I love your recommendation on using a specific type of bread, it definitely makes it taste a lot better!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 18, 2019

      I’m so glad that was helpful, Brianna! Thank you for that awesome review.

      Reply

  • Masha
    October 18, 2018

    Is this something i could cook today and bake in the oven the next day?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 19, 2018

      Honestly I haven’t tried baking the next day, Masha. If you experiment I would love to know how you like it!

      Reply

  • Angela Zhovkly
    August 11, 2018

    If I don’t have honey could I replace it with brown sugar? Because my friend tried it and she said that it worked.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 11, 2018

      Hi Angela! That would be great to try! I’m all for trying to thins! Let me know how you like it!

      Reply

  • Tzivia
    November 6, 2016

    This was my 2 time making this yummy delish French toast recipe and wow came out ten times better my dad was in total heaven he even gobbled down the 2 slices in a jiffy and he can be particular thanx so much Natasha dear your breakfast recipes totally rock just like all your others happy blessed Sunday cheers

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 6, 2016

      What a sweet scene! Thank you for sharing that with us 🙂

      Reply

  • Erica
    August 14, 2016

    Turned out fantastic! Thanks 🙂

    Reply

  • Joyce
    July 27, 2016

    Can you just use regular white sliced bread?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      July 27, 2016

      Yes that would work fine, but you might add a little sweetness to the mixture if desired since white bread doesn’t have the sweetness of the sweet breads.

      Reply

  • Tzivia
    March 9, 2016

    Forgot the honey but I think it was sweet enough instead added Israeli sea salt a pinch of nutmeg and a little cinnamon and sugar also vanilla extract the pure not the imitation first fried it in butter and a little oil then drained on plates and then popped them in the oven wow I must say gurl they give off a certain taste where it’s very yummm and super crispy gotta make it like this again thanx @ usual Natasha always adding more to my cooking and baking repoirtoire love it

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 9, 2016

      I’m so happy you’re enjoying the recipes! 🙂

      Reply

      • Tzivia
        March 10, 2016

        Ya ditto me 2 o actually made this @ my bff Ariella s house she just had a baby girl recently and is slowly regaining her strength 2 cook and bake so not I only did I end up cooking for me and her but also for her 11 and 3 4 year old daughter who came home from school early she really let me take over her kitchen tho I’m curious Natasha did u add the raisins before or after making the French toast

        Reply

  • ira
    February 1, 2014

    hi Natasha
    My mom makes a similar recipe but we never baked them after sautéing. Does it make them more crispy on the outside? Thanks for the recipe…looks amazing!

    Ira

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 1, 2014

      It just insures that everything cooks through :).

      Reply

  • Julia
    August 4, 2013

    These were delicious 🙂 I love the idea of putting them in the oven at the end.. gave me time to cut fruit & make scrambled eggs and still have warm French toast to go with it all, LOL. Great recipe, thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 4, 2013

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and so true; it does buy you some time all while keeping the french toast warm and perfect when you’re ready for it 🙂

      Reply

  • Olga
    April 2, 2013

    adding vanilla extract to the ingredients is also yummy =]

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 2, 2013

      I agree Olga :).

      Reply

  • Ludie
    June 13, 2012

    have you ever been to Biscuits Cafe in Portland? (I’m not sure where you’re from)
    I’d love the recipie to their french toast-By far the best ever tried!!! Nowhere on the net…(((

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 13, 2012

      No I e never been there sorry. I’ll try to remember it if we are ever in that part of the world 🙂

      Reply

  • Olya
    June 7, 2012

    Hi:] where do u buy challah bread?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 7, 2012

      We made our own for this recipe; see the Portuguese Easter bread link above 😉 I think Challah is sold in nicer supermarkets and Some European stores. I don’t recall ever seeing it at Winco or Walmart.

      Reply

  • Viktoriya
    April 16, 2012

    Just had a thought! With the extra paski around why not make bread pudding? It’s already sweet AND has raisins already in it..I already started with some baguette I had lying around, wish I woulda used the paski though since I still have a loaf n it getting stale..

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 16, 2012

      That’s a great idea! I’ve never tried that before, but why not? 😉

      Reply

  • Vlad
    April 7, 2012

    This is what I’m having tomorrow morning!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 7, 2012

      Sweet! Happy Easter morning!

      Reply

  • Inessa-GrabandgoRecipes
    March 30, 2012

    Ohhh… yum, I can’t wait until Easter… Looks realy good 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 30, 2012

      Thanks Inessa! 🙂

      Reply

  • Roxanne
    March 30, 2012

    Looks amazing!!! Gotta give it a try 🙂 Thanks for all you do Natasha.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 30, 2012

      You’re welcome Roxanne; I call it my fun work 🙂

      Reply

  • Emma
    March 29, 2012

    gotta try thanks

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 30, 2012

      You are going to love it 🙂

      Reply

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