To make the best French toast, follow these expert steps for a tender, fluffy, and flavorful result:
Ingredients
- Thick slices of soft bread such as brioche, challah, Texas toast, or good-quality sandwich bread (preferably slightly stale for better soaking)
- Eggs (4 to 6 large)
- Milk or half-and-half (about 2/3 to 1 cup)
- A small amount of all-purpose flour (about 1/4 cup) to thicken the batter and add fluffiness
- Granulated sugar or brown sugar (1/4 cup)
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon)
- A pinch of salt
- Butter and neutral oil for cooking
- Optional: nutmeg (a pinch) for extra warmth
Preparation Steps
- Make the custard batter: In a bowl or blender, whisk together eggs, milk (or half-and-half), flour, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and optional nutmeg until smooth and well combined. The flour helps create a thicker batter that yields fluffier French toast
- Soak the bread: Dip thick slices of bread into the custard, ensuring both sides are fully coated. For challah or brioche, soak about 30 seconds to 2 minutes per side, depending on bread density, so the custard penetrates well without sogginess
- Cook: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add butter plus a little neutral oil to prevent burning. Cook the soaked bread slices until golden brown on each side, about 2-4 minutes per side, flipping carefully for even browning
- Serve: Serve hot with toppings like maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, berries), and optionally whipped salted butter for richness
Tips for Best Results
- Use thick-sliced bread for sturdiness and better soaking.
- Slightly stale bread absorbs custard better without falling apart.
- Adding a bit of flour to the custard makes the French toast extra fluffy.
- Cook on medium heat to ensure the inside cooks through without burning the outside.
- Customize flavor with vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg.
This method combines classic ingredients with a few secret touches like flour in the batter and careful soaking times to create the best French toast that's tender, fluffy, and richly flavored
