French Toast Recipe

Bread: Preferably stale, as it absorbs the egg mixture better and results in a crispier texture.

Eggs: Acts as the base for the custard mixture, providing richness and structure.

Milk: Adds creaminess to the custard mixture, helping to soak the bread thoroughly.

Vanilla extract: Infuses the custard with a sweet, aromatic flavor.

Cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy note that enhances the overall taste.

Butter: Used for cooking the French toast, giving it a golden brown, crispy exterior.

To achieve the perfect French toast, make sure to use stale bread. Fresh bread tends to become too soggy when dipped in the egg mixture. Stale bread, on the other hand, absorbs the mixture just right, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft interior. If you don't have stale bread, you can dry out fresh bread slices in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes before dipping them.

• stale bread - Substitute with fresh bread: If you don't have stale bread, you can use fresh bread. Just toast it lightly to dry it out a bit, which will help it absorb the egg mixture better.

• stale bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche is a rich, buttery bread that makes for an indulgent French toast. Its texture and flavor elevate the dish.

• eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg. Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken. This is a great vegan alternative.

• eggs - Substitute with banana: Use ¼ cup of mashed banana per egg. This adds a natural sweetness and works well as a binder.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a good dairy-free alternative that works well in French toast.

• milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk adds a rich, creamy texture and a subtle coconut flavor to the French toast.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but equally delightful flavor profile.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can add a sweet, rich flavor and can be used in place of vanilla extract.

• cinnamon - Substitute with nutmeg: Nutmeg offers a warm, slightly sweet flavor that complements French toast well.

• cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: This blend of spices includes cinnamon and adds a complex, autumnal flavor.

• butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil is a great dairy-free option that adds a subtle coconut flavor.

• butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a higher smoke point and a rich, nutty flavor, making it a good alternative to butter.

• Allow the French toast to cool completely on a wire rack. This prevents it from becoming soggy when stored.
• Place the cooled slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This step is crucial to avoid the slices sticking together.
• Flash freeze the slices for about 1-2 hours. This ensures that each piece remains separate and easy to handle.
• Once frozen, transfer the slices to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Be sure to label the bag with the date to keep track of freshness.
• For added protection against freezer burn, you can wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in the bag or container.
• When ready to enjoy, reheat the frozen French toast in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use a microwave for a quicker option, but the texture may be slightly different.
• For a fresh taste, consider adding a touch of butter or a drizzle of maple syrup after reheating.

• Oven Method:

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

• Stovetop 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 2-3 minutes on each side or until heated through and slightly crispy.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the French toast on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 30 seconds to 1 minute, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the French toast slices on the toaster oven tray.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through and slightly crispy.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat the 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.

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

• Whisk: A utensil used to blend the ingredients smoothly in the mixing bowl.

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

• Spatula: A tool used to flip the bread slices to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.

• Measuring cup: Used to measure out the milk accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract and cinnamon precisely.

• Butter knife: Used to spread the butter in the skillet for cooking.

• Plate: Used to serve the cooked French toast.

• Tongs: Optional tool to handle the bread slices while dipping them into the egg mixture.

Use stale bread: Stale bread absorbs the egg mixture better, saving you time on soaking.

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

Heat the skillet first: Preheating the skillet ensures even cooking and reduces overall cooking time.

Cook multiple slices: Use a large skillet to cook multiple slices of bread at once.

Use a non-stick skillet: A non-stick skillet requires less butter and makes flipping easier, speeding up the process.