French Toast Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Discover the best French toast recipe: crispy outside, custardy inside, never soggy. Easy 10-minute classic with make-ahead, freezer, egg-free & dairy-free options. Perfect brunch idea!
This classic French Toast recipe is so delicious, easy to make, and perfect for breakfast or brunch! Enjoy the BEST French toast in minutes with this recipe and helpful tips!
This French Toast recipe is one that I absolutely love to make—especially on a lazy weekend morning. There’s something special about this rich and delicious French Toast drizzled with warm maple syrup! I’ve been making it for so long that I’ve perfected the steps so that it is easy. Whether I’m making it for a crowd of weekend guests or just my husband and me, I can have it on the table in minutes!
French toast has a way of starting the morning off in the best way. Paired with a bowl of fresh berries, a few slices of bacon, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a dollop of whipped cream, this meal is always a crowd favorite!
Why This Is the Best French Toast Recipe
Many French toast recipes turn out soggy, overly eggy, or bland. This one stands out because:
- Quick dip, not soak, that prevents sogginess.
- Balanced cinnamon-vanilla flavor with the perfect egg-to-milk ratio.
- Works with everyday sandwich bread or fancy brioche.
- Make-ahead and freezer-friendly for stress-free mornings.
- Endless customizations for diets and seasons.
French Toast Ingredients and Smart Substitutes
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
Best Bread for French Toast (day-old or stale is ideal for better absorption without sogginess):
- Challah bread
- Brioche
- Sourdough
- Texas Toast or French Bread
- Sally Lunn bread
- Everyday sandwich bread (homemade or store bought) (yes, it works beautifully!)
Milk Options: Heavy cream for extra richness, half-and-half, whole milk, or dairy-free alternatives like oat, almond, or coconut milk.
Sweeteners: Maple syrup (my favorite for flavor), honey, granulated sugar, coconut sugar, or confectioners’ sugar.
Flavorings: Vanilla extract + ground cinnamon (increase for stronger cinnamon French toast). Optional: pinch of nutmeg or orange zest.
Other: Eggs (or substitutes), pinch of salt, butter for cooking.
Dairy-Free & Egg-Free Options
Dairy-Free: Use your favorite plant-based milk (oat milk is creamy and neutral) and vegan butter.
Egg-Free French Toast: Replace eggs with 1/3 cup cornstarch or simply omit them—the exterior stays crispy and delicious. Great for allergies!
Fully Vegan: Combine dairy-free milk, vegan butter, and one of the egg-free methods above.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect French Toast
- Whisk the Batter — In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, sweetener, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
- Quick Dip — Dip each bread slice for just a few seconds per side. Do not soak! This is the secret to crispy, never-soggy French toast.
- Cook — Melt butter in a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Don’t crowd the pan.
- Keep Warm — Place finished slices on a baking sheet in a 250°F oven while you finish the batch.
Serve immediately with warm maple syrup, fresh berries, and whipped cream.
My recipe can be made with simple ingredients that most of you will have on hand. I love that it’s this easy! It takes the pressure off of me from thinking that I have to have exact ingredients in my house to be able to make a family favorite breakfast or brunch. Because, let’s face it, sometimes I wake up and know that this delicious breakfast recipe would be a great way to welcome the morning.
With just a few basic ingredients I always have on hand, I know I can whip up this delicious recipe that my family will love!
Pro Tips for the Best Results Every Time
- Use room-temperature ingredients for even cooking.
- Medium heat prevents burning while allowing the center to set.
- Thicker slices (about ¾–1 inch) give the best texture.
- For a crowd: Scale up and use the oven method.
- Common mistake to avoid: Over-soaking the bread.
Make-Ahead, Freezer & Storage Tips
Up to 30 Minutes Ahead: Keep warm in a 250°F oven.
Up to 24 Hours: Store batter in the fridge; stir before using.
Freezer-Friendly (Up to 3 Months): Freeze on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Reheat in oven (350°F, 10 min), toaster, or air fryer straight from frozen.
Delicious Recipe Variations
- Cinnamon French Toast: Increase cinnamon to 1½–2 teaspoons.
- Cinnamon Apple: Top with Southern Fried Apples.
- Pumpkin Spice: Swap cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice.
- Gingerbread: Use a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
- Stuffed: Try cream cheese and berries (see my stuffed variation for inspiration).
- Savory Twist: Reduce sugar and add herbs/cheese for a unique brunch option.
Serving Suggestions & Brunch Pairings
Classic: Maple syrup + berries + bacon.
Elevated: Powdered sugar, caramelized bananas, Greek yogurt, or a side of scrambled eggs. Holiday Brunch Menu Idea: French toast, breakfast casserole, fresh fruit, and juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick dip only—never soak. Use slightly stale bread and medium heat.
Absolutely! It’s one of my favorites for everyday French toast.
Challah or brioche for luxury; sandwich bread for convenience.
See make-ahead and freezer sections above—perfect for holidays and busy mornings.
Cornstarch slurry or omit entirely—both work well.
Yes! Bake at 375°F or air fry for a hands-off version.
More Breakfast and Brunch Favorites
There are many scrumptious breakfast and brunch recipes
Here’s my Best French Toast Recipe. It makes a classic breakfast or brunch recipe that everyone loves! I think you’ll love it, too!
Get This Recipe In Your Inbox
Share your email, and we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus, enjoy daily recipe inspiration!
Best French Toast Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk, or half and half, coconut milk or almond milk
- pinch kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, or honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 8 slices sandwich bread
- butter
Instructions
- Whisk and dip. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon in a flat-bottomed shallow baking dish. Place bread slices, one or two at a time, into the egg mixture and flip to make sure both sides of bread are well-coated.
- Cook. Melt butter in a large skillet or on a griddle. Place bread slices in skillet or on griddle and cook on medium heat until golden brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve. Serve immediately or keep warm in oven until ready to serve, but no longer than about 30 minutes.
Notes
- Tip: Don’t soak the bread to avoid sogginess.
- Full make-ahead, freezer, and variation details above.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
From the Add a Pinch recipe archives, originally published 2014.
I just found out I shouldn’t eat dairy, so I stumbled on your recipe and added almond milk. It was FANTASTIC! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Thanks, Gina. So glad you found this recipe you could use without dairy. I have many recipes here you should be able to find that either have no dairy or you could use a substitute. Enjoy!
This was the best French Toast I’ve ever made!! Family loved it!
Thanks, Kim. So glad your family loved it. xo
The best French toast recipe so simple and not too sweet! Will make again!
Thanks so much!
The recipe was great, I used agave syrup as a sweetener. Yes you better off using 3 eggs if your making 8 slices and the dried ingredients do settle to the bottom so you need to mix it every time your about to dip a slice of bread in your batter. I also used brioche bread which took the recipe to another level.
Amazing!
Shae
Hi Shae,
So glad you like this recipe. I only use the 2 eggs and have not had a problem with the dry ingredients settling on the bottom of the pan. Make sure you mix all the ingredients really well before you start dipping your bread into the batter. Hope this helps. Thanks!
It was way better when one could adjust serving size to get the recipe accordingly.
An absolute hit with my son! And I have zero cooking experience.
So happy to hear your son loved this! Now, I bet he thinks you are an expert! Thanks, Norby.
In love!!
What should be done if I want to add flavors on it?!
Thanks, Shaly. Glad you like my french toast recipe. I list other flavors you can add in place of the maple syrup in the post. Hope this helps!
This may be a silly question but do you put more butter in before each time you put new bread in the skillet?
I do. Same with pancakes. I spray with PAM spray & then a little butter, and I add a little butter each round of pancakes or french toast. This also means you’re not using too much butter on any one slice (and it’s not getting burned onto the pan or the toast)
Randomly found this and made them. Best decision of my life. Perfect
Bardot, thank you. I hope you find many more recipes here you like. xo
Honestly, I was very shocked that 1 cup of milk worked with the 2 eggs! The texture of the French toast is perfect. Nice, and moist. Thank you for the recipe!
Thanks Melissa! xo
Always make this but use a lighter version with egg beaters and skim milk. Also use vanilla and maple extract and brown sugar instead of sugar. Deelish!
amazing
Thanks Arianna!