Sourdough French Toast

Sourdough French Toast uses homemade sourdough brioche to add a flavorful twist to a classic breakfast. With vanilla and cinnamon mixed into the batter, this French toast will make your kitchen smell incredible as you wait for the first slice to cook. This rich and satisfying treat is perfect for breakfast or brunch!

Everything tastes better with sourdough, am I right? Sourdough French Toast is no exception. Homemade brioche dunked in lightly spiced and sweetened milk makes for restaurant quality French toast right in your own kitchen. And your kitchen will smell seriously amazing while you’re making it. 🙂 What better way to surprise your family on the weekend than by waking them up with wafts of fresh French toast?

Another great thing about this recipe is that it takes only 4 ingredients and relatively little time to prepare. Just use leftover slices of sourdough (of course brioche is ideal but any type will work) and top with whatever sweet treats you find in the pantry or fridge. It’s super easy, but you’ll be amazed at how delicious homemade French toast can taste. Convinced yet? You should be! Give this recipe a try – you’ll be glad you did!

What is the best bread to use for French toast?

Sourdough brioche is definitely the best bread for French toast – it’s fluffy, rich, sweet, and turns a beautiful golden brown when you toast it. You can also use sourdough overnight bread though or sourdough sandwich bread if you have it on hand. Want to mix it up? You can also use chocolate sourdough bread, chocolate babka, or raspberry bread for extra flavor and fun! Basically, as long as you can slice it, and the bread is sturdy enough to dunk in milk, you can make French toast with it.

What is the trick to making good French toast?

One of the main tricks is making sure to use fresh, good-quality ingredients. French toast really only requires bread, milk, eggs, and a bit of sugar – all very simple ingredients. You’ll be able to taste them all, so make sure they’re fresh!

Also, don’t over soak the French toast or your toast will become soggy. Just soak the bread long enough to make sure each side is coated and then quickly transfer the toast to the pan to cook.

Finally, make sure to cook the bread over medium-low heat. This will ensure that the batter gets fully cooked without causing the crust to burn. It really doesn’t take that long, so cook your toast slowly for best results.

Tips for making Sourdough French Toast

• It’s best to cut the bread in 1 inch slices. This is the perfect thickness for soaking up the batter but also getting heated all the way through in the pan.
• Dairy-free? Switch out the brioche for sourdough overnight bread or sandwich bread and use your favorite milk alternative for the batter. Coconut, almond, or oat milk would all work well.
• Want to cook more than 1 slice of toast at a time? Use a pancake griddle instead of a pan so you have more room and can cook a few slices at a time.
• If you have any leftovers, store them in an air tight container or zip-lock bag in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the French toast in the microwave or oven when you’re ready to enjoy it.

Tools you will need

To make this French toast, you’ll need a bowl, whisk, cooking pan, and spatula.

Ingredients you will need

• 6 slices Sourdough Brioche – You can also use sourdough overnight bread or sourdough sandwich bread in a pinch.
• 1 cup milk – You can use whole, 2%, skim, or a dairy-free option – whatever you prefer!
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp brown sugar – Can also substitute white sugar, maple syrup, or honey.
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon

How to make Sourdough French Toast

In a small bowl, whisk the egg and milk together until well combined.
Stir in the vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
Preheat a skillet to medium-low heat and spray with baking spray.
Dunk 1 slice of the sourdough in the milk mixture. Turn it over to coat the other side too.

Place the slice of French toast in the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes until it forms a spider web of golden brown.
Flip the toast and cook for another 2 minutes or so until the other side is also golden brown.

Remove the slice of French toast from the pan, top with your favorite toppings, and enjoy! Repeat to cook the remaining slices of sourdough.

How to serve Sourdough French Toast

While you could just eat this French toast plain (it’s that yummy!), have fun adding your favorite toppings! Here are a few ideas you might like:

• Fresh fruits – Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are perfect for a bright touch.
• Whipped cream – You can use Redi-whip, but homemade is the best. 🙂
• Maple syrup or honey – Drizzle it warm over your toast for a sticky, sugary treat.
• Powdered sugar – Add this along with other toppings for a cute presentation.
• Jam – It tastes delicious plus it adds such a lovely color.
• Nutella – Spreadable chocolate? Yes please!

What’s your favorite way to serve French toast? Let me know in the comments section below!

Hungry for more sourdough breakfast ideas?

If so, make sure to head over to the Kitchen Counter for more inspiration! Here are a few recipes to get you started:

• Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
• Sourdough Croissants
• Sourdough English Muffins
• Sourdough Discard Bagels
• Sourdough Coffee Cake
• Sourdough Crepes

If you make these this recipe and enjoy it, let me know in the comments section below! You can also tag me on instagram @oldfashionedinspiration with a picture of your creation.