| | |

The Perfect Sourdough French Toast

I didn’t grow up eating french toast, but after I got married I decided to try my hand at making some for breakfast. I used a basic recipe and a basic bread loaf, but it was simply okay. Over the last two decades, I’ve spent hours flipping french toast on the griddle and I’ve finally arrived in regards to french toast. Today, I’m sharing the perfect sourdough french toast recipe with you!

how to make the best french toast

I wish I wasn’t such a perfectionist when it comes to breakfast food, because it would make my mornings much easier, but alas… I am.

Breakfast has long been one of my most anticipated meals of the day and my kiddos follow suit, which is evident from my abundance of tried-and-true breakfast recipes on here, such as Fluffy Pancakes, Easy Biscuits, Overnight Oatmeal Bake, and Delicious Orange Scones.

Mark and I just recently chatted as we ate breakfast at a local cafe that it doesn’t even seem worth it to eat out for breakfast because whatever I make at home is always better (I’m not meaning to brag, but that’s what hours in the kitchen tweaking recipes gets ya).

Whipping up a five star breakfast didn’t come naturally. It came from years of trial and error, learning to flip at the right time, making sure the griddle is at the proper temperature, and so on.

Today, I want to share my french toast recipe with you. It is one of my family’s most loved breakfast dishes and, I must admit, it’s one of mine, too!

The inside is warm and soft, while the outside is crisp and caramelized. It is simple, yet the perfect sourdough french toast!

three slices of sourdough french toast on a white plate

Can you make French Toast with Sourdough Bread?

You can use whatever bread you want to make french toast, but the bread you choose does have the ability to elevate the dish to the next level!

I’ve made a delicious plate of french toast using regular bread, but when I use my Sourdough bread… look out world! There is something about the texture and thickness of the bread that makes it noteworthy.

Sourdough is a bit more structured, in regards to bread. It is sturdier than a regular white bread, so when it’s dipped in the batter and placed on the griddle, it holds its own and doesn’t turn to mush.

I like to think of it as my secret French Toast weapon.

french toast sourdough with maple syrup and butter

How do you make Sourdough French Toast?

Sourdough french toast is quite simple. The steps are straightforward and, aside from letting the toast cook on the griddle, it requires very little attention.

I like to allow my sourdough bread to ripen, as I like to say. The best bread for this dish is bread that is a bit on the stale side. The dryness of it allows it to hold up when placed in the batter.

You can buy bread at the market or you can make your own. I have a healthy Sourdough French Bread recipe, if you want to try your hand at sourdough!

You can use fresh bread, but be aware that it will soak up the batter and it might be on the soggy side. So, the best practice for this dish is to slice your sourdough and let it sit for a few hours (or overnight) before using for french toast.

Why You’ll Love French Toast made with Sourdough

There are so many reasons you will love this recipe, but let me list a few for you, because you need this recipe in your life!

  1. It gives you the perfect reason to use up stale bread, instead of tossing it!
  2. It can be as simple, or decadent, as you wish!
  3. Sourdough french toast is filling and little bellies will leave the table satisfied.
  4. This recipe is easy and uses pantry, or refrigerator, staples.
  5. French toast made right is a hot breakfast that marries the soft and crispy qualities so many people love.
slice french toast bread before using for sourdough french toast

Where can I find Sourdough Bread for French Toast?

Sourdough bread has become quite a trend, so finding it isn’t hard. I love making my own Sourdough loaf and using half of it for homemade croutons and half of it for this recipe.

If you don’t want to make your own bread, simply grab a loaf from the local grocery store. Most grocery stores carry sourdough in their bakery section.

steps for making french toast

4 Easy Steps for making Sourdough French Toast

  • Whisk and Slice. Slice the loaf into 1 inch slices and allow it to breath for a few hours (you can do this the night before). Whisk the wet ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Dip the Bread. Dip your bread in the batter. Allow each side to sit in the batter for 20-30 seconds so it can soak up some of the batter.
  • Butter and Griddle. Add a pat of butter to your griddle and let each side of the french toast fry in the butter for 4 minutes.
  • Top and Enjoy. Top your french toast with whatever toppings suit your fancy and enjoy!
ingredients needed for french toast from scratch

Ingredients for Sourdough French Toast

  • Sourdough bread– This is the preferred bread for french toast, but if you don’t have sourdough, you can still make this recipe with regular bread! Just don’t let it soak for as long in the batter. Brioche and challah bread is another delicious choice for this dish, as well.
  • Milk– This is the main ingredient, paired with the egg, for this recipe. I use whole milk, but feel free to use an oat milk or almond milk. I have used them all and it still turns out amazing!
  • Egg– Eggs always help to thicken a batter and give the recipe some holding power. The egg is also what helps to create that layer you find on the outside of the french toast.
  • Cinnamon– Spice is needed in every sweet breakfast recipe to offset the sweet. Cinnamon is a great option for french toast.
  • Vanilla– Vanilla gives a depth to this dish.
  • Maple Syrup– This is my sweetener of choice, but you can substitute white sugar or honey for the maple syrup.
  • Salt– Add a pinch of salt to every sweet dish to help bring out the sweetness. It sounds odd, but it is a thing, for sure!
1 inch sourdough french toast slices on a white plate

Tips and Tricks for Making Sourdough French Toast

  • Use day-old, or stale, bread for french toast. This helps the bread to hold up to the batter and not get soggy.
  • Use a sturdy bread, such as sourdough, to get the crisp outside and soft inside.
  • A preheated griddle works wonders for french toast because it seals the outside of the toast to help caramelize it, while heating the inside enough to cook it through.
  • Butter is the best thing to use to make sure your griddle is non-stick. Frying the toast in the butter makes it extra yummy and extra crispy!
  • Make your slices 1 inch thick to get a decadent piece of french toast.
  • Change up the flavor of your french toast by adding different spices/ingredients to your batter!
toppings for sourdough french toast recipe

Toppings for your Sourdough French Toast Recipe

Besides the type of bread you use, the toppings are what make this dish truly special. I like to switch up the toppings every time I serve french toast to keep it exciting and fresh. These are a few of our favorites:

  • Powdered sugar
  • Homemade whipping cream
  • Fresh fruit
  • Simple Berry Compote
  • Maple Syrup
  • Bacon
  • Ham and Eggs
  • Bananas and Pecans
  • Peanut Butter
  • Nutella
  • Cinnamon and Sugar

A Simple Recipe for French Sourdough Bread

If you are wanting to dabble in sourdough bread, but you don’t want to feel overwhelmed or intimidated, try my simple sourdough recipe.

It is a great beginner recipe that tastes amazing and turns out every time.

Another great bread recipe, although it isn’t sourdough, is this overnight bread recipe that is AH-mazing!

Can I make French Toast in an Air Fryer?

Just like sourdough is super popular these days, so are air fryers. Air fryers are healthier than deep fat frying, yet you get the same delicious taste.

To make this french toast in an air fryer:

  1. Mix up your batter, slice your bread, and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  2. Dip the bread in the batter, place it in the air fryer basket, and fry at 400°F for 5 minutes.
  3. Open the air fryer, carefully flip the french toast and fry on the other side for 5 more minutes.
  4. Serve with your favorite toppings!
the best french toast recipe sourdough bread
Can I make french toast in an air fryer?

Yes, you can easily make french toast in an air fryer.
1. Mix up your batter, slice your bread, and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
2. Dip the bread in the batter, place it in the air fryer basket, and fry at 400°F for 5 minutes.
3. Open the air fryer, carefully flip the french toast and fry on the other side for 5 more minutes.
4. Serve with your favorite toppings!

What are the best bread loafs to use for French Toast?

Stale bread is the best for french toast, but more specifically Challah, Brioche, French, or Sourdough breads make the best French Toast.

How to I keep my French Toast from getting soggy?

To keep your french toast from getting soggy, start with a stale bread that has some structure, such as a sourdough or french bread. Make sure you don’t soak your bread too long. 30 seconds on each side is plenty for soaking the bread.

My Favorite Kitchen Things

Cooking Pans

Sourdough French Toast Recipe

sourdough french toast with whipped cream

Sourdough French Toast

Liz Quick
This amazing recipe marries perfectly with a structured bread, such as sourdough, but you can use any bread to make this breakfast staple. The most important thing is… that you make it! 🙂
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine French
Servings 4 people
Calories 200 kcal

Equipment

  • medium mixing bowl
  • griddle or cast iron
  • spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 8 1-inch slices of sourdough
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions
 

  • Slice the loaf into 1 inch slices and allow it to breath for a few hours (you can do this the night before).
  • Whisk the wet ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Preheat your griddle or cast iron to 350°F – 375°F.
  • Dip your bread in the batter. Allow each side to sit in the batter for 20-30 seconds so it can soak up some of the batter.
  • Add a pat of butter to your preheated griddle or cast iron. Let each side of the french toast fry in the butter for 4 minutes.
  • Top with your favorite toppings, or eat it plain! Enjoy!

Notes

  • Use day-old, or stale, bread for french toast. This helps the bread to hold up to the batter and not get soggy.
  • Use a sturdy bread, such as sourdough, to get the crisp outside and soft inside.
  • A preheated griddle works wonders for french toast because it seals the outside of the toast to help caramelize it, while heating the inside enough to cook it through.
  • Butter is the best thing to use to make sure your griddle is non-stick. Frying the toast in the butter makes it extra yummy and extra crispy!
  • Make your slices 1 inch thick to get a decadent piece of french toast.
  • Change up the flavor of your french toast by adding different spices/ingredients to your batter!
Keyword french sourdough, sourdough french toast, sourdough recipe

Similar Posts

2 Comments

  1. That sounds yummy, Liz. Another spice I like to add sometimes is just a dash of nutmeg….mmmmmm. It’s so good!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating