A Simple, Comforting Start to Your Morning
There’s something undeniably comforting about French toast. The way the bread soaks up all that silky egg mixture, the gentle sizzle in the pan, and the golden, custardy results—it’s an absolutely great breakfast idea – my kids love it!
In today’s post, I’m sharing my go-to version of classic French toast. Whether you’re new to it or just want a reliable recipe that always works, this is your starting point. You’ll learn the basics, find tips for variations, and get answers to a few FAQs at the bottom. Oh, and there’s a printable recipe card too.
Let’s make French toast, shall we? This time I’m using a classic English muffin…
Why You’ll Love This French Toast 101 Recipe
This is the kind of breakfast that looks fancy but is incredibly easy. It takes about 15 minutes from start to plate, and you can tweak it depending on your mood—or what’s left in the fridge.
Here’s why this French toast will become your new favourite:
- Quick and simple – just mix, soak, fry, done
- Versatile – use brioche for a luxurious feel or farmhouse for an everyday twist – literally any bread, Iv used a breakfast muffin here…
- Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing – scale it up for guests or keep it small and cosy
- Perfect for slow mornings – especially when paired with a good coffee and a drizzle of maple syrup
It’s also one of those recipes that tastes like you’ve made an effort… when really, you just didn’t rush.
Ingredients & Helpful Tips…
You’ll need:
- 4 thick slices of brioche or farmhouse bread
- 2 large eggs
- 120ml whole milk (or 60ml double cream + 60ml milk for extra richness)
- 1 tbsp sugar or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional but lovely)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp butter + 1 tsp oil for frying
Ingredient notes:
- Brioche is usually my go-to here—it soaks up the custard beautifully and gives that buttery, almost cake-like texture. If you’ve only got a good crusty farmhouse loaf, go for it!
- Double cream mixed with milk creates a richer base that tastes a little more indulgent (perfect for special occasions).
- Cinnamon adds warmth, but it’s entirely optional.
- A splash of oil with the butter helps stop it from burning in the pan.
If you’re making a bigger batch, just double or triple the quantities and keep the cooked slices warm in a low oven.
French Toast 101 Recipe…
Recipe Title: French Toast 101
Description: A foolproof, classic French toast recipe made with soft brioche, a rich egg custard, and gently fried until golden. Perfect for lazy weekends or special brunches.
Servings: 2
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Ingredients:
- 4 thick slices of brioche or farmhouse bread
- 2 large eggs
- 120ml whole milk (or 60ml double cream + 60ml milk for extra richness)
- 1 tbsp sugar or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp butter + 1 tsp oil for frying
Instructions:
- In a shallow bowl or dish, whisk together the eggs, milk (or cream and milk), sugar or maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon (if using), and a pinch of salt.
- Dip each slice of bread into the mixture, letting it soak for about 15–20 seconds per side. Make sure it’s well-coated but not soggy.
- Heat the butter and oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
- Once the butter is foaming, place the soaked bread slices into the pan.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve warm with your favourite toppings – maple syrup, berries, powdered sugar, or a dollop of yoghurt.
Notes:
- Brioche works best for a rich and custardy result, but farmhouse bread is a great everyday option.
- For a crispier finish, sprinkle a little sugar on each side of the bread before frying.
- Double the batch for a crowd – this recipe scales easily.
FAQs About French Toast
Can I make French toast ahead of time?
Yes! You can make it the night before and keep it in the fridge. Reheat in a frying pan, oven, or even toaster. It also freezes well—just separate slices with baking paper and reheat straight from frozen.
Why is my French toast soggy in the middle?
It probably soaked too long or the heat was too high. Use sturdy bread, don’t over-soak, and fry on medium heat to cook it through without burning the outside.
What bread is best for French toast?
Brioche is ideal—soft, sweet, and rich. Farmhouse, white or even stale crusty bread also work well. Avoid thin or very fresh sandwich bread as it tends to fall apart.
Can I make this without dairy?
Absolutely. Use your favourite non-dairy milk (like oat or almond) and swap butter for a vegan alternative. It won’t be quite as rich, but still lovely.
Is French toast the same as eggy bread?
Kind of—but not quite. Eggy bread tends to be savoury and often skips the sugar and vanilla. French toast is the sweeter, brunchier cousin.
Recipe Title: French Toast 101
Ingredients
Method
- In a shallow bowl or dish, whisk together the eggs, milk (or cream and milk), sugar or maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon (if using), and a pinch of salt.
- Dip each slice of bread into the mixture, letting it soak for about 15–20 seconds per side. Make sure it’s well-coated but not soggy.
- Heat the butter and oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
- Once the butter is foaming, place the soaked bread slices into the pan.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve warm with your favourite toppings – maple syrup, berries, powdered sugar, or a dollop of yoghurt.
Notes
For a crispier finish, sprinkle a little sugar on each side of the bread before frying.
Double the batch for a crowd – this recipe scales easily.
