This Sourdough French Toast has gorgeously crispy edges and a sweet, creamy, custardy center all garnished with dashes of cinnamon powder. The spice of the cinnamon creates an incredible warm balance against the backdrop of the tang of the sourdough. Meanwhile, the crispy texture perfectly complements the creamy bread moistened by the custardy egg mixture.
I love making French toast with sourdough bread because I find it less heavy and easier to digest than other breads. Then I can enjoy other brunch dishes too -- if I'm going to enjoy weekend breakfasts, I want to indulge in all of the goodness!
The next time you're looking for a great option to feed a crowd -- from hungry brunch lovers to a family gathering for a special occasion -- turn to this delicious French toast. Even if this is your first time making french toast, you'll find it's super simple and such a crowd-pleaser!
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why you'll think this is the best sourdough french toast
This homemade French toast is:
- Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Super easy to make for a crowd -- whether it's for your whole family or a smaller morning gathering, you can whip this up easily while sipping your morning coffee and chatting with your guests!
- A healthier option than traditional regular bread varieties.
- A great way to use up leftover sourdough bread.
- Easy to customize -- dress it up with fresh fruit, drizzle it with warm peanut butter, sprinkle brown sugar over it, or just place a pat of butter on top.
Ingredient Notes
- Sourdough Bread - This is a delicious healthy bread that provides healthy bacteria to help stabilize your digestive system and it's easy to digest. You can use fresh sourdough bread, but using old stale sourdough bread works well since it will maintain its crispiness but also soaks up the moisture -- try to use thick slices of bread to really soak up all of the custardy goodness.
- Milk - I use 2 % but you can use whole milk if you prefer -- skim milk will likely not give you the full flavor. You can also use heavy cream or dairy-free milk alternatives like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
- Half & Half - This adds a richness to the custard.
- Eggs - Use large eggs in this recipe -- it's the standard size for most baking recipes.
- Vanilla Extract - You can make your own or buy a great store-bought variety. I always suggest using pure over an imitation variety.
- Maple Syrup - Use pure maple syrup. The pure version gives the french toast a deep caramel flavor and a beautiful golden brown finish.
- Cinnamon - I use LOTS of cinnamon in this recipe. I love the spiciness but you can adjust it to your taste.
- Salt - While you can shake your table salt into this recipe, you can also upgrade it with sea salt or any other variety. Give it an aesthetic flair with Himalayan pink salt.
- Butter - Try to soften the butter ahead of time. Leaving it on the counter about 30 minutes ahead is a great way to make sure it's easier to work with when you're ready to cook.
How to Make French Toast with Sourdough
- 1. Combine wet ingredients in a large bowl.
- 2. Add spices to the ingredients in the mixing bowl.
- 3. Whisk all ingredients together.
- 4. Dip the slices of sourdough bread into the custard.
- 5. Place the soaked bread in a cast iron skillet or frying pan with melted butter (you can also use coconut oil or vegan butter) over medium heat.
- 6. Flip and cook until cooked through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sourdough French toast is crispy on the edges and has rich custardy center. This recipe has a lot of cinnamon flavor and the bread has a lovely tanginess that balances beautifully with the sweetness of the maple syrup
Yes! Absolutely! Sourdough bread is great for absorbing the custard and providing lovely crispy edges to the french toast. Use homemade sourdough bread made with your own sourdough starter, or grab a loaf from your local grocery store.
Yes! The tanginess of sourdough with the sweetness of the cinnamon and maple syrup make a really delicious flavor profile.
Expert Tips
This recipe is quite simple and easy to follow there are just a few simple tips for the best results!
- Don't soak the bread for too long. Just immerse the bread into the custard and remove it with tongs to allow the excess to drip off. If you skip this step your French toast will be soggy.
- Cook the slices of bread for 2-3 minutes per side-- try not to overcook them.
- Leftover French toast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They can be reheated in a warm skillet, a toaster oven, or as a last resort in the microwave.
- This French toast is excellent served with pure maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, and powdered sugar!
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Recipe
French Toast with Sourdough
Equipment
- 1 Spatula
- 1 whisk
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 non-stick frying pan
Ingredients
- 5 eggs large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 cup 2% milk
- ½ cup half & half
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter for cooking
- 12 slices sourdough bread
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, vanilla extract and maple syrup.
- Add the milk and half & half and whisk until combined.
- Sprinkle in the cinammon and salt. Give the mixture one last whisk to ensure all ingredients are combined.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and melt some butter.
- Dip a slice of bread in the custard mixture using tongs until fully immersed, let the excess drip off and place it into the heated pan. Continue with 2 more slices. Cook slices for about 2 minutes until golden, flip and cook for 2 minutes more.
- Repeat with remaining sourdough bread slices. Serve with berries, whipped cream, pure maple syrup and powdered sugar and enjoy!
Notes
- Don't soak the bread for too long. Just immerse the bread into the custard and remove it with tongs to allow the excess to drip off. If you skip this step your French toast will be soggy.
- Cook the slices of bread for 2-3 minutes per side-- try not to overcook them.
- Leftover French toast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They can be reheated in a warm skillet, a toaster oven, or as a last resort in the microwave.
- This French toast is excellent served with pure maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, and powdered sugar!
Alyssia says
This recipe is a game changer to French toast, the crispy edges and soft centre make this recipe like no other!
Charlotte Singh-Dhanraj says
So happy you enjoyed!