Short answer
French toast is thick bread soaked in a custard of egg and milk, then fried in butter until golden. Day-old bread, a short soak and medium heat give a crisp outside and a soft, custardy middle.
French toast is slices of thick bread soaked in a custard of egg and milk and fried in butter until golden brown. Done well, it has a crisp crust and a soft, custardy centre. The recipe needs only bread, eggs, milk and a hot pan, and a few small choices make the difference.
What is French toast?
French toast is a dish of bread dipped in beaten egg and milk and then pan-fried. It is eaten as a sweet breakfast or brunch, usually with fruit, syrup, cream or sugar.
The idea is very old and appears in many countries under different names. In France it is pain perdu, meaning lost bread, because it gives stale bread a second life. In Britain it is often called eggy bread, and in parts of Europe the soaked bread is fried and served with sugar and cinnamon. No single place can be named as its origin.
What is the best bread for French toast?
The best bread for French toast is thick-cut, enriched or sturdy bread that is a day or two old. Dry bread soaks up custard without falling apart.
| Bread | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brioche | Rich, soft, golden | Buttery already, so it browns quickly |
| Challah | Soft with a slight chew | Holds custard well |
| Sourdough | Tangy, sturdy | Cut thick, good with fruit |
| White sandwich loaf | Simple and light | Use a little stale for the best texture |
| Fruit loaf | Sweet, spiced | Needs less sugar in the custard |
Slices about 2 to 3 cm thick work best. Thin slices turn into limp, eggy sheets.
What is the right custard for French toast?
A reliable French toast custard is 4 eggs, 240 ml of milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla and a pinch of salt. That makes enough for about 8 slices of bread.
Whisk the eggs with the milk until no streaks of white remain, then add the sugar, vanilla and salt. For a richer slice, replace half the milk with cream. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg adds warmth. Use a shallow dish so each slice can lie flat in the custard.
How long should you soak French toast?
Soak each side of the bread for 10 to 20 seconds for thin or fresh slices, and up to 30 seconds for thick, stale bread. The bread should be damp through the surface but not dripping.
A thick brioche slice may need a little longer to absorb the custard. Press lightly with a fork. If the middle still feels dry and stiff, the slice needs more time. If custard pools on the plate, the slice has soaked too long. Lift the slice, let the extra drip off for a few seconds and move it straight to the pan.
How do you cook French toast step by step?
French toast cooks over medium heat in a little butter for 2 to 3 minutes a side, until it is golden and the middle feels springy. High heat browns the outside before the custard in the middle has set.
- Heat a non-stick or cast iron pan over medium heat with a small knob of butter.
- Soak a slice of bread, drain it briefly and lay it in the pan.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until deep golden, then turn.
- Cook the second side for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Keep warm on a rack in a low oven while you cook the rest.
- Wipe out the pan if the butter darkens between batches.
A little oil mixed with the butter stops it from burning.
How do you make French toast crisp?
Crisp French toast comes from a hot enough pan, a thin film of butter and a rack for resting. A little sugar in the custard also helps the crust caramelise.
- Use day-old bread for a drier surface.
- Pat off extra custard before cooking.
- Do not crowd the pan, because crowding steams the slices.
- Rest cooked slices on a wire rack, not a plate.
- For extra crunch, press a crumb or crushed biscuit coating onto the slice before frying.
What toppings go well on French toast?
Fresh fruit, whipped cream or mascarpone, maple syrup and toasted nuts are the most common toppings for French toast. A balance of something creamy, something fruity and something crunchy works well.
- Fruit: berries, sliced banana, stewed apple or grilled stone fruit.
- Creamy: vanilla mascarpone, yoghurt, whipped cream or ice cream.
- Crunch: pistachios, toasted almonds, crumble or granola.
- Sweet: maple syrup, honey, caramel or berry compote.
- Dusting: icing sugar or cinnamon sugar.
What are the common French toast mistakes?
The common mistakes are using fresh, soft bread, soaking for too long and cooking on a pan that is too hot or too cool. Each one gives a different kind of disappointing slice.
- Soft, fresh bread: it absorbs too much custard and collapses. Dry it in a low oven for 10 minutes if it is very fresh.
- Over-soaking: the slice turns soggy in the middle, even when the outside browns.
- Pan too hot: the sugar in the custard burns before the centre sets.
- Pan too cool: the bread absorbs oil and butter and tastes greasy.
- Thin custard: too much milk makes a watery coating that will not brown.
How do you make French toast without dairy or eggs?
French toast can be made without dairy by using a plant milk, and without eggs by using a mix of plant milk, flour and a little oil or banana. The method stays the same.
For a dairy-free version, replace the milk with oat or soy milk and cook in oil or a plant-based spread. For an egg-free version, whisk 240 ml of plant milk with 2 tablespoons of plain flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla. The result is slightly less rich, but it browns well and holds the bread together.
How long does French toast keep?
Cooked French toast keeps in the fridge for up to three days in a sealed container, and it can be frozen for about a month. Reheat it in a toaster or oven to restore the crust.
Cool the slices fully, separate them with baking paper and freeze flat. A microwave warms them quickly but leaves them soft, so a toaster or a 180 degree Celsius oven for about 5 minutes is better. Do not leave cooked French toast at room temperature for more than a couple of hours.
Is French toast on the Melo Cafe menu?
Yes. The recorded menu for Melo Cafe, a brunch cafe in Windsor Gardens, Adelaide, lists Churros French Toast, which is described as brioche French toast with seasonal fruit, vanilla mascarpone, pistachio crumble, berry compote, grilled banana, vanilla ice cream, maple syrup and Persian fairy floss.
It is marked vegetarian and appears among the dishes highlighted on the menu listing. The listing is unofficial and undated, and no price is recorded, so the dish may have changed. This independent guide takes no orders. See the full recorded menu and the hours and location page for opening times.
Common questions
Why is my French toast soggy?
Soggy French toast usually means the bread soaked too long, the custard was too thin or the pan was too cool. Use thick, slightly stale bread, soak briefly and cook over medium heat until a golden crust forms.
How much milk do you add for each egg?
A common ratio is about 60 ml of milk or cream for each egg. That is enough to make a pourable custard that coats the bread without making it heavy and wet.
Can you make French toast ahead for a crowd?
Yes. Cook the slices, then keep them on a rack in a 120 degree Celsius oven. A rack keeps the bottoms from steaming, which stays crisper than stacking on a plate.
Is French toast the same as eggy bread?
Yes, eggy bread is the British name for the same idea. In France the dish is called pain perdu, which means lost bread, because it rescues stale loaves.
What bread is best for French toast?
Thick slices of brioche, challah, sourdough or white loaf all work. Brioche gives a rich, soft result and sourdough gives a tangier, sturdier slice. Fresh, very soft sandwich bread tends to collapse.
For the address, opening hours and menu, see Melo Cafe in Windsor Gardens.
This article is general information from an independent guide, not from Melo Cafe itself. For the store’s current details see hours and location.