The Best Easy Sourdough French Toast Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Sourdough French Toast is one of my favorite ways to use up day-old bread. It comes together so fast with just one bowl and a skillet. I almost always reach for my sourdough brioche bread, but the toast is just as tasty with sandwich slices or crusty sourdough bread.
The bread soaks up the creamy egg mixture perfectly, which will give you golden, custard-like slices of bread every time.
So whether you’re pulling together breakfast for your loved ones on a busy morning or just treating them to something special on a weekend, this French toast recipe never disappoints.
MY LATEST VIDEO
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Simple and quick to make:
This easy recipe comes together really fast, and that makes it perfect for busy mornings or lazy weekends. You don’t need any fancy tools to throw it together, just one bowl, a skillet, and a little time.
A no-waste recipe:
For this recipe, day-old homemade sourdough bread actually works better than fresh bread, because it soaks up the egg mixture without falling apart. No better way to make satisfying breakfast for your family. And did I say it’s also a great way to stretch your groceries and avoid tossing out bread that still has potential?
Adaptable:
I prefer to make this recipe with brioche bread, but it works with just about any kind of stale bread laying around. If you have sourdough sandwich bread, crusty sourdough bread, or any other loaf of sourdough bread, use that.
Ingredients & Substitutions
For full information on ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.
- Sourdough bread – My Sourdough Brioche bread makes for the softest pieces of French Toast. If you prefer, you can also substitute the bread for slices of Sourdough Sandwich Bread or Traditional Sourdough Bread. Use what you have; any type of bread will do. It is better if the bread is a few days old and slightly stale. To be clear, this isn’t necessary, but it helps the bread soak up more of the egg mixture.
- Milk: I used whole milk for this recipe, but any dairy or non-dairy option, like almond milk, will work. You could even pour a dash of cream for a more custard-like batter.
- Maple syrup: I love using this natural sweetener to give this special treat just a touch of extra sweetness. Be sure to use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup. You can substitute with white sugar or honey as well.
- Eggs: They help bind the bread together, create a custard-like texture, and achieve a golden, crispy exterior.
How to Make Sourdough French Toast
- Blend all the ingredients, except for the bread, in a blender or whisk the ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
- Pour the egg mixture into a shallow dish. Place two pieces of bread in the dish and allow them to soak for 4 minutes. Turn to the other side to soak for 4 more minutes. To speed up this step, you could also divide the egg mixture into two shallow dishes to soak four slices of bread at once.
Baking Tip
If you are using sourdough bread other than Sourdough Brioche, you will need to either shorten or extend the soaking time. I found Sourdough Sandwich Bread takes less time, while crusty Sourdough Bread can take a little longer.
- Cook the soaked bread on a hot griddle or iron skillet for a few minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
- Place the cooked French Toast in a warm oven while you repeat with the remaining slices of bread. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Sourdough French Toast
Use day-old bread because…better soaking: Go for slightly stale sourdough bread, a few days old works best. Stale bread soaks up the egg mixture better without getting mushy, giving you that perfect custard-like texture. You can still use a fresh loaf, but day-old translates into max flavor absorption. If you have time, place the sliced slices of bread in a warm oven to help them dry out slightly before soaking.
Adjust soaking time based on the type of bread you are using: If using sourdough brioche, like I do, soak each side for roughly 4 minutes. But for sourdough sandwich bread, cut the soaking time a bit shorter, and for crusty sourdough, extend it a little. This simple trick helps make sure the bread absorbs just the right amount of egg mixture without falling apart.
Speed up prep with double dishes: To make the soaking and cooking process a little faster, divide the egg mixture into two shallow dishes. That way, you get to soak four slices of bread at once instead of two, which cuts down prep time. You can also preheat one large griddle or two large skillets to cook more slice of French toast at a time!
How to Store
Let leftover French toast cool to room temperature so it doesn’t get soggy. Wrap each thick slice of sourdough French toast tightly in plastic wrap or toss it in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Stick the container or bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, freeze it instead. Lay slices flat on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
Reheating: When you’re ready to eat, reheat in a toaster oven, oven (at 350°F for 5-10 minutes), or a skillet to crisp it back up. Reheating in a microwave is fine, but it may make the slices soft. However, if you’re in a rush and don’t mind a slightly softer texture, you can zap the toast for about 20 seconds.
FAQs
In my opinion, yes! Sourdough bread has a tangy flavor and a sturdy texture, and these make it a real game-changer for French toast. Day-old sourdough soaks up the egg mixture like a champ without falling apart, and the result is a perfect custard-like inside and crispy golden outside. While regular bread can still work, it tends to get soggy and doesn’t hold up as well. What’s more, that slight sour kick adds a truly unique vibe that pairs perfectly with different toppings.
You can, but day-old sourdough works best. Fresh bread is softer and might get too mushy when it soaks up the egg mixture. Slightly stale sourdough has just the right texture to absorb the egg mixture without disintegrating. If all you’ve got is fresh bread, I suggest leaving the slices out for a couple of hours or place them in a warm oven to dry out a little before soaking.
This sourdough recipe is super adaptable. You can swap the sourdough brioche for any stale sourdough, like sandwich bread or crusty loaves. Sandwich bread soaks faster, while crusty needs a bit longer. Whole milk is great, but almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or even a splash of cream works for a richer batter. Swap honey or white sugar for maple syrup for a different sweet note. Add a pinch of nutmeg to the egg mixture for extra warmth.
Watch out for that golden-brown glow on both sides. Cook each slice on a hot griddle or skillet for about 2-3 minutes per side. The edges should be slightly crispy, and the center should feel set but still soft, not soggy. If it’s pale or feels too squishy, give it another minute. Keep the heat medium to avoid burning while ensuring the inside cooks through.
Sourdough French Toast Recipe
Enter your email below, and we’ll send it straight to your inbox! Plus, you’ll get my newest sourdough recipes and best tips every week!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 slices sourdough brioche bread (3/4 inch thick) see notes*
- 4 eggs
- 240 grams milk 1 cup
- 80 grams pure maple syrup 1/4 cup
- 1 gram salt 1/4 teaspoon
- 3 grams cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons
- 4 grams vanilla extract 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Slice the sourdough brioche bread into ¾ inch thick slices (8 slices). If possible, allow your bread to sit out for 24 hours to stale or pop them into a warm oven to dry out slightly. This allows the bread to soak up more of the delicious custard.8 slices sourdough brioche bread (3/4 inch thick)
- Blend all the ingredients, except for the bread, in a blender or whisk the ingredients in a bowl until smooth.4 eggs, 240 grams milk, 80 grams pure maple syrup, 1 gram salt, 3 grams cinnamon, 4 grams vanilla extract
- Pour the egg mixture into a shallow dish. Place two pieces of bread and allow them to soak for 4 minutes on each side. To speed up this step, you could also divide the egg mixture into 2 shallow dishes to soak 4 slices of bread at once.
- TIP: If you are using sourdough bread other than Sourdough Brioche, you will need to either shorten or extend the soaking time. Sourdough Sandwich Bread takes less time, while crusty Sourdough Bread takes longer.
- Preheat a hot griddle to 350 degrees F or a skillet to medium heat. While the griddle/skillet is preheating, set your oven to 170 degrees F. This will help the Sourdough French Toast to stay warm until ready to serve.
- Once hot, grease the griddle/skillet with some butter. Cook the bread on a hot griddle or skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
- Place the cooked French Toast in a warm oven while you repeat with the remaining slices of bread. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
-
- Sourdough bread – My Sourdough Brioche bread makes for the softest pieces of French Toast. If you prefer, you can also substitute the bread for slices of Sourdough Sandwich Bread or Traditional Sourdough Bread. Use what you have; any type of bread will do. It is better if the bread is a few days old and slightly stale. To be clear, this isn’t necessary, but it helps the bread soak up more of the egg mixture.
-
- Milk: I used whole milk for this recipe, but any dairy or non-dairy option, like almond milk, will work. You could even pour a dash of cream for a more custard-like batter.
-
- Maple syrup: I love using this natural sweetener to give this special treat just a touch of extra sweetness. Be sure to use pure maple syrup rather than pancake syrup. You can substitute with white sugar or honey as well.
Such a delicious way to use leftover sourdough bread, especially sourdough brioche. My family loves this quick breakfast option!