24 French Toast Upgrades for Weekdays, Brunch, Lunch—Even Dinner!

Parade

September 17, 2022 at 12:39 AM·8 min read

A plate of French toast can instantly transport you back to childhood. Tucking into this classic dish in your pajamas on your way to the couch for some Saturday morning cartoons is a memory that many of us hold dear. Gooey with syrup and piled high with slices of bananas or strawberries, this breakfast staple is an American favorite for kids of all ages. Mother’s Day, Father's Day, holidays and weekend brunches are prime times to serve it, though with the right inspiration you’ll make these creative French toast recipes on repeat.

Can you make French toast without milk?

Yes, you can swap out regular milk for other kinds of milk (almond, soy, oat) or even use a non-milk option like eggnog when making French toast recipes. In fact, a bit of eggnog offers a rich vanilla taste and uses up any leftovers you might have from a holiday party. Of course, if you’re out of milk at home but you do have cream, whether light or heavy, both of these can also be a worthy stand-in for many recipes.

Can you make French toast without eggs?

If you’re out of eggs or someone in your house is allergic to them, French toast can be made with some cornstarch mixed into the milk instead. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to a half cup of milk to dissolve it, and then use this combo as an egg substitute. Or you can use an egg replacement option instead of actual whole eggs in French toast batter to make them vegan.

Why is it called French toast?

Is French toast actually from France? As it turns out, the French people do enjoy a similar dish called pain perdu. But the reason Americans call this dish French toast doesn’t have anything to do with this European nation. The truth: French toast takes its name from Joseph French who invented it at his inn in upstate New York in 1724. But there have been iterations of this dish in existence as far back as Roman times and in many different countries the world over.

Can you freeze French toast?

Yes, you can freeze leftover French toast. Start by freezing it in a single layer on a sheet pan until partially frozen (about an hour) and then remove the slices to a plastic bag. To reheat frozen french toast, pop the slices in the toaster or toaster oven for a few minutes.

What is the best bread for french toast?

For classic french toast recipes, use a good quality, plain loaf of bread. The best types are brioche, challah and country bread like sourdough, white or wheat as these absorb the milk-and-egg custard best. And if you have some stale slices at home, these are even better, again because the dry bread does a better job of soaking up the liquid in French toast recipes.

What goes with French toast?

Take the humble French toast up a notch by adding all-star ingredients. Maple syrup or jam are the usual go-to's for French toast. But this dish also pairs beautifully with just about any type of fruit, from apples and pears in the fall, berries in the summer and bananas all year round. Whipped cream is a fancy addition to any plate of french toast—and a crunch factor is never remiss here (think toasted pecans or almonds on top). A few other creative French toast ingredients that add some wow factor include:

pumpkin spice
bananas and peanut butter
Nutella and cream cheese
coconut syrup
eggnog
Fruity Pebbles
fluffernutter (marshmallow creme and peanut butter)

Best French Toast Recipes

Weekends are the best time to make French toast. You've got that extra time to make something a little special, you have that extra time to work out and work off that extra special breakfast, and everyone appreciates the extra effort to offer an alternative to cold cereal! And French toast is the best... bread soaked in egg batter and baked or fried to perfection... sometimes goodies added on top! French toast is perfect for breakfast or brunch and there's just no limit to how it can be enjoyed. Make one of these creative recipes for Easter, Mother's Day, or any morning you're looking to make someone feel special.