Make restaurant style french toast at home using day-old sourdough bread. This recipe yields a custardy interior and a perfectly crispy exterior in under 25 minutes.
Author:Cat
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:15 min
Total Time:25 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Breakfast
Method:Stovetop Griddling
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
8 thick slices sourdough bread (day-old works best)
4 large eggs
1 cup half-and-half or whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and salt until fully combined. This creates your rich custard base.
Heat a large griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt until it foams slightly.
Quickly dip one slice of sourdough bread into the egg mixture, turning to coat both sides. Do not let it soak too long; sourdough is sturdy but you want it coated, not saturated.
Place the coated bread onto the hot griddle. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy on the edges.
Add the remaining butter to the skillet as needed for the next slices.
Transfer the cooked French toast to a plate and keep warm while you finish the remaining slices.
Serve immediately dusted with powdered sugar and a side of warm maple syrup.
Notes
Using day-old or slightly stale sourdough bread is key; its firm texture prevents the bread from becoming soggy when soaking in the custard.
For extra crispy french toast, ensure your skillet is hot enough before placing the bread down. The butter should sizzle immediately.
If you prefer a sweeter flavor, you can substitute the granulated sugar in the custard with 1 tablespoon of packed light brown sugar.