Sourdough French Toast

Sourdough French toast is quick and easy to prepare, and can be made with a handful of simple ingredients you likely already have on hand!

Not only can you make French toast with sourdough bread, but the tangy flavor of sourdough goes perfectly with the sweetness of this breakfast classic.

What is it?

This easy sourdough French toast recipe is prepared using sourdough bread, rather than eggy bread like challah or brioche, which is commonly used in traditional French toast recipes. Sourdough bread is a great choice for homemade French toast because its distinctive tangy flavor offers a nice contrast to the sweet batter. Plus, sourdough is a sturdier loaf, making it perfect for soaking up the wet batter without getting soggy.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Stale sourdough bread - If using fresh sourdough bread, it is best to let it sit out uncovered overnight to stale for best results. This will firm up the bread slices. Using stale bread prevents the French toast from getting soggy.
• Butter - Butter is best for greasing your cooking surface, but vegetable oil can also be used.
• Whole Eggs
• Milk - Whole milk is the best option, but you can make French toast without milk by using half and half or heavy cream to make this even more decadent. You can also substitute dairy-free milk alternatives, such as almond milk or oat milk.
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Table salt

How to make it

Making the best French toast with sourdough bread starts by letting your thick slices of sourdough bread stale to firm up. The easiest way to do this is to let them sit out on the counter overnight. Otherwise, if you forget, another great option is to very lightly toast them in a toaster oven to dry them out slightly.

Next, using a large bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and table salt to form your batter. You will want to start preheating and buttering your griddle as well. Set the griddle to 350 degrees, or place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Dredge each slice of bread in the custardy egg mixture, ensuring the slices of bread are fully coated, then place on the hot griddle in a single layer. Let the French toast cook a couple of minutes per side, until it turns golden brown. Then serve with your choice of maple syrup, butter, powdered sugar, and fresh berries.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Any leftover French toast should be stored in an airtight container and kept in your refrigerator for up to one week. Leftovers can easily be reheated in the microwave, however, the texture will soften. Alternatively, gently rewarming them in a 350-degree oven works very well.

You can also freeze leftover French toast. Simply place the cooked French toast in a freezer bag and store for up to two months.