Crispy Golden French Toast
Golden French Toast is the perfect cozy breakfast for a lazy weekend. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the crispest, most golden French toast you’ve ever had. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet and Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice.
Why This Crispy Golden French Toast Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy on the outside, soft and custardy on the inside
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or brunch
- Better than takeout and way more fun to make
What You'll Need for Crispy Golden French Toast
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 loaf challah bread, sliced into 1-inch thick slices
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: Maple syrup, for serving
- Optional: Fresh berries, for serving
- Optional: Powdered sugar, for serving
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Challah bread: You can substitute with brioche or Texas toast.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents sticking and ensures even cooking → See on Amazon
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet — Distributes heat evenly for perfect French toast → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Golden French Toast
- Prepare the batter: In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Season with salt and pepper.
- Soak the bread: Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, making sure both sides are well coated. Let it soak for 20-30 seconds on each side.
- Cook the French toast: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the soaked bread slices and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve: Transfer the French toast to a plate, dust with powdered sugar, and serve with maple syrup and fresh berries.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Golden French Toast
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the pan. Cook the French toast in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy French toast, dip your bread slices into the batter twice.
- Pro tip: To keep your French toast warm while cooking the rest, place them on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Golden French Toast
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The batter can be prepared the night before and stored in the fridge.
Freezing Crispy Golden French Toast
Freeze cooked French toast for up to 2 months. Reheat in the toaster oven or oven at 350°F until warmed through.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, but be aware it may become soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For an extra special touch, add a splash of orange juice or liqueur to the batter.
- Best substitution: If you're out of milk, you can use buttermilk or half-and-half for a richer flavor.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the French toast the night before and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, simply cook it as directed.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your French toast is burning, reduce the heat or flip it more frequently.
Want to level up this recipe?
KitchenAid Stand Mixer — Makes whipping up the batter a breeze → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Golden French Toast
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 loaf challah bread, sliced into 1-inch thick slices
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Maple syrup, for serving
- Fresh berries, for serving
- Powdered sugar, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Season with salt and pepper.
- Soak the bread: Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, making sure both sides are well coated. Let it soak for 20-30 seconds on each side.
- Cook the French toast: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the soaked bread slices and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve: Transfer the French toast to a plate, dust with powdered sugar, and serve with maple syrup and fresh berries.
Notes
- Chef tip: For an extra special touch, add a splash of orange juice or liqueur to the batter.
- Best substitution: If you're out of milk, you can use buttermilk or half-and-half for a richer flavor.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the French toast the night before and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, simply cook it as directed.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your French toast is burning, reduce the heat or flip it more frequently.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked French toast for up to 2 months. Reheat in the toaster oven or oven at 350°F until warmed through.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, but be aware it may become soggy.
- Make ahead: The batter can be prepared the night before and stored in the fridge.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 360
- Protein: 16g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 240mg
- Sat. Fat: 8g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Golden French Toast FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the French toast the night before and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, simply cook it as directed.
Your French toast may be soggy if the bread wasn't soaked long enough or if the pan wasn't hot enough. Make sure to soak the bread for at least 20-30 seconds on each side and heat the pan to medium-high heat.
Yes, you can make French toast in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F, spray the basket with cooking spray, and cook the French toast for 4-5 minutes on each side.
If you're out of challah bread, you can substitute with brioche or Texas toast. You can also use regular bread, but it may not be as absorbent.
Yes, you can freeze cooked French toast for up to 2 months. Reheat in the toaster oven or oven at 350°F until warmed through.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Golden French Toast and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
