This easy sourdough French toast is a perfect way to add some fun, variety and excitement to breakfast! Serve this crispy, soft and delicious French toast with a drizzle of warm maple syrup and fresh berries!
Easy French Toast with Sourdough Bread
Are you looking to mix up your morning routine?
This tasty French toast is just the recipe for you!
It is a great option whether you are looking for some fun weekend breakfasts or a comforting treat for any day of the week!
You can also serve this as a delicious breakfast treat for a special occasion.
This is the best French toast recipe I've made in a long time - using sourdough bread. This is an ingredient I have been using so much more lately... read more to find out why!
I am excited to share this tasty recipe with you as a great way to liven your morning up for a fun and easy breakfast treat!
Jump to:
- Easy French Toast with Sourdough Bread
- More about using Sourdough Bread
- What is Sourdough Bread?
- What does Sourdough Bread taste like?
- Potential health benefits of sourdough bread
- Notes on Recipe Ingredients
- Equipment
- How to Make French toast
- Tips for making perfect french toast using sourdough bread
- How to serve
- Related
- Easy Sourdough French Toast (Step-by-Step Recipe)
More about using Sourdough Bread
A few months back, I watched TV series on how to live to 100! This explored the secrets to living longer and looked at individuals living “Blue Zones”. These “Blue Zones” area areas around the world where people consistently live longer and healthier lives.
Plant-based diets rich in fresh vegetables, legumes and whole grains are common traits as well as regular low-intensity physical activity.
In addition, fermented foods including sourdough bread were frequently incorporated into meals in certain regions.
After exploring this I soon discovered the range of potential health benefits that sourdough bread offers. In particular the benefits offered as a result of the longer fermentation process involved in making this type of bread.
Since then I have been on a mission to experiment with sourdough bread and incorporate it into recipes – from fun classics to unique ways to use sourdough bread!
Cue this fluffy classic French toast made using sourdough bread and other simple ingredients! I absolutely love the texture and unique flavor of the sourdough bread in this easy recipe!
What is Sourdough Bread?
Sourdough bread is a type of bread made by fermenting dough naturally over a period of days before baking into a sourdough loaf.
Interestingly, the fermentation of sourdough is slower than other types of bread.
The long fermentation time contributes to the unique flavor, texture and taste of sourdough bread.
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What does Sourdough Bread taste like?
- Sourdough bread has a unique taste, characterised by a subtly tangy flavor, mild sweetness and a chewy texture.
- It also has a chewy texture and distinctive crust, which can be satisfying and hearty.
- Sourdough bread is a popular choice for its unique taste, texture and potential health benefits.
Potential health benefits of sourdough bread
Sourdough bread can offer many potential health benefits, mostly due to the fermentation process. These include:
- Digestibility – the fermentation process breaks down gluten and phytic acid, which can make sourdough bread more digestible for many individuals. Sourdough bread can also be made using gluten-free ingredients.
- Nutrient absorption – fermentation also increases bioavailability (accessibility) of nutrients which helps to improve absorption of nutrients in the body including minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals.
- Healthier gut – beneficial bacteria are introduced in the fermentation process which can help support a healthy gut.
- Blood sugar control – sourdough bread has a lower glycemic index compared with other types of bread, which can potentially help to control blood sugar levels.
- Healthy aging – some research has shown that fermented foods including sourdough have many beneficial properties, including being a source of antioxidants. In addition, sourdough was associated with potential anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic properties.
Notes on Recipe Ingredients
- Sourdough bread: you can use store-bought or homemade sourdough bread slices. Use thick slices of fresh sourdough for the best results. Sizes of sourdough can vary; this recipe is for 6 medium slices of bread (or 4 very large slices).
- Maple syrup: for sweetness and depth of flavor. Maple syrup is added to the batter and drizzled over the toast. Use 100% pure Grade A maple syrup (with no added sugar). (If you are in the UK I recommend this maple syrup).
- Pure vanilla extract: this adds a warm vanilla flavor to this French toast. Vanilla is a must to enhance the overall taste of the French toast! Look for vanilla extract without added sugar. (If you are in the UK - I recommend Taylor & Colledge vanilla extract).
- Cinnamon powder: for flavor and warmth.
- Eggs: as a binding agent and provide richness to the batter. Sizes of eggs vary based on region. If you are in Europe, use large eggs (if you are in the US/Canada or Australia you can use very large/extra-large eggs).
- Milk: for a creaminess and to add moistness to the French toast. You can use semi-skimmed (2%) or whole milk.
- Salted butter: to cook the French toast on the stove. I find salted butter enhances the flavor and richness of this French toast. Butter also helps give the toast a golden-brown crust.
Equipment
To make this dish you will need a large mixing bowl (or wide shallow bowl) to make the batter and a large skillet/ large frying pan and spatula to cook the French toast.
How to Make French toast
- Prepare the batter. In a wide bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup and cinnamon to combine into a smooth batter.
- Soak the sourdough slices. Place each slice of sourdough bread into the batter (egg mixture), ensuring both sides are coated with the batter. Allow to soak for 30-60 seconds, to help the bread absorb more of the mixture. Meanwhile preheat pan.
- Add butter to preheated pan. Preheat pan/skillet on medium heat for 1 minute. Add a dollop of butter and allow to melt. When the pan is preheated the butter will start to foam up and slightly sizzle.
- Cook French toast. Carefully lift the sourdough bread (allow excess batter to drip back into bowl). Place the soaked sourdough slices into the preheated pan. Cook on low-medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Swirl the breads to soak up butter. Optional: drizzle 1 tablespoon of the batter evenly on top of bread for extra flavor.
- Flip again (twice). Using a spatula, flip the slices of bread to cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes. Add a little butter to the sides of bread to help cook and crisp up. Once cooked, flip again to cook each side for another 1-2 minutes (for maximum crispiness).
- Serve and enjoy! Repeat with remaining slices, once golden brown, add toppings. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup, dollop of salted butter and fresh berries and enjoy!
Tips for making perfect french toast using sourdough bread
- Preheat your pan on low-medium heat: to help evenly cook the French toast to a perfect golden brown color and ensure the surface is crispy and inside is soft.
- Use multiple pans: this is a time saving tip (I also use for pancakes) – it works out faster to wash an extra pan than wait for your toast to cook before adding the next one!
- Serve with warm maple syrup and fresh berries: this brings out a range of flavor and texture to every single bite! I love the combination of refreshing berries and warm French toast! You can also garnish with a pinch of cinnamon!
- Warm the sourdough bread before dipping into the batter: whether you store sourdough bread in the fridge or at room temperature, I recommend warming the sourdough bread in the microwave for a few seconds before soaking in the batter. This helps to absorb more of the batter for a delicious and flavorful French toast! I prefer to use fresh sourdough bread (over stale bread).
- Flip twice: I like to cook both sides and then flip them both twice to cook for an additional few minutes. I highly recommend this technique as it helps the French toast become extra crispy and golden.
- Bonus tips for the best sourdough French toast: For extra flavor, drizzle 1 tablespoon of the batter evenly on top of each bread after adding slices into the pan.
How to serve
- This homemade French toast can be served as for breakfast with a drizzle of warm maple syrup and fresh berries including strawberries, blueberries and blackberries.
- Serve with a glass of fresh juice (including apple, orange and carrot juice or orange and passion fruit juice), almond milk or a cup of matcha latte, coffee (or iced coffee).
- Alternatively, you can turn leftover French toast into mini bites by cutting into strips and serve as a snack or dessert, topped with a dash of cinnamon and fresh fruit!
For more creative ideas using sourdough bread check out what to serve and eat with sourdough bread!
Related
Check out more delicious breakfast dishes:
Easy Sourdough French Toast (Step-by-Step Recipe)
Ingredients
- 4-8 slices Sourdough bread (sourdough bread varies in size - this recipe is for approx. 4 large slices, 6 medium, 8 small/medium)
- 2 Eggs large
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon Maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ cup Milk
- Salted butter (approx 1-2 tablespoon or as desired to cook french toast)
Instructions
- In a wide bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup and cinnamon to combine into a smooth batter.
- Place each slice of sourdough bread into the batter (egg mixture), ensuring both sides are coated with the batter. Allow to soak for 30-60 seconds. Meanwhile preheat pan.
- Preheat pan/skillet on medium heat for 1 minute and melt butter in pan. (Once pan is preheated the butter will start to foam up and slightly sizzle).
- Carefully lift the sourdough bread (allow excess batter to drip back into bowl). Place the soaked sourdough slices into preheated pan.
- Cook on low-medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Swirl the slices to soak up butter. Optional: drizzle some extra batter evenly on top of each slice for extra flavor.
- Using a spatula, flip the slices of bread to cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes. Add a little butter to the sides of bread to help cook and crisp up.
- Once cooked, flip twice to cook each side for another 1-2 minutes (for maximum crispiness).
- Repeat with remaining slices, once golden brown, add toppings. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup, dollop of salted butter and fresh berries and enjoy!
Notes
-
- Preheat your pan on low-medium heat: to help evenly cook the French toast to a perfect golden brown color and ensure the surface is crispy and inside is soft.
- Use multiple pans: this is a time saving tip (I also use for pancakes) – it works out faster to wash an extra pan than wait for your toast to cook before adding the next one!
- Warm the sourdough bread before dipping into the batter: whether you store sourdough bread in the fridge or at room temperature, I recommend warming the sourdough bread in the microwave for a few seconds before soaking in the batter. This helps to absorb more of the batter for a delicious and flavorful French toast! I prefer to use fresh sourdough bread (over stale bread).
- Flip twice: I like to cook both sides and then flip them both twice to cook for an additional few minutes. I highly recommend this technique as it helps the French toast become extra crispy and golden.
- Bonus tips for the best sourdough French toast: For extra flavor, drizzle 1 tablespoon of the batter evenly on top of each bread after adding slices into the pan.
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