Best French Toast with Brioche Bread

Growing up, French toast was always made with regular sandwich bread in our house. It was fine, but nothing special. My mom would dip the bread in eggs, splash in some milk, and call it a day. I never knew what I was missing until my friend Sarah made French toast with brioche bread at a weekend brunch.

The difference was like night and day. Where our family’s version was just okay, using brioche made it rich and soft in the middle with slightly crispy edges. Now when I make French toast, I always reach for brioche – and once you try it this way, regular sandwich bread just won’t cut it anymore.

What Kind of Brioche Should I Use?

For French toast, you’ll want to start with a loaf of brioche that’s a day or two old – slightly stale bread actually works better because it soaks up more of the egg mixture without falling apart. You can find brioche at most grocery store bakeries, either as a whole loaf that you slice yourself or pre-sliced. If you’re slicing it yourself, aim for pieces that are about 3/4 to 1 inch thick. While traditional brioche works perfectly, you can also use chocolate brioche or even raisin brioche for a different twist. Just make sure whatever type you choose isn’t too fresh, and if you only have fresh brioche, you can dry it out a bit by leaving the slices out on the counter for a few hours or giving them a quick toast in the oven.

Options for Substitutions

This French toast recipe is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can switch up if needed:

• Brioche bread: While brioche makes super fluffy French toast, you can use challah, Texas toast, or even regular white bread. Just make sure it’s slightly stale or day-old bread – this helps it soak up more of the egg mixture without falling apart.
• Milk: Any kind of milk works here! Try whole milk, 2%, almond milk, or even half-and-half for extra richness. If using plant-based milk, unsweetened varieties work best.
• Vanilla essence: Out of vanilla? Try almond extract (use just ¼ teaspoon as it’s stronger) or maple syrup for a different but tasty flavor.
• Butter: You can cook your French toast in coconut oil or neutral vegetable oil instead. If using coconut oil, it’ll add a slight tropical flavor to your toast.
• Ground cinnamon: Feel free to play with the spices – try pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or a mix of cinnamon and nutmeg. You can even skip the cinnamon if you’re not a fan.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making French toast is soaking your brioche for too long – these buttery slices only need a quick 20-30 second dip in the egg mixture, as they’re already tender and can become too soggy if left too long. A common error is cooking your French toast on high heat, which browns the outside too quickly while leaving the inside raw – instead, maintain a medium-low heat and let each slice cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. To get the best texture, make sure your eggs and milk are well combined before dipping the bread, as streaks of egg whites can create tough, rubbery spots on your finished toast. For extra-crispy edges, try adding a fresh pat of butter to the pan between each batch, and remember to keep your cooked slices warm in a low-temperature oven (around 200°F) while you finish the rest.

What to Serve With French Toast?

This rich and fluffy brioche French toast pairs perfectly with both sweet and savory sides to create a complete breakfast spread. Fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries add a natural sweetness and pretty pop of color to your plate. For extra indulgence, serve with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar – or go all out with all three! If you want to balance the sweetness, crispy bacon or breakfast sausage links make great savory companions that everyone loves alongside French toast.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Got leftover French toast? No problem! Place the cooled slices in an airtight container with wax paper between each piece to prevent sticking. They’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days, though they’re always best when fresh.

Freeze: French toast is perfect for freezing! Once completely cool, place the slices on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Then transfer them to a freezer bag, adding wax paper between each slice. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months – perfect for busy mornings!

Reheat: To bring back that fresh-made taste, pop refrigerated French toast in the toaster or warm it in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes. For frozen slices, no need to thaw – just heat them in the toaster or oven until warm and slightly crispy on the outside. A quick zap in the microwave works too, though you might lose some of the crispy texture.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1600-1800
• Protein: 40-50 g
• Fat: 80-90 g
• Carbohydrates: 180-200 g

Ingredients

• 8 large eggs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 loaf of brioche bread (cut into 8 slices)
• 3 tablespoons butter for cooking

Step 1: Prepare the Brioche Dough (Optional)

If you wish to make your brioche from scratch using a sourdough recipe, start this process two days in advance.

Prepare the dough as per your sourdough brioche recipe and let it rest and develop flavor over time.

Once ready, slice the baked brioche into eight slices.

Step 2: Prepare the Egg Mixture

In a shallow pan, combine eggs, sugar, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Use a whisk to stir the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring that there are no lumps.

Step 3: Soak the Brioche

Place the sliced brioche into the prepared egg mixture.

Allow each slice to soak for a few minutes on both sides to ensure that it absorbs the egg mixture thoroughly.

This soaking process is key to achieving a rich, moist French toast.

Step 4: Heat the Skillet

While the brioche is soaking, heat a skillet over medium-high heat.

Add a few tablespoons of butter to the skillet and let it melt completely, coating the bottom of the pan.

Once the butter is melted and sizzling, reduce the heat to medium-low.

Step 5: Cook the French Toast

Carefully place the egg-soaked brioche slices into the skillet.

Cook each slice for a few minutes on one side until it is golden brown.

Flip each piece only once to cook the other side to the same golden perfection.

Maintain the heat level to ensure that the brioche cooks through without burning.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once the brioche slices are nicely browned on both sides, remove them from the skillet.

Serve your French toast hot, accompanied by your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, fresh fruit, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Enjoy the delightful flavors of this classic breakfast treat!