What’s The Best Bread To Use For French Toast?

Are you tired of making French Toast with the same old bread and getting lackluster results? Look no further because today we’re delving into the world of French Toast and answering the age-old question, “What’s the best bread to use for French toast?” 

It’s not just any bread that can achieve the perfect balance of crispy and custardy when soaked in egg and milk. While any bread can technically be used, the type of bread you choose can greatly impact the final outcome. 

The perfect French Toast requires bread that can absorb the egg and milk mixture without becoming too soggy or falling apart. 

So, let’s explore the different types of bread and find out which one is the best for French Toast. Get ready to take notes and learn how to create the perfect French Toast with the right bread!

What Bread Is Best To Use For French Toast?

The recipe for French Toast can be adapted to use any bread, so, technically, any bread would work. We are mainly looking for the best-tasting bread. I’ve used many different types of bread throughout my life, but there are three that stand out.

But there are four more options that could be chosen depending on your taste. Brioche, French Baguette, and Challah are three of the best loaves of bread for French Toast.

There are plenty of options for making French Toast, but Brioche gets the most stars. There is nothing better than Brioche French Toast, in my opinion.

1. Brioche

Bakers make Brioche individually or as a loaf from this classic French pastry. Slice Brioche loaf thickly into 1/2 inch-1-inch-thick slices for French Toast. 

Since this bread is so soft and fluffy, it soaks up the sweet egg mixture beautifully. It also has a sweet, buttery taste, which adds to the overall flavor. It is soft, buttery, and sweet when soaked with egg and pleasantly crunchy when cooked. 

2. French Baguette

A French baguette comes in second place. It absorbs the egg mixture well while maintaining its integrity. It doesn’t soak up eggs as quickly as Brioche, but it does absorb the eggs equally well. You can let each slice of bread soak for a few more seconds if you prefer your French Toast with more egg. 

There is a pleasant crunch to the crust on the inside of this bread. Also, the texture is a bit dense, resulting in chewier French Toast.

As French Baguettes are thinner than Brioche or Challah, they will yield more slices. You should slice the baguette about 1/2 inch thick, but not any thicker. The diagonal cut is the best for this bread.

3. Challah

Challah also makes a great French toast option. In my opinion, the flavor and texture are the reasons why it came in third.

It may be necessary to add more sugar to the egg mixture or to the topping because Challah doesn’t have a lot of sweetness.

Compared to the prior two options, this bread is also denser and drier.  The savory recipe would work well with Challah if you do not like sweet French Toast. 

Moreover, Challah bread has a thicker and larger loaf than Brioche and French Baguette, so French Toast slices will be larger but fewer. Make sure the slices of Challah are no thicker than 1/2 inch. 

4. White Bread

Bread that is white is easy to find, and they are excellent for French toast dishes. There is a light taste to it, allowing the egg batter and maple syrup to stand out. You can make your Toast sturdier by using thicker cuts of white bread.

White bread is something most people have on hand, so it’s a good Sunday morning option. If I have white bread in the house, I make peanut butter French toast. Crushed nuts and slices of banana elevate this dish to another level.

5. Milk Bread

Japanese milk bread is similar to white bread, called shokupan.However, milk bread generally has a richer flavor and is fattier.

It comes in rectangular loaves with a thin crust. When sliced into thick slices, milk bread makes a perfect French toast. 

6. Croissant

Choosing croissants for French Toast may seem unusual, I know. The best thing about them is the texture, which allows the flavor to soak in and add an intense buttery taste.

It’s important to use stale croissants. If you soak fresh croissants in egg batter, they won’t hold their shape.

French Toast with fresh fruit and cream tastes great with croissants. If you want to get creative with the toppings, you can use strawberries or raspberries. French Toast tastes better with larger and more circular croissants.

7. Sourdough

The final type of bread is Sourdough. With few ingredients, sourdough bread has a distinct flavor and a slightly tangy texture.

An ideal griddle bread, it has a thin crust that holds its shape well and is easy to bake. As a fermented bread, Sourdough stands out for its airy texture and ease of digestion.

Its tanginess makes it an interesting flavor whether you prefer sweet or savory foods. My preference is to make it savory.

Using Different Loaves of Bread for Different French Toasts

The bread you choose is crucial to French Toast because it is a lot like Toast. It is important that the bread be able to stand up to the rich, sweet batter both in flavor and structure.

You should saturate it thoroughly without letting it fall apart.  Here’s our guide on picking the best bread and making French Toast, if you’re interested.

1. Buy a Whole Loaf of Bread

If you don’t want a thin, meager slice of French Toast, don’t use pre-sliced bread. You’re better off buying the whole loaf and slicing it yourself. 3/4-inch slices are still thin enough to soak up the batter quickly but luxurious.

2. Use Slightly Stale Bread

If the bread is at least a day old, it will soak up batter well yet will still be stable and won’t fall apart. So, you can really soak it through and through, making it really custardy. Furthermore, using stale bread reduces food waste. For fresh bread, toast the slices at 300°F for 12 minutes.

3. For Fluffy, Custardy French Toast, Use an Egg-Based Bread

It is best to use Brioche or Challah since they have a high butter content, which means that their crumb is tender and rich but the light at the same time.

So, they make the perfect base for airy yet decadent French Toast. With Brioche and spices, Robert Irvine’s French Toast makes the perfect start to the day. 

Here’s a pro tip: Be careful not to over-soak the bread. Make sure the batter is fully submerged for only a few seconds before cooking it.

4. For Classic French Toast, Use Soft Sandwich Bread

Choose soft brown or white bread with a thin crust. An example of this would be Food Network Kitchen’s recipe for The Best French Toast, which calls for pain de mie. Even plain bread can soak up batter like magic if it’s stale. It’s sometimes best to keep things simple.

We prefer pain de mie for French Toast due to its neutral taste and spongey texture, which allows it to absorb the egg mixture without crumbling. It’s sometimes difficult to find, so Brioche or Challah are good alternatives.

5. For French Toast with Structure, Use Sourdough

Fresh (not stale) sourdough bread is ideal since it is naturally firmer than stale bread. The batter needs to soak into the Sourdough until it is saturated, which will take longer than it would for softer bread. This results in tangy and complex French Toast.

Tips For Making French Toast

It’s not just about choosing the best bread when making French Toast. There are a few other tricks that you should consider adopting.

It is best to use heavy whipping cream in the egg mixture to achieve the creamiest texture. The egg mixture is also thickened by heavy whipping cream rather than watery by milk.

A thicker egg mixture will take more time to soak into the bread, resulting in a better final texture. I would not recommend using anything thinner than whole milk as a substitute. 

Whole milk without lactose is a lactose-free option. Dairy-free options include oat, almond, or soy milk substitutes, but the flavor may differ.

Make sure you add some pure vanilla extract to the egg mixture in order to enhance all of the flavors and aromas. 

The pan should be completely preheated before battering the bread. Make sure the heat is not higher than medium.

Ideally, you should cook the bread at medium-low heat since the outside cooks very quickly, and you want the inside to be cooked through as well.

The French Toast takes only 3-4 minutes to cook on each side. It is better to use a large pan to accommodate several slices at once.

The most common toppings for French Toast are powdered sugar, fresh fruit, maple syrup, and butter. There are also many other delicious toppings to try. 

Conclusion

The perfect French Toast starts with the perfect bread. Whether you prefer a soft and fluffy center or a crispy exterior, the type of bread you choose can greatly impact the final result.

With so many options available, from thick and dense bread to thin and crispy slices, there is no one “right” bread for French Toast. However, by taking into consideration the different textures and flavors of each type of bread, you can choose the one that suits your taste preferences and desired outcome. 

Whether you go for a classic brioche or a rustic sourdough, the key is to find a bread that can absorb the egg and milk mixture without becoming too soggy or falling apart. So, the next time you make French Toast, be sure to choose the best bread for the job and elevate your breakfast game to a whole new level!