Sourdough French Toast ⋆ 100 Days of Real Food

This recipe for sourdough French toast makes the best golden brown French toast. The contrast of crunchy and soft textures is satisfying.

Make this easy recipe in about 15 minutes. It is perfect for the weekend. Serve it to friends and family for breakfast or brunch with delicious toppings!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This sourdough French toast has a crisp, golden exterior with a delicious crunch. 
• The amount of sugar can be adjusted. 
• A quick breakfast or brunch that feels special occasion-worthy.
• A base to build on – the toppings can be customized to your liking.
• Sourdough bread is a little healthier and tastier than regular sliced white bread. 
• It is a great way to use up stale sourdough bread. 
• The recipe can be turned into a casserole or overnight French toast.
• For a regular version, make it with our homemade whole wheat bread!

Ingredients & Substitutes

Here is everything to gather up for this sourdough bread French toast.  Scroll down to the recipe card below for the entire recipe.

For the best results, use slightly stale sourdough bread. The texture of stale bread holds the egg mixture well. 

Eggs act as a binder in the recipe and create the structure.

Use any favorite milk to mix up with the eggs to make the custard. Choose dairy or plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk.

Use regular granulated sugar to add sweetness to the sourdough French toast. The amount of sugar can be adjusted. 

Adding vanilla extract to the egg mixture gives it that lovely dessert flavor.

Ground cinnamon gives the recipe a warm taste that feels like the holidays.

The pan must be greased to cook the French toast without sticking. Use unsalted butter for this. Butter gives the toast a richer taste. 

There are so many options for what to top it with. A classic choice is warm maple syrup and fresh berries. 

Taste & Texture

Sourdough French toast has a tangier taste compared to regular French toast. This is because sourdough is made from a fermented starter. This starter is what gives the bread a slightly sour flavor. This taste balances well with the creamy, sweet egg mixture.

Sourdough French toast has a crisp golden brown crust on the outside. The sugar in the custard caramelizes to create a crunchy exterior. 

Sourdough is a little more chewy compared to regular white bread. Each bite is very satisfying. 

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat.

Step 2

In a shallow dish or pie plate, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.

Step 3

Dip each slice of sourdough bread into the egg mixture so that both sides are well coated. Allow the bread to soak in the mixture for a few seconds on each side, but do not let it become soggy.

Step 4

Grease the nonstick skillet or griddle with butter.

Step 5

Once the butter is melted, place the soaked slices of bread onto the skillet or griddle for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy.

Step 6

Remove from the skillet. Repeat the process with the remaining bread, greasing the skillet as needed.

Step 7

Finally, serve the sourdough French toast with your choice of toppings!

Expert Tips for Success

Follow these tips and tricks to make the best sourdough French toast.

Use sourdough bread about 1 to 2 days old for the best texture. This way, the slices will be hard enough to stand up to being soaked in custard and keep their structure. 

Cut nice thick slices of bread. The result should be thick, satisfying slices of sourdough French toast.

Let the bread soak in the egg mixture for a couple of minutes. It should not be soggy. The egg must seep into the center of the bread, though. 

Keep the sourdough French toast slices warm and cover them in the oven at a low temperature if needed.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

Consider these fun variations for your sourdough French toast.

Make citrus French sourdough toast. Grate some fresh orange zest into the egg mixture. Top the French toast with orange peel cooked and soaked in simple syrup.

Add a little nutmeg. This is great with the cinnamon for a holiday feel. 

Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract. 

Sauté slices of ripe bananas or diced pineapple in butter. Add a touch of brown sugar and stir to caramelize. 

Sprinkle chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds over the French toast before cooking or as a topping.

Coconut flakes add a touch of natural sweetness.

For a treat, sprinkle chocolate chips onto the French toast while it cooks. It will melt slightly and become gooey.

Make a quick berry compote using fresh or frozen berries, a little sugar, and water. Spoon the compote over the French toast.

Top the French toast with sautéed apple slices, cinnamon, and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Spread a layer of creamy ricotta cheese between two slices of French toast. 

Top with peanut butter and jelly for a fun nostalgic flavor!

How to Serve & Store

Serve the sourdough French toast warm for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Top it with delicious, seasonal toppings that add crunch and flavor to the whole dish. 

If you have any leftovers, store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Place the cooled French toast slices in an airtight container. You can use a resealable plastic bag or a food storage container with a tight-fitting lid. Ensure the container is large enough to hold the slices without stacking them on top of each other.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Equipment Needed

Griddle: We love this griddle for making this sourdough French toast.

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