Indulge in the ultimate breakfast or brunch with this Sourdough French Toast Recipe. Thick slices of sourdough transform into French toast that is golden and crisp on the outside and creamy and custardy inside. Ready in about 30 minutes, this is an easy, flavorful option for a special morning or weekend gathering.
This French toast pairs beautifully with fresh berries, a drizzle of maple syrup, or whipped cream. It also works well alongside savory sides like scrambled eggs or a bright fruit salad.
French Toast Recipe With Sourdough Bread
Using sourdough bread gives this French toast a distinctive, slightly tangy flavor that contrasts wonderfully with sweet toppings. Day-old or stale sourdough soaks up the custard without falling apart, producing a tender interior and a nicely browned exterior.
The custard is enriched with evaporated milk (or heavy cream), vanilla, cinnamon, and a touch of sugar to create a rich, aromatic base that yields a light, custardy center when cooked.
Why This Recipe Works
- Ideal for weekends: This French toast makes a warm, comforting breakfast that’s great for family mornings or a relaxed brunch.
- Balanced flavor: Sourdough’s mild tang prevents the dish from becoming overly sweet and complements maple syrup or fruit toppings.
- Simple to prepare: The steps are straightforward—mix the custard, soak the bread, and pan-fry until golden. It’s accessible for cooks of all skill levels.
Sourdough French Toast Recipe Ingredients
These ingredients are common pantry staples and come together quickly.
Key ingredient notes:
- Sourdough bread: Use day-old or slightly stale slices, about 1/2 inch thick. Stale sourdough absorbs the custard without becoming soggy and adds complex flavor.
- Milk: The recipe uses whole milk plus evaporated milk for a richer custard. Heavy cream can be substituted for evaporated milk for extra richness; lower-fat milks also work but yield a lighter texture.
- Eggs: Eggs create the custardy interior and help form a golden crust—essential for proper texture.
- Cinnamon and vanilla: These warm flavors complement the toast and enhance maple syrup or fruit toppings.
- Sugar: A small amount of granulated sugar balances the egginess and helps with caramelization.
Recipe Variations
- Stuffed French toast: Fill slices with sweetened cream cheese, Nutella, or mascarpone and assemble like a sandwich before soaking. Flip carefully while cooking and allow a bit more soak time.
- French toast sticks: Cut slices into strips, soak, and cook for a kid-friendly option perfect for dipping.
- Toppings: Try fruit compote, nuts, bacon bits, powdered sugar, or yogurt to vary textures and flavors.
Substitutions
- Evaporated milk: Swap with heavy cream for a richer custard.
- Milk: Whole milk is recommended, but almond, oat, or skim milk are acceptable substitutes. Buttermilk pairs nicely with sourdough’s tang.
- Sugar: For a deeper caramel flavor, replace granulated sugar with brown sugar.
- Spices: If cinnamon isn’t available, use a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin spice for a different warm note.
If preparing several batches, keep finished slices warm on a baking sheet in a low oven set to about 250°F while you finish frying the rest.
How To Make Delicious Sourdough French Toast
Make this sourdough French toast in four easy steps.
- Make the custard: In a large bowl whisk together 6 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup evaporated milk (or heavy cream), 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
2. Soak the bread: Pour the custard onto a rimmed baking sheet so slices can lie in a single layer. Place 8 slices of sourdough in the mixture and allow them to soak until fully saturated, flipping after about 5 minutes to ensure even soaking.
3. Cook the soaked slices: Heat a skillet over medium and add about 1 tablespoon butter. Fry two slices at a time for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Repeat, adding fresh butter as needed for each batch.
4. Serve: Plate the French toast with fresh berries and a drizzle of maple syrup, whipped cream, or your favorite topping.
If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, a pancake griddle or nonstick skillet will cook the slices more evenly and work just fine.
Important Tips
- Use stale or day-old sourdough for the best texture; fresh bread can become soggy.
- Keep the heat at medium. Too hot and the exterior will burn before the interior sets.
- Add butter for each batch to promote browning and prevent sticking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a toaster oven, air fryer, or on the stovetop for the best texture—avoid the microwave when possible.
Serving
Serve this Sourdough French Toast with fresh fruit, homemade jams, or savory sides like scrambled eggs. It pairs well with coffee, tea, or fresh orange juice.
Healthy Strawberry Jam
Scrambled Eggs With Vegetables
Tropical Fruit Salad
Mixed Berry Jam
Love sourdough? Try it in grilled cheese or other breakfast sandwiches for a delicious twist.
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
Heart Shaped Pancakes
Breakfast Salad With Avocado And Eggs
Easy Quiche Recipe
If you make this recipe please leave a star rating below. Your rating helps others find the recipe and I love hearing from you. Thank you!
Sourdough French Toast Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 slices sourdough bread, ½-inch thick, stale preferred
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup evaporated milk (or heavy cream)
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 Tablespoons butter for frying
Instructions
- Whisk together eggs, whole milk, evaporated milk (or heavy cream), sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl.
- Pour the mixture onto a rimmed baking sheet and arrange bread slices in a single layer. Allow the slices to soak until fully saturated, flipping after about 5 minutes to soak both sides.
- Heat a skillet over medium, melt about 1 tablespoon butter, and cook two slices at a time for 2–3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Add more butter as needed and repeat with remaining slices.
- Serve immediately with fresh berries, maple syrup, whipped cream, or your preferred toppings.
Notes
- If there is leftover custard, you can soak and cook additional bread slices.
- Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a toaster oven, air fryer, or on the stovetop for best texture.
- If using a cast iron skillet, monitor the heat as it retains more heat than other pans to prevent burning.