Sourdough French Toast Recipe

Breakfast brunch cooking instructions dietary adaptations French toast healthy maple syrup nutrition Recipe reheating sourdough sourdough bread storage tips toppings

Posted October 6, 2023 by: Admin #Kitchen

Crafted using crusty sourdough bread, this sourdough French toast boasts crispy edges and a delightfully fluffy center, embodying the essence of what French toast should be. Expertly grilled to perfection and adorned with luscious toppings like butter, maple syrup, and fresh berries, this recipe stands as an ideal choice for both special occasions and hearty weekend breakfasts. Two slices of sourdough French toast on a white plate with butter, raspberries, blueberries, and maple syrup.

If you haven’t yet experienced the joy of making French toast with sourdough bread, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try. While brioche, challah, and Pullman loaves are frequently suggested choices, incorporating sourdough bread infuses an extra layer of flavor into the classic French toast. This delightful twist preserves a tender interior and crispy edges. Moreover, sourdough, being the purest form of bread, contributes to the overall healthiness of this dish.

Can you prepare French toast with sourdough bread?

Absolutely, sourdough bread is an excellent choice for crafting delectable French toast. Its sturdy texture makes it resistant to falling apart during the cooking process, much like slightly stale bread often used for this purpose. Furthermore, the natural tanginess of sourdough bread introduces a delightful complexity of flavor to the otherwise sweet French toast. If you have an affinity for sourdough bread, you’re sure to fall in love with this sourdough French toast recipe. Ingredients for sourdough French toast; sourdough bread, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, milk, and sugar.

What You’ll Need

Here is a list of the essential ingredients required for crafting sourdough French toast:

Sourdough Bread: Fresh or stale sourdough bread works perfectly for this recipe.
Eggs: An essential component of the custard base, providing some protein.
Milk: Another crucial part of the custard base; whole milk or 2% is recommended for richness, but heavy cream or half-and-half can also be used.
Vanilla Extract: To infuse flavor.
Cinnamon: Adding warmth to the dish.
Sugar: For a touch of sweetness.
Salt: To season the egg mixture.
Butter: To achieve golden-brown perfection and add richness.

Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, the options for toppings are limitless, and a few suggestions are provided below.

Dietary Adaptations

To make this dish gluten-free, opt for gluten-free sourdough bread, though keep in mind that it may differ in texture and flavor compared to traditional sourdough.

For a dairy-free version, substitute almond milk or oat milk for regular milk, and cook the French toast using coconut oil. Slice of sourdough bread soaking in batter for French toast

How to Make Sourdough French Toast

Creating sourdough French toast is as straightforward as making traditional French toast, with the only difference being the use of sourdough bread. Here’s the step-by-step process:

Prepare the custard by combining eggs, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl and whisk until well combined.
Soak the slices of sourdough bread, one at a time, in the custard mixture until well coated.
Heat a large pan on medium-high heat, melt some butter, and once hot, transfer the soaked sourdough slices to the pan. Grill for a few minutes on each side until golden brown.
Keep the slices warm by transferring them to the oven as you continue to cook in batches until all the bread slices are transformed into delightful French toast.

You can serve the French toast immediately or store leftovers in the fridge or freezer.

Tips for the Best Sourdough French Toast

Here are some handy tips to ensure your sourdough French toast turns out perfectly:

– Begin with high-quality sourdough bread, ensuring it’s authentic sourdough to avoid fake imitations.
– Slice the bread to a thickness of 3/4″ to 1″ for optimal results; too thin or too thick slices can affect the texture.
– Maintain the right egg-to-milk ratio; typically, it’s one egg for every 1/4 cup of milk.
– Preferably, use whole milk for the best texture and flavor.
– Season your batter with vanilla, cinnamon, sugar, and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.
– Allow the sourdough to soak adequately in the custard mixture to achieve a soft, custardy center.
– Don’t skip cooking

the French toast in butter; it adds a delightful nutty flavor and richness to the dish.

Nutrition Tip

French toast can indeed be a healthy option, given its primary ingredients are real foods like sourdough bread, milk, and eggs, with a touch of butter and sugar. Additionally, sourdough bread is renowned for its health benefits. Close up images of slices of sourdough bread French toast with butter, berries, and syrup

Best Toppings for Sourdough French Toast

The options for toppings on sourdough French toast are endless. Here are some personal favorites to consider:

Maple syrup
Honey
Brown sugar
Powdered sugar
Jam
Peanut butter
Almond butter
Nutella or hazelnut spread
Fresh berries
Sauteed apples
Sauteed peaches

What to Serve with Sourdough French Toast

Sourdough bread French toast primarily provides carbohydrates with healthy fats and moderate protein levels. To create a more balanced breakfast, consider pairing it with an additional source of protein and fiber. Some ideas include:

Scrambled eggs + Blueberries
Breakfast sausage + Peaches
Bacon + Banana
Greek yogurt + Raspberries
Cottage cheese + Strawberries

Storage + Reheating

To store leftover French toast, place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For freezing, cool the slices completely, separate them with parchment paper, and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

To reheat, use an oven, toaster oven, or toaster for thawed slices. Alternatively, microwave for 1-2 minutes, though this may result in slightly altered texture. However, it’s not the preferred method for reheating.

Sourdough French Toast

This sourdough French toast is crafted using sourdough bread, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, a pinch of cinnamon, resulting in the perfect weekend brunch treat.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

8 slices of sourdough bread
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt
Several tablespoons butter, for cooking

Instructions

Follow these steps to prepare the sourdough French toast:

Preheat the oven to 200°F.
In a mixing bowl or large baking dish, combine eggs, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until well combined.
Slice the sourdough bread into 3/4-inch thick slices, and cut them in half if necessary for easier handling.
Soak each slice of sourdough bread in the custard mixture for 1-2 minutes per side. Adjust soaking time based on the bread’s freshness, ensuring it absorbs the mixture without becoming too soggy.
While the bread soaks, heat a large cast iron skillet or pan over medium heat, adding butter and melting it completely.
Once the sourdough slices have soaked, remove any excess mixture, and add them to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn golden brown.
As you finish cooking each batch, keep the slices warm in the oven at 200°F.
Serve the sourdough French toast immediately, topped with butter, berries, and drizzled with maple syrup.
Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 months.