French toast is a delicious breakfast dish that can be made ahead of time and enjoyed all week long. But how should you store leftover French toast batter so it stays fresh? There are a few different methods for storing French toast batter in the refrigerator or freezer to extend its shelf life.
Can you make French toast batter ahead of time?
Yes, you can make French toast batter in advance. In fact, letting the batter sit overnight in the refrigerator allows time for the bread to soak up the custard-like mixture of eggs, milk and spices. This helps the French toast slices cook up with a custardy interior.
French toast batter keeps well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze French toast batter for up to 3 months.
How to store French toast batter in the refrigerator
Here are some tips for storing French toast batter in the fridge:
- Store the batter in an airtight container like a lidded plastic or glass bowl. This prevents the batter from absorbing fridge odors.
- Press plastic wrap directly on the surface of the batter before sealing the container. This creates a protective barrier against oxidation.
- Store the container on a lower shelf of the refrigerator, where the temperature is coldest.
- Use the batter within 2-3 days for best texture and flavor.
Whole eggs vs egg whites
Whole eggs are traditionally used to make French toast batter. However, batter made with egg whites will last longer in the fridge.
Egg whites only batter will keep for 4-5 days, versus 2-3 days for whole eggs. The lower fat content helps extend the fridge life.
Avoiding soggy French toast
To prevent soggy French toast, don’t let the bread soak in the batter too long. Once mixed, the batter should be used within 12 hours.
As the bread sits, it will continue absorbing moisture from the batter. This leads to mushy, wet texture once cooked.
Freezing French toast batter
For longer term storage, French toast batter can be frozen:
- Mix up the batter as usual, refrigerate overnight.
- Pour the chilled batter into freezer bags or airtight containers, leaving 1⁄2 inch of headspace.
- Lay bags flat in the freezer to quick-freeze the batter.
- Once solid, stack or stand bags upright. Batter can be frozen for 3 months.
Thaw frozen batter overnight in the fridge before using. The batter may be slightly thinner after thawing but will still cook up delicious French toast.
Freezing individual slices
For make-ahead convenience, you can also prep individual slices of French toast for the freezer:
- Dip bread slices into the batter and allow excess to drip off.
- Arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
- Transfer frozen slices to a freezer bag. Slices can be frozen for 1-2 months.
To cook, simply place frozen slices on a preheated skillet. Cook a few minutes per side until golden brown.
How long does French toast last in the fridge?
Properly stored, French toast batter will maintain best quality for:
| Storage Method | Fridge Life |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 2-3 days |
| Freezer | 3 months |
Cooked French toast also keeps well in the refrigerator. Store each slice or batch in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat in the skillet or toaster oven until hot and crispy.
How to make French toast batter from scratch
Making your own French toast batter is easy. Here is a basic recipe:
Ingredients:
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1⁄8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1⁄4 cup sugar
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
- Bread slices
Instructions:
- Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla and spices in a shallow dish.
- Soak bread slices in batter for 30 seconds per side.
- Cook on greased skillet over medium heat until golden, 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve French toast warm, topped with butter and syrup.
This basic batter comes together quickly and keeps in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Adjust the amount of milk to reach your desired batter consistency.
What to serve with French toast
French toast makes a sweet, decadent breakfast or brunch. Here are some tasty ways to serve it:
- Syrup – Maple syrup is a classic topper, but you can also use flavors like blueberry, strawberry, or salted caramel.
- Fresh fruit – Bananas, berries and stone fruits pair nicely with French toast.
- Whipped cream – A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a nice finishing touch.
- Powdered sugar – A dusting of powdered sugar provides sweetness without extra calories.
- Nutella – For a chocolate twist, smother French toast with this popular hazelnut spread.
Take your French toast up a notch by topping it with crunchy pecans, sliced almonds or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
French toast batter tips
To make stellar French toast every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Use stale bread – Stale or firm bread soaks up the batter best.
- Dip quickly – Don’t soak bread too long or it will be soggy.
- Rest overnight – Allowing batter to rest amps up the flavor.
- Preheat skillet well – Use medium-low heat for even browning.
- Spray with oil – Grease the skillet between batches to prevent sticking.
With proper storage methods, you can whip up a batch of French toast batter and enjoy easy homemade breakfasts all week.
Conclusion
French toast batter can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or freezer for up to 3 months. Keep batter in an airtight container and press plastic wrap onto the surface before sealing. For individual make-ahead slices, cook and freeze each piece of French toast. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a skillet or toaster oven. With a few simple storage tricks, you can enjoy fluffy, delicious French toast any day of the week.