French toast is a delicious breakfast dish that can be made with just about any kind of bread. However, some types of bread make better French toast than others. The key factors to consider when choosing a bread for French toast are the texture, flavor, and ability of the bread to absorb the egg-milk mixture.
Breads that Work Well for French Toast
Here are some of the best options for making tasty, satisfying French toast:
Thick-Sliced Bread
Breads with a thicker slice or loaf shape tend to be ideal for French toast. The thickness allows more time for the bread to soak up the custard-like coating mixture. Thick slices also hold up better to cooking without getting soggy or falling apart. Good options include:
- Thick-sliced artisan breads
- Texas toast
- Italian bread
- Brioche
- Challah
- Sourdough
French Bread
As the name implies, classic French bread with its long shape and chewy crust makes wonderful French toast. The interior is slightly stretchy and airy, perfect for soaking up the egg mixture. Using authentic French bread elevates the flavor and texture of the dish.
Cuban Bread
This fluffy, airy bread has a soft interior crumb and a thin, crunchy crust. Cuban bread makes very light yet satisfying French toast since it easily absorbs the custard. The hint of sweetness also complements the flavor of the egg coating.
Brioche
Sweet, buttery brioche is a top choice for gourmet French toast. The rich flavor and texture take this breakfast treat to the next level. Brioche makes incredibly soft, almost custard-like French toast thanks to its high butter and egg content.
Challah
Challah is a sweet, eggy, braided Jewish bread. The rich taste and tender texture make it a perfect match for French toast. Like brioche, the sweetness balances beautifully with the savory custard coating.
Sourdough
Hearty slices of sourdough bread make satisfying French toast with great texture. The chewy crumb soaks up plenty of the egg mixture. The tangy sourdough flavor adds complexity that’s different from regular white bread.
Panettone
Around the holidays, use panettone leftover from Christmas breakfasts to make decadent French toast. Panettone is a slightly sweet Italian bread studded with raisins and candied fruit. The soft, airy texture readily absorbs the egg-milk mixture.
Fruit Bread
For a sweeter French toast, use raisin bread, cranberry walnut bread, banana bread or another fruit-filled bread. The added fruits give a nice flavor richness and moisture.
Breads to Avoid for French Toast
On the other hand, some bread types don’t work so well for French toast. Here are some to stay away from:
Light, Fluffy Bread
Breads with a very airy, insubstantial crumb can get too soggy when dipped in the French toast custard. They tend to fall apart easily during cooking. Types to avoid include:
- White sandwich bread
- Fluffy potato bread
- Soft sandwich rolls
- English muffins
Lean Bread
Breads that don’t have much fat or eggs in the recipe won’t develop as much flavor when made into French toast. Lean varieties include:
- Bagels
- Low-fat bread
- Flatbreads
Dense Bread
Bread that is too dense doesn’t allow the custard mixture to penetrate well. Denser breads like these tend to stay dry and chewy when cooked into French toast:
- Rye bread
- Pumpernickel
- Sourdough
Gluten-Free Bread
Gluten-free breads often become too soggy and fall apart when used to make French toast. They lack the structure to hold up well during cooking. It’s best to avoid gluten-free bread for French toast.
Tips for Making French Toast
Once you’ve chosen the right bread, follow these tips for perfect French toast every time:
Use Stale Bread
Day old or stale bread actually makes superior French toast. The dry, stiff texture absorbs more custard without getting too soggy. Let bread sit out overnight or toast slices slightly to dry them out before using.
Pay Attention to Slice Thickness
Aim for bread that’s sliced 1/2 to 1 inch thick. Slim slices cook too quickly and may burn. Overly thick slices won’t cook through fully before the exterior burns.
Create a Custardy Coating
For the coating, use a ratio of about 2 eggs per 1 cup of milk or cream. Add a dash of vanilla and cinnamon for extra flavor. The coating should resemble thin custard.
Let the Bread Soak
Don’t rush the soaking process. Let sliced bread soak in the coating mixture for at least 2-5 minutes per side. This allows the bread time to fully absorb the liquid.
Cook Over Low to Medium Heat
Contrary to pancakes, French toast should be cooked over lower heat. This allows the interior time to cook through without burning the exterior. Use medium-low to medium heat for best results.
Take Your Time
Rushing while cooking makes it easy to burn the toast. Cook each slice for 4-6 minutes per side. Flip only once during cooking for evenly browned and cooked French toast.
Add Fun Mix-Ins
Customize your French toast with mix-in additions to the coating mixture or bread. Try vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, coconut, chocolate chips, diced fruit, nuts, or flavored syrups.
Serve with Toppings
Dress up your French toast with fun toppings like powdered sugar, maple syrup, honey, fruit compotes, yogurt, nut butters, whipped cream, or chocolate sauce.
What is the Best Thickness of Bread for French Toast?
The ideal thickness for bread to use in French toast is between 1/2 – 1 inch (1.25 – 2.5cm) thick. Slices that are too thin tend to burn easily and don’t have enough structure to contain the custard filling. Overly thick pieces may not cook through fully before the exterior burns.
Look for bread that’s sliced from a loaf or buy thick sandwich breads. Some good options are Texas toast, Italian bread, brioche loaf, challah, or French baguettes cut 1 inch thick. Avoid flimsy white sandwich bread or rolls which fall apart when dipped in the egg mixture.
What Kind of Bread Absorbs Custard the Best?
The key for finding a bread that readily absorbs custard is an airy interior crumb with some chew or denseness. Bread that is too porous doesn’t hold the coating well. But dense bread won’t allow penetration of the liquid.
Breads with a slightly stretchy, elastic crumb texture work best. These allow custard to permeate while having enough structure not to get soggy. Excellent choices include challah, brioche, French bread, Cuban bread, Italian bread, and sourdough.
Is Thick or Thin Bread Better?
Thick bread is far better than thin bread for French toast. Thin bread becomes soggy and saturated with custard too quickly. It also overcooks and burns faster than thick slices.
Thick bread not only holds its shape better during cooking, but provides more room for the custard to permeate the interior. This prevents dry or gummy French toast. For best results, look for bread that’s 1/2 – 1 inch thick.
Why is Brioche Best for French Toast?
There are several reasons why brioche makes exceptional French toast:
- High butter content – Brioche has a rich, buttery flavor that pairs deliciously with the eggy custard coating.
- Light, fluffy crumb – The soft, airy texture readily soaks up the liquid coating while retaining shape.
- Sweet flavor – The hint of sweetness balances out the savory custard.
- Richness – Eggs and butter provide richness to complement the creamy coating.
- Structure – Soft, yet has enough elasticity to not get soggy when soaked.
Overall, the taste, texture, and ability to absorb custard make brioche the ideal choice for gourmet, decadent French toast.
Conclusion
While nearly any bread can be used to make French toast, some varieties are better suited than others. In general, look for bread with a thicker slice, fluffy interior, and some structure. Brioche, challah, French bread, and Italian bread are exceptional choices that yield delicious French toast.
Avoid lean, dense breads or those with very thin slices. Don’t use gluten-free breads either, which lack the binding structure to hold up well. With a high-quality eggy bread soaked in a rich custard coating, you can create incredible French toast to start your day right.