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Easy French Toast Recipe

Classic easy French toast made with a simple egg custard and pan-frying for golden slices.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 8 slices

Ingredients

  • 6 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half or cream or whole milk
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • dash salt
  • 8 slices dried-out bread about 1-inch thick slices
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter plus more as needed for frying

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and place a baking sheet inside to keep cooked French toast warm.
  • In a shallow dish, whisk together 6 large eggs, 1/2 cup half-and-half (or cream or whole milk), 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a dash of salt until well combined.
  • Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; let it melt and coat the pan.
  • Working one slice at a time, dip a slice of bread into the egg custard, coating both sides and letting excess drip off.
  • Place the coated bread in the hot skillet and cook until browned, about 2–3 minutes per side, adding more butter to the pan as needed.
  • Transfer cooked slices in a single layer to the preheated baking sheet to keep warm and finish cooking the remaining slices the same way.
  • Once all slices are pan-fried, bake them on the baking sheet in the oven for 10 minutes to finish cooking through.
  • Serve warm with additional maple syrup, butter, or berries as desired.

Equipment

  • large non-stick skillet
  • shallow dish or bowl
  • whisk or fork
  • Baking Sheet
  • Spatula
  • Oven

Notes

  • Use stale or slightly dried bread for best texture.
  • If bread is fresh, dry slices overnight on a baking sheet or in a 200°F oven for 10–20 minutes.
  • Choose brioche, French, Italian, cinnamon raisin, or gluten-free bread as preferred.
  • Arrange fresh bread in a single layer when drying so slices crisp evenly.
  • Flash-freeze cooled French toast on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe container if freezing.