Perfect Sourdough French Toast: Your Go-To Recipe for a Delicious Weekend Breakfast

Indulge in the ultimate weekend breakfast with this Sourdough French Toast recipe. It’s incredibly easy to make, packed with amazing flavor, and the perfect way to use up leftover sourdough bread. Get ready for a truly delicious treat your whole family will love!

There’s something truly special about French Toast. Growing up, it was a rare and treasured holiday breakfast, making it all the more exciting. Whenever we dined out for breakfast, French Toast was almost always my order, a testament to my lifelong love for sweet morning treats!

It’s probably no surprise that I gravitate towards sweet beginnings for the day. Recipes like my Chocolate Chip Muffins are a constant favorite in our home, enjoyed throughout the year. But when it comes to a truly satisfying and hearty sweet breakfast, Sourdough French Toast takes the crown. The unique tang of sourdough, paired with a rich, custardy batter, creates a flavor profile that’s simply irresistible and far more complex than traditional versions.

Whether you opt for store-bought sourdough from your local bakery or a homemade loaf fresh from your kitchen, this recipe shines. The delightful sourness of the bread beautifully contrasts with the sweet, spiced egg mixture and a generous pour of maple syrup. This combination elevates classic French toast to a new level, making it a guaranteed winner for any breakfast or brunch spread. It’s a wonderful way to transform what might otherwise be discarded into a truly memorable meal.

Why Sourdough is the Best Bread for French Toast

You might wonder, “Why sourdough?” While many types of bread can be used for French toast, sourdough offers distinct advantages that elevate the final dish significantly:

• Perfect Texture: The sturdy, chewy crust and open crumb of sourdough bread make it exceptionally suitable for soaking up the egg custard without becoming overly soggy. Unlike softer breads that can turn to mush, sourdough maintains its structural integrity, resulting in a beautifully crispy exterior and a soft, custardy interior that holds its shape beautifully during cooking.
• Exceptional Flavor Contrast: The signature tangy flavor of sourdough bread is its superpower in this recipe. It provides a wonderful, sophisticated counterpoint to the sweetness of the custard and toppings. This sweet and tangy balance makes each bite more interesting and prevents the dish from being overly sweet, offering a gourmet twist on a beloved comfort food.
• Ideal for Day-Old Bread: Sourdough, especially a loaf that’s a day or two old, is absolutely fantastic for French toast. Stale bread has lost some of its moisture, making it much more efficient at absorbing the liquid egg mixture. This leads to a richer flavor and a superior, less gummy texture. It’s truly the perfect way to repurpose that leftover loaf, turning potential waste into a delicious feast.

Essential Ingredients for Sourdough French Toast

Crafting delicious Sourdough French Toast requires a few simple, everyday ingredients. The magic happens when these components come together to create a rich, custardy, and perfectly spiced batter that transforms your bread into a golden masterpiece. Gather these items, and you’ll be on your way to a delightful breakfast:

• Sourdough Bread: As highlighted, 8 slices of day-old sourdough are ideal for this recipe. Thick slices work best.
• Eggs: Four whole large eggs form the protein-rich base of our custard, providing richness and helping the batter cling to the bread and set beautifully.
• Milk: One cup of milk adds essential moisture and creaminess to the custard. Whole milk will yield a richer result, but 2% milk or even a non-dairy alternative like almond or oat milk can be used depending on your preference.
• Granulated Sugar: Two tablespoons of granulated sugar sweeten the batter, harmonizing with the sourdough’s natural tang.
• Vanilla Extract: One teaspoon of vanilla extract is a crucial flavor enhancer, adding warmth, depth, and a comforting aroma to the French toast.
• Ground Cinnamon: One teaspoon of ground cinnamon infuses the batter with its classic, comforting spice, making it instantly recognizable as French toast.
• Salt: A quarter teaspoon of salt is vital to balance and highlight all the other flavors, preventing the toast from tasting bland or overly sweet.
• Ground Nutmeg: A quarter teaspoon of ground nutmeg complements the cinnamon beautifully, adding another layer of warm, aromatic spice.
• Butter: One tablespoon of butter is essential for cooking the French toast, giving it a desirable golden-brown crust and a deliciously rich, buttery flavor. You’ll likely need more for subsequent batches.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Sourdough French Toast

Making Sourdough French Toast is surprisingly straightforward and yields impressive results. Follow these simple steps for a consistently perfect batch every time, ensuring each slice is golden brown, custardy, and bursting with flavor:

1. Prepare the Custard: In a shallow dish or a wide bowl (large enough to fit a slice of bread), vigorously whisk together the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Continue whisking until all ingredients are thoroughly blended and the mixture is smooth and uniform. This prevents any pockets of unmixed spice and ensures an even flavor distribution.
2. Soak the Bread: Gently place each slice of sourdough bread into the egg mixture. Allow it to soak for a few minutes on each side. The soaking time is crucial and depends on the thickness of your bread. Thicker slices (¾ to 1 inch) will need more time, typically 2-3 minutes per side, to thoroughly absorb the delicious custard. This deep soaking is the secret to a moist, flavorful interior.
3. Preheat Griddle or Skillet: While your bread is soaking, preheat your electric griddle or a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. French toast cooks best when the pan is adequately heated.
4. Add Butter and Cook: Add about a tablespoon of butter to the hot surface of your griddle or skillet and allow it to melt and spread, creating a rich, non-stick base. Place the soaked sourdough slices onto the hot, buttered surface, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until each piece is beautifully golden brown and cooked through to your desired crispness. The exact timing may vary, so keep an eye on them.
5. Keep Warm (Optional, but Recommended): If you’re preparing a large batch of French toast for several people, you can keep the cooked slices warm. Simply transfer them to a baking sheet and place it in a preheated oven set to 200°F (95°C) while you continue cooking the remaining slices. This ensures every piece is warm and ready to enjoy at the same time.
6. Serve Immediately: Once cooked, transfer the warm Sourdough French Toast to individual plates and get ready to add your favorite toppings!

Expert Tips for the Best Sourdough French Toast

Achieving French toast perfection is easy with a few insider tips. These pointers will help ensure your sourdough French toast is always crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with flavor, making it a truly unforgettable breakfast experience:

• Always Use Day-Old Sourdough Bread: This is arguably the most important tip! Fresh, soft bread tends to get soggy and fall apart when soaked in the egg mixture. Sourdough that’s a day or two old has lost some moisture, allowing it to absorb the egg mixture more effectively without becoming mushy or heavy. If you only have fresh bread, you can lightly toast the slices in a toaster or oven for 5-10 minutes at a low temperature (around 250°F/120°C) to dry them out slightly before soaking.
• Don’t Waste Leftover Slices – Freeze Them! If you often find yourself with just a few slices of sourdough left at the end of a loaf, don’t throw them away! Toss these last couple of slices into a freezer-safe bag and accumulate them until you have enough for a full batch of French toast. This is a fantastic way to prevent food waste and always be ready for an impromptu French toast feast.
• Invest in an Electric Griddle: For cooking French toast, especially when feeding a family or a crowd, an electric griddle is a game-changer. It provides a large, even cooking surface, allowing you to prepare multiple slices at once. This significantly cuts down on cooking time and ensures everyone gets to enjoy their warm French toast together. If you don’t have one, remember to keep cooked batches warm in a low oven.
• Always Inspect Your Bread: While day-old bread is ideal, “old” doesn’t mean moldy! Always visually inspect your sourdough slices to ensure they are still good to eat and free from any signs of mold or staleness beyond simple dryness. Quality ingredients are key to a quality meal.
• Master the Soaking Time: The soaking time is crucial for achieving that custardy interior. The thickness of your sourdough slices will directly dictate how long they need to soak. For thick slices (1-inch or more), aim for about 4-5 minutes total, flipping halfway through, to ensure the custard penetrates deep into the bread without just coating the surface. For thinner slices (½ to ¾ inch), 2-3 minutes total should suffice. A well-soaked slice will puff slightly and feel heavier.
• Control Your Pan Temperature: Ensure your griddle or skillet is at the right temperature (medium-high). If the heat is too low, the French toast will absorb too much butter, becoming greasy and pale. If it’s too high, it will burn on the outside before the custardy interior has a chance to cook through and set. A perfect temperature allows for a beautiful golden-brown crust and a fully cooked center.
• Butter for Golden Perfection: Don’t be shy with the butter! Cooking in butter adds incredible flavor and contributes to that desirable golden, slightly crispy crust. You may need to add a fresh pat of butter to the griddle between batches to maintain even cooking and flavor.
• Get Creative with Spices: While cinnamon and nutmeg are timeless classics, feel free to experiment with other warming spices. A pinch of cardamom, allspice, or even a tiny bit of orange or lemon zest can add exciting new dimensions and a brighter flavor profile to your French toast batter.

Delicious Ways to Serve Sourdough French Toast

Serving Sourdough French Toast is all about personal preference and creating that perfect morning experience. Whether you prefer a classic approach or something more indulgent, there are countless ways to enjoy this breakfast delight, making it adaptable for any palate:

• Maple Syrup: A timeless classic! Pure maple syrup is the quintessential topping, its rich, caramel-like sweetness perfectly complementing the tangy sourdough and warm spices.
• Fresh Berries: Add a burst of freshness, vibrant color, and natural sweetness with an assortment of berries – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. They provide a lovely tartness that cuts through the richness of the French toast.
• Powdered Sugar: For a simple yet elegant finish, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of subtle sweetness and a beautiful, ethereal presentation that always looks inviting.
• Whipped Cream: For an extra decadent treat, a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream (or a squirt from a can!) takes your French toast to dessert-level deliciousness, adding a creamy, airy texture.
• Nut Spreads: Drizzle with warm Nutella, creamy peanut butter, or almond butter for a protein-packed and flavorful addition that adds another layer of indulgence.
• Fruit Compote or Jam: Elevate your French toast with homemade fruit compote or your favorite quality jam. Think warm berry compote, a dollop of apricot jam, or a vibrant peach topping for seasonal flair.
• Savory Sides for Balance: Don’t forget the savory balance! Sourdough French Toast pairs wonderfully with crispy bacon, savory breakfast sausage, or a side of fluffy scrambled eggs for a complete and satisfying breakfast spread.

Ultimately, how you serve it is entirely up to you. Sourdough French Toast is versatile enough to be enjoyed in all the ways you love traditional French toast, but with that added layer of sophisticated flavor and satisfying texture from the sourdough base.

Storing Leftover Sourdough French Toast

If you happen to have any Sourdough French Toast left over (a rare and wonderful occurrence!), proper storage ensures you can enjoy it again later with minimal effort. Allow any cooked French toast slices to cool completely at room temperature. Then, place them in an airtight container or a zip-top bag and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat slices in the microwave until warm, in a toaster oven for a crispy exterior, or in a gently warmed skillet. This makes for a wonderfully quick and easy weekday breakfast or a delightful snack!

Can You Freeze Sourdough French Toast? Absolutely!

One of the best things about Sourdough French Toast is how well it freezes, making it an excellent option for meal prepping and enjoying a delicious, homemade breakfast even on the busiest weekday mornings. Preparing a big batch on the weekend means you’re always just minutes away from a warm, satisfying meal. Here’s how to freeze it for optimal freshness:

1. Cool Completely: After cooking, immediately transfer your French toast slices to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely to room temperature. This crucial step prevents condensation from forming and creating ice crystals when frozen, which can lead to soggy French toast upon reheating.
2. Pre-Freeze Individually: Once cooled, arrange the French toast slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours, or until the slices are completely solid. This initial freezing step ensures that the slices won’t stick together once they are stored in a bag or container, making it easy to grab just one or two at a time.
3. Transfer to Storage: Once fully frozen, transfer the individual slices to a large freezer-safe zip-top bag or an airtight freezer-safe container. To prevent freezer burn, remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it. You can also place parchment paper between layers if stacking.
4. Store: Properly frozen Sourdough French Toast can be stored in the freezer for an impressive 3-4 months without significant loss of quality or flavor.
5. Reheat for Enjoyment: When you’re ready to enjoy, simply take the desired number of slices out of the freezer. You can reheat them directly from frozen using various methods: pop them in a toaster for a few minutes, use a toaster oven (around 350°F/175°C for 5-10 minutes), microwave until hot, or even briefly warm them in a regular oven. Once reheated, top as you normally would for a quick, convenient, and utterly delicious breakfast.

Having a stash of frozen French toast means you’re always just minutes away from a warm, satisfying breakfast, making those rushed mornings a little bit brighter and more delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sourdough French Toast

Can I use fresh sourdough bread if I don’t have day-old?

While day-old bread is truly ideal for its ability to absorb the custard without becoming soggy, you can certainly use fresh sourdough in a pinch. For the best possible results, slice the fresh bread and let it sit out uncovered for a few hours to air-dry slightly. Alternatively, you can lightly toast the slices in a toaster or a low oven (around 250°F or 120°C) for 5-10 minutes to dry them out slightly before soaking them in the egg mixture.

What kind of milk is best for the custard?

Whole milk will give you the richest, most decadent, and creamy French toast due to its higher fat content. However, 2% milk works perfectly fine and will still yield a delicious result. For those who prefer non-dairy options, almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk can also be used successfully, though the flavor and texture might be slightly different.

How thick should I slice the sourdough for French toast?

For optimal texture, aim for slices that are about ¾ to 1 inch thick. This thickness provides a good balance: it’s sturdy enough to absorb plenty of custard without falling apart, yet thin enough to cook through properly on the griddle, resulting in a perfectly custardy interior and crispy exterior.

My French toast is soggy in the middle. What went wrong?

Soggy French toast usually happens for one of two main reasons. First, the bread might have been too fresh and absorbed too much liquid too quickly, or it was over-soaked. Second, the griddle temperature might have been too high, causing the outside to cook and brown too fast before the inside could properly set and cook through. Ensure you’re using day-old or slightly dried bread and cooking at a consistent medium-high heat.

Can I make the French toast batter ahead of time?

Yes, you absolutely can! You can whisk together the egg mixture and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This is a great time-saver for busy mornings. Just give the batter a quick whisk again before you start dipping your bread to ensure everything is well combined.

More Delicious Breakfast & Brunch Recipes to Try

If you loved this Sourdough French Toast and are looking for more ways to make your mornings special, you’re sure to enjoy these other fantastic breakfast and brunch ideas. They’re perfect for weekends, holidays, or any time you want to add a little extra joy to your day!

• Blueberry French Toast Bake: A wonderful, easy make-ahead option that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or for a lazy Sunday brunch.
• Homemade Donuts: Indulge in warm, fresh donuts made from scratch – a fun project and a delicious reward!
• Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes: A delightful and flavorful twist on classic pancakes, packed with sweet banana and chocolate.
• Cinnamon Roll Muffins: Enjoy all the comforting flavor of cinnamon rolls in a quicker, more convenient muffin form, ideal for busy mornings.
• Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake: A moist and crumbly cake studded with chocolate chips, making it the perfect companion for your morning coffee or tea.
• Nutella Cinnamon Rolls: A decadent and surprisingly easy cinnamon roll recipe featuring the irresistible hazelnut-chocolate spread.

5 from 2 votes

Sourdough French Toast

By
Erin Sellin

Sourdough French Toast – make the perfect weekend breakfast using that leftover sourdough bread. Great flavor, super easy, and absolutely delicious!

Prep:
10 minutes mins

Cook:
10 minutes mins

Total:
20 minutes mins

Servings:
4

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Ingredients 

• ▢ 8 slices sourdough bread
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon butter
• ▢ 4 whole eggs
• ▢ 1 cup milk
• ▢ 2 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt

Toppings

• ▢ Maple Syrup
• ▢ Berries
• ▢ Powdered Sugar
• ▢ Whipped Cream

Instructions 

• Whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until everything is blended and smooth.
• Dip bread into the mixture and let it soak for a few minutes to really absorb the flavor.
• Preheat griddle or skillet to medium high heat.
• Add the butter to the pan and once it is melted place bread slices in pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until it is nicely golden brown.
• Serve topped with powdered sugar, syrup, berries or whipped cream.

Notes

If you are working in batches, place the cooked French toast on a baking sheet in a 200 degree oven to keep it warm while you continue making the rest. This ensures every piece is warm and ready to enjoy at the same time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g |
Calories: 481kcal |
Carbohydrates: 77g |
Protein: 22g |
Fat: 9g |
Saturated Fat: 3g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g |
Cholesterol: 191mg |
Sodium: 1019mg |
Fiber: 3g |
Sugar: 13g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Erin Sellin

Prep Time:
10 minutes minutes

Cook Time:
10 minutes minutes

Total Time:
20 minutes minutes

Course:
Breakfast Recipes

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
4

Calories:
481

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Enjoy your homemade Sourdough French Toast – a delightful start to any day!