Sourdough French Toast Recipe

This sourdough French toast recipe is quick, easy, and unbelievably delicious. Each slice is golden and slightly crisp on the outside while staying soft and custardy inside, with just the right hint of sweetness to tie it all together. Honestly, it’s so good that it’s become a breakfast and brunch staple in our house. If you’ve tried some of my other classic breakfast favorites—like my crispy pancakes or mini waffles—then you already know this one is going to deliver the same consistent and delicious results.

Why I Love This Sourdough French Toast Recipe

What makes this sourdough French toast recipe so special is the way the bread transforms when dipped in custard and cooked. Sourdough’s tangy flavor and sturdy texture hold up well, giving you slices that are golden and slightly crisp on the outside while staying soft, fluffy, and custardy inside.

I also love how quick and simple it is to make—just a few staple ingredients and about 20 minutes are all you need. The first time I tried this, I was in the mood for breakfast-for-dinner and only had sourdough bread in the house. I figured I’d give it a shot, and after that first bite, I knew I’d never go back to plain French toast again.

Now, this recipe has become a weekend breakfast tradition in our home, and I always keep sourdough on hand just for it. Paired with million dollar baconand sweet potato hash browns, it turns into a breakfast spread fit for any occasion. 

Ingredients For Sourdough French Toast

So, as I mentioned earlier, you will need common kitchen ingredients to make this recipe. The only one you might not have on hand regularly is the star of this french toast - the sourdough bread.

I just love using sourdough bread to make french toast - the slightly sour and tangy flavor balances perfectly with the added spices and sweetness. 

Anyways, here is everything else you'll need: 

• 6 slices of sourdough bread
• ¾ cup of milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons butter 

Pretty standard stuff, right?!

Now, you'll want to grab the sourdough bread from the store a few days before making this recipe. Stale sourdough bread yields the best results.

But if you have a craving for this recipe and want to make it immediately, fresh sourdough bread still works well too! And if you're feeling extra, you can even use homemade sourdough bread with a sourdough starter.

How To Make Sourdough French Toast

Step 1: Make the Batter

 In a shallow bowl, add the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk together, and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare To Cook

Add some butter to a pan or griddle and heat it over medium heat until melted. Dip the slices of bread into the batter until coated on both sides.

Step 3: Cook the French Toast and Serve

 Immediatley transfer the coated bread to the pan. Fry for 3 to 5 minutes until crispy on the outside. Flip and pan-fry on the other side for another 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Serve the French toast warm, topped with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh fruit.

Expert Tips To Make

• Cook on a griddle. Using a large griddle lets you cook multiple slices of sourdough French toast at the same time, so they’re all hot and ready to serve together. This is especially helpful if you’re making brunch for a crowd.
• Butter the surface. Buttering the griddle before each batch adds flavor and helps create a crisp, golden-brown crust on the bread. The combination of the custard-soaked bread and sizzling butter is what gives French toast that diner-style finish.
• Add more butter between slices. Don’t be afraid to re-butter the griddle as you cook. A light coating of fresh butter before each slice keeps the bread from sticking and it gives the french toast that golden brown crust that makes it so good.
• Dip, don’t soak. Quickly dip each slice of sourdough into the egg mixture rather than letting it sit and soak. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy and ensures the center stays fluffy while the outside gets crispy.
• Choose the right bread. Crusty sourdough or thick slices of slightly stale sourdough bread work best. Fresh bread can fall apart, but day-old bread holds up to the custard and cooks evenly without becoming mushy.
• Use whole milk or heavy cream. For an indulgent, custardy texture, make your egg mixture with whole milk or even heavy cream. It adds richness and gives you that melt-in-your-mouth interior.
• Make it gluten-free. Swap in gluten-free sourdough bread to create the best gluten-free French toast recipe—you’ll get the same crisp edges and fluffy middle without the gluten.
• Control the heat. Medium heat is ideal. Too high, and the outside will brown before the inside cooks through. Too low, and the bread will dry out instead of caramelizing.
• Add a flavor boost. For extra flavor, whisk in a teaspoon of vanilla extract, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even a pinch of nutmeg into the egg mixture before dipping your bread.

Sourdough French Toast Recipe Variations

• For a classic French toast experience, just put on some butter, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, and sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. 
• Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich out of it. Just put peanut butter on one piece of French toast and this strawberry compote on another, and put them together!
• Spread almond butter on the pieces of French toast and put a freshly sliced banana on top.
• Put any fresh fruit, like some fresh berries, on your French toast and a drizzle of maple syrup.
• Put a slap of butter on the warm pieces of bread, sprinkle on some cinnamon and sugar, and finish it off with maple syrup and whipped cream.

How To Store Sourdough French Toast

• In the fridge: Store the slices of French toast wrapped in plastic wrap and kept in a Ziploc bag for about 4 days.
• In the freezer: Lay the French toast in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, then put the slices in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: Put the sourdough French toast in the toaster oven for a few minutes until crispy or reheat it in the oven. Add more reheating time for the frozen French toast.

FAQS About This Sourdough French Toast Recipe

Can I use sourdough bread for French toast?

Yes, sourdough bread makes a delicious French toast! It's especially good if you use slightly stale sourdough bread. What makes it so good is that the bread is sturdier, allowing it to soak up the batter better. When it cooks, it maintains a crispy crust while remaining soft and fluffy inside. 

What breads are best for French toast?

Crusty sourdough bread is the best if you want a super crispy outside with a fluffy inside and delicious flavor. Some other great options for a similar result are French bread and brioche. For softer French toast, you can use plain white bread or wheat bread.

Why is stale bread better for French toast?

Stale bread has dried out, so it contains less moisture. This will help it quickly absorb the egg mixture, giving it a better texture—crisp outside and fluffy inside.

More Breakfast Recipes

If you're looking for more crazy delicious breakfast recipes, there are plenty more of them on the blog!

Give these recipes a try next:

• French toast without milk
• McGriddle
• Churro pancakes
• Mochi donuts
• Breakfast burrito
• Banana muffins
• Easy waffles
• Egg McMuffin