The Best Bread For Making French Toast
In the world of endless recipes, there are tips for every bread-inclusive recipe available. When configuring Thanksgiving stuffing, for example, FoodsGuy suggests only using bread varieties with a small crumb, such as basic white bread or brioche. (These types of bread quickly soak up liquid from cooked vegetables and stock.) King Arthur Baking Company outlines the best tips for making the perfect grilled cheese, one of which is to use none other than homemade bread and a lidded Pullman pan. For bread pudding, Betty Crocker recommends saving mismatched odds and ends from bread loaves and freezing them until you accumulate enough to make a pan's worth.
Along the lines of using what you have, if you're not familiar with the origins of French toast, MasterClass explains that the sweet indulgent breakfast treat we know and love originated in Roman times. But in the Middle Ages, it became known as "lost bread," or pain perdu, due to its repurposed use of bread after peak days of freshness.
While vanilla and cinnamon are unnecessary but fun extras, McCormick showcases the common ingredients for a classic French toast recipe, which include bread, eggs, and milk. With so few ingredients, if you have the luxury of choosing, what type of bread is recommended for this sweet, indulgent breakfast staple?
Choosing the right bread comes down to personal preference
When it comes to making French toast, you can either use what you have or choose the bread that's best suited to your liking. Food Network says that no matter which type you prefer, you should always opt for stale bread. Older bread has the ability to soak up the liquid components more thoroughly. If you only have fresh bread, all you need to do is dry out the fresh loaf once cubed in a low-tempered oven.
If a classic French toast is all you're after, a simple stale white bread with a thin soft crust is the most recommended (per Food Network). If you want a richer texture, you could make homemade challah bread or use store-bought challah to create a decadent, almost cake-like French toast. In fact, Robert Irvine says brioche and challah are the only bread types worth considering for his classic French toast recipe (per Food Network).
If you want a sturdier bread variety, Food Network suggests opting for fresh sourdough, as it has a stronger makeup overall. But whether you choose a simple white bread or freshly baked sourdough, picking the right bread for the occasion isn't the only factor to consider when making this egg-battered delight.
Other tips to keep in mind when making French toast
Whether you're following Rachael Ray's secret to savory French toast or creating Robert Irvine's sweet, custard-like variety, there's more to consider beyond choosing the right bread. MasterClass advises using half whole milk and half heavy cream in the egg dipping mixture for a more decadent consistency. The outlet also recommends consuming the delicacy right when it's made, as French toast is best served fresh off the griddle or frying pan.
Martha Stewart suggests that once you have the basics down, you can play around with adding certain sweeteners, such as vanilla and honey, to your custard base. If you prefer salty over sweet, you can follow Rachael Ray's approach and try a more savory addition, such as grated cheese. Ina Garten jazzes up her challah French toast with orange zest; anything is possible, as long as you're not over-soaking or undercooking your bread slices.
Apart from picking your favorite bread variety, you may want to give one or two of these other suggestions a try the next time you're up for making a rich, perfectly moist French toast.