If you’re looking for a deliciously rich and flavorful breakfast, this sourdough French toast is a must-try! The slightly tangy flavor of sourdough bread perfectly balances the sweet custard mixture, creating a crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside bite. This French toast with sourdough bread is sure to impress.
When it comes to making French toast with sourdough bread, the key is choosing the right type of loaf. Sourdough bread has a sturdy texture, making it perfect for soaking up the rich, creamy egg mixture without turning soggy. Day-old sourdough works best because it absorbs more custard while maintaining its structure, leading to that perfect balance of crispy edges and a soft, custardy center.
One of the best things about this sourdough French toast recipe is its versatility. Whether you love classic flavors like cinnamon and vanilla or want to add a unique twist with nutmeg or orange zest, this dish is easy to customize. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover sourdough and transform it into a decadent breakfast treat.
Sweet breakfast treats like Bisquick fluffy pancakes, waffles, and cinnamon rolls from bread dough are favorites of just about everyone, especially on the weekends. We think there’s something extra special about cutting into soft slices of eggy, lightly grilled French toast, especially when it’s made with garlic bread sourdough!
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Why We Love This Sourdough French Toast Recipe
- Great use for day-old sourdough sandwich bread!
This easy sourdough recipe is the perfect way to use slices of bread that’s beginning to stale. Homemade sourdough stales a little faster than store-bought because there are no preservatives to help it last longer. - Freezer-friendly for easy meal prep.
If you like to cook ahead for busy holidays, this sourdough breakfast recipe is calling your name! Not only is it a make-ahead meal, but French toast also freezes well for up to 2 months. - Incredible Flavor and texture
Unlike regular white bread, homemade sourdough bread adds a subtle tanginess that complements the rich, custardy filling. Its hearty texture ensures a perfect balance between crispy and soft in every bite.
No sourodugh starter? You can put together an overnight French toast casserole instead. Or, maybe some strawberry stuffed french toast or a stack of fluffy Bisquick pancakes.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Sourdough French bread: we think the best bread for French toast is sourdough french bread. Unlike soft sandwich bread, french bread has a structure sturdy enough to hold up well to the egg batter.
- Milk: using whole milk gives the egg batter a thick consistency and rich flavor. If you don’t mind, a little less richness then 2% milk will work.
If you don’t already have an active sourdough starter to make the bread with, you can make our strawberry french toast instead.
Recipe Variations
This sourdough French toast recipe is sweet and golden brown and tastes delicious with almost any toppings. There are so many options to dress up your sweet breakfast! Here are some ideas:
- Use maple extract instead of vanilla extract, and skip the maple syrup
- Sprinkle powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar on top for a prettier presentation. This makes it similar to our easy funnel cakes recipe!
- Top it with fresh fruit like sliced bananas, strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
- Schmear the slices with chocolate hazelnut spread, peanut butter, or almond butter.
- Add a layer of jam, lemon curd, apple butter, or orange marmalade.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or chia seeds over the top.
- Gluten-free and dairy-free options
This sourdough breakfast recipe can be made dairy-free by replacing the cow’s milk with any nut milk or other dairy-free alternative. If you’re sensitive to butter, you can substitute it with coconut oil or any other plant-based butter.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Check out our strawberry french toast recipe to learn how to make fresh strawberry syrup. It is simple to make and it tastes fantastic!
Equipment Used in this Recipe
- Electric griddle
- Bowl – (for mixing)
- Whisk
- Dipping trays – (for dipping the french toast)
- Pancake turner
How to Make French Toast with Sourdough Bread
- Use stale leftover sourdough bread or day-old bread
Bread that’s 2-3 days old is the best! Be sure to allow the slices to dry out a little so they soak up as much of the egg batter as possible. Otherwise, you’ll end up with soggy French toast
If you want to know how to dry our bread, let it sit on a baking sheet on your kitchen counter overnight
You can make French toast with sourdough that isn’t stale, but honestly, dry bread is the best! - Cut the bread into thick slices.
Slices that are between 1.5 and 2 inches thick are perfect.
How long should you soak bread for French toast?
Quickly dredge each side of the bread through the mixture. The quick cooking time means you don’t want the middle to be soggy or it won’t cook through.
- Avoid crowding the skillet.
Space the slices out in the pan so they create a nice, golden-brown color. If you don’t, the bread will steam and become mushy.
See the tips below to keep your breakfast warm until serving. Drizzle with butter and warmed maple syrup or your favorite toppings and serve.
How to Keep French Toast Warm
If you’ll be making a large batch and want to serve everyone at the same time, you can keep the slices warm in your oven.
Set the oven to 175ºF. and place an oven-safe plate or baking dish in the oven to preheat. As you finish cooking slices of the sourdough French toast, transfer them to the warm oven and keep them there until you’re ready to serve.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Cover the plate with a clean, slightly damp kitchen towel to prevent the slices from drying out.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this sourdough French toast with your favorite breakfast sides for a well-rounded meal. Crispy bacon, sausage links, or toasted pecans add a delicious contrast to the sweet, custardy toast. For an indulgent touch, drizzle warm maple syrup over the top or spread cream cheese for extra richness. If you prefer something lighter, serve it with fresh berries, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a splash of almond milk. Enjoy your French toast with a steaming cup of coffee, chai, or freshly squeezed orange juice to complete the perfect breakfast experience.
Recipe FAQs
Sourdough French toast is best served fresh and warm, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Simply place the cooled toast on a plate or baking dish and cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
We recommend cooking a few additional slices than you may need, because French toast of any kind freezes beautifully for up to 2 months.
Note: French toast freezes well, but only if there are no toppings on the slices.
Be sure the slices are cool first, then place them in a freezer storage bag or airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy your sourdough breakfast again, just let the slices thaw for 15-20 minutes before you reheat them.
Like everything else about this sourdough breakfast recipe, reheating is easy! There are a few options; just choose a method that is the most convenient for you like microwave, toaster, pan frying, or oven.
Oven – To reheat the slices all at one time, place a wire cooling rack over a rimmed sheet pan. Arrange the sourdough French toast in a single layer on the rack, then place the pan in a 350°F. oven.
Yes, but stale bread absorbs the custard better, preventing sogginess. If using fresh, slice and let it sit out overnight to dry.
More Of Our Favorite Breakfast Recipes…
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Sourdough French Toast
Equipment
- electric griddle
- bowl - (for mixing)
- whisk
- dipping trays - (for dipping the french toast)
- pancake turner
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup milk whole or 2%
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 slices sourdough bread (slightly dry)
Instructions
- Preheat electric griddle to 350ºF (if using). In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar and set aside.
- Melt butter on the griddle or in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Whisk together the cinnamon mixture, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Pour the mixture into a shallow container such as a pie plate or dipping tray.
- Dip each side of the sourdough bread in egg mixture, then place it on the griddle or skillet without crowding. Cook french toast slices until golden brown, then flip to cook the other side.
- See tips below to keep them warm until serving. Top with butter and drizzle with warmed maple syrup before serving.
Notes
- Use maple extract instead of vanilla extract, and skip the maple syrup
- Sprinkle powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar on top for a prettier presentation. This makes it similar to our easy funnel cakes recipe!
- Top it with fresh fruit like sliced bananas, strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
- Schmear the slices with chocolate hazelnut spread, peanut butter, or almond butter.
- Add a layer of jam, lemon curd, apple butter, or orange marmalade.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or chia seeds over the top.
- Gluten-free and dairy-free options
This sourdough breakfast recipe can be made dairy-free by replacing the cow’s milk with any nut milk or other dairy-free alternative. If you’re sensitive to butter, you can substitute it with coconut oil or any other plant-based butter.
- Check out our strawberry French toast recipe to learn how to make fresh strawberry syrup. It is simple to make and it tastes fantastic!
- To prevent the slices from drying out, cover the plate with a clean, slightly damp kitchen towel.
- If you like to cook ahead for busy holidays, this sourdough breakfast recipe is calling your name! Not only is it a make-ahead meal, but French toast also freezes well for up to 2 months.
- Sourdough French toast is best served fresh and warm, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Simply place the cooled toast on a plate or baking dish and cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Like everything else about this sourdough breakfast recipe, reheating is easy! There are a few options; just choose a method that is the most convenient for you like microwave, toaster, pan frying, or oven
- Oven – To reheat the slices all at one time, place a wire cooling rack over a rimmed sheet pan.
- Arrange the sourdough French toast in a single layer on the rack, then place the pan in a 350°F oven.
Nutrition
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kushi says
WHat a delicious breakfast recipe to try. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Heather says
This Sourdough French Toast recipe is wonderful! It’s easy to make, and the sourdough adds a delicious tangy twist to the classic breakfast. Perfect for a delightful morning meal. Thank you!
Anjali says
This french toast turned out so well!! It was slightly crispy on the outside, creamy and fluffy on the inside, and had great flavor. We loved it!
Harriet Young says
Delicious! This sourdough French toast makes a perfect brunch for a crowd.