Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together creamy custard ingredients smoothly.
Whisk: Essential tool for blending eggs, milk, and spices into a silky mixture.
Skillet or Griddle: Provides the ideal surface for achieving golden-brown french toast.
Spatula: Helps flip toast carefully without breaking delicate bread slices.
Measuring Cups: Ensures precise ingredient proportions for consistent results.
Cutting Board: Useful for preparing bread and managing ingredients.
How to Whisk and Fry Perfect French Toast
Whip Up the Magic Mixture
Grab a big bowl and blend eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and a tiny salt pinch until everything dances together smoothly.
Bath the Bread
Gently dunk each bread slice into the creamy mixture, letting it swim for about 15-20 seconds on each side. Ensure it gets cozy but not waterlogged.
Warm the Cooking Surface
Fire up a skillet over medium heat and melt a dollop of butter, swirling it to create a golden coating across the pan.
Transform Bread into Golden Delights
Slide the soaked bread onto the sizzling surface. Let each slice turn into a crispy, caramel-colored masterpiece, cooking 2-3 minutes per side. You might need to cook in waves, adding butter as needed.
Present Your Breakfast Treasure
Plate the French toast while steaming hot. Crown it with maple syrup, dust with powdered sugar, scatter fresh berries, or top with fluffy whipped cream.
French Toast Add-Ons You’ll Want to Try
Choose thick-cut, day-old bread like brioche or challah for the most luxurious and custardy french toast that absorbs liquid perfectly without falling apart.
Don't rush the soaking process – let bread sit in custard mixture for 15-20 seconds per side to ensure maximum flavor absorption without turning bread mushy.
Replace milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk for a lactose-free version that maintains creamy texture and delicious taste profile.
Prepare custard mixture and soak bread slices the night before, then refrigerate overnight to save morning cooking time and enhance flavor development.
Use gluten-free bread or substitute with thick-cut almond flour bread to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets while maintaining classic french toast texture and taste.
Serving Ideas for French Toasts
Sweet Morning Delight: Dust generously with powdered sugar for a classic, elegant breakfast presentation that melts beautifully on warm french toast.
Fruity Freshness: Top with a colorful medley of seasonal berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries to add vibrant natural sweetness and nutritional boost.
Decadent Indulgence: Drizzle rich maple syrup or warm caramel sauce over the french toast, creating a luxurious cascade of sweet, sticky goodness that enhances every bite.
Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds or pecans across the french toast for a delightful textural contrast and subtle roasted flavor that elevates the entire dish.
How to Keep French Toast Fluffy and Warm
Keep leftover French toast in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and taste.
Wrap individual French toast slices in parchment paper, then store in freezer bags for convenient grab-and-go breakfasts lasting up to 1 month.
Warm refrigerated or frozen French toast in a toaster oven or air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, restoring that crispy exterior and warm center.
Mix custard ingredients the night before and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and saving precious morning cooking time.
Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.
William Hawkins
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Education
Sullivan University, Louisville, KY
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.