HOW TO MAKE FRENCH TOAST IN THE OVEN

With countless variations to explore, French toast is a fun and delicious addition to any breakfast spread that you can serve up hot with creamy butter or margarine and sweet maple syrup to kickstart your morning. Or, layer savory ingredients in between to satisfy sweet and salty cravings all at once.

Make multiple servings of French toast in your oven and use your stovetop to prepare breakfast sides like juicy strips of bacon or a homemade hash on busy mornings — simply slide the bread slices in the oven and let them bake. Use this basic recipe as a blank canvas for experimenting with different toppings and fillings for your French toast, like delicate chocolate shavings or tangy fruit pieces.

Syrupy ham French toast with fresh fruit on the side Syrupy ham French toast with fresh fruit on the side

BAKED FRENCH TOAST RECIPE

Delectable, decadent, scrumptious – however you describe it, oven-baked French toast is an easy-to-make breakfast classic that’s soft on the inside with a pleasantly crispy outside. This basic French toast recipe will help guide you through making the egg mixture and baking your bread in a countertop or standard oven.

YIELDS

  • 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • Your choice of bread

  • Eggs

  • Half & half

  • Butter
  • Optional add-ins like cinnamon, vanilla or almond extract

  • Optional toppings, such as syrup, butter or fruit

TOOLS 

PREP TIME

  • 10 minutes

BAKE TIME

  • 10 minutes

TOTAL TIME

  • 20 minutes

STEP 1. PREP THE OVEN

Before preparing the bread, preheat your countertop or standard oven according to your recipe.

STEP 2. PREP THE BREAD

With a knife, cut a dry variety of bread like brioche or sourdough into thick slices. Avoid cutting the slices too thin, which can cause your French toast to come out soggy.

STEP 3. MAKE THE EGG MIXTURE

Using a hand mixer or immersion blender, beat the eggs and half & half together in a shallow dish or bowl until well combined. Add any additional flavorings like cinnamon and nutmeg or vanilla extract and continue beating until incorporated.

STEP 4. SOAK THE BREAD

Dip each slice quickly into the egg mixture, turning to coat on both sides.

Tip
AVOID SOAKING FOR TOO LONG

Don’t let your bread slices soak too long in the egg mixture, which can prevent your French toast from baking all the way through.

STEP 5. BAKE THE BREAD

Butter the surface of a baking sheet or the countertop oven tray before arranging the soaked bread slices flat on the baking sheet. Allow the slices to bake for about five minutes about 400°F on each side and serve immediately. Exact cooking times and temperatures may vary across recipes.

SHOP KITCHENAID® COUNTERTOP OVENS

A baguette sliced into pieces A baguette sliced into pieces

WHAT’S THE BEST BREAD TO USE FOR FRENCH TOAST?

While any thick bread may work, options like brioche, French baguette and challah are great at soaking up the flavor of the egg mixture while maintaining a fluffy texture that still holds its shape. Experiment with different breads and find your preferred type by trying new takes on the classic French toast recipe with flavors like banana or cinnamon and maple.

French toast ingredients prepared in a KitchenAid® stand mixer bowl French toast ingredients prepared in a KitchenAid® stand mixer bowl

WHY IS MY FRENCH TOAST SOGGY?

There are several reasons why French toast might remain soggy even after it's finished baking in the oven. The most common reason for soggy French toast is using bread that's too thin or flimsy. Another possible reason for soggy bread is if too much milk was used in the mixture.

Keep your toast from turning soggy by using a thick bread like challah or brioche. You can also try improving the texture of your French toast by preventing the bread from soaking too long prior to putting it in the oven.

Sweet French toast sliders and french toast topped with chopped nuts Sweet French toast sliders and french toast topped with chopped nuts

WHAT ARE GOOD TOPPINGS FOR FRENCH TOAST?

Whether your tastes are simple or decadent, there are several ways to enjoy different toppings on a filling and easy-to-make recipe like French toast. While you can’t go wrong with the trusted softened butter-and-syrup combo, try experimenting with toppings like fresh fruit, leftover bananas, peanut butter or cinnamon. 

The versatility of French toast also makes it great for exploring savory toppings like bacon, ham and cheese and even smoked salmon. Experiment with the texture of your recipe with toppings like apple slices or crunchy pecans. If using a countertop tool like these stand mixers by KitchenAid brand, you can also experiment with creating delicious breakfast additions like a homemade whipped or buttercream topping as the French toast slices bake.

A black KitchenAid® countertop oven A black KitchenAid® countertop oven

CAN YOU MAKE FRENCH TOAST IN ADVANCE?

One of the beauties of French toast is the convenience it brings to enjoying a sweet and versatile breakfast classic. While you may need different quantities of ingredients and longer bake times, you can free up valuable time in the morning by preparing the French toast slices in advance.

Try overnight recipes like this one for cinnamon French toast to help you focus on preparing other dishes and getting coffee on the table by streamlining food prep.

EXPLORE KITCHENAID® COUNTERTOP APPLIANCES

Adding versatility and powerful functionality to your countertop is a satisfying experience with KitchenAid® stand mixers, hand mixers, countertop ovens and more. Helpful attachments and convenient sizing make countertop appliances by KitchenAid brand a great way to create delicious classics or try new techniques from the comfort of your own kitchen.

DISCOVER MORE RECIPES AND TIPS FROM KITCHENAID BRAND

Related Pages: