This Sourdough French Toast is a deliciously tangy twist on a classic breakfast favorite, made with hearty sourdough bread and a custardy sourdough discard batter. It’s perfect for holiday mornings or a cozy Sunday brunch.
Recently, after testing multiple loaves of pumpkin sourdough bread, I ended up with lots of leftovers in the freezer. What’s a sourdough enthusiast to do with all that bread? Make sourdough French toast, of course!
My take on sourdough French toast uses both sourdough bread and sourdough discard in the batter. This combination adds a delightful tanginess that perfectly balances the sweetness of the batter and toppings.
Feel free to use any sourdough bread you prefer for this recipe. As I mentioned, I used my pumpkin sourdough bread, but classic sourdough, sourdough brioche, and cranberry walnut sourdough would all work wonderfully too.
I love this recipe for a relaxing Sunday brunch because it takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. Plus, it’s easy to scale up or down, making it perfect for both small gatherings and larger crowds.
I hope you enjoy this sourdough French toast recipe as much as I do!
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Ingredients & Substitutions
Here are some notes on key ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.
- Sourdough Bread- For the best flavor and texture, use day-old homemade sourdough bread cut into 1-inch thick slices. I tested this recipe with my pumpkin sourdough bread, and it was delicious! My classic sourdough or sourdough brioche would also work wonderfully.
- Sourdough Discard- Adds a subtle tangy flavor and helps thicken the batter. Using sourdough discard for French toast is also a fantastic way to reduce waste.
- Eggs- Eggs provide structure and richness to the batter. They help create a custardy texture, making the French toast deliciously soft on the inside.
- Whole Milk- Adds creaminess to the batter. You can substitute it with any milk of your choice.
- Granulated Sugar- Sugar sweetens the batter and helps to create a nice caramelized crust on the outside of the French toast as it cooks. You can adjust the amount based on your sweetness preference.
- Cinnamon & Vanilla Extract- Gives the French toast batter a warmly spiced vanilla flavor. Feel free to experiment with different spices and extracts to create unique flavor variations.
- Kosher Salt- Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness of the French toast.
Tips for Success
- Use day-old bread. For the best results, use day-old sourdough bread cut into 1-inch thick slices. It will soak up the batter without becoming too soggy.
- Soak thoroughly. Allow the bread slices to soak in the batter for at least 30 seconds on each side, ensuring they’re fully saturated for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust the heat. If you notice the French toast browning too quickly, lower the heat to prevent burning while ensuring the inside cooks through.
- Keep warm. If cooking in batches, keep the finished slices warm in a low oven (around 200°F) while you finish cooking the rest.
How to Make Sourdough French Toast
Here is how to make French toast with sourdough bread.
Step 1: Preheat skillet. Heat a cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium heat.
Step 2: Prepare the batter. In a shallow bowl or baking dish, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, sourdough discard, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt until well combined.
Step 3: Soak the bread. Dip the slices of sourdough bread into the batter, allowing each piece to soak until fully absorbed.
Step 4: Cook the French toast. Add a generous pat of butter to the preheated skillet and let it melt, coating the bottom of the pan. Working in batches, place the soaked bread slices in the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are deeply golden brown and crispy. Adjust the heat as necessary to prevent burning.
Step 5: Serve. Transfer the cooked French toast to a plate and serve immediately, adding extra butter, maple syrup, and your favorite toppings.
How to Store
Sourdough French toast is best served immediately. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To reheat, simply place the French toast in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or use a toaster oven for a crispy finish.
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📖 Recipe
Sourdough French Toast
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet or stainless steel skillet
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup sourdough starter discard
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 slices sourdough bread about 1-inch thick (preferably homemade)
- Butter for skillet
- Toppings of choice for serving
Instructions
- Heat a cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium heat.
- In a shallow bowl or baking dish, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, sourdough discard, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt until well combined.4 large eggs, ½ cup whole milk, ¼ cup sourdough starter discard, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Dip the slices of sourdough bread into the batter, allowing each piece to soak until fully absorbed.8 slices sourdough bread
- Add a generous pat of butter to the preheated skillet and let it melt, coating the bottom of the pan. Working in batches, place the soaked bread slices in the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are deeply golden brown and crispy. Adjust the heat as necessary to prevent burning.Butter
- Transfer the cooked French toast to a plate and serve immediately, adding extra butter, maple syrup, and your favorite toppings.Toppings of choice
Notes
- Quick Tip: If cooking in batches, keep the finished slices warm in a low oven (around 200°F) while you finish cooking the rest.
- Storage: French toast is best served immediately. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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