This French toast recipe is a great way to use up that extra sourdough sandwich bread you have on hand! Sometimes we don’t go through a loaf as quickly as I’d like and I don’t want to throw it in the fridge. This recipe is a great way to use it quickly and have everyone loving it.
I must say, we are an eggs and toast or pancake kind of family. I have 4 children and mornings are often fast and furious, except for the weekends. The weekends are when I get to experiment with different recipes and this one was a simple creation that everyone loved.
It is extremely simple, so simple it seems silly to write an entire post about it. However, the french toast tasted so good I just had to.
My Sourdough Sandwich Bread recipe makes two loaves, so if you bake once a week this French toast recipe is a great way to use up some of the bread. If you want an even sweeter homemade bread recipe, Farmhouse On Boone has a Brioche Sourdough Bread recipe you can try!
Why Sourdough?
If you are completely new to sourdough, The Clever Carrot has some great information and resources for starting a sourdough starter from scratch. Don’t be scared of this, it is one of the best things I ever started doing, even with 4 kids.
I feel so much better feeding them the food I made and knowing what’s in it. Frozen boxed waffles are an easy grab on busy mornings, but homemade French toast or pancakes are even better!
Sourdough bread is often considered better than regular bread for several reasons, ranging from its unique taste to potential health benefits. While both types of bread are made from flour and water, the main difference is in how they are leavened or made to rise.
Regular bread typically uses commercial yeast, while sourdough relies on wild yeast and bacteria found naturally in the environment. This difference gives sourdough its distinct flavor and texture, as well as a range of advantages over regular bread.
Flavor and Texture
One of the most noticeable differences between sourdough and regular bread is the flavor. Sourdough has a tangy, slightly sour taste, which comes from the natural fermentation process.
This tanginess is the result of the wild yeast and bacteria working together to ferment the dough over a longer period. Regular bread, on the other hand, uses commercial yeast that works quickly and doesn’t have the same complex flavor profile.
The texture of sourdough is also different. The natural fermentation process creates a denser crumb and a chewier, thicker crust compared to regular bread, which is often lighter and softer.
Health Benefits
Because sourdough is fermented over a longer period, it is easier to digest than regular bread. The fermentation process breaks down some of the gluten and phytic acid in the dough, which can be difficult for some people to digest.
The wild yeast and bacteria used in sourdough also help to break down complex carbohydrates, making it a lower glycemic index food than regular bread. This means that sourdough bread has a slower impact on blood sugar levels.
Additionally, sourdough contains beneficial bacteria, often referred to as probiotics. These bacteria are good for gut health, helping to maintain a healthy balance of microbes in the digestive system.
While not all sourdough bread retains these probiotics after baking, the longer fermentation process means there is a higher chance that some beneficial bacteria remain, making it a better option for gut health compared to bread made with commercial yeast.
Fewer Additives
Another advantage of sourdough bread is that it often contains fewer additives than regular bread. Many commercial bread loaves are filled with preservatives, dough conditioners, and other chemicals to enhance shelf life, texture, and flavor.
These additives can sometimes cause digestive discomfort or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. On the other hand, sourdough bread, especially when made at home or bought from a high-quality bakery, typically contains just flour, water, salt, and the starter, which are all simple, natural ingredients.
Longevity
Because of its natural fermentation process, sourdough tends to stay fresh longer than regular bread. The acidity in sourdough helps to slow down the growth of mold and bacteria, meaning it stays edible for several days without becoming stale or growing mold. Regular bread, on the other hand, often becomes dry and stale quickly, especially if it contains preservatives.
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Why I love this French toast on sourdough bread
The sourdough sandwich bread gives the perfect sweetness while adding the softness to make it just melt in your mouth. Sometimes it’s nice to change up what’s for breakfast and this is such a great way to do just that.
-Healthy:
This recipe is made from scratch in your home, so it does not contain preservatives. Plus, the bread is fermented, making the gluten break down further prior to baking, which makes it easier for you to digest.
-Quick:
Unlike waffles and pancakes that just seem to make a huge mess and take a while to cook, french toast has no batter and just the egg/milk mixture to soak in, and you’re all set.
As a mom of four, I am always concerned with the number of ingredients and how time-consuming the recipe is. This was easy to throw together, but for whatever reason, we don’t eat it all the time, so it feels like an extra treat when we do!
If you are not into making your own sourdough bread, do not fret, you could easily make this French toast on sourdough bread bought from the store. HOWEVER, there are likely preservatives or at least yeast in it and the texture may be different than the sourdough sandwich bread.
-Delicious:
It is the perfect texture of soft and fluffy and not too much sourdough taste at all. The cinnamon and sugar give it that decadent taste you are sure to love!
What Tools You Will Need
I prefer using a larger shallow dish like this one because I can fit multiple pieces of toast in at once. Plus, I like to let them soak a little bit before I put them on the griddle.
I love cast iron. It’s just my favorite for so many reasons, the main one being its health benefits versus non-stick. However, make sure the griddle is piping hot before you start cooking, or anything you put on it will stick.
I put this on here in case you don’t have this in your drawer yet, or in case you bought a loaf of bread that is not already sliced.
This knife is life-changing. If you are cutting your bread with a chopping knife, you NEED to order this one and see how much easier it is and how your bread will look like it was cut at the store.
Ingredients You Will Need For French Toast on Sourdough Bread
- Eggs
I personally buy local eggs, they are just so much better than the store bought ones. If you have a local farmers market that is great place to check, or often smaller grocery stores will sell them.
- Sourdough Bread
I prefer homemade Sourdough Sandwich Bread. It is just the right texture and sweetness for us!
- Milk
You could use regular milk here or an alternative such as oat milk, or almond milk. Make sure it’s unsweetened if it is nut milk, and know that coconut milk may change the flavor.
- Cinnamon
Pink Himalayan sea salt is my go-to and what I always use.
- Cane Sugar
I buy organic cane sugar, but you could use any. I have also tried brown sugar and that is delightful as well!
- Vanilla Extract
How To Make French Toast on Sourdough Bread
My mouth is watering just thinking about this recipe. Are you ready to make the best breakfast ever?!
PRO TIP 1: Let your bread pieces soak for at least 1 min or more in the mixture before putting on the griddle. This lets the milk soak through the bread and leads to a more melt in your mouth texture.
Step 1: Heat up your griddle
You want this nice and piping hot. You don’t want to burn the French toast but you want it to cook well and fast and evenly. I usually turn mine on immediately and then mix everything together. Put it on medium high to begin with, then when it’s hot turn it down to med-low.
Step 2: Mix the ingredients together
Add the eggs, milk, cinnamon and sugar to a large shallow dish. Mix well with a wisk or fork.
Step 3: Slice your bread if needed and soak in the mixture.
Fit as many pieces as you can in the dish, but make sure not to overcrowd it, you want every piece covered in the mixture. I usually put mine in, then flip them and let them sit for 1-3 minutes.
PRO TIP 2: Sprinkle a cinnamon sugar mixture on each side of the bread after it soaks and before you put it on the griddle. Yum!
Step 4: Cook your french toast on the griddle!
Carefully transfer each piece to the griddle and let it cook.
Step 5: Serve warm with butter, and maple syrup or powdered sugar.
They are best eaten served immediately, but if you need to keep them warm you can put them into an oven at 200 degrees.
PRO TIP 3: Make ahead and freeze or make double and freeze for a quick breakfast option during the week. Warm up in a toaster the morning you want to eat!
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days, or freeze immediately and reheat in a toaster.
Ziploc freezer bags work great for freezing. I recommend placing parchment paper in between pieces of toast so they don’t stick together.
French Toast with Sourdough Bread
Equipment
- 1 Shallow Dish
- 1 Large Griddle
- 1 Bread Knife if you have your own bread or bought some unsliced
Ingredients
- 2 Eggs
- 3/4 cup Milk (any version will do, I use almond) more if needed
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp Sugar or other sweetener
- 1/2 loaf Sourdough Sandwich Bread 8 slices would give you 2 for each person
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
Instructions
Heat up your griddle
- You want this nice and piping hot. You don't want to burn the french toast but you want it to cook well and fast and evenly. I usually turn mine on immediately and then mix everything together. Put it on medium high to begin with, then when it's hot turn it down to med-low.
Mix ingredients together
- Add the eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and sugar to a large shallow dish. Mix well with a wisk or fork.
Slice your bread if needed and soak in the mixture.
- Fit as many pieces as you can in the dish, but make sure not to overcrowd it, you want every piece covered in the mixture. I usually put mine in, then flip them and let them sit for 1-3 minutes.
Cook your french toast on the griddle!
- Carefully transfer each piece to the griddle and let it cook. I watch them closely so they don't burn, if I had to guess I'd say 1-2 minutes per side.
Serve warm with butter and maple syrup or fruit and powdered sugar.
- They are best eaten served immediately, but if you need to keep them warm you can put them into an oven at 200 degrees.
