Brioche French Toast and Toppings Bar
If you're looking for the French toast recipe best suited for weekend brunch breakfast, this one will be your go-to for years to come.
Brioche French toast is the way to go if you want to improve your breakfast or brunch game. Imagine a wonderful egg mixture soaking up the light, fluffy texture of brioche bread, then it's fried to perfection and topped with as many french toast toppings as you'd like. This recipe for French toast is not only the greatest, but it's also one of the most adaptable. And what happens if you don't have any brioche? Don't worry, french toast with hawaiian bread or even the traditional French loaf will work just as well perfectly in this recipe. Everyone will be talking about this French toast, which is ideal for hosting brunch or enjoying a leisurely weekend breakfast. And it's really simple to make, I promise!
Why Brioche French Toast Is Perfect!
If you're looking to be a hero at your next brunch or breakfast, brioche French toast is the perfect solution.
Imagine the tender brioche bread soaking up a fabulous egg mixture, fried crispy to perfection, and topped with any of french toast toppings that your heart desires. Not only is this the best French toast recipe, but it’s also one of the most versatile. And if you don't have brioche on hand? No worries—this recipe works just as well with Hawaiian bread or even the good old classic French loaf. Perfect for hosting brunch or indulging in a lazy weekend breakfast, this French toast will have everyone talking. And trust me, it’s so easy to whip up!
Why Brioche Is Perfect for French Toast
So what makes brioche the star of the show? Brioche is a soft, slightly sweet bread that's richer than regular bread because it's made with eggs and butter. When you dip those thick slices into an eggy custard and fry them up, they become golden on the outside while remaining pillowy on the inside. The richness of brioche makes it perfect for absorbing all the delicious flavors from your French toast batter without falling apart.
But let’s say you can’t get your hands on brioche—don’t panic! French toast with Hawaiian bread is also an incredible option. The slight sweetness of Hawaiian bread complements the egg mixture beautifully and offers that same fluffy texture. And of course, if you’re a purist, the classic French bread works well too, giving you a heartier and chewier bite.
At the end of the day, this 4 ingredient potato soup is about as easy as it gets and is dish is the perfect go-to for busy nights. It’s cozy hug in a bowl is adaptable, and just plain delicious. So, grab your ingredients and lets do this—you’ve got a bowl of comfort waiting!
The Best French Toast Batter
Here's what you’ll need for this easy yet indulgent French toast recipe:
4 eggs
1/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
4 1-inch slices of brioche bread (or thick-cut French or Hawaiian bread)
1 knob of butter
The mixture of eggs, milk, vanilla, and a dash of nutmeg gives your French toast that perfect custardy inside and golden crust. The nutmeg adds a hint of warmth, while the vanilla infuses a sweet aroma that pairs beautifully with the richness of brioche.
French Toast Toppings- AKA Topping Bar
Now, for the fun part..... the French Toast toppings! French toast is fabulous on its own, but come on??—what takes it to the next level are the toppings. Setting up a French toast topping bar is a brilliant way to turn breakfast into an interactive meal, perfect for special occasions or when you're hosting a get-together. Everyone gets to customize their French toast just how they like it.
You can go classic with butter and syrup, or you can get creative with everything from fresh fruit to nut butters. Here are some ideas for your French toast toppings:
French toast strawberry topping:
Top your French toast with a French toast strawberry topping for a fresh, sweet contrast to the rich toast. You can either slice them fresh or make an easy strawberry compote by cooking berries down in a bit of sugar.
French toast toppings galore!
Strawberries: Top your French toast with a French toast strawberry topping for a fresh, sweet contrast to the rich toast. You can either slice them fresh or make a quick strawberry compote by simmering strawberries with a bit of sugar.
Jams or Preserves: Premade and ready to go!
Whipped Cream: Light, airy whipped cream is always a crowd-pleaser.
Nutella or Chocolate Spread: For those with a sweet tooth, a slather of Nutella can turn your French toast into an indulgent treat.
Maple Syrup: You can’t go wrong with the classic drizzle of real maple syrup.
Fresh Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries add a refreshing burst of flavor.
Nuts: Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds give a nice crunch and contrast to the soft toast.
Powdered Sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar not only looks pretty but adds an extra touch of sweetness.
Yogurt and Granola: Want something a little lighter? Try topping your French toast with Greek yogurt and crunchy granola.
Cinnamon Sugar: A quick sprinkle of cinnamon sugar is a simple way to amp up the sweetness and spice.
The options for a French toast topping bar is where you let your creativity shine. Whipped cream with strawberries? You bet! Bananas with Nutella? Deeelish! And everyone gets degree through masterpiece. How fun is that.
Hosting a French Toast Party!
A French toast topping bar is the fun festive idea for a brunch or breakfast event. Whether you have overnight guests or just want to have a speical get-together ou can make the French toast ahead of time, keep it warm in the oven, and let your guests go wild with toppings. Plus, because this is such an easy French toast recipe, you won’t be stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun.
Setting up a topping bar doesn’t require much effort. All you need are some cute little bowls or jars to hold the toppings, and you’re good to go. You can even theme the toppings depending on the time of year. Apples with a caramel drizzle in the fall, fresh berries in the summer, or chocolate shavings and peppermint for a Christmas brunch. There are countless options!
Not to be overlooked is the bread. Brioche is frequently regarded as the ideal bread for French toast, but if you're entertaining a big crowd, feel free to offer alternatives like French toast with Hawaiian bread or even sourdough for those who would rather not have as much sugar.
Why French Toast with Hawaiian Bread is also a great choice.
If you haven't tried making French toast with Hawaiian bread yet, you're in for a treat. Hawaiian bread has a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the custardy batter of French toast. It also has a light, airy texture that gets beautifully crispy on the outside while staying soft inside. The result? An extra-fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth French toast that you’ll crave again and again.
Some might even argue that Hawaiian bread gives brioche French toast a run for its money! And because Hawaiian bread is so widely available, it’s a great option when you want a fun twist on the classic French toast.
My tips for the Best French Toast
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are a few pro tips to make sure your French toast is always perfect:
Use day-old bread. Slightly stale bread is actually ideal for French toast because it soaks up the egg mixture without becoming too soggy. If you don’t have stale bread, you can lightly toast the slices before dipping them in the batter.
Don’t soak too long. While you want the bread to absorb the mixture, leaving it in the egg custard for too long can make it fall apart. About 10-15 seconds per side is enough.
Cook on medium heat. This ensures the toast cooks through without burning the outside. You want a golden, crisp exterior and a soft, custardy interior.
Butter generously. A knob of butter in the pan gives the French toast that gorgeous golden-brown crust and adds flavor.
Serve immediately. French toast is bst served fresh, straight out of the pan. If you’re making it for a crowd, keep the slices warm in an oven set to low heat until everyone is ready to eat.
French Toast Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the classic brioche French toast or French toast with Hawaiian bread, here are a few other ideas you may want to give a try.
Stuffed French Toast: Spread cream cheese, peanut butter or Nutella between two slices of bread before dipping them in the batter for a decadent twist.
Cinnamon Roll French Toast: Use cinnamon swirl bread for a cinnamon-infused French toast that’s perfect for holiday mornings.
Savory French Toast: Who says French toast has to be sweet? Skip the vanilla and nutmeg, and top your French toast with crispy bacon, eggs, and a sprinkle of cheese for a savory version.
Overnight French Toast Casserole: Perfect for when you’re feeding a crowd, this make-ahead version of French toast lets the bread soak in the custard overnight before baking it in the morning. It’s great for holidays or lazy weekends.
Brioche French Toast Video Below
Brioche French Toast & Toppings Bar
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 1-inch slice brioche bread, or thick-cut French bread
- 1 knob butter
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat the eggs together well. Beat in the milk, nutmeg, and vanilla.
- Layer the brioche bread in a single layer across a large baking dish (I use my 9-inch x 13-inch baking pan). Gently pour the egg mixture over the bread slices. Allow to soak for 2 minutes. Gently flip using a spatula. Allow to soak an additional 2 minutes. Tip the pan around if needed to help the bread absorb the egg mixture. The bread should soak up all of the egg mixture.
- Heat a large skillet on medium to medium-high heat. Melt a knob of butter on it. Gently transfer all 4 french toasts to the pan. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until the other side is also golden brown, about 3 minutes. If you feel like your french toast is browning too quickly, turn the heat down.
- Serve immediately. Top with butter, maple syrup and fresh berries, or use your favorite toppings.
Notes:
Calories
218.26Fat (grams)
11.70Sat. Fat (grams)
5.58Carbs (grams)
17.08Fiber (grams)
0.63Net carbs
16.45Sugar (grams)
3.17Protein (grams)
10.13Sodium (milligrams)
268.24Cholesterol (grams)
221.09