Brioche French Toast and Toppings Bar
If you're looking to up your breakfast or brunch game, brioche French toast is where it's at. Imagine the light, fluffy texture of brioche bread soaking up a luscious egg mixture, fried to perfection, and topped with an array of toppings that let you be as creative as you want. 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.
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.
Make It Your Own with a Topping Bar
Now, here's where things get really fun. The toppings! French toast is delicious on its own, but let’s be honest—what takes it over the top is 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:
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 beauty of a French toast topping bar is that you can mix and match. Strawberries with whipped cream? Yes. Nutella with bananas? Absolutely. Everyone at your breakfast table gets to create their ideal bite.
Hosting a French Toast Party
If you’re hosting a brunch or breakfast gathering, a French toast topping bar is the ultimate interactive food experience. You can prepare 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. Fresh berries in the summer, caramel apples in the fall, or peppermint and chocolate for a holiday brunch. The possibilities are endless!
And let's not forget about the bread. While brioche is often considered the best bread for French toast, if you're hosting a large group, feel free to include some options like French toast with Hawaiian bread or even sourdough for those who prefer something less sweet.
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.
Pro 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 best 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, you can get creative with variations. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next breakfast masterpiece:
Stuffed French Toast: Spread cream cheese 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.
Top It Off with a Strawberry Compote
If you want to give your French toast a bright, fruity kick, try making a French toast strawberry topping. All you need are a few fresh strawberries, a little sugar, and a touch of lemon juice. Cook the strawberries down in a small saucepan with the sugar and lemon until they break down into a syrupy, delicious sauce. Spoon it over your French toast, and you’ve got a restaurant-worthy breakfast at home!
And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, top the strawberry compote with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate syrup for a truly decadent treat.
Wrapping It Up
Whether you’re making a batch of brioche French toast for a lazy Sunday morning or hosting a brunch with a fully-loaded French toast topping bar, this breakfast classic is always a hit. And the best part? It’s an easy French toast recipe that lets you get creative with toppings and bread choices, from Hawaiian bread to the classic French loaf.
So grab some eggs, milk, and your favorite loaf of bread, and get ready to make the best French toast of your life! What will you top yours with? Let us know in the comments 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