There’s a certain magic to weekend mornings. The pace slows, the light streams in a little softer, and the kitchen becomes less of a pitstop and more of a destination. For me, that destination almost always leads to something warm, comforting, and a little bit indulgent. And nothing quite captures that feeling like the scent of cinnamon and caramelizing butter wafting from the stove, signaling that a batch of incredible grilled French toast is moments away.
This isn’t the soggy, floppy French toast of hurried diners. Oh no. This is a masterpiece of texture: a shatteringly crisp, buttery exterior that gives way to a luxuriously soft, custard-like center. It’s the kind of breakfast that turns an ordinary Saturday into a small celebration, the kind of dish you make for people you truly love.
Why You’ll Love This Grilled French Toast
If you think you know French toast, prepare to have your mind blown. This method transforms the classic into something truly extraordinary. You get the most incredible contrast in every single bite. It’s decadent without being overly heavy, and it’s surprisingly simple to achieve. It’s the ultimate cozy breakfast that feels restaurant-worthy but is made with the most basic pantry staples. Once you try it this way, you’ll never go back to the standard method.
The Secret to Great Grilled French Toast
Forget thin, sandwich-style bread. The single most important factor in achieving that perfect custard center is using the right bread. You need a sturdy, thick-sliced bread that can act like a sponge, soaking up all that rich, eggy custard without falling apart. A day-old loaf of challah, brioche, or a thick-cut Texas toast is your absolute best friend here. Their slightly stale state means they’re thirsty and eager to absorb the maximum amount of flavor, leading to that melt-in-your-mouth interior that is the hallmark of perfect French toast.
Pro Tips to Nail It Every Time
Let’s move beyond the recipe card and talk about the little things that make a huge difference. First, patience is a virtue. Don’t rush the soak. Gently lay your slice of bread into the custard mixture and let it sit for a full 20-30 seconds per side. You want it to feel heavy and saturated but not sopping wet to the point of disintegration.
Second, trust the sound. Your pan or griddle should be preheated over a steady medium heat. You’ll know it’s ready when a small pat of butter sizzles enthusiastically upon contact. That sizzle is what creates the seal, locking in the custard and creating that gorgeous, crispy crust.
Finally, let it rest! As tempting as it is to dive right in, give your grilled French toast a minute or two on a wire rack after cooking. This allows the structure to set and prevents it from becoming steamly underneath. This is the pro trick for maintaining that perfect texture from first bite to last.
Fun Variations to Try
The basic recipe is a flawless classic, but half the fun is making it your own. Here are a few of my favorite ways to switch it up.
Orange-Spiced Bliss: Add the zest of one whole orange and a quarter teaspoon of cardamom to your custard mixture. The bright, citrusy aroma paired with the warm spice is absolutely heavenly, especially when topped with a drizzle of honey.
Cinnamon Roll French Toast: Whisk two tablespoons of brown sugar and an extra teaspoon of cinnamon into your custard. After grilling, skip the syrup and top with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and a drop of vanilla. It’s like having dessert for breakfast, in the best way possible.
If you’re a fan of breakfast classics with a crispy edge, you absolutely have to try our recipe for Really Great Waffles That Melt in Your Mouth the next time you’re mixing up a weekend brunch.
Final Thoughts
At its heart, grilled French toast is more than just a recipe; it’s a feeling. It’s the joy of creating something deliciously simple that brings everyone to the table. It’s about those slow, syrup-drizzled moments of connection. It’s a humble dish that, when made with a little care and the right technique, feels like a warm hug on a plate. So grab your favorite thick bread and give it a try this weekend. I have a feeling it’s about to become a new tradition in your home, too.
This recipe is a fantastic foundation, and if you love the idea of big-batch cooking for a crowd, you’ll get a ton of inspiration from this brilliant idea for Four-Flavor Sheet Pan Pancakes over on Pinterest.
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The Best Grilled French Toast You’ll Ever Make
This is the ultimate Grilled French Toast recipe, yielding an incredible contrast of a crispy, buttery exterior and a soft, custard-like center. It’s a simple, gourmet breakfast that turns any morning into a special occasion.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
8 (1-inch thick) slices of challah, brioche, or Texas toast (day-old is best)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for cooking
Maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh berries, for serving
Instructions
In a large, shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is well-combined.
Preheat a griddle or large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Working with one slice at a time, soak the bread in the egg mixture for 20-30 seconds per side, allowing it to fully absorb the custard.
Melt a tablespoon of butter on the preheated griddle. Place 2-3 soaked bread slices on the griddle and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until deeply golden brown and crisp.
Repeat with the remaining butter and bread slices.
Serve immediately topped with a pat of butter, a drizzle of maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, and fresh berries.
Notes
Bread is Key: Stale, thick-cut bread is essential for absorbing the custard without falling apart.
Don’t Rush the Soak: Ensure each slice is fully saturated for the signature custardy interior.
Resting: Let cooked slices rest on a wire rack for a minute before serving to keep the bottom crispy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 225mg
