What Goes With French Toast: The Perfect Combination of Sweet and Savory

There are endless possibilities when it comes to toppings for French toast. You can go sweet or savory, with almost any type of topping you can think of. 

Some favorite combinations of what goes with French toast include:

  • Classic: Bacon & Maple Syrup, Butter & Jam, Banana & Honey.
  • Savory: Bacon & Eggs, Sausage & Peppers, Tomato & Mozarella.
  • Exotic: Pineapple & Ham, Mango Chutney & Cream Cheese.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the best combinations for this delicious breakfast dish. Whether you are looking for something classic or something a little more exotic, we have you covered.

Table of Contents

French Toast: What Is It?

French toast is a dish that consists of bread that is soaked in an egg and milk mixture, then fried. It is usually served with syrup or honey, and sometimes with powdered sugar or fruit toppings.

The dish was created in the 16th century by monks who wanted to use up leftover bread before it went stale. 

The name comes from their habit of soaking stale bread in milk and then frying it on a griddle, which made it taste better than eating plain old dry toast.

What Goes with French Toast?

Classic French Toast Combinations

french toast strawberry whipped cream
French toast with strawberry and whipped cream. Credit: canva

If you are looking for something classic, here are some of our favorite combinations:

Butter and jam

This is a classic combination that is perfect for any occasion. 

Bacon and maple syrup

You can use your favorite maple syrup or corn syrup.

Bananas and honey

Sweet and simple combo for breakfast.

Pecans and caramel

Another classic pairing, this time with a bit of added sweetness.

Honey and powdered sugar

french toast powdered sugar
French toast powdered sugar. Credit: canva

This combination is delicious, but it can be a bit messy.

Strawberries and whipped cream

The perfect topping for any breakfast dish. Or you can also use fresh berries or any other fresh fruit.

Blueberries and honey

French toast with blueberry and honey. Credit: canva

A great way to add some color to your breakfast.

Orange zest and cinnamon sugar

Perfect for winter mornings.

Cinnamon, sugar, and maple syrup

Perfect for any breakfast or brunch dish.

Hazelnut spread

This nutty spread pairs perfectly.

Savory French Toast Combinations

french toast bacon eggs
French toast with bacon and eggs. Credit: canva

If you are looking for something savory, here are some of our favorite combinations:

Bacon and eggs

A hearty breakfast combo that will keep you going all morning long. The taste is so delicious, with the crispy salty bacon complemented by juicy runny egg yolk. 

Sausage and peppers or Tomato/Mozarella

This Italian-inspired combo is perfect for brunch.

Ham and cheese

Top each slice with deli-sliced ham, Swiss cheese, and 1 fried egg. 

Eggs Benedict on toast with hollandaise sauce

Eggs Benedict on toast with hollandaise sauce. Credit: Canva

You can’t go wrong with this classic dish.

Sausage, egg, and cheese

A great way to start your day off right.

Exotic French Toast Combinations

french toast filled banana chocolate
French toast filled with chocolate and bananas. Credit: canva

If you are looking for something a little more exotic, here are some of our favorite combinations:

Pineapple and ham

Chocolate and bananas

Put ripe banana slices, spread with whipped cream, and sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Pistachios and honey

This unique combination is perfect for those who want something a little different.

Almonds and apricots

Rice pudding with cinnamon and raisins

Mango chutney and cream cheese

A great way to start your day off right.

Peanut butter and jelly on toast

This is another classic combination that never gets old.

Pineapple and passionfruit syrup

This tropical combo is perfect for summer mornings.

Fig and berry compote

This unique topping is perfect for fall brunches.

Coconut, banana, and rum sauce

This sweet and tropical sauce is perfect for special occasions.

Cherry and almond compote

More Info

Why do they call it French toast?

It’s believed that the name comes from France, where it was popularized by cooks who wanted to make use of leftover bread. 

The term became more common in English after World War II because many people were stationed there during this time.

Is French toast French or American?

This is a dish that originated in France, but it has become popular all over the world. In the United States, it is one of the most popular breakfast items.

What types of bread are commonly used?

You can use any type of bread, but some types are better than others.

Bread that is denser and firmer works the best, as they hold up well to being soaked in the egg mixture. Some good examples of these are Brioche bread, French bread, or crusty artisan bread.

Slightly stale bread of choice (2-day-old-bread) is better as fresh bread tends to soak up the mixture too quickly, causing the bread to be soggy inside. 

What’s the difference between eggy bread and French toast?

Eggy bread is a British dish that is very similar to French toast. 

The main difference is that eggy bread is made with only eggs, while French toast also includes milk and/or cream.

What is the difference between toast and French toast?

Toast is a piece of bread that has been toasted until it’s crisp. 

French toast, on the other hand, is made from slices of stale or day-old bread that are soaked in an egg and milk mixture before being fried.

How to Make

Easy French Toast Recipe

This recipe is one of my most basic favorite recipes. It is easy and quick to make.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8-10 thick sliced white bread (white sandwich bread or challah bread or brioche)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup, warmed

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar and set aside briefly.
  2. In a 10-inch or 12-inch hot skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  3. Whisk together the batter: cinnamon mixture, eggs, milk, and vanilla, and pour into a shallow container such as a pie plate. Dip bread in egg mixture.
  4. Fry slices of bread until golden brown, then flip to cook the other side.
  5. Serve with syrup and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

This recipe works with many types of bread – white, whole wheat, cinnamon-raisin, bread rolls, and Italian or French bread. 

Other Delicious Recipes

When the mood strikes, try some of these recipes:

  • Almond-crusted
  • Bacon toast bake
  • Chocolate chip
  • Casserole
  • Eggs on toast
  • Cream cheese glaze
  • Fresh fruit topping and French vanilla ice cream

Tips

  • I prefer thick slices of bread, such as freshly baked or leftover homemade bread. It’s great (but not mandatory) if the bread is a day old or slightly moldy. Even consider using cinnamon toast, or brioche toast.
  • Any type of milk will do (even dairy-free), but the creamier the batter, the better. Whole milk is fantastic and you may even add a little splash of cream to enhance it.
  • The batter may be prepared 1-2 days in advance, depending on the freshness of your ingredients.
  • To freeze it, let it cool completely before wrapping it in freezer-safe paper or container for up to 3 months. Reheat on a skillet, in the toaster, or for a few seconds in the microwave.

FAQs

What sides go with French toast?

You can serve it with a side of bacon, sausage, powdered sugar, syrup, or fruit.

What meat goes well with French toast?

Bacon, sausage, or ham.

What should I eat with my toast?

You could also serve it as a side dish alongside bacon, sausage, butter, jam, and eggs.

Related Topics

Can I Use Half And Half Instead of Milk for French Toast?

Yes, you can use half and half instead of milk. The results will be a little richer and more indulgent, but it will still be delicious.

How Do You Make French Toast Not Soggy?

You can use stale bread and dip it in a mixture of egg and milk before cooking it.

You can also use heavier bread like brioche, which will hold up better than a light, fluffy loaf.

And finally, make sure to cook it slowly over low heat so that the inside is cooked through without turning the outside into a gooey mess.

Which Are Healthier Pancakes or French Toast?

Pancakes are generally healthier because they are lower in sugar and fat. However, it all depends on how you make them.

How Long Should You Soak French Toast?

You should soak it for about 5 minutes in the egg and milk mixture. This will help it absorb all of the flavors and prevent it from being too dry.

Can Bread Be Too Stale for French Toast?

Yes, bread can be too stale. If it is too hard, it will be difficult to slice and may not soak up the egg mixture properly. Stale bread is also more likely to fall apart when you cook it.

What Is French Toast Batter Made of?

The batter is made of eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract.

What Do the French Put on French Toast?

The French typically put sugar and cinnamon. However, you can also add fruit, jam, or chocolate spread.

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