Sure, you’ve likely had homemade French toast before, but have you tried it with sourdough bread? If not, you’re in for a flavor upgrade! Sourdough offers a denser, chewier texture than regular white or brioche bread. Plus, its distinct tanginess perfectly complements the sweetness of syrup and your favorite toppings. Trust us, you’re in for a real treat!

Use our favorite Homemade Sourdough Bread for this recipe and even try our Homemade Blueberry Syrup as the perfect topping!

Why Our Recipe

  • Uses thick-sliced bread for the perfect texture with the classic tang of sourdough.
  • Includes flour in the batter for the perfect crispy outside coating for your custard-like interior.
  • Makes a big batchโ€”perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing for later.

An overhead view of a plate of sourdough French toast with fresh berry jam on top.

I like to think there’s a bit of science involved in making the perfect plate of French Toast. You aim for that irresistible combination of a crunchy, golden exterior with a soft, pillowy interior. Lucky for you, I believe we’ve perfected the Homemade French Toast, with sourdough bread as the star of the show.

Ingredient Notes

  • Milk: Regular milk works great, but you can also use almond, oat, or soy milk.
  • Eggs: Large, grade AA eggs are best,
  • Brown Sugar: Either light or dark brown sugar will work here.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour is recommended for the best results. You can also use bread flour.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Essential for that perfect spiced flavor, so don’t skip it!
  • Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract is preferred for the best flavor, but imitation vanilla is a fine substitute.
  • Salt: Regular table salt does the job just fine.
  • Sourdough Bread: Homemade or store-bought, your choice!

Sourdough Bread Options

Not all sourdough is created equal, and the kind you use can change the texture and flavor of your French toast. A rustic, artisan-style sourdough loaf works best. Look for a loaf that’s about medium densityโ€”not too soft and not too tough. You want it sturdy enough to soak up the custard without falling apart.

If your sourdough has a super thick crust, feel free to trim it slightly to avoid an overly chewy edge. Day-old sourdough is actually ideal for this recipe because it’s a little drier and absorbs the custard better.

Pre-sliced sourdough from the sandwich bread aisle can also be used, but it will be a lot softer and if it’s thin, you’ll have to work more quickly when soaking so that the bread doesn’t turn to mush and fall apart.

Why We Add Flour

The secret to that perfect French toast texture? A bit of all-purpose flour in the batter is our secret to the perfect texture. It might sound unusual, but adding flour gives the outside of the toast just enough structure to crisp up beautifully when cooked. It creates a light coating that turns golden brown on the griddle while sealing in the creamy, custard-soaked interior.

An overhead close up view of sourdough French toast with fresh jam on top.

Serving Suggestions

Sourdough French Toast is one of those recipes thatโ€™s just begging to be piled high with toppings. We love adding fresh berriesโ€”blueberries, strawberries, raspberriesโ€”you name it. They give a pop of freshness that cuts through the richness in the best way.

Want it a little sweeter? Go for classic maple syrup or even a drizzle of honey. A scoop of whipped cream (or Cool Whip if thatโ€™s what youโ€™ve got) adds a creamy touch, and donโ€™t forget a light dusting of powdered sugar to finish things off.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freeze leftover portions after cooling completely on a wire rack. Transfer the bread to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. You can stack the French toast with parchment paper in between each layer. Once frozen solid, shift them to a resealable plastic freezer bag for long-term storage.

Reheat portions in the microwave for about 1 minute per slice or toast them on a griddle or in a frying pan for a crispier exterior.

More delicious French Toast recipes…