Simple French Toast Recipe for One
This easy French Toast recipe for one, is not just incredibly easy; it’s also perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast. You can scale up the recipe if you want to share. The cinnamon bread adds a little extra depth to the flavor. This delicious breakfast is a classic recipe made with simple ingredients is sure to become your favorite french toast recipe.
More weekend breakfast favorites include fluffy short stack pancakes, apple dutch baby for one and my popular Mediterranean quiche for one.
Click the jump to recipe link above to go straight to the printable recipe card which includes ingredients, instructions and notes. Scroll through the post for helpful tips and step by step instructions with photos.
For more breakfast favorites, try my classic pancakes for one or a delightful dutch baby pancake made in a cast-iron skillet.
This is a quick french toast is dipped and skillet-fried with a soft center and crisp edges. For a change use a cinnamon swirl, french bread, or brioche bread.
Ingredients Notes
- Egg: The egg holds everything together, adds richness to the batter, and provides that nice crunchy outside layer. You can also mix the batter with egg whites; it’s not as velvety a flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: For flavor, use as much or little for your personal taste. You can add some cinnamon if the cinnamon flavor in the bread isn’t enough for you.
- Milk: I’ve used whole, nonfat, or low-fat milk can also be used in this french toast recipe. For an extra creamy custard mixture, use whole milk or heavy cream. For extra richness whisk in a little softened cream cheese.
- Sugar: I’ added sugar for a little sweetness, but if preferred, you can leave the sugar out altogether.
- Bread: You can make this recipe with any bread you have in the kitchen. I think the best bread is sourdough or cinnamon, but generally, don’t use wheat bread. Thick slices of bread starting to go a little stale is perfect for this recipe. Soaking bread brings it back to life.
- This cinnamon breakfast bread recipe also makes a great classic French toast recipe.
- A pinch of ground cinnamon adds a little extra flavor depth.
How to Make French Toast for One
Just a few easy steps for the best french toast recipe!
Step One: Preheat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk together the egg, milk, sugar, and vanilla in a shallow bowl until well combined.
Step Two: Dip the bread into the egg batter and thoroughly coat both sides.
Step Three: Lower the heat to medium. Add the coated bread to the hot pan and fry for about 3 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the bread and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes. The outer layer and crust will have a slightly crispy texture, and the inside will be soft and creamy.
Step Four: Serve homemade french toast topped with fresh berries, and diced apples, dusted with powdered sugar, or drizzled with pure maple syrup.
Enjoy your perfect french toast
Cooks Tips
- Use day old stale bread to avoid an overly soggy French toast. Leave the bread out overnight, or if it’s a last-minute breakfast decision, toast it lightly, just enough to dry it out. For extra crispy french toast, lightly toast the bread before soaking it in the egg batter. This recipe is also amazingly made with a thick-cut Brioche or egg bread.
- Soaking bread in the egg mixture long enough for some of it to soak into the middle of the bread will result in a delicious front toast!
- The recipe can be scaled up for a potluck and is freezer friendly.
How to get a crispy french toast
You get the best result using a cast-iron skillet. Lightly coat the pan with cooking oil and heat the pan before adding the eggy bread. The pan oil needs to be hot to get that nice crispy outside. After heating the pan, the heat should be lowered to medium when cooking the french toast.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve topped with fresh fruit and powdered sugar;
- or drizzled with pure maple syrup;
- for a heartier breakfast, fry up a few slices of bacon and crumble them on top before serving.
- Transform a basic french toast recipe by adding in little extras to the batter, like, pumpkin spice or cinnamon sugar.
How to store leftovers
French toast can be stored in the fridge or freezer and reheated for a delicious french toast treat. To store in the fridge, place a single layer on a plate or in a container with a lid. Cover and refrigerate for up to three days.
When ready to enjoy, reheat in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop.
French toast can also be frozen for longer storage. Place leftover French toast on a baking sheet lined with wax paper and freeze for about an hour. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag or container and store for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as desired. Enjoy!
Making French Toast: Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, heat the oven to 350° F and place coated bread slices in a small baking dish. Bake for about 35-40 minutes until browned and slightly crispy edges.
One reason could be the bread is too thin French toast is best made with thicker slices of bread that will hold up to the egg and milk mixture. Another possibility is that the egg mixture isn’t cooked long enough. It should be cooked over medium heat until it forms a thick custard. Finally, make sure to preheat your skillet before adding the French toast. This will help to ensure that the bread cooks evenly on both sides.
While it is often served with syrup, french toast can also be topped with fruit, powdered sugar, jam, or even savory toppings like bacon or sausage, or add a scrambled egg.
French Toast for One
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 slices Cinnamon Bread
- 2 tablespoons fresh raspberries or diced apples
Instructions
- Preheat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. In a 1 shallow bowl whisk together the egg, milk, sugar, and vanilla until well combined.
- Dip the bread into the egg batter and thoroughly coat both sides.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add the coated bread to the heated skillet and fry for about 3 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the bread and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes. The outer layer and crust will have a slightly crispy texture and the inside will be soft and creamy.
- Serve topped with fresh berries, diced apples, and powdered sugar or drizzled with maple syrup.
Notes
- Use stale bread to avoid an overly soggy French toast. Leave the bread out overnight or if it’s a last-minute breakfast decision, toast the bread lightly, just enough to dry it out a bit. This recipe is also amazing made with a thick-cut Brioche bread.
- The custard base is vital for French toast. A mixture of eggs, whole milk (or cream for extra richness), a touch of sugar, and vanilla extract make for a classic taste. Some people also like to add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Make sure to soak the bread slices in the egg mixture thoroughly. You want the mixture to penetrate into the bread but not make it overly soggy. If your bread is very dense, you might need to let it soak for a few minutes longer.
- Cook your French toast on medium heat. If the heat is too high, the exterior can burn before the inside is properly cooked.
- Butter adds a beautiful flavor to the French toast and helps it get a nice golden-brown crust. If you’re worried about the butter burning, you can use a combination of butter and a neutral oil, like canola.
- The egg mixture within the bread needs to cook thoroughly. Undercooked French toast can be soggy in the middle. Press lightly on the center of the toast with your spatula; if it springs back, it’s done.
- French toast is best served immediately while it’s still warm and crispy. Classic toppings include powdered sugar, maple syrup, fresh fruits, or a dollop of whipped cream.