Sourdough French toast is simply classic French toast made with tangy sourdough bread, whose sturdy crumb and natural acidity soak up custard without going mushy. This roundup gathers 20 of the best sourdough French toast recipes, from quick weekday slices to make ahead casseroles and sweet breakfast bakes. Whether you have a fresh loaf or a jar of discard, there is a golden, custardy idea here for every morning.
How to Make the Best Sourdough French Toast
To make the best sourdough French toast, use thick slices of day old sourdough, soak them in a custard of eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon, then cook on a buttered griddle over medium heat until golden on both sides. Slightly stale bread is key, since it absorbs the custard while keeping its structure. Do not rush the soak; give each slice enough time to drink in the liquid without falling apart. Finish with butter, warm maple syrup, and fresh fruit, and serve right away while the edges are still crisp.
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Classic Sourdough French Toast Recipes
Start with these classic sourdough French toast recipes that let the tangy bread and a simple custard shine.
Sourdough Breakfast French Toast
This traditional sourdough French toast keeps things simple: thick slices dipped in a lightly sweetened egg and milk custard, then pan fried until golden. It is the unfussy Sunday breakfast the whole family will happily gather around. Tip: use bread that is a day or two old so it soaks up the custard without falling apart.
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Sourdough French Toast with Fresh Fruit
Crisp on the outside and custardy within, this sourdough French toast is finished with a pile of fresh berries and a drizzle of syrup. It works equally well for a slow breakfast, a weekend brunch, or a light dessert. Tip: warm your syrup and plates before serving so the toast stays hot right through the last bite.
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Sourdough French Toast From Scratch
This from scratch guide walks you through baking your own sourdough loaf and then turning it into golden French toast, so you control every step from starter to skillet. It is perfect for weekends when you want a proper baking project. Tip: bake the loaf a day ahead, since slightly stale sourdough holds the custard far better than fresh bread.
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Sourdough Discard French Toast
Here is a clever way to use up sourdough: cook the custard dipped slices on a hot griddle until deeply golden and lightly crisp at the edges. It comes together quickly on a busy morning with pantry basics. Tip: keep the griddle at medium heat so the outside caramelizes gently while the inside sets rather than scorching.
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Vegan French Toast
No eggs? No problem. This vegan French toast swaps the classic custard for a silky plant based batter that still soaks into sourdough beautifully and fries up golden and satisfying. It proves French toast belongs on every table. Tip: whisk a spoonful of chickpea flour or cornstarch into the batter so it clings to the bread and browns evenly.
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Sweet and Spiced Sourdough French Toast
Turn up the flavor with spiced, seasonal, and coffee kissed takes on sourdough French toast.
Ultimate Cinnamon Sourdough French Toast
Picture thick slices of sourdough drenched in a warm cinnamon custard, then griddled and served with butter and maple syrup. This ultimate version leans into cozy, bakery style flavor from the very first forkful. Tip: add a splash of vanilla and a pinch of nutmeg to the custard for that extra layer of warm spice.
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Pumpkin Spice Sourdough French Toast
Made with pumpkin pie spice and served with fresh fruit and syrup, this seasonal sourdough French toast tastes like autumn on a plate. It is also a smart way to rescue bread that is past its prime. Tip: stir a spoonful of real pumpkin puree into the custard for extra moisture and a deeper fall flavor.
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Coffee Sourdough French Toast
For coffee lovers, this inventive sourdough French toast folds coffee grinds and coconut sugar into the custard for a gently mocha edged morning treat. It is a fun twist that still tastes comforting and familiar. Tip: use finely ground coffee and a light hand so the flavor stays smooth instead of turning bitter.
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Sourdough French Toast Bakes and Casseroles
When you are feeding a crowd, these custard soaked bakes and casseroles do the work for you.
Sourdough French Toast Casserole
When you want French toast for a crowd, this sourdough casserole is the answer: cubed bread soaked in custard, then baked until puffed and golden. One pan feeds the whole family with almost no standing at the stove. Tip: assemble it the night before and refrigerate, so the bread soaks fully and you just bake in the morning.
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Easy French Toast Casserole
This easy French toast casserole layers bread and a sweet vanilla custard into a single baking dish for a hands off holiday breakfast. It delivers all the flavor of classic French toast without flipping a single slice. Tip: scatter a brown sugar and cinnamon crumble over the top before baking for a crunchy, caramelized finish.
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Vegan Bread Pudding (Kirschenmichel)
A close cousin of French toast, this vegan bread pudding soaks torn sourdough in a spiced, fruit studded custard, then bakes it into a warm, comforting slice. Kirschenmichel is the cozy German answer to leftover bread. Tip: use bread that has dried out for a day so it drinks up the custard and holds its shape after baking.
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Breakfast Strata (Egg Strata)
If you lean savory, this breakfast strata soaks bread in a seasoned egg custard with veggies and cheese, then bakes into a sliceable brunch centerpiece. Think of it as French toast casserole gone savory. Tip: let the assembled strata rest in the fridge overnight so every cube absorbs the custard evenly before it goes in the oven.
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Cinnamon Roll Casserole
This cinnamon roll casserole turns pillowy rolls into a gooey, custard soaked breakfast bake that fills the kitchen with warm cinnamon aroma. It is indulgent, shareable, and ready with very little effort. Tip: drizzle the icing on while the casserole is still warm so it melts into every swirl instead of sitting on top.
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More Sweet Breakfast Bakes for Sourdough Lovers
Round out your brunch with more sweet breakfast bakes that sourdough lovers will happily devour.
Vegan Cinnamon Bread
Swirled with cinnamon sugar, this vegan cinnamon bread is delicious on its own and even better transformed into French toast the next day. Baking your own loaf gives you sturdy, flavorful slices made for soaking. Tip: cut the loaf a little thick and let the slices sit out briefly so they firm up before dipping into custard.
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Shibuya Toast
This Japanese honey toast piles cubes of buttery, caramelized bread into a sweet, shareable tower topped with ice cream and syrup. It is a playful, dessert leaning take on the sweet toast idea. Tip: toast the bread cubes until the edges crisp, then add the toppings just before serving so nothing turns soggy.
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Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Soft, fluffy, and generously spiced, these vegan cinnamon rolls are a weekend baking treat that pairs perfectly with a French toast spread. The tender dough and gooey center make them impossible to resist. Tip: proof the shaped rolls in a slightly warm oven so they rise faster and bake up especially soft.
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Best Sweet Breakfast
If you cannot decide what to make, this sweet breakfast recipe is a reliable crowd pleaser built for lazy weekend mornings. It rounds out any French toast brunch with something warm and satisfying. Tip: prep the dry ingredients the night before so you can pull the whole thing together in minutes when everyone is hungry.
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Cinnamon Pancakes
Fluffy and fragrant with warm cinnamon, these pancakes bring the same cozy spice as French toast in a stackable form. They are a natural companion on a brunch table full of sourdough. Tip: let the batter rest for ten minutes before cooking so the pancakes turn out taller and more tender.
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Vegan Banana Pancakes
Naturally sweet and eggless, these vegan banana pancakes use ripe bananas for moisture and flavor, making them a wholesome partner to a French toast breakfast. They cook up soft, golden, and lightly caramelized. Tip: use spotty, very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and a fluffier texture.
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Perfect Vegan Banana Bread
Moist, tender, and packed with banana flavor, this vegan banana bread is a keeper on its own and makes surprisingly good French toast when sliced and griddled. It is a delicious way to use up overripe bananas. Tip: let the loaf cool completely before slicing so the pieces hold together when you dip them in custard.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What bread is best for sourdough French toast? A sturdy, day old sourdough loaf works best, because its firm crumb and natural tang hold up to soaking. Slightly stale slices absorb the custard without turning to mush, giving you crisp edges and a soft, custardy center.
Can I use sourdough discard for French toast? Yes. While classic French toast uses baked sourdough bread, many cooks also make discard based batters and pancakes with leftover starter. For French toast itself, simply slice a discard loaf and dip it in your usual egg custard.
Should sourdough be stale before making French toast? Ideally, yes. Bread that is one or two days old soaks up the egg and milk mixture better than fresh bread, which can get soggy. If your loaf is fresh, leave the slices out for an hour or lightly toast them first.
How do you keep French toast from getting soggy? Use thick, slightly stale slices, do not oversoak them, and cook on a medium heat griddle so the custard sets while the outside browns. Serving the toast right away, rather than stacking it under foil, also keeps the edges crisp.
Can I make sourdough French toast ahead of time? Absolutely. A sourdough French toast casserole can be assembled the night before and baked in the morning. Cooked slices also freeze well; reheat them in a toaster or oven to bring back the crisp exterior.
Why use sourdough for French toast? Sourdough brings a subtle tang and a chewy, sturdy crumb that balances the sweet custard and holds its shape during soaking. Its firm texture means you get French toast with crisp edges and a rich, custardy middle rather than a soft, flimsy slice.
