Cheesy, smoky, savory breakfast or brunch recipe. A perfect breakfast and brunch option when when you don’t want a sweet breakfast and a boiled egg is just not cutting it anymore! A twist on the classic sweet French toast. For the first 15 years of life, I didn’t know that French toast is usually sweet. My mom always made the savory version of it with chilies and cilantro, served with ketchup. I have two more French toast recipes on the website - brioche French toast casserole and sourdough French toast. But if salty breakfasts is your jam, we have also been obsessing over burrata hot honey toast lately. You must try it!
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you need to make this savory French toast recipe. See the recipe card for quantities. Bread - You can use any kind of bread that you have on hand. Brioche and milk breads cannot be soaked for long. Sour dough and French bread works very well but needs a minimum 10 minute soak. The first three ingredients -bread ,egg & milk are the basic French toast ingredients. You can switch up the rest to make endless variations. Cheese - I have used parmesan cheese but you can choose to skip this. Herbs - Fresh herbs are nice but dried herbs work very well too. You can use Italian seasoning or mixed herbs too. Butter - You can use oil or butter. I like to top my French toast with some homemade roasted garlic compound butter. It’s a flavor bomb! Garlic Powder - Love using garlic powder in recipes. It’s such a convenient pantry ingredient that adds instant garlic flavor. Smoked paprika - I love the smokiness this adds. You can use regular ground chili or black pepper.
How to make Savory French Toast
The recipe is quite simple. You can add flavors and switch it up as per your taste.
Step 1: Make the custard & soak the bread
Use a flat dish so you can soak the bread in a single layer without folding it. If you are cooking for more than one person, use a baking sheet. Whisk together egg, milk, salt, chili, parmesan cheese and herbs. Soak the bread in the spicy egg mixture. Flip the bread midway. Sourdough bread will need at least 5 minutes on each side. Softer white flour breads will need lesser, barely 20 seconds per side.
Step 2: Cook the French toast
Heat a well seasoned cast iron or a nonstick pan on medium heat. Add a teaspoon of butter and swirl it around. Place the soaked bread and cook till it turns golden brown. Flip and repeat on the other side.
Variations
We love making all kinds of homemade French toasts. Christmas special- overnight baked brioche French toast casserole. It’s perfect when you have to feed a crowd! Another holiday favorite it making nutella babka bread. High Protein French Toast- Use three egg whites instead of 1 whole egg. Sourdough French toast- Sweet ,outrageously delicious French toast made with leftover sour dough bread.
Toppings for Savory French toast
I have made a garlicky eggy bread with parmesan cheese, served with homemade garlic herb butter and hot honey sauce. You can change it up and make it yours. Serve with a salad or roasted cherry tomatoes or garlicky mushrooms. Or serve with crispy bacon or baked beans. A fried egg will also be amazing on it. Here are more breakfast recipes and ideas for you. And if sweet breakfasts are your jam, try my Nutella banana crepes. They are amazing!
