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This French toast for one is ready in just 15 minutes, giving you buttery, crisp edges and a soft, fluffy center. Made with simple ingredients, this quick and easy recipe is ideal when you want a delicious homemade meal without leftovers!

A plate of three slices of french toast dusted with powdered sugar being drizzled with maple syrup.

Looking for breakfast recipes made just for one or two? Try our fluffy pancakes, golden-brown waffle, savory breakfast casserole, or flavorful Morning Glory Muffins. Each recipe is perfectly portioned for smaller servings.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple: Made with basic pantry ingredients you likely already have on hand.
  • Quick: From start to finish, it’s ready in just 15 minutes.
  • Customizable: Top it with fruits, nuts, or your favorite syrups to make it your own.
  • Easy to Scale: Whether you’re making French toast for one or French toast for two, this recipe doubles easily—just increase the ingredients and cook in batches if needed.
two slices of french toast on a white plate topped with powdered sugar.

French Toast is simply bread dipped in a mixture of milk and eggs, then pan-fried to golden perfection. While it’s a popular breakfast in the U.S., you’ll find versions of it all over the world—called “eggy bread” in England, “pain perdu” in France, “fattiga riddare” in Sweden, and “arme ritter” in Germany. This easy French Toast recipe is created just for one, making it ideal when you want a warm, satisfying breakfast without leftovers. Made with a few basic ingredients and ready in minutes, it’s a delicious way to start your day.

RELATED: 20 Breakfast Recipes That Are Worth Waking Up To

Four slices of white bread on a plate next to a tray of a dozen eggs and a red cloth napkin all on a metal tray.
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Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serve French Toast recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.

  • Butter: Prevents the bread from sticking to the pan and adds flavor.
  • Egg: Helps the mixture set as it cooks, giving the French toast a perfect texture.
  • Vanilla and cinnamon: Add warmth and sweetness to the dish.
  • Milk: Use any milk you prefer—whole, skim, 2%, or even plant-based options like soy, almond, or coconut milk.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar adds a touch of sweetness, but feel free to use a sugar substitute or leave it out if you prefer.
  • Bread: Use whatever bread you have on hand—sourdough, cinnamon-raisin, white, or wheat. This french toast recipe is also great for stale bread, which soaks up the milk mixture beautifully.
A slice of white bread soaking in milk before making french toast on a metal tray with a tray of a dozen eggs and a red cloth napkin.

Recipe Variations

  • Pumpkin Spice French Toast: Mix a spoonful of pumpkin purée and a dash of pumpkin spice into the egg mixture. The warm spices complement the rich pumpkin flavor.
  • Mocha French Toast: Stir in 1/8 teaspoon instant coffee and 1/4 teaspoon cocoa powder for a subtle mocha flavor. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar for a hint of sweetness.
  • Savory Herb and Cheese French Toast: Add grated cheese and finely chopped herbs like chives or parsley for a savory option.
  • Gingerbread French Toast: Blend in a touch of molasses, ground ginger, and nutmeg for a gingerbread-inspired flavor—great for the holiday season!

How To Make French Toast For One

These photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make a single serving of French toast. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

milk, egg, and spices mixed together in a bowl.
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Add the vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon, and whisk until everything is well blended.
bread soaking in milk and eggs in a bowl.
  1. Dip each slice of bread in the egg mixture, flipping to ensure both sides are fully coated.
two slices of french toast cooking in a skillet.
  1. Melt the butter in a medium skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the coated bread slices in the skillet and cook until golden brown on one side, then flip and cook the other side until golden.
two slices of french toast on a plate topped with butter and syrup.
  1. Serve warm with syrup.

RELATED: Comfort Food Recipes

Expert Tips

  • Whisk the Custard Well: Lightly whisk the egg before adding the milk and spices to create a smooth mixture.
  • Let the Bread Soak: Allow the bread to sit in the custard for at least 30 seconds. Thicker slices may need more time to fully absorb the mixture.
  • Preheat the Skillet: Heat the skillet or griddle over medium while the bread soaks. This ensures even cooking without burning the outside.
  • Make a Casserole Version: For a baked twist, use croissants or leftover pastries, layer them in a small dish, pour the custard over, and bake for a single serving French toast casserole.
Two french toast slices dusted with powdered sugar on a metal tray with a stick of butter, a bowl of watermelon slices, and a metal container of maple syrup.

Best Toppings And Pairings

  • Fresh Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries add natural sweetness and a burst of color.
  • Pecans and Homemade Syrup: Sprinkle with chopped pecans and drizzle with homemade pancake syrup.
  • Whipped Cream and Chocolate Chips: A dollop of whipped cream with mini chocolate chips turns French toast into a treat.
  • Caramelized Bananas: Sauté banana slices with a little butter and brown sugar for a warm, caramelized banana topping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any type of bread for French toast?

Yes, but thicker, sturdy bread like brioche, challah, or Texas toast works best since it absorbs the custard without falling apart.

How do I keep my French toast from getting soggy?

Let the bread soak just long enough to absorb the custard without becoming overly saturated. Also, cook over medium heat to allow the inside to cook through without burning the outside.

What’s the best way to reheat French toast?

Reheat in a toaster oven or skillet over medium heat to crisp it back up. Avoid microwaving, as it can make it soggy.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely! To make French toast for two, double the ingredients.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

If you’ve tried this small batch french toast recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!

Cooking For One Made Easy
Because you’re worth it

French Toast For One

4.89 from 71 votes
By: Joanie Zisk
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
french toast slices with syrup poured on top.
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Make crispy, buttery French toast for one in 15 minutes! Crisp edges, a soft, fluffy center—the perfect quick, single serving breakfast.

Watch How To Make This

Equipment

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup milk (use whole, skim, soy, almond, or coconut)
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon sugar
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 slices bread
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
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Instructions 

  • Whisk together the egg and milk in a medium-sized bowl. Add the vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon and whisk until well incorporated.
  • Place bread slices, one or two at a time, into the egg mixture and flip to make sure both sides of bread are well-coated.
  • Melt the butter in a medium-sized skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place one of both slices of the bread into the skillet and cook slices until golden brown, then flip to cook the other side. Serve with syrup.

Notes

  • Whisk the Custard Well: Lightly whisk the egg before adding the milk and spices to create a smooth mixture. For extra flavor, try a pinch of nutmeg or a bit of citrus zest.
  • Let the Bread Soak: Allow the bread to sit in the custard for at least 30 seconds. Thicker slices may need more time to fully absorb the mixture.
  • Preheat the Skillet: Heat the skillet or griddle over medium while the bread soaks. This ensures even cooking without burning the outside.
  • Make a Casserole Version: For a baked twist, use croissants or leftover pastries, layer them in a small dish, pour the custard over, and bake for a single serving French toast casserole.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 330kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 196mg, Sodium: 484mg, Potassium: 353mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 840IU, Calcium: 251mg, Iron: 2.7mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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I’m Joanie, chef, author of The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook, and creator of One Dish Kitchen. With 10+ years of experience developing single serving and small batch recipes, I’m passionate about making cooking for one simple and enjoyable. So glad you’re here!

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4.89 from 71 votes (34 ratings without comment)

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58 Comments

  1. Natalia says:

    It’s perfect. I am on a low fat diet due to surgery and I was able to enjoy this wonderful flavorful French toast using 1% milk and cooking on low heat on my nonstick skillet without butter or oils. It came out toasty and fluffy custardy in the middle. Then covered with maple syrup and berries and it was wonderful! I was looking for a recipe that would waste too much products since I am only cooking for one (me)! Saving this 🙂 thank you!

    Reply
  2. Lisa says:

    Fantastic with your homemade pancake syrup! I completely dried out my bread slices the day before so they’d soak up as much custard as possible. Next time, I may try replacing the egg with two yolks — see if I can make the interior custard even creamier.

    Thanks Joanie!

    Reply
    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      Thank you so much for your feedback! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the casserole with the homemade pancake syrup—it’s truly a delicious combination! I’d love to hear how it turns out with two yolks if you give that a try.

      Reply
  3. Linda says:

    Quick, easy,delicious

    Reply
  4. Karen says:

    I loved this recipe because the vanilla and cinnamon elevated it beyond the norm. Perfect portion, too. I made it with 15 grain bread which is what I had on hand. It was delicious and was fun to treat myself to a special breakfast.

    Reply
  5. Lucille says:

    I added powdered sugar instead of syrup and it was HEAVEN

    Reply
  6. Mo says:

    Way too much milk/egg, so imo it didn’t cook up well. Flavor was fine. Next time I’ll put half the amount of milk and add more vanilla and cinnamon, then it will be perfect.

    Reply