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Searching for the ideal breakfast? Look no further than this easy single serving French Toast recipe. In just 15 minutes, you’ll be indulging in French toast with buttery crisp edges and a soft, fluffy center. It’s the perfect quick fix for busy mornings or anytime you crave a dish that’s both comforting and delicious.

Are you searching for delightful breakfast recipes perfect for one or two people? Our collection includes a fluffy short stack of pancakes, a golden-brown single waffle, a savory breakfast casserole, and moist, flavorful Morning Glory Muffins. Each of these dishes is tailored for smaller servings without sacrificing taste or quality.

Why You’ll Love This Easy French Toast Recipe

  • Simple: All you need are basic pantry items, and you’re set.
  • Quick: Ready in just 15 minutes.
  • Customizable: Add fruits, nuts, or syrups to make it your own.
  • Scalable: Love it so much? The recipe doubles effortlessly for two.

What Is French Toast?

Wondering what exactly is French Toast? Essentially, it’s bread slices soaked in a milk-and-egg mixture, then pan-fried to perfection. Though popular in the U.S., variations of this dish exist globally: it’s known as “eggy bread” in England, “pain perdu” in France, “fattiga riddare” in Sweden, and “arme ritter” in Germany. This Easy French Toast Recipe I’m sharing is a straightforward one, requiring just a handful of common ingredients. You can whip it up in minutes for a scrumptious meal.

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.

Ingredients

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

  • Butter: The butter helps to keep the bread from sticking to the pan.
  • Egg: The proteins in the egg solidify as they heat which firms up the liquids in the bread.
  • Vanilla and cinnamon: These are your flavor boosters.
  • Milk: This recipe is flexible with milk choices; you can use whole, skim, 2%, or even plant-based options like soy, almond, or coconut milk.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar is my go-to, but you can swap it for a sugar substitute or omit it altogether.
  • Bread: The bread choice is flexible too! From sourdough to cinnamon-raisin or even plain white or wheat bread, anything works. This recipe is also great for using up stale bread, as the milk mixture rejuvenates it.

This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.

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.
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How To Make French Toast

Creating French Toast is a breeze, just follow these straightforward steps:

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together your egg, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Dip each slice of bread into the mixture, making sure both sides are thoroughly coated.
  2. Heat butter in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add the coated bread slices and cook until each side turns a golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.

Serve immediately with extra butter and syrup.

RELATED: Comfort Food Recipes

A stack of two french toast slices on a plate next to a stick of butter and a bowl of watermelon slices all on a metal tray.

Recipe Variations

  1. Pumpkin Spice French Toast: Incorporate a dash of pumpkin spice into your egg mixture and add a spoonful of pumpkin puree for a seasonal twist. This variation brings the cozy flavors of fall to your breakfast table, with the warming spices complementing the richness of the pumpkin.
  2. Mocha French Toast: Mix 1/8 teaspoon of instant coffee and a 1/4 teaspoon of cocoa powder into your egg mixture. This will give your French toast a subtle mocha flavor, perfect for coffee and chocolate lovers. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar for a sweet finish.
  3. Savory Herb and Cheese French Toast: For a savory version, mix grated cheese and finely chopped herbs like chives or parsley into the egg mixture. This savory French toast is ideal for those who prefer a less sweet breakfast, offering a cheesy, herby flavor profile.
  4. Gingerbread French Toast: Add molasses, ground ginger, and a hint of nutmeg to your egg mixture to mimic the flavors of gingerbread. This variation is especially delightful during the holiday season, offering a unique and festive twist to your morning meal.

Expert Tips

  • Quality Custard: The foundation of exceptional French toast starts with the custard. Begin by lightly whisking the egg before mixing in the milk and spices. You can also experiment with adding unique flavors, like ground nutmeg or a hint of citrus zest.
  • Soak Time: Make sure to let your bread fully absorb the custard. A minimum of 30 seconds is good, but consider extending this time for thicker slices of bread. This ensures a consistent, rich flavor throughout the toast.
  • Preheat Skillet or Griddle: While your bread is soaking, get that skillet or griddle hot. Maintaining a medium heat is key for cooking the French toast evenly, avoiding a burnt exterior and undercooked interior.
  • Alternative Cooking Method: If you’re in the mood for something different, try a single serving French toast casserole. This is an excellent way to repurpose leftover croissants or pastries. Simply layer them in a small baking dish, pour over your custard mixture, and bake.

Serving Suggestions

Ready to elevate your French toast experience? With the right toppings and sides, you can transform this classic dish into a gourmet meal. Here are some scrumptious ideas:

  • Fresh Berries: Pile on a mixture of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. These fruits add a vibrant splash of color and a burst of natural sweetness.
  • Maple Syrup and Pecans: For a taste of the forest, drizzle real maple syrup and sprinkle crushed pecans on top. The nutty crunch complements the toast’s soft texture.
  • Whipped Cream and Chocolate Chips: Take your French toast into dessert territory with a dollop of whipped cream and a scattering of mini chocolate chips.
  • Yogurt and Honey: For a healthier touch, spoon some Greek yogurt over your toast and drizzle with raw honey. This pairing brings a creamy tang and floral sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size pan should I use to make French toast?

For this recipe for one, I use a 10-inch skillet. For best results, use a pan of similar size.
More information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one” is available on our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

Can I make dairy-free French toast?

Yes, almond or oat milk are great substitutes.

Can I use gluten-free bread to make French toast?

Absolutely, just make sure it’s sturdy.

Must-Try Single Serving Breakfast Ideas

For other single serving breakfast delights, don’t miss out on these quick and easy recipes:

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.

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 french toast 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!


Your Cooking For One Source
Because you’re worth it

Easy French Toast For One

4.96 from 64 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Enjoy a quick & customizable breakfast delight with our easy single-serving French toast recipe, ready in 15 minutes. Top it with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients 
 

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

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. 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.

Video

Notes

Expert Tips
  • Quality Custard: The foundation of exceptional French toast starts with the custard. Begin by lightly whisking the egg before mixing in the milk and spices. You can also experiment with adding unique flavors, like ground nutmeg or a hint of citrus zest.
  • Soak Time: Make sure to let your bread fully absorb the custard. A minimum of 30 seconds is good, but consider extending this time for thicker slices of bread. This ensures a consistent, rich flavor throughout the toast.
  • Preheat Skillet or Griddle: While your bread is soaking, get that skillet or griddle hot. Maintaining a medium heat is key for cooking the French toast evenly, avoiding a burnt exterior and undercooked interior.
  • Alternative Cooking Method: If you’re in the mood for something different, try a single serving French toast casserole. This is an excellent way to repurpose leftover croissants or pastries. Simply layer them in a small baking dish, pour over your custard mixture, and bake.

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 and I’m incredibly happy you’re here! Our aim is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes, education, and a supportive community that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul.

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51 Comments

  1. A question: so you don’t flip the bread in the custard? Just let it absorb from one side, is that correct?

  2. Very satisfied with this recipe. Makes 3 French toast breads. Perfect. I didn’t have any leftover batter to throw away, which I was looking for. I
    added extra vanilla and cinnamon because they are my favorites.

  3. Sometimes you just gotta treat yourself to French toast! I use this recipe a couple times a year and it always comes out perfect. Makes the exact amount of custard for four slices of bread. Eating this now with extra cinnamon, a little nutmeg, turmeric, and strawberries with maple syrup.

  4. This was delicious! I used pre-mixed cinnamon sugar and a cast iron pan. The recipe made 4 pieces of French Toast.