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This French toast for one is ready in just 15 minutes, with buttery, crisp edges and a soft, fluffy center. Made with simple ingredients, this easy single serving French toast recipe is the perfect breakfast—just the right amount with no leftovers!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Made with pantry staples and ready in 15 minutes.
- Perfectly Portioned: Just enough for one, with no waste.
- Customizable: Top with fruit, nuts, syrup, or your favorite add-ins.
- Easily Doubled: Want to make French toast for two? Simply increase the ingredients.
French toast has always been one of my favorite breakfasts—simple, comforting, and just a little indulgent. I love how crisp, golden edges contrast with the soft, custardy center, creating a truly satisfying bite. While known as pain perdu in France and eggy bread in England, to me, it’s the perfect way to start the day.
This single serving version is just enough for one, whether you enjoy it with powdered sugar, syrup, or fresh fruit. It always feels like a treat, and I hope you love it as much as I do!
Looking for breakfast recipes for one or two? Try pancakes, waffle, breakfast casserole, or morning glory muffins—all perfectly portioned for smaller servings.
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.
RELATED: 20 Breakfast Recipes That Are Worth Waking Up To
Recipe Variations
Try any of these French toast variations:
- Pumpkin Spice: 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 Variation: 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.
- Herb and Cheese: Add grated cheese and finely chopped herbs like chives or parsley for a savory option.
- Gingerbread Version: 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 step-by-step photos show how to make single serving French toast. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Add the vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon, and whisk until everything is well blended.
- Dip each slice of bread in the egg mixture, flipping to ensure both sides are fully coated.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Yes, but thicker, sturdy bread like brioche, challah, or Texas toast works best since it absorbs the custard without falling apart.
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.
Reheat in a toaster oven or skillet over medium heat to crisp it back up. Avoid microwaving, as it can make it soggy.
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!
French Toast For One
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
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
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.
Makes enough for 4 slices.
made it with homemade bread, tastes great.
Instead of vanilla extract use Grand Marnier. What a wonderful treat.
This was my first time making French toast, and it was sooooo good! Kinda want to sneak in the kitchen to make another batch already…
Tried this today; left out the sugar and used a healthy dash of Pumpkin Pie Spice in place of just the cinnamon. Afterwards a quick drizzle of honey and it tasted fabulous! I will be saving the other pieces (really one slice of Sourdough cut in half) to heat up in the oven for tomorrow.
soo delicous! I used about a teasoop o-f vanila in my recipe- I DEFINATLY RECOMEND!!!!!! I am currently sitting on the couch eating it with some syrup and icecream. Thank you soo much for th recipe.
-annika
It tasted sooo good! I used a whole teaspoon of vanilla and much more than a pinch of cinnamon 😋 my bread wasn’t thick so the mixture might be enough for four slices if you’re not using thick slices of bread.
I used days old sliced brioche french bread; added a dash of orange extract along with vanilla. PERFECTO !!
I made some tweaks but overall excellent base recipe. I added strawberries and almonds. Delicious 😋.
This was absolutely perfect!!!
Had to try it without vanilla but my boyfriend said they were amazing🎉(cooking isn’t my easiest task)
Tried the French toast recipe this morning with buttermilk. OH, MY, DELICIOUS!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Debra. Thank you.