Making the perfect French toast starts with choosing the right bread. The foundation of this beloved breakfast classic can make or break your morning masterpiece.
Some breads soak up that egg mixture like a dream, while others take French toast in unexpected directions that might surprise your taste buds.
1. Brioche: The Breakfast Royalty
Buttery brioche transforms into cloud-like French toast that melts in your mouth. The rich egg content already built into this bread creates a perfect foundation for soaking up your custard mixture.
Weekend brunch champions know brioche’s slightly sweet profile elevates every bite without overwhelming the delicate vanilla and cinnamon notes.
2. Challah: The Elegant Twist
Jewish celebration bread makes French toast fit for royalty! Those braided strands create pockets that capture the custard perfectly, while the eggy dough provides structure that won’t collapse mid-soak.
Unlike denser breads, challah maintains a delightful chew even after its egg bath and hot-pan sizzle. Its subtle sweetness plays well with both savory and sweet toppings.
3. Texas Toast: The Hefty Hero
Thick-cut and ready for action, Texas toast stands up to extended soaking without turning to mush. Those extra-thick slices offer the perfect ratio of custardy center to crispy exterior that French toast fanatics crave.
Already buttery by design, this bread develops an incredible golden crust when it hits the griddle. Its neutral flavor makes it an ideal canvas for creative toppings.
4. Sourdough: The Tangy Surprise
Who knew sourdough’s slight tang could create such magical French toast? The fermented flavor adds complexity that balances perfectly against sweet toppings and maple syrup.
Day-old sourdough works wonders here—its sturdy structure holds up to thorough soaking without falling apart. Those signature air pockets become custard-filled treasures after hitting the hot pan.
5. Hawaiian Sweet Bread: The Tropical Treat
Hawaiian sweet bread brings vacation vibes to your breakfast table! Its built-in sweetness creates caramelized edges when it hits the hot pan, developing an almost brûléed exterior.
The pillowy texture soaks up egg mixture beautifully while maintaining its shape. Try pairing it with tropical toppings like coconut flakes or mango for a breakfast that feels like an island getaway.
6. Cinnamon Raisin: The Spiced Superstar
Talk about a head start on flavor! Cinnamon raisin bread brings built-in sweetness and spice to your French toast game. Those plump raisins transform into jammy little pockets of goodness during cooking.
The swirls of cinnamon create gorgeous caramelized patterns on the finished toast. Just go easy on additional sweeteners—this bread brings plenty of its own personality to the party.
7. Croissants: The Buttery Indulgence
Sliced lengthwise, day-old croissants create French toast that’s practically illegal in its decadence. All those buttery layers soak up the custard while maintaining their distinct flaky character.
The result? A crispy exterior giving way to a tender, almost pudding-like center. Not for the faint of heart or those counting calories, but absolutely worth the splurge for special occasions.
8. Pullman Loaf: The Reliable Classic
Square-edged and dignified, Pullman loaf (aka sandwich bread) creates perfectly uniform French toast that cooks evenly every time. Its tight crumb structure absorbs custard efficiently without becoming waterlogged.
Perfect for French toast novices, this bread forgives minor cooking mistakes. The neutral flavor profile makes it an excellent foundation for both sweet and savory French toast variations.
9. Panettone: The Holiday Twist
Italian Christmas bread makes French toast that’ll knock your fuzzy slippers off! Those bits of candied fruit and citrus zest create little flavor explosions in every bite.
The tall, airy structure creates dramatic slices that look stunning on the plate. Day-old (or even slightly stale) panettone works perfectly here—its dryness helps it soak up more of that luscious egg mixture.
10. Banana Bread: The Breakfast Rebel
Banana bread French toast breaks all the rules in the best possible way! Already sweet and moist, this quick bread transforms into something entirely new when given the French toast treatment.
The banana flavor intensifies when caramelized in butter. Keep the egg mixture light on sugar and heavy on vanilla to complement—not compete with—the bread’s natural sweetness.
11. Focaccia: The Savory Surprise
Forget sweet breakfasts—focaccia French toast takes things in a boldly savory direction! Those dimples filled with herbs and olive oil create incredible flavor pockets throughout.
Try a parmesan-spiked egg mixture and top with roasted cherry tomatoes and a fried egg. Day-old focaccia works best, as fresh might be too oily to properly absorb the custard.
12. Pumpernickel: The Dark Horse
Pumpernickel brings dramatic color and earthy flavor to your French toast game. Its dense texture stands up beautifully to soaking without falling apart.
The slight sweetness from molasses pairs surprisingly well with traditional French toast flavors. For an unforgettable brunch, try topping with goat cheese, honey, and fresh thyme—trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
13. Rye Bread: The Bold Outlier
Rye bread French toast isn’t for breakfast beginners, but adventurous eaters will be rewarded! The distinctive caraway flavor creates a fascinating counterpoint to maple syrup.
Light rye works better than dark for French toast beginners. The sturdy texture holds up beautifully during cooking, creating slices that maintain their integrity from plate to mouth.
14. Cornbread: The Southern Twist
Cornbread French toast blurs the line between breakfast and dessert in the most delightful way! Its crumbly texture requires a longer soak in the egg mixture, but patience pays off with incredible results.
The natural corn sweetness intensifies when caramelized in butter. Try topping with bourbon-spiked maple syrup and fresh peaches for a breakfast that’ll make you want to adopt a Southern accent.
15. Bagels: The Chewy Challenger
Sliced horizontally, day-old bagels create French toast with serious texture personality. That signature chewiness remains even after soaking, creating a completely different French toast experience.
The dense structure requires longer soaking—up to 20 minutes per side. Cinnamon raisin bagels work particularly well, but even everything bagels can create an intriguing savory-sweet breakfast adventure.
16. Pita Bread: The Pocket Surprise
Pita bread creates French toast with a completely unexpected texture adventure! Those characteristic pockets capture extra custard, creating areas of intense flavor concentration.
The relatively thin profile cooks quickly, perfect for breakfast emergencies. Try stuffing the finished pita French toast with Greek yogurt, honey, and berries for a breakfast that’s both familiar and completely new.
17. English Muffins: The Nook And Cranny Champion
Those famous nooks and crannies transform into custard-catching treasure caves when English muffins become French toast! The cratered surface creates textural contrast between crispy peaks and custardy valleys.
Split and soaked briefly (they absorb quickly), these create personal-sized French toast perfect for breakfast buffets. The neutral flavor makes them ideal for both sweet and savory French toast adventures.