If you’ve been baking sourdough at home, you already know that slightly stale loaves are perfect for this breakfast. Sourdough French toast takes the classic recipe and adds subtle tang from your homemade starter, creating a richer, more complex flavor than white bread ever could. This recipe transforms yesterday’s loaf into a warm, custardy breakfast that your whole family will ask for again and again.
How to Make Sourdough French Toast
This straightforward recipe yields four servings and takes about 15 minutes from prep to plate. The key is using day-old sourdough cut into thick slices so the custard soaks in without the bread falling apart.
Ingredients
- 8 thick slices (3/4-inch) day-old sourdough bread
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk or cream
- 2 tablespoons butter, plus more for the pan
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of sea salt and 1 tablespoon maple syrup for custard
Method
Prepare the custard base
Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and maple syrup in a shallow bowl until well combined. The mixture should be light and smooth. Let it rest for a minute so the spices fully distribute.
Heat your cooking surface
Place a heavy skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon butter. Allow it to melt and foam for about one minute until the pan is hot but not smoking. You’ll know it’s ready when a drop of water sizzles on contact.
Dip bread slices one at a time
Working with one slice at a time, dip both sides of sourdough into the custard mixture, spending 1-2 seconds per side. Don’t oversoak — the bread should be moist but still hold its shape. Too much liquid will make it soggy in the center.
Cook the first batch
Place dipped slices directly onto the hot buttered pan, fitting as many as you can without crowding. Cook for 3-4 minutes on the first side until deep golden brown, then carefully flip and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes until equally golden.
Transfer and keep warm
As each batch finishes cooking, transfer to a warm plate and cover loosely with foil to retain heat. If desired, place finished pieces on a baking sheet in a 200-degree oven while you finish cooking remaining slices.
Cook remaining batches
Add the remaining butter to the pan and repeat the dipping and cooking process with the remaining bread slices. The pan temperature may drop slightly between batches, which is fine — adjust heat as needed to maintain medium-high temperature.
Plate and serve
Arrange cooked French toast on serving plates while still warm. Top with fresh berries, a drizzle of maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a dollop of whipped cream and fresh fruit.
- Day-old or slightly stale sourdough works best because it absorbs custard without becoming mushy. Fresh bread will often fall apart.
- Room-temperature eggs whisk more smoothly and incorporate air better than cold eggs, creating a lighter custard.
- If your sourdough is particularly thick-crusted, slice it on a slight diagonal to create larger surface area for custard absorption.
What to Look For in Sourdough French Toast Equipment
- Skillet or Griddle Material: Cast iron and stainless steel both work excellently for French toast. Cast iron retains heat beautifully and develops a naturally non-stick patina, while stainless steel offers easier cleanup and precise temperature control.
- Size and Heat Capacity: A 12-inch skillet or griddle lets you cook 2-3 slices simultaneously, reducing total cooking time. Choose cookware with thick bottoms that distribute heat evenly and prevent hot spots.
- Edge Design: Low, sloped edges on a griddle or skillet make flipping French toast much easier than high straight sides. This prevents the spatula from hitting the rim when you turn each slice.
- Handle and Weight: A sturdy, heat-resistant handle that stays cool during cooking is essential. The cookware should feel substantial but not so heavy that moving it becomes tiring over multiple batches.
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet 12-Inch
Best for: Serious home cooks and sourdough bakers
Lodge’s pre-seasoned cast iron skillets are American-made workhorses that improve with age. The 12-inch size is perfect for cooking multiple French toast slices at once. Cast iron’s superior heat retention ensures consistent browning on every batch. It’s naturally non-stick when properly maintained and will last generations. The sturdy handle stays cool enough to grip, and the sloped edges make flipping effortless.
Check Current Price on Amazon →T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Skillet 12.5-Inch
Best for: Home cooks seeking durability without seasoning
This hard anodized aluminum skillet combines non-stick convenience with serious durability. It requires no seasoning or special maintenance — just wash and go. The dark non-stick surface lets you see browning easily, making it ideal for learning proper French toast technique. Heat distributes evenly across the flat bottom, and the stainless steel handle is permanently riveted.
Check Current Price on Amazon →Cuisinart Advantage Ceramica Non-Stick Skillet 12-Inch
Best for: Budget-conscious home cooks
Cuisinart’s ceramic non-stick coating is PFOA-free and performs reliably for French toast cooking. The 12-inch size accommodates multiple slices, and the sloped edges facilitate easy flipping. While not as heavy-duty as cast iron, this skillet offers excellent value for occasional to moderate use. The ergonomic handle stays cool, and it’s dishwasher-safe for effortless cleanup.
Check Current Price on Amazon →All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Skillet 12-Inch
Best for: Serious home cooks wanting professional-grade equipment
All-Clad’s hard anodized skillet represents the pinnacle of home cookware construction. The thick aluminum base with stainless steel cooking surface provides exceptional heat distribution and durability. It heats quickly and evenly, ensuring perfectly golden French toast every single time. While premium-priced, this skillet will last decades and perform flawlessly across any cooking task.
Check Current Price on Amazon →GreenPan Reserve Hard Anodized Skillet 12-Inch
Best for: Eco-conscious cooks prioritizing health and sustainability
GreenPan’s Reserve line features thermolon coating, a toxin-free non-stick surface made from plant-derived materials. The hard anodized aluminum body is exceptionally durable and performs beautifully for French toast. It preheats quickly, distributes heat evenly, and cleans easily. GreenPan’s commitment to sustainability makes this an excellent choice for environmentally-minded homestead cooks.
Check Current Price on Amazon →Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet 12.5-Inch
Best for: Home cooks who want style with functionality
Le Creuset’s enameled cast iron eliminates seasoning requirements while retaining all the heat-retention benefits of traditional cast iron. The vibrant enamel coating comes in numerous colors to complement any kitchen aesthetic. The skillet performs beautifully for French toast, browning slices evenly and keeping them warm. It’s a heirloom-quality piece that doubles as stovetop-to-table presentation.
Check Current Price on Amazon →OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Skillet 12-Inch
Best for: Home cooks wanting reliable performance at mid-range pricing
OXO’s non-stick skillet balances quality construction with approachable pricing. The hard anodized aluminum body resists warping, and the DuPont Autograph non-stick coating endures countless uses. The rubberized handle provides comfortable grip even during extended cooking sessions. It heats evenly and is dishwasher-safe for convenient cleanup after breakfast.
Check Current Price on Amazon →Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel Crepe Pan 10-Inch
Best for: Small households or solo cooks with limited storage
While technically a crepe pan, this 10-inch carbon steel skillet excels at cooking French toast in smaller batches. Carbon steel requires seasoning like cast iron but heats faster and weighs significantly less. The low sides and sloped edges make flipping incredibly easy. Perfect for solo cooks or couples prioritizing counter and storage space without sacrificing quality results.
Check Current Price on Amazon →Make Your Sourdough Sing
Sourdough French toast transforms your homemade baking into an elegant breakfast that tastes far more impressive than the minimal effort required. The sourdough’s subtle tang cuts through the sweet custard beautifully, creating a complexity you simply cannot achieve with commercial bread. Whether you’re celebrating a weekend morning or feeding a crowd, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results from your own kitchen.
The most important investment you’ll make is a quality skillet — it’s the one piece of equipment that directly determines your success. Choose cast iron for its superior heat retention and longevity, hard-anodized aluminum for even heating and easy maintenance, or enameled cast iron for both performance and aesthetic appeal. Once you master this basic technique, you’ll find yourself making sourdough French toast regularly, turning yesterday’s loaves into tomorrow’s breakfast magic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make sourdough French toast with fresh bread instead of day-old?
Fresh sourdough is too soft and will absorb too much custard, resulting in mushy centers. If you must use fresh bread, reduce your dipping time to just 1 second per side and use slightly less custard. Day-old bread is genuinely superior for this recipe.
What’s the best way to keep sourdough bread for French toast?
Slice your loaf and store it in a paper bag at room temperature for 12-24 hours. Paper allows air circulation while preventing excess moisture loss. Avoid plastic bags, which trap steam and make bread soggy. Never refrigerate, as cold speeds up staling.
Can I prepare the custard mixture ahead of time?
Yes, you can whisk the custard up to 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate it, then let it come to room temperature for 15 minutes before dipping. This doesn’t affect flavor or texture, just make sure to whisk again before using in case ingredients have settled.
How do I know when the skillet is hot enough?
After adding butter, wait until it foams and the foam subsides slightly. Flick a tiny drop of water onto the surface — it should sizzle immediately and evaporate within a second. If it sits and pools, the pan needs more time. If it smokes, it’s too hot.
What toppings work best with sourdough French toast?
Maple syrup and fresh berries are classic, but try Greek yogurt, sliced stone fruit, toasted nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. The sourdough’s slight tartness pairs beautifully with sweet and savory toppings alike. Whipped cream, honey, or even a fried egg makes delicious additions.
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