The BEST Healthy French Toast Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are French toast healthy? ›

French Toast is a delicious breakfast entree that is loved by many. With this in mind, french toast can be very calorie dense with high amounts of added sugar and fat. But, it can be tweaked to reduce the sugar and fat content while adding some fiber to your breakfast - yay!

French toast is definitely healthier than pancakes, as well as some other breakfast options. It is high in carbs, but you can make a French toast recipe healthy by using whole wheat or high-fiber bread. You can also make your French toast healthier by switching up the toppings you add to it.

Use brioche or challah. These egg-based breads have a high butter content, meaning their crumb is tender and rich but light. In other words, they're an ideal foundation for super decadent yet airy French toast.

Margarine, shortening, lard or coconut oil can all take the place of butter. Consider flavor when you swap out one of these fats for butter. Margarine may not alter the flavor substantially, but lard or coconut oil will. What can you spread on toast instead of butter?

French toast should also be eaten in moderation since it also contains plenty of cholesterol. When your body has constantly high levels of cholesterol, this can lead to a cholesterol build-up known as plaque. This plaque will then lead to narrow and hardened arteries that can obstruct blood and oxygen flow.

On one hand, the average plate of pancakes contains around 500 calories, 88 grams of carbohydrates, and 4 grams of saturated fat, while a similar-sized serving of French toast has around 990 calories, 120 grams of carbohydrates, and 18 grams of saturated fat. These numbers would appear to make pancakes the winner.

Bodybuilder French toast is is light, flavorful, and full of protein. It's a great way to start off your day any day of the week. Enjoy!

Ideally, the bread should be slightly stale. A drier bread will soak up all the custard. Bread can be left out with the wrapper open the day before cooking. If you find yourself in a pinch, dry your bread slices in a 275°F oven for 10 minutes before soaking them in the custard.

Butter gives French toast a deep richness and comforting quality, which are what we crave on mornings we sizzle this breakfast staple. To prevent burning or smoking, use a combination of butter and oil in the pan to cook the toast.

Should I toast my bread before making French toast? ›

Use stale bread or toast the bread until it's golden-brown. It needs to be sturdy to hold up to the egg mixture. If the bread is fresh from the bag or you toast it too lightly, the finished dish will be soggy. Soak the toasted or untoasted bread for about 10 seconds per side to achieve the optimal texture.

In addition to making French toast taste the way it does through the Maillard reaction, milk also prevents it from turning out rubbery. Per Food & Wine, the texture of French toast relies on a loosened egg structure best achieved by the addition of milk.

The USDA recommends substituting plant oils, such as olive or avocado oil, for butter or its high-in-saturated-fat counterparts.

The Winner

Surprisingly, restaurant versions of pancakes tend to pack significantly fewer calories and sugar than restaurant French toast, so they're generally a healthier pick.

The presence of fiber in French toast promotes digestive health by adding bulk to the foods that satisfy hunger. It also contributes to removing damaging aftereffects of metabolism from the body. Having French toast is a healthy choice in comparison to whole-grain slices of bread.