If you love classic French Toast but crave something less sweet and more salty, our Savory French Toast is the perfect twist.
Made with eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, paprika, fresh herbs, butter, and Parmesan, this elevated brunch recipe delivers rich, comforting flavour in every cheesy bite.
It’s quick, affordable, and perfect for brunch or a simple weeknight dinner paired with a freshly tossed salad and sizzling fried eggs.
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French Toast Fans Let’s Get Cheesy!
One of my fondest memories growing up as a kid was waking up in the morning at our family cottage in Muskoka and smelling French Toast sizzling in the kitchen.
My father’s favourite brunch dish is French Toast, which he traditionally prepared for breakfast on our birthdays. He’d whisk a few eggs together with milk, cinnamon and nutmeg and then dredge thick sliced of Italian loaf. He’d fry each side of the egg-soaked bread in butter and then top with sliced berries, banana and Canadian maple syrup.
I’ve published several French Toast recipes with slight variations: Buttermilk French Toast, Sourdough French Toast, and decadent Baileys French Toast.
While I love the classic doused in syrup, the idea of Savory French Toast was appealing so wanted to play around in the kitchen by doing some recipe testing. The fundamentals are the same: thick slices of bread dredged in an egg custard and fried in a pan until crispy golden brown.
Instead of leaning on a sweet profile, I paired savoury flavours like Dijon mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, fresh herbs, and parmesan to produce a drool-worthy brunch dish perfect for cheese lovers!
Why You’ll Love Savory French Toast
- Ready in under 20 minutes
- Packed with bold, brunch-worthy flavours
- Uses simple pantry staples
- Kid-friendly and adult-approved
- Pairs beautifully with soups, salads, and eggs
Best Bread For French Toast
Choose a sturdy and thick slice of bread that can hold up to the egg mixture. Day-old bread works beautifully because it absorbs the custard more evenly:
- Sourdough
- Whole grain bread
- Texas Toast
- Brioche or Challah
- Country white bread
- French baguette slices
How to Make Savory French Toast
Follow these simple steps for golden, restaurant-quality Savory French Toast at home:
- Make The Egg Dip: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, sweet paprika, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan. This flavourful mixture is what gives the French toast its rich and savoury taste.
- Dip The Bread: Place each slice of bread into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for several seconds per side. Thick slices absorb the custard well without falling apart.
- Cook Until Golden: Heat butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the soaked bread slices and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until beautifully golden and slightly crisp around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with fresh chives and an additional dusting of Parmesan. Serve hot alongside your favourite eggs and salad.
Recipe Tips for Perfect Savory French Toast
- Don’t soak the bread too long or it may break apart.
- Add extra Parmesan for a stronger umami flavour and crispy exterior.
- Use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika for deeper flavour.
- For a crispier texture, cook in a mix of butter and olive oil.
- If serving a large brunch crowd use a large griddle instead of a frying pan
- If serving a crowd, have a baking sheet resting in your over at 200 F to keep warm before serving.
Serving Suggestions
The iconic brunch dish pairs beautifully with both sweet and savoury breakfast sides:
- Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage
- Hash browns or home fries
- Baked beans
- Scrambled or fried eggs
- Arugula salad
- Fresh fruit salad
- Greek yogurt with honey
- A latte or iced coffee
Storage Suggestions
French toast is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it safely to enjoy later without losing too much flavour or texture.
- Refrigerate: Place cooked French Toast in an airtight container or wrap tightly with foil/plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven, toaster oven or air fryer for best results.
- Freeze: Cool cooked slices completely, then wrap individually and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or toaster directly from frozen.
Savory French Toast
Equipment
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- Large Nonstick Skillet
- Flipper
Ingredients
- 4 Eggs
- 1/3 cup Whole Milk
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1/4 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/4 tsp Sweet Paprika
- 2 Garlic Cloves minced
- Pinch Salt + Pepper
- 3 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped
- 1 tsp Fresh Thyme chopped
- 2 oz Parmesan Cheese grated
- 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 8 slices Sourdough, Challah or Brioche Bread 1/2 inch slices are preferred
- 1/4 cup Chives sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, mustard, Worcestershire, paprika, garlic, salt, pepper, parsley, thyme, and cheese.
- Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat until melted. Working with slice at a time, dip bread in egg mixture to coat well on both sides. Lay in skillet. Repeat until 4 slices of bread are in skillet. Cook, swirling pan and flipping occasionally, until deep golden brown on both sides, about 8 minutes total. Repeat with remaining butter and second batch of bread.
- Sprinkle French toast with chives parsley and serve immediately with fried eggs and a green salad.
Nutrition
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