French toast, known as pain perdu in France, is a beloved dish worldwide with many delicious variations. Vote for your favorite from the most popular French toast recipes served around the globe:
Made by dipping slices of bread in a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and a hint of cinnamon, then frying in butter until golden brown. It’s often topped with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh berries.
Uses soft, buttery brioche bread, which has a rich texture that absorbs the custard mixture beautifully. This style is extra decadent and often topped with whipped cream, fresh fruit, or compote.
Made with challah, a slightly sweet, braided Jewish bread. Its airy, soft texture soaks up the egg mixture well, creating a tender and fluffy French toast. It’s often paired with honey, fruit, or maple syrup.
Filled with sweet or savory ingredients like cream cheese, mascarpone, fruit jams, Nutella, or peanut butter. The slices are typically sandwiched before dipping in the egg mixture, then fried and topped with syrup, whipped cream, or powdered sugar.
Made by dipping slices of cinnamon swirl bread in a custard mixture, then cooking until golden. The cinnamon adds extra sweetness and spice, and it’s often served with cream cheese frosting or powdered sugar.
Prepared by layering bread slices (often brioche or French bread) in a baking dish with a custard poured over. It’s left to soak overnight, then baked the next day, resulting in a bread pudding-like texture. Often topped with streusel and baked until golden.
Made with Japanese milk bread (Shokupan), known for its soft and fluffy texture. It’s soaked in a custard mixture, often for several hours, and slowly cooked, resulting in an extra creamy and custardy French toast.
Uses slices of banana bread, adding natural sweetness and a unique twist. Often served with caramelized bananas, nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Made with slices of French baguette, giving it a denser, chewier texture. It’s popular in France, where it’s known as pain perdu, and typically enjoyed with sugar or jam.
Uses plant-based ingredients like almond or soy milk, a flaxseed egg, and coconut or almond oil for cooking. Many vegan versions add spices like cinnamon and vanilla and serve with fruit or syrup.
Made with a custard mixture that includes herbs, salt, pepper, and sometimes cheese. Often served with smoked salmon, avocado, or sautéed vegetables, creating a brunch-friendly twist.
Inspired by the classic dessert, it’s soaked in a rich custard mixture with sugar caramelized on top, resulting in a crunchy, golden surface and a creamy interior.
The original French-style French toast, made with day-old bread to avoid waste. It’s soaked in a mixture of milk, eggs, and sugar, then fried and typically served with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a dollop of jam.
