This easy grilled French toast recipe will redefine how you do breakfast. With a few essential ingredients and the help of your handy grill, you’ll have the perfect sweet, crispy, slightly smoky, and totally decadent French toast!
This easy grilled French toast recipe will give you a whole new reason to fire up the grill! Not only is this simple French toast recipe delicious as is, but it’s made even better by grilling each slice until golden brown.
With a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, discover how to make French toast on the grill and start your day off right!
French Toast on the Grill
As if you need another reason to love French toast. This recipe combines all of the essential ingredients for the ultimate stack of soft, fluffy, perfectly sweetened French toast. Then, it’s made even better by getting cooked up on the grill.
Whether you’re looking for a unique way to enjoy breakfast on the grill or an out-of-the-ordinary dinner recipe, this grilled French toast recipe is easy, quick, and loaded with flavor.
And best of all, there’s plenty of room to customize this recipe and enjoy it a bit differently every time you make it. Honestly, after you’ve grilled your French toast once, you’ll never want it any other way!
Ingredients
The ingredient list for this recipe is super simple. If breakfast is your favorite meal of the day, odds are you already have most of these ingredients on hand already.
Here’s exactly what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- Bread: White bread, challah, brioche, or Texas toast are all excellent options. Just make sure it’s a whole loaf so you can cut it extra thick.
- Milk: Either dairy or non-dairy will work. Use half-and-half or buttermilk for an added tangy flavor.
- Eggs: To build the French toast coating
- Sugar: To add essential sweetness. White sugar is best, but brown sugar or maple syrup will also work.
- Cinnamon: To add a touch of spice. Can be increased or omitted if desired.
- Vanilla: Extract will work best
- Salt: A dash of salt will amp up the flavor. Kosher salt is best.
- Butter: Both for coating the skillet as well as topping the finished toast
- Maple syrup: Optional, for drizzling
Ingredient Swaps & Suggestions
As good as this recipe is, feel free to customize your grilled French toast to make it truly yours. Here are some suggestions:
- Swap the spices: Cardamom, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice are all great swaps for cinnamon, so play around with it. Just go light, so it’s not overpowering.
- Add orange zest: For added flavor and freshness, add the zest of one orange and a squeeze of juice to the egg mixture.
- Swap the toppings: Maple syrup can be swapped for powdered sugar, strawberry compote, honey, or any topping you prefer.
- Use raisin bread: For cinnamon raisin French toast, use raisin bread and add an extra dash of cinnamon.
How to Make Grilled French Toast
This recipe comes together in minutes and makes the perfect main dish for the perfect breakfast. So, here’s how it’s done:
- Prep work: Preheat the grill to medium-low heat and grease a cast iron skillet with butter or oil. Let the skillet preheat on the grill.
- Make the batter: Combine the milk, egg, vanilla, sugar, and spices. Mix until well combined.
- Soak the bread: Working in batches, soak each slice for 1 minute per side in the egg mixture.
- Grill the bread: Transfer soaked bread to the grill and heat for 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and grill for another 2-3 minutes. Continue flipping periodically until both sides are golden brown.
- Serve: Remove cooked French toast from the grill and serve with butter and maple syrup.
Leftovers
This recipe for grilled French toast makes eight slices, or approximately four servings. In addition, it also makes for excellent leftovers.
To store leftover grilled French toast, transfer extra slices to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to three to four days. Alternatively, you can freeze French toast in an airtight container for up to three months.
To reheat, transfer leftover slices to a greased skillet set to medium heat. Cook for several minutes per side, flipping periodically until the French toast is fully reheated.
The oven will also work for reheating. Simply place toast on a baking sheet in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 8-10 minutes. If reheating from frozen, the oven is the best method – no thawing necessary.
Quick Tips
- For classic grill marks, remove your bread from the skillet when it is almost, but not quite, golden brown. Place the slices directly on the grill for 20-30 seconds on both sides until grill marks develop.
FAQs
What temperature should a grill be for French toast?
To best grill French toast, the grill should be set to medium-low. Around 350-400°F (180-200°C) is best for cooking French toast low and slow without burning.
Why doesn’t my French toast get crispy?
French toast may not get crispy if the bread is too fresh. Ideally, day-old or almost stale bread is best for making French toast, as it will absorb liquid without becoming too soggy.
Grilled French Toast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 slices bread
- ¼ cup milk
- 4 large eggs
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- butter for grilling
Toppings (Optional)
- butter cubed
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 cup mango chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-low heat, about 275-300°F (135-150°C). Grease a cast iron skillet with butter or oil. Set the skillet on the grill, so it preheats.
- In a large bowl, combine the milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk with a fork to combine until fully mixed.
- Working in batches, coat each slice of bread in the egg mixture on both sides. Let each slice sit in the egg mixture for 1 minute per side.
- Transfer the soaked pieces of bread to your skillet and grill for 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and grill for another 2-3 minutes. Continue flipping until both sides are golden brown and the inside is no longer soggy.
- Remove cooked French toast from the skillet and top with optional butter and or maple syrup. Serve immediately.
