French toast is a delicious breakfast, but it can be a bit of a faff to make. However, there is an easy method that will make it crispier and golden every time
French toast is a delicious breakfast, but it can be a bit of a faff to make. However, there is an easy method that will make it crispier and golden every time(Image: margouillatphotos via Getty Images)
French toast is one of the ultimate comfort breakfasts to kick off the morning, and with summer fruit likely sitting in the fridge during August, it presents the perfect opportunity to put it to good use. The only drawback is that it can be a tricky dish to prepare, requiring you to stand over a frying pan of hot, bubbling oil — something most people simply cannot face when the temperature outside is already soaring.
While cooking French toast on the hob is the traditional approach, it is arguably the most troublesome method, as the hot oil tends to scorch the bread before the egg in the centre has had sufficient time to cook through properly. However, trained chef Kristin Hoffman, who is known online as Baker Betty, has revealed a far simpler technique to achieve perfectly golden and crispy French toast — and it involves using the oven instead.
She said: “This method for perfect and easy French toast gives you a super crispy crust with a light and fluffy inside! The pan-baked method allows for all of the French toast to be complete at the same time while preventing any of the toast from getting soggy!”
Why is it better to cook French toast in the oven?
Cooking French toast in a frying pan can be particularly troublesome, as the oil has a tendency to cook the exterior of the bread far too rapidly, resulting in an unevenly cooked finish, reports the Express.
What typically occurs is that the bread begins to burn quickly in the hot oil, prompting most people to remove it from the pan before the inside has had the chance to cook through adequately. Cooking French toast in a frying pan risks charring the outside while leaving the inside slightly undercooked, resulting in a soggy sandwich that falls apart the moment you pick it up.
Using the oven is a far more effective approach, as it gently warms the bread and ensures every part of the French toast is cooked through evenly, producing a much crispier result.
It simply makes cooking French toast considerably easier and entirely hands-free, allowing you to enjoy an indulgent breakfast this summer while still taking it easy in the morning.
How to make crispier French toast
You will need
- Two large eggs
- 120ml of whole milk
- Eight slices of brioche bread
- Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract
You can also add whichever toppings you prefer, such as strawberries, blueberries, cinnamon, Greek yoghurt or even a drizzle of maple syrup.
Method
Position a rack in the centre of the oven and preheat to 230°C (210°C fan/Gas Mark 8). Then place a baking sheet inside the oven and leave it to heat for 20 minutes.
Pre-heating the baking sheet helps stop the toast from sticking and gives the underside of the bread a golden, crispy finish.
Crack the eggs into a shallow dish and add the milk and vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until you have a smooth, well-combined batter.
When you are ready to cook the French toast, ensure the egg mixture and bread are prepared before taking the baking sheet out of the oven. Take great care when handling the hot sheet.
Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven using oven gloves. Add a small quantity of cooking oil and spread it evenly across the surface.
Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Place the coated bread onto the hot baking sheet.
You should hear the bread start to sizzle as it makes contact with the hot tray. Once all the slices have been placed on the tray, carefully slide it back into the oven.
Bake the bread for five to eight minutes, checking after five minutes to ensure it is not catching. The French toast should be a golden brown colour and pleasantly crisp when it is ready.
Carefully take the baking tray out of the oven and serve immediately. The French toast should be golden, buttery and utterly delicious, while remaining far simpler to prepare than traditional methods.
