Out of Challah bread, one case
Challah bread substitute for French toast
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Brioche
Same amount as the challah bread
The best challah bread substitute for French toast is brioche, which has a similar rich, eggy texture. Use 1:1 ratio - brioche for buttery richness, French bread for similar texture, or Italian bread for mild flavor. All work well for French toast and absorb the egg mixture beautifully.
- Best for —
- french toast
One casethe full all purpose flour card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of challah bread |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Briochefrench toast | Same amount |
| 2 | French breadfrench toast | Same amount |
| 3 | Italian breadfrench toast | Same amount |
| 4 | Sourdough breadfrench toast | Same amount |
| 5 | Texas toastfrench toast | Same amount |
| 6 | Baguettefrench toast | Same amount |
Brioche
buttery, rich, slightly sweet
Buttery, rich bread that creates luxurious French toast
- Best for
- french toast, bread pudding, toast, desserts
- Texture
- soft, tender, buttery
Brioche makes incredibly rich French toast due to its high butter content.
French bread
mild, slightly sweet
Crusty bread with soft interior that works well for French toast
- Best for
- french toast, sandwiches, toast, bruschetta
- Texture
- crusty exterior, soft interior
Similar texture to challah, though less rich and eggy.
Italian bread
mild, slightly sweet
Similar texture to French bread, works well for French toast
- Best for
- french toast, sandwiches, toast, bruschetta
- Texture
- crusty exterior, soft interior
Very similar to French bread, often indistinguishable in French toast.
Sourdough bread
tangy, slightly sour, complex
Tangy bread that adds interesting flavor to French toast
- Best for
- french toast, toast, sandwiches, soups
- Texture
- chewy, crusty exterior
Adds tangy flavor that complements sweet French toast toppings.
Texas toast
mild, neutral
Thick-sliced bread good for French toast
- Best for
- french toast, toast, sandwiches, grilled cheese
- Texture
- thick, soft, dense
Thick slices create substantial French toast pieces.
Baguette
mild, slightly sweet
Authentic French bread with thin, crispy crust
- Best for
- french toast, sandwiches, toast, French dishes
- Texture
- thin crispy crust, airy interior
Most authentic French bread option, good for French-style French toast.
How it behaves in this recipe
Challah bread is prized for French toast because of its rich, eggy texture and slightly sweet flavor. When substituting, you want to maintain these characteristics as much as possible. Brioche is the closest substitute due to its similar richness, while French bread and Italian bread provide good texture but less richness. The key is choosing bread that can absorb the egg mixture without falling apart while developing a nice crust when cooked.
Tips for substituting challah bread
8 tips- Brioche is the closest substitute to challah for French toast due to its rich, buttery texture
- For best results, use day-old bread that's slightly stale - it absorbs the egg mixture better
- Cut bread into thick slices (about 1 inch) for substantial French toast pieces
- Let the bread soak in the egg mixture for 30-60 seconds per side for even absorption
- Cook over medium heat to ensure the inside cooks through without burning the outside
- For extra flavor, add vanilla, cinnamon, or nutmeg to your egg mixture
- Serve immediately while hot for the best texture and flavor
- Consider the bread's richness - brioche will be very rich, while French bread will be lighter
Notes on challah bread
- Cinnamon raisin bread for added flavor
- Whole wheat bread for a healthier option
- Gluten-free bread for dietary restrictions
- Croissants for a decadent French toast
- Panettone for holiday French toast
Questions
6 questionsWhat is the best substitute for challah bread in French toast?
The best substitute for challah bread in French toast is brioche, which has a similar rich, eggy texture. French bread and Italian bread are also excellent alternatives that work well for French toast.
Can I use brioche instead of challah for French toast?
Yes, brioche is an excellent substitute for challah in French toast. It has a similar rich, buttery texture that creates luxurious French toast, though it may be even richer than challah.
Is French bread a good substitute for challah in French toast?
Yes, French bread works well as a substitute for challah in French toast. It has a similar texture and absorbs the egg mixture nicely, though it won't be as rich as challah.
What bread works best for French toast?
The best breads for French toast are challah, brioche, French bread, Italian bread, and sourdough. These breads have the right texture to absorb the egg mixture without falling apart.
Can I use Italian bread for French toast?
Yes, Italian bread works well for French toast. It has a similar texture to French bread and absorbs the egg mixture nicely, creating good French toast.
What's the difference between challah and brioche for French toast?
Challah has a rich, eggy texture and slightly sweet flavor, while brioche is even richer and more buttery. Both work excellently for French toast, with brioche being slightly more decadent.