🌾 Grains & Starches

French Bread Substitute for French Toast: Best Alternatives

Discover the best French bread substitutes for making French toast including challah, brioche, and Italian bread. Perfect for creating delicious French toast at home.

Quick Answer

The best French bread substitute for French toast is challah bread, which is actually preferred by many. Use 1:1 ratio - challah for rich, eggy flavor, brioche for buttery richness, or Italian bread for similar texture. All work well for French toast and absorb the egg mixture beautifully.

Best Substitutes

Challah Bread

1:1

Rich, eggy bread that's actually preferred for French toast by many chefs

Best for:

french toastbread puddingtoastsandwiches

Challah is often considered the best bread for French toast due to its rich, eggy flavor

Brioche

1:1

Buttery, rich bread that creates luxurious French toast

Best for:

french toastbread puddingtoastdesserts

Brioche makes incredibly rich French toast due to its high butter content

Italian Bread

1:1

Similar texture to French bread, works well for French toast

Best for:

french toastsandwichestoastbruschetta

Very similar to French bread, often indistinguishable in French toast

Sourdough Bread

1:1

Tangy bread that adds interesting flavor to French toast

Best for:

french toasttoastsandwichessoups

Adds tangy flavor that complements sweet French toast toppings

Baguette

1:1

Authentic French bread with thin, crispy crust

Best for:

french toastsandwichestoastFrench dishes

Most authentic substitute, perfect for French-style French toast

Texas Toast

1:1

Thick-sliced bread perfect for French toast

Best for:

french toasttoastsandwichesgrilled cheese

Thick slices create substantial French toast pieces

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Challah bread is often considered the best choice for French toast due to its rich, eggy flavor
  • 💡Brioche creates the most luxurious French toast but can be quite rich
  • 💡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

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Discover the best French bread substitutes for making French toast including challah, brioche, and Italian bread. Perfect for creating delicious French toast at home.