This Easy French Toast recipe is the ultimate indulgence — it takes the classic breakfast treat to a whole new level of deliciousness! Soft, gooey, and decadent slices of bread are soaked in a sweet caramel sauce before being baked to perfection in a single skillet.
Whether you’re craving a luxurious breakfast or brunch option or looking for a sweet dessert to satisfy your cravings, this easy French toast checks all the boxes. Serve it with a dusting of powdered sugar, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or fresh berries for an extra touch of sweet flavor!
Table of Contents
- What Is Caramel Skillet French Toast?
- Is French Toast Actually French?
- What Is the Best Bread for Easy French Toast?
- Ingredients Needed
- How to Make Easy French Toast in a Skillet
- Flavor Additions and Toppings
- Storage and Freezing Options
- Common Questions about French Toast
- More French Toast Recipes You’ll Love
- Easy French Toast with Caramel Sauce Recipe
What Is Caramel Skillet French Toast?
The best way to start the day, caramel skillet French toast is an easy recipe that’s bursting with flavor. We took traditional recipes and made them even better with the addition of a sweet caramel sauce topping.
Plus, broken into pieces similarly to monkey bread, this recipe comes together in a single skillet, making it perfect for serving a crowd. Not only is it absolutely scrumptious, but it’s also:
- Budget-friendly
- Quick to make
- Customizable
- Great for holidays, Sunday brunch, game day, and more
Is French Toast Actually French?
Contrary to popular belief, French toast is not actually French at all! The truth is that the recipe has been around for years and years and has been dated all the way back to 300 A.D. when it was listed in a Roman cookbook.
In fact, the French referred to the classic breakfast dish as Roman bread for centuries. It was referred to as French toast until French immigrants began popularizing the dish in America. Today, the recipe exists all across the globe in many flavors and variations and (outside of the U.S.) is often referred to as lost bread.
What Is the Best Bread for Easy French Toast?
Really, any bread can be used. However, for the best results, we recommend using a thick loaf like Texas toast, Challah, or Brioche, and make sure it’s stale! This allows it to easily absorb the liquid without falling apart.
Ingredients Needed
To make this easy recipe extra special, we’ve taken the traditional ingredients and added a homemade caramel sauce to elevate the flavors. Here’s what you’ll need to create this delightful dish:
- Bread – We used brioche, but any thick, bread loaf will work.
- Eggs – These help lock in moisture, creating the moist center and crisp outside we love.
- Milk – For an extra rich taste, we use whole milk, but skim milk or a milk alternative can be used in its place.
- Heavy Cream – This creates an extra creamy and decadent taste.
- Vanilla Extract – Used to sweeten the recipe.
- Sea Salt – Helps enhance the flavor of the rest of the ingredients.
- Butter – Forms the base of the caramel sauce.
- Brown Sugar – Combines with butter for a sweet flavor and soft sauce.
How to Make Easy French Toast in a Skillet
This skillet French toast is so simple you’ll never go back to frying individual pieces of bread again!
- Whisk the eggs, milk, half and half, vanilla, and salt in a small bowl until they’re well combined.
- Slice the bread into 1-inch slices and arrange them in a 16-inch skillet.
- Pour the egg mixture on top of the bread, and let it soak in the fridge overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
- In a small saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, and corn syrup, and heat until it is bubbling. Then, pour the caramel over the bread.
- Bake until fragrant, and the egg mixture has set.
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
Flavor Additions and Toppings
Thanks to the caramel sauce, this dish is already loaded with flavor. However, you can always add your favorite mix-ins and toppings to make it even better! Some of our favorites include:
- Powdered Sugar
- Maple Syrup
- Chocolate Chips
- Fruit (Bananas, Blueberries, Strawberries)
- Whipped Cream
- Chopped Nuts
Storage and Freezing Options
It’s extremely rare to have leftovers with this recipe. However, if you do, it makes for great
Fridge: Cover leftovers with tin foil, or transfer them to an airtight container, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: For a longer-lasting option, let the dish cool completely. Then, transfer it to a sealable bag or airtight container, and freeze it for up to 2 months.
Reheating: The easiest way to reheat your French toast is to heat the oven to 400° Fahrenheit, and warm it in the oven for 6-8 minutes or until it has heated through. If you’re in a pinch for time, you can also heat it in the microwave, but your French toast is likely to become a bit soggy if you do. It’ll still taste delicious! It just won’t be quite as crisp.
Common Questions about French Toast
Baked French toast should not be soggy. To avoid sogginess, be sure to measure your liquid ingredients precisely and cook for the recommended time.
Not allowing enough time for the bread to soak up the custard is one of the most common mistakes when making French toast. Give the bread ample time to absorb the liquid ingredients.
While you can use either, we prefer to use whole milk for our French toast to give it the perfect texture.
It is ideal to dry out bread before making French toast. You can let it dry out on its own, or for a quick fix, pop it in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. Place it on a wire rack so that the air can circulate around it.
More French Toast Recipes You’ll Love
On the hunt for more French toast ideas? We’ve got you covered with these amazing recipes!
- The best dessert breakfast recipe, this Bananas Foster French Toast will have you coming back for seconds and thirds!
- Sweet sugar and warm cinnamon combine in this Churro French Toast for an out-of-this-world breakfast.
- This Pain au Chocolat French Toast takes your favorite chocolate and turns it into a satisfying breakfast or brunch!
- This Berry Stuffed Croissant French Toast is a showstopping recipe perfect for every occasion.
Easy French Toast with Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Sea salt
- 1 loaf Brioche
Caramel Sauce
- 8 Tablespoons butter unsalted
- 1 cup brown sugar dark or light
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.6 eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon Sea salt
- Cut the brioche into thick 1-inch slices, and arrange them in a 16-inch round skillet or baking dish. Note: It is okay for the bread to overlap.1 loaf Brioche
- Pour the egg mixture on top of the bread, and place it in the refrigerator to soak overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small saucepan, stir the butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream until combined. Heat on medium-high heat until the caramel sauce begins to bubble. Pour it over the bread.8 Tablespoons butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup heavy cream
- Bake for 40 minutes or until the bread is crisp and the egg mixture has set.
- Dust with powdered sugar or maple syrup, if desired. Serve warm, and enjoy!
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
