11 of the best French toast recipes

From Bombay toast and pain perdu to an easy overnight French toast casserole, these recipes turn sliced bread or brioche into delicious new dishes.

Credit: China Squirrel

At it's simplest, French toast is a magic marriage of sliced bread and custard, pan-fried til golden and delicious. But that basic idea has endless delicious sweet and savoury variations, from stuffed pockets to tray bakes, hailing from around the world.

French toasted brioche

This French family classic, brioche perdu, is traditionally made with day-old bread but now it's often made with brioche as a breakfast treat. Try it with Gabriel Gaté's recipe.

French toasted brioche Credit: Benito Martin

Overnight apple French toast

This French toast casserole can sit in the fridge overnight, so the custard is absorbed into the bread, making it rich and delicious. Then all you have to do in the morning is pop it in the oven to bake.

Credit: Mary Makes It Easy

Naan French toast

Turn naan into French toast for a fantastic weekend breakfast and serve with maple syrup and berries, with this recipe from Justine Schofield. It's a great way to use up naan left over from previous meals!

Naan French toast. Credit: Everyday Gourmet with Justine Schofield

Bombay toast with cheese

In India, French toast is called Bombay toast, and it can be either sweet or savoury. Here's a savoury version with a cheesy twist from Adam Liaw.

Bombay toast with cheese Credit: Jiwon Kim

Chocolate and marshmallow French toast rolls

This recipe takes French toast to a very indulgent place, with jam, marshmallow pieces and a sprinkle of chocolate rolled up in slices of bread then dipped in a chocolate egg batter before being cooked til golden.

Jam, marshmallow and chocolate French toast rolls Credit: Alan Benson

Baked French toast with mushrooms

This oven-baked version is just as delicious as a stove-top French toast, with the added bonus of being easier to cook in large batches for more-the-merrier gatherings. The baked herby French toast is topped with pan-fried mushrooms, feta and parsley.

Credit: Alan Benson

Berry pocket eggy bread

French toast meets pocket bread in this recipe from Jamie Oliver. These berry-filled bread pockets topped with yoghurt and pistachio make a healthy and comforting way to start the day.

Jamie's eggy bread berry pockets. Credit: Jamie Oliver Enterprises

French toast with cinnamon apples

Apples pan-fried with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon make a great topping for brioche French toast.

Credit: China Squirrel

Hong Kong-style French toast

Hong Kong-style French toast is supposed to be crunchy outside from the deep-frying process and have a soft texture inside from the white bread. The classic combination of peanut butter and honey makes a decadent dessert or breakfast.

Credit: Adam Liaw

Far North Queensland French toast

Showcasing some of Far North Queensland's finest produce for breakfast, Khanh Ong's brioche French toast recipe uses local lychees, Davidson plum and lemon balm.

Corn loaf French toast

A traditional Mexican corn cake recipe, normally served cold, has been adapted here so it can be sliced and grilled before topping with crispy bacon, avocado and salsa mexicana. It’s French toast Mexican style! Maple or agave syrup can be swapped in in this recipe along with fresh bananas, if you have a sweet tooth.

Credit: Paul Wilson