WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus, enjoy weekly doses of recipe inspiration as a bonus!
When you're craving french toast but want something savory, try this cheese brioche french toast. With a crispy, cheesy crust, this french toast is not only quick to prepare but incredibly delicious. Top it with paprika fried eggs for the ultimate breakfast!
Jump to:
Watch how to make this
What makes this dish special
The biggest dilemma I have when eating breakfast is choosing between a savory, or a sweet dish. Do I want a Spanish tortilla or lemon cream and berries waffle sandwich? Yuzu crepes with raspberries or huevos rancheros? Well, today, I said no more! I am having my french toast and eggs, and no one is going to stop me.
By combining some of my breakfast favorites, I put together my first savory french toast dish: cheese brioche french toast with smoky paprika fried egg. The result? De-licious! You might be hesitant to try this combination, but trust me, you really can't go wrong!
Ingredients
- Brioche bread: A rich, buttery bread that is ideal for French toast due to its soft texture and ability to absorb the egg mixture without becoming soggy. Its thickness allows it to hold up during cooking, resulting in a fluffy and custardy interior.
- Milk: You can use whole milk, low-fat, or 2%.
- Cheddar cheese: Adds a savory element while creating a cheesy crust on the bread.
- Paprika: Used in the oil for frying the eggs, adding a mild smokiness and a hint of color to the dish.
Substitutions and variations
- Bread: Substitute brioche with French bread, gluten-free white bread, Pullman bread, or even croissants for a fun twist.
- Spices: You can add other spices such as onion powder or a pinch of black pepper.
- Cheese: You can replace cheddar with almost any other cheese, such as mozzarella, Monterey Jack, parmesan, fontina, or Gouda.
Recipe
Cheese Brioche French Toast
Ingredients
Cheese brioche french toast
- 1 cup milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar divided
- 8 thick slices brioche bread
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
Paprika eggs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 4 large eggs
Instructions
- Whisk together milk, eggs, garlic powder, and ½ cup shredded cheese. Dunk each slice of bread into the milk mixture, making sure to coat both sides with cheese.
- Heat griddle or nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and swirl around the pan to coat the bottom. Place the bread on the pan and sprinkle extra cheddar on top. Cook on both sides until the golden brown, about 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining bread.
- Heat oil in a nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Add paprika and crack the eggs into the pan. Cook until desired degree of doneness.
- Top french toast with fried eggs, spooning the paprika oil on top. Serve with maple syrup if desired.
Notes
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Prepare bread
These french toasts are as easy as 1-2-3. The only difference is the addition of cheese and garlic powder in the batter, making the toast savory and not sweet.
It's also a versatile recipe, allowing you to tweak it to include more spices, swap out the bread, or change up the cheese.
Start by making the batter. Whisk eggs, milk, garlic powder, and shredded cheddar cheese in a large bowl. For the best results, grate your cheese by hand instead of buying pre-grated cheddar. The pre-grated cheese is coated with anti-caking agents, so it doesn't melt quite as well.
Dip the bread slices in the batter, making sure to coat each side with cheese. The cheese sinks to the bottom of the batter, so you can also use a slotted spoon to spread the cheddar on the bread.
Step 2: Cook french toast
Melt butter on a griddle or nonstick pan over medium-low heat and lay the bread in one even layer. Sprinkle extra cheese on top and cook until golden brown. Flip the bread, adding more butter as needed, and cook until browned on the other side.
The secret to a great cheese french toast is in the heat. Make sure to keep the heat on medium-low to ensure that the cheese creates a crispy exterior without burning the bread.
It also doesn't hurt to have some butter in the pan - butter makes everything better in my book. If you have extra cheese floating in the batter after you've dunked the bread, go ahead and spread that on the bread while it's cooking.
Depending on the size of your griddle or pan, you may need to cook the french toast in batches.
Step 3: Fry eggs
Now, you can serve these lovely cheese brioche french toast as-is - no butter or syrup needed. But if you want to take the extra step, top it with a fried egg. I went the extra step and added paprika to the oil, giving the eggs a little kick.
If you're preparing a large batch, keep the toast warm in the oven at 200 degrees F while you prepare the eggs.
Stack up those beautiful, cheesy slices of french toast on your plate and top with that glorious spiced paprika fried egg. Now comes the debate: to serve with maple syrup or not? Either way, the toast is delicious!
Give me a stack of these cheese brioche french toast, and I will be singing tunes the rest of the day! I think it's time for a nap now...
Make-ahead and storage
- Make-ahead: You can cook the french toast ahead of time and keep it warm in the oven until ready to serve. It's best to fry the eggs right before enjoying them.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refridgerator for up to 2 days.
Frequently asked questions
To prevent soggy French toast, avoid soaking the bread for too long in the egg mixture. A quick dip on each side is sufficient. Additionally, ensure the cooking temperature is adequate to cook the egg mixture without excess moisture.
Yes, French toast can be frozen. Allow it to cool completely, then place slices in a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between them. To reheat, toast the slices or warm them in the oven.
More french toast recipes
Looking for more french toast ideas? Try these:
Mary says
This looks delicious!
cma0425 says
Thanks Mary it was!