By Krista Teigen
Published Apr 16, 2025
When I’m in the mood for something a little extra at breakfast, this brioche French toast is my go-to. It’s rich, fluffy, and pan-fried to golden perfection—with a crisp edge and a soft, custardy center that feels like a total treat. I’m planning to make it for Easter morning this year, and I have a feeling it’ll be making another appearance for Mother’s Day brunch too. Thick slices of buttery brioche make it feel special, but the best part? It’s surprisingly simple to whip up with ingredients I almost always have on hand.
My family loves French toast, and while I often turn to a baked French toast casserole when I’m feeding a crowd or want to prep ahead, this pan-fried version is my favorite for a cozy weekend breakfast. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a treat but is simple enough to pull together without a fuss.
Tips for Beginners
- Dip, don’t soak the bread. Brioche is soft and absorbent, so a quick dip on each side is all you need. Soaking the bread too long can lead to soggy slices that fall apart in the pan. Aim for a few seconds per side to get that creamy center without losing structure.
- Cinnamon tends to clump in liquid, so mix it vigorously or even sift the cinnamon in to help it distribute evenly throughout the custard.
- Medium heat is your friend—too hot and the toast will burn before the inside cooks; too low and it won’t brown properly. Give your pan time to preheat so each slice gets an even cook.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 3/4 cup milk
- ▢ 3 eggs
- ▢ 2 tablespoons sugar
- ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ▢ Pinch of salt
- ▢ 8 slices brioche bread
- ▢ Butter
Toppings (optional)
- ▢ Maple syrup
- ▢ Fresh berries
- ▢ Whipped cream
- ▢ Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish. 3/4 cup milk, 3 eggs, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, Pinch of salt
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt a couple pats of butter on the skillet and swirl it around.* Butter
- Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture. Flip so both sides are coated. 8 slices brioche bread
- Let excess coating drop off. Then, transfer each slice of bread onto the skillet. Cook for a minute or two on each side until golden brown.
- Top the French toast with maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, and powdered sugar. Maple syrup, Fresh berries, Powdered sugar, Whipped cream
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Cook Brioche French Toast Step by Step
Gather the Ingredients: Gather all the ingredients together.
Make the custard mixture : In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together ¾ cup milk, 3 eggs, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ½ tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Pour the mixture into a shallow dish for dredging. Warm a large skillet over medium heat. Add a couple pats of butter and swirl to coat the pan evenly.
Dip the brioche: Dip each slice of bread into the custard, flipping it to coat both sides evenly. Gently let any extra custard drip off before transferring the slice to the hot skillet.
Cook until golden: Cook the French toast for 1–2 minutes per side or until golden brown and crisp on the edges. Repeat until you’ve cooked all your brioche slices.
Add toppings and enjoy: Serve warm with maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, and a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
There are rarely leftovers in this house, but if I have a few extra pieces, I place them in an airtight container and eat them within 2-3 days. To reheat, I either pop them in the toaster oven or warm them up in a skillet over medium-low heat with a touch of butter—just until heated through and lightly crisp on the edges. The microwave works in a pinch, but the texture won’t be quite the same.
You can also freeze slices by laying them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. Reheat straight from frozen in a skillet or toaster oven for an easy, make-ahead breakfast.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite way to indulge in this breakfast is with a generous slab of butter, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, and a handful of fresh berries on top. It’s simple, classic, and always hits the spot. When I’m making it for a holiday brunch, though, I love going all out. Some people like to load up on toppings, so I’ll set the table with a little something for everyone— fresh whipped cream , caramel or chocolate sauce, chopped pecans, and of course, extra berries and syrup.
For a savory balance, I like to serve it alongside sweet & spicy brown sugar bacon or some quick air fryer bacon . And if it’s a special occasion like Mother’s Day, I’ll add a quiche Lorraine or some classic scrambled eggs to round out the meal. Or better yet, just ask your mom what she wants. Chances are, she’ll appreciate the thought (and the French toast) more than anything else.
More Brunch favorites to try!
Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Blueberry Pancakes
Peaches and Cream Overnight French Toast
Eggs Benedict Casserole
Brioche French Toast
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 8 slices brioche bread
- Butter
Toppings (optional)
- Maple syrup
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish. 3/4 cup milk, 3 eggs, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, Pinch of salt
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt a couple pats of butter on the skillet and swirl it around.* Butter
- Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture. Flip so both sides are coated. 8 slices brioche bread
- Let excess coating drop off. Then, transfer each slice of bread onto the skillet. Cook for a minute or two on each side until golden brown.
- Top the French toast with maple syrup, fresh berries, whipped cream, and powdered sugar. Maple syrup, Fresh berries, Powdered sugar, Whipped cream
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
