Denny’s French Toast (Easy Recipe)

Have a hearty and comforting breakfast at home with this Denny’s French toast copycat recipe!

It’s hands-down the best way to start a lazy weekend.

Denny’s makes some of the most drool-worthy French toast on the planet.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t make them yourself and save a few bucks in the process!

In fact, recreating this popular morning treat is a breeze. 

These French toast slices are crisp around the edges and fluffy and pillowy in the middle.

With a dusting of powdered sugar, a dab of butter, and a drizzle of warm syrup, it’s the breakfast of champions.

Ingredients 

• Eggs – set them at the counter 30 minutes before use. Room temperature eggs will mix much easier with other ingredients.
• Whole Milk – the base of the custard. Whole milk yields the best flavor. Be sure it’s at room temperature as well, otherwise, the custard will be grainy.
• Flour – for a thicker custard.
• Granulated Sugar – for sweetness.
• Vanilla – to heighten the flavors of the milk and sugar.
• Salt – to contrast the sweetness.
• Cinnamon – a little bit of spice makes everything nice.
• Bread – the recipe uses Texas toast, but there are lots of options below to choose from!
• Butter – to grease the pan.
• Powdered Sugar, Butter, And Syrup – French toast isn’t complete without these toppings.

What Is the Best Bread for French Toast?

The best bread for French toast is either brioche, challah, or French bread. Using enriched bread like brioche will ensure the finished product is richly flavorful. That said, most white bread recipes will work. It should also be stale and dry so that it soaks up as much of the custard as possible.

This recipe calls for Texas toast because you’ll want the slices to be nice and thick. It’s also firm enough to handle being soaked in custard for a few seconds without it falling apart.

If you can’t find Texas toast in your local grocery or bakeshop, any of these types of bread work perfectly well, too:

• Brioche – it’s sturdy with a sweet and buttery flavor.
• Sourdough – its tanginess contrasts the richness of the custard.
• French bread
• Ciabatta
• Challah

As you can see, these are all “white” bread recipes, meaning they have no added savory flavors or seeds in the mix, which doesn’t always pair well in French toast.

Tips and Tricks for the Best French Toast

• Slice the bread 3/4 to 1-inch thick. This’ll help the slices absorb the custard without disintegrating. That way, they’ll be crisp on the outside and fluffy and moist on the inside.

• For the richest, creamiest custard, use whole milk, heavy cream, or half-and-half. Now’s not the time to go on a diet.

• Let the custard chill in the fridge for 2 hours to allow its flavors to meld. This isn’t required but is highly recommended.

• Don’t be afraid to soak the bread in the custard. It’s what gives the French toast its flavor. As long as you use the right bread and slice it into the correct thickness, it’ll retain its shape even when dipped in liquid for several seconds.

• If you don’t like those stubborn egg white lumps in your custard, strain it through a sieve. That should also remove any stray peices of shell or grains of salt that didn’t dissolve too.

• Store cooked slices in a 200-degree-Fahrenheit oven to keep them warm while you’re cooking the rest. They’ll stay nice and crisp if you keep them in a single layer.

• When pan-frying French toast, low and slow is the way to go. Cook the slices on medium heat for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on each side, depending on their thickness

Pan-frying at a higher temperature will burn the outside while leaving the inside uncooked and soggy. If the temperature is too low, the custard will spread into the bottom of the bread and will create feet.

Can I Freeze French Toast?

French toast freezes very well, provided it’s cooled completely and sealed in a freezer-safe, airtight container. French toast slices can be frozen and enjoyed within 3 months.

Let it defrost at room temperature, and warm in the microwave at 50% power level. You can also use the toaster to crisp it back up.

More French Toast Recipes You Need To Try

McCormick French Toast
Eggnog French Toast
Alton Brown French Toast
Paula Deen’s French Toast
Baileys French Toast
Cracker Barrel French Toast