This lemon French toast is a breakfast or brunch classic served with a mountain of fresh strawberries and a healthy drizzle of maple syrup.
I have been a fan of French toast all my life. We used to call it “Eggy bread” when I was little and I would eat it with syrup and grated cheese (don’t judge until you’ve tried it). A friend of mine used to cover hers in ketchup (this one you’re allowed to judge) and another would sprinkle hers with brown sugar. And as is often the case, the twins love it just as much which excites me because Aidan can not stand anything with egg in it.
Honestly, even French toast haters love this easy French toast recipe.
This lemon French toast just screams Summer to me and this is a great use for juicy, ripe strawberries. However, they can be replaced with bananas or blueberries. The lemon in the egg mixture adds a lovely pop of brightness and works so well with the rich, creamy French toast. Just the perfect breakfast and honestly, the best French toast recipe I’ve tried.
How to make French toast
Whisk fresh eggs, milk and lemon zest together and pour into a bowl suitable for soaking the bread. Use thick slices of bread and soak in the egg mixture for 30 seconds-1 minutes per side (depending on thickness). Carefully remove the bread and cook in a warm pan until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. You can add a knob of butter to add richness as well. Serve the French toast warm topped with macerated strawberries.
Is stale bread better for French toast?
Yes, stale bread works much better for French toast than fresh bread. Fresh bread won’t be able to absorb the egg custard as well as stale bread and can result in soggy French toast.
Why is my french toast soggy?
Your bread could be too fresh or you left the bread in the egg mixture too long. The bread should absorb a lot of the custard but not be impossible to transfer to the pan. Also make sure that your pan is warm enough so the bread has a chance to toast and form a golden brown crust on both sides.
What can you put on French toast instead of syrup?
- Macerated strawberries
- Lemon or passion fruit curd
- Peanut butter
- Honey
- Fresh fruit like banana, blueberries or raspberries
- Crispy bacon
Can you reheat French toast?
Yes you can reheat French toast. If you have leftover French toast, wrap well in parchment paper and foil then refrigerate up to 3 days. To re-heat, pop the slices in the toaster or heat a pan and quickly re-heat the toast in the pan.
More breakfast and brunch recipes:
- Easy and healthy banana oat pancakes
- Easy breakfast board
- Make-ahead freezer breakfast sandwiches
- Easy breakfast egg crêpes
- Roasted cheesy breakfast potatoes
- Easy healthy banana oat waffles
Lemon French toast with fresh strawberries
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick bread
- 4 eggs
- 4 tablespoons milk
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 cups strawberries sliced
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- maple syrup to serve
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and lemon zest.
- Soak the bread in the egg mixture.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and add a knob of butter/splash of oil.
- Fry the bread for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Combine the strawberries and sugar in a separate bowl and set aside.
- When the French toast is cooked, serve with the strawberries and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Nutrition
Easy healthy banana oat waffles
Buttermilk Pancakes
So. Good. A full lemon zest seemed like a lot to me but it just gave the best essence of lemon. Will definitely make again.
Delicious! Served them with the strawberries but added chocolate syrup and bananas. My kids loved it.
Who wouldn’t? Chocolate and bananas are a match made in Heaven!
This is my kind of breakfast Alida! Can’t wait to grab some fresh, juicy strawberries!
Thanks Mary Ann! Strawberry season is just around the corner for you guys! 🙂
I can’t even believe how badly I want this in front of me right now! I am crazy addicted to French toast and just had some for Easter brunch, but I would throw down on a pile of these today, because…YUMMMM! Pinning and sharing!
You and me both Traci. Thanks for your lovely comment. 🙂
I haven’t made French toast in so long – you’ve inspired me to try again very soon! Such beautiful photos.
Thanks so much Thanh.
I was drooling even before I read your description! Your pictures make me want to reach through the screen. I can’t wait until the local strawberries come out so I can do this recipe justice. 🙂
Thanks so much Annemarie! 🙂
Haha! Yes, I was drooling after the description of your French toast…in fact, I was drooling just looking at them. Looking forward to making these someday soon!
Mission accomplished! 🙂 Thanks Leslie!
That looks heavenly. I’ve just had lunch, but I think I still have space!
Haha thanks Jacqueline! It’s definitely something to keep space for. 😉
It really is. Quite decadent too!
Nasheta, we also had it with tomato sauce often but I promise this syrupy version is just to die for!
We grew up eating it with tomato sauce – and now so do my kids. I have never tried it with syrup but now that I’m drooling at your pics, I will have to give this a try 🙂
OMG, this looks really awesome and like the bestest french toast – really decadent and delish!
It really is! 🙂 Such a nice treat over a weekend.
French toast with beetroot sounds peculiar but I can imagine it can be delicious!
I cannot wait to try this, thanks you. Ps… my husband loves french toast with beetroot. Its actually quite yummy, I like mine with syrup.
This looks so so so so SO good and these pictures are a work of art in themselves 🙂
Thanks so much Medha!
My oh my this looks super delicious.
Thanks Rochelle!
Heidi, I prefer to think of French Toast as calorie-less. Especially when I add whipped cream as a topping…
This sounds & looks SOOOOO delicious. I do love your idea of adding lemon zest in it.
I guarantee that I am human because I am drooling while looking/reading at this post 🙂
Haha! I’m glad you’re human! 😉 Thanks for the lovely comment Pang.
Sheesh, so simple, but they look so utterly decadent. French toast with berries can’t be beat. I really like to make a baked french toast with bananas and chocolate chips :). Yep, no calories there.
Damn, your pics are sooo gorgeous, I’m defs going to indulge in some french toast this weekend!