Classic IHOP French Toast is buttery, sweet, and a wonderful breakfast. Serve with a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top, butter, and syrup for a delicious way to start the day.
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What Makes IHOP French Toast So Good
French Toast is a pretty practical recipe. After all, it was initially created as a simple way to use leftover bread from dinner that has gone stale overnight. Today, French Toast is a bit more sophisticated.
Take this IHOP French Toast recipe for example. Instead of just whisking together eggs and maybe a splash of milk, the recipe for IHOP original French Toast contains flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and a touch of salt.
It may seem like a lot of work to mix up a batter to make French Toast, but once you try it, you will never make it any other way.
Why You Should Try This Battered Recipe for Your Next Breakfast
The unique battering technique for the French Toast at IHOP is what ensures the bread is never soggy and that the exterior cooks up crispy without any dry or burnt spots.
If you have never tried making battered French Toast, it will change your breakfast game forever.
IHOP French Toast Ingredients
To make this recipe, you’ll need:
- Thick-sliced bread – Provides the foundation with proper structure and absorption
- Eggs – Create structure and richness in the batter
- Milk – Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter
- Vanilla extract – Contributes aromatic sweetness and depth
- All-purpose flour – The secret ingredient that creates the perfect coating
- Granulated sugar – Promotes caramelization and adds sweetness
- Salt – Enhances all flavors and balances sweetness
- Butter or oil – Creates the golden exterior and adds richness
- Powdered sugar – Provides the signature finishing touch
How To Make IHOP French Toast
To prepare the IHOP original French Toast recipe:
- Whisk together the eggs and milk in a mixing bowl.
- Stir in the granulated sugar, vanilla extra, and salt into the milk mixture.
- Place the flour into a fine mesh strainer and slowly shake into the mixing bowl with the batter while whisking.Â
- Strain the batter through the same fine mesh strainer into a wide deep-rimmed baking pan.Â
- Place a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan or griddle over medium heat.
- Place the bread slices in the batter. Flip the bread and allow the batter to soak into it. The batter should penetrate completely into the bread to avoid leaving the center dry. However, don’t soak the bread too long, or it will begin to fall apart. The timing will depend on the type of bread you use.Â
- Brush the cooking surface with softened butter or oil.
- Cook the slice of bread until it is golden brown. By the time the first side cooks, the batter on the other side should have lost its shininess. If the French Toast is cooking too quickly, turn down the heat. Flip and cook the second side until golden brown.
- Serve warm. Garnish with powdered sugar, if desired.Â
Bread Variations
You can use just about any bread to make French Toast, but here are a few of the best choices:
- Challah or brioche bread. Any bread that contains eggs will deliver a much heavier and fuller flavored French Toast.
- Thick-sliced sandwich bread. Bake a loaf and slice it thick.
- Cinnamon raisin or panettone bread. Sweet bread studded with fruit makes an outstanding French Toast. With a little whipped cream and some fresh fruit, you can get by serving this version as a light dessert.Â
- Coffee or pound cake. If you want to turn the corner from breakfast to dessert, why not try making this recipe with coffee or pound cake? A bit of whipped cream and chocolate chips is all it takes to turn this recipe into a crowd-pleasing dessert.Â
French Toast Topping Ideas
There are hundreds of ways to top French Toast. Here are a few that you may want to try:
- Fresh fruit. Blueberries, bananas, strawberries, and coconut are all excellent choices, especially when served with a dollop of whipped cream.
- Nuts. Pecans, walnuts, or almonds will give it a nice crunch.
- Masercrated strawberries. Macerating strawberries is an excellent way to use up strawberries that are either too soft, bitter, or unattractive. Hull and slice the strawberries. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar per 1 cup of fruit. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.Â
- Sweetened cheese frosting filling. For a decadent treat, stack two pieces of French Toast with a thick layer of mascarpone or cream cheese frosting between the slices.
How To Store Leftover French Toast
Save a lot of time by making this IHOP French Toast copycat recipe in advance and freeze for quick weekday breakfasts:
- Follow the recipe to the end, and let the French Toast cool on a wire rack.Â
- Place the French Toast on a sheet pan and stick the pan in the freezer until the French Toast freezes solid.Â
- Transfer the frozen French Toast to a freezer bag and store for up to two months.Â
How to Reheat Leftover French Toast
To heat frozen French Toast:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the frozen French Toast on a baking pan with at least an inch between each slice.
- Bake on each side for about three minutes or until warmed through.
Copycat IHOP French Toast with Special Batter Technique
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 slices Texas Toast or other very thick sliced bread
- 2 tablespoons melted butter for skillet
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting
- maple syrup to serve
Instructions
- In a medium-size bowl, beat together the eggs and the milk.
- Add the flour, granulated sugar, vanilla, and salt, and beat to combine.
- Strain the custard mixture using a wire mesh strainer into another bowl.
- Place the bread into the custard mixture, flip it over so that both sides are coated, and then place the bread onto the hot cooking surface. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. The bread should be golden in color when you remove it from the skillet.
- Cut the French toast diagonally if desired, and place it on a plate.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with butter and maple syrup.
Video
Nutrition
Love IHOP? Try These Copycat Recipes!
- Bacon Omelette
- Banana Bread French Toast
- Birthday Pancakes
- Country Griddle Cakes
- Buttermilk Pancakes
- Pumpkin Pancakes
Favorite Breakfast Recipes
- Apple Muffins
- Blintz
- Chocolate Pancakes
- Cinnabon Recipe
- Cruller Donuts
- Homemade Waffles
- Red Velvet Pancakes
Check out more of my easy breakfast recipes and the best copycat restaurant recipes on CopyKat!
Where are the measurements?
Towards the bottom of the page.
Thank you for the recipe. Came out very well and the kids loved it !
IHOP uses brioche bread not Texas toast