IHOP French Toast

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.

copycat IHOP French Toast slices on a large plate.


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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
  • Eggs 
  • Milk 
  • Vanilla extract
  • AP flour 
  • Granulated sugar 
  • Salt 
  • Butter or oil
  • Powdered sugar 
IHOP French toast ingredients on a tray.

How To Make IHOP French Toast 

To prepare the IHOP original French Toast recipe:

  1. Whisk together the eggs and milk in a mixing bowl.
  2. Stir in the granulated sugar, vanilla extra, and salt into the milk mixture.
  3. Place the flour into a fine mesh strainer and slowly shake into the mixing bowl while continuing to whisk. 
IHIP French toast batter and a whisk in a bowl.
  1. Strain the batter through the same fine mesh strainer into a wide deep-rimmed baking pan
straining French toast batter into a bowl.
  1. Place a large heavy-bottomed frying pan or griddle over medium heat.
  2. Place the bread slices into the batter. Flip the bread and allow the batter to soak into the bread. 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. 
a slice of bread in French toast batter.
  1. Brush the cooking surface with softened butter or oil.
  2. 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.
  3. Serve warm. Garnish with powdered sugar, if desired. 
slices of copycat IHOP French Toast with syrup on a large plate.

Bread Variations 

You can use just about any type of 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. 
  • Coffee or pound cake. If you really 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. 

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 a wonderful way to use up strawberries that are either too soft, too bitter, or just a little unattractive. Hull and slice the strawberries. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar per 1 cup of fruit. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. 
  • Sweetened cheese frosting filling. Stack two pieces of French Toast with a thick layer of mascarpone or cream cheese frosting between the slices for a decadent treat.

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:

  1. Follow the recipe to the end, and let the French Toast cool on a wire rack
  2. Place the French Toast on a sheet pan and stick the pan in the freezer until the French Toast freezes solid. 
  3. Transfer the frozen French Toast to a freezer bag and store for up to two months. 

How to Reheat Leftover French Toast 

To heat frozen French Toast:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Place the frozen French Toast on a baking pan with at least an inch between each slice.
  3. Bake on each side for about three minutes or until warmed through.
overhead view of copycat IHOP French Toast slices on a large plate.

Love IHOP? Try These Copycat Recipes!

Favorite Breakfast Recipes

Check out more of my easy breakfast recipes and the best copycat restaurant recipes on CopyKat!

copycat IHOP French Toast slices on a large plate.

IHOP French Toast

You can make delicious IHOP French Toast at home with this easy recipe.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: French Toast, IHOP Recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 384kcal

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.
  • Heat a skillet or a griddle to about 350°F. Brush the skillet/griddle with butter.
  • 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

Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 624mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 231IU | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 13mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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