French toast is a delicious breakfast dish that can be prepared ahead of time and enjoyed the next morning. However, one common concern is whether letting French toast sit overnight will cause it to get soggy. The short answer is that French toast can absolutely get soggy if not stored properly overnight. But with the right techniques, you can make French toast in advance and still have it come out crispy and delicious the next day.
Why does French toast get soggy?
There are a few reasons why French toast may end up soggy if left to sit overnight:
- Absorption of moisture – The bread in French toast will continue to absorb any moisture from the egg mixture, milk, and syrup overnight. This leads to a soggy texture.
- Compression – When stacked or tightly packed in the refrigerator, the weight squeezes moisture into the bread.
- Staling – As French toast sits, the bread gradually goes stale. Stale bread has a tendency to absorb more moisture.
Understanding the science behind why French toast soggy can help us prevent it from happening.
Tips to keep French toast crispy overnight
With the right preparation and storage methods, you can absolutely make French toast ahead of time and keep it from getting soggy overnight:
Use bread that resists going stale
The type of bread you use for French toast matters. Breads with higher sugar and fat content tend to stale slower. Brioche, challah, and texas toast are all great options that will stay fresher tasting overnight.
Allow the French toast to cool completely before refrigerating
Don’t stack warm French toast straight from the skillet into the fridge. Allow it to cool down to room temperature first so that moisture doesn’t condense on the surface, making it soggy.
Place wax or parchment paper between slices
Prevent sogginess by slipping a sheet of wax paper or parchment between each slice of French toast before storing. This creates a barrier to prevent moisture transfer.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil
Make sure to wrap your cooked French toast very tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating. This helps lock in moisture and prevents the slices from drying out.
Store French toast on its side vs. stacked
Rather than stacking slices vertically, arrange them lying flat and side-by-side in a storage container. This prevents compressing and moisture absorption.
Add a paper towel to absorb moisture
Place a sheet of paper towel in the container or zip top bag you store the French toast in. The paper towel will help soak up any condensation that forms.
Re-crisp French toast before serving
Even when kept dry overnight, French toast will still benefit from some re-crisping before eating. Place the slices on a baking sheet in a 375°F oven for 5-10 minutes right before serving.
How long does French toast last in the fridge?
When stored properly, French toast can last 3-4 days in the refrigerator before quality starts to decline. Here are some signs that your refrigerated French toast has expired:
- Drying out – The bread feels very dry and stiff
- Mold growth – You see fuzzy mold growing on the surface
- Off smells – It gives off a sour, unpleasant odor
- Change in color – The egg coating looks grey or yellowish
For maximum freshness and texture, try to eat refrigerated French toast within 2-3 days. The sooner you can enjoy it, the better.
Can you freeze French toast?
Freezing is a great long-term storage method to keep French toast fresh for up to 3 months. To freeze French toast successfully:
- Cool French toast completely before freezing
- Stack slices with wax paper squares separating each
- Place in freezer bag or airtight container
- Remove as much air as possible and seal
- Freeze for up to 3 months
To reheat frozen French toast, simply pop the slices into a 350°F oven directly from frozen until warmed through, 5-10 minutes.
Overnight French Toast Casserole
If you want to simplify breakfast even further, assemble an overnight French toast casserole. This hands-off method lets you wake up to an easy baked French toast:
Ingredients
- 1 loaf day old bread, cubed
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1⁄4 cup sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1⁄4 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Butter or oil for greasing pan
Instructions
- Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread bread cubes evenly in pan.
- Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and spices together until blended.
- Pour egg mixture over bread, pressing down lightly to coat all pieces.
- Cover and refrigerate 8+ hours or overnight.
- Uncover and bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Let cool 5 minutes before cutting and serving with desired toppings.
Serving and topping ideas
While French toast is delicious on its own, part of the fun is how you can customize it with creative toppings and fillings. Here are some delicious ways to serve French toast:
Classic toppings
- Butter – A pat of melted butter over warm French toast
- Maple syrup – The standard sweet pairing, or try flavors like blueberry or pecan
- Powdered sugar – A simple dusting of powdered sugar
- Whipped cream – Sweet whipped cream dolloped on top
- Berries – Fresh blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries
- Bananas – Sliced bananas are delicious on top
- Chocolate chips – For you chocolate lovers out there
Savory ideas
- Sliced ham and Swiss cheese
- Sautéed apples and bacon
- Caramelized onions and mushrooms
- Sliced avocado and tomato
- Lox and capers
- Sliced prosciutto
Sweet combinations
- Hazelnut spread and sliced bananas
- Mascarpone cheese and citrus segments
- Peanut butter and chocolate chips
- Dulce de leche drizzled over the top
- Pecans and salted caramel sauce
- S’mores with marshmallows and chocolate
Nutrition
French toast can fit into a balanced breakfast, though it does tend to be higher in calories. Here is the nutrition breakdown for a standard serving of French toast (2 slices):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 330 |
| Fat | 12g |
| Carbs | 41g |
| Protein | 11g |
| Sugar | 11g |
Tips to lighten up French toast:
- Use whole grain or sprouted bread
- Choose milk over cream for a lower fat version
- Egg whites only to cut cholesterol
- Easy on the syrup and butter
- Fill with fresh fruit instead of chocolate or syrup
Common French toast questions
Should I soak the bread overnight?
Soaking French toast batter overnight leads to bread that is too saturated and falls apart easily during cooking. For best results, dip the bread right before frying. If preparing ahead, store the batter in the fridge but soak the bread day-of.
Can I make French toast without eggs?
Yes, you can make French toast without eggs! Whisk together milk, cinnamon, vanilla and flour instead. The mixture won’t cling quite as well to the bread, so you may need to soak the slices a bit longer before frying.
What’s the difference between French toast and eggy bread?
French toast and eggy bread are very similar dishes, but French toast uses sliced bread dipped in an egg mixture then fried. Eggy bread is more like scrambling eggs with torn up pieces of bread incorporated into the eggs.
Should I use day old bread?
Bread that is a day old is ideal for French toast, as it has dried out a bit and absorbs more custard. Fresh bread can get too soggy. Brioche or challah work well even fresh since they have more structure.
What bread works best?
Thick sliced breads like challah, brioche and Texas toast work wonderfully. Sourdough and French bread also fry up nicely with lots of nooks and crannies. Avoid flimsy white sandwich bread.
Conclusion
With proper storage techniques, making French toast ahead of time doesn’t have to mean soggy disappointment in the morning. Allowing it to cool completely before refrigerating, separating slices, and wrapping well are key to keeping that crispy texture overnight. An overnight casserole simplifies preparation even further. Topped with sweet or savory favorites, French toast makes for a comforting morning meal.