French toast is a delicious breakfast dish that can be made by soaking bread slices in a milk-egg mixture and then frying them until golden brown. While the basic ingredients are straightforward, there is some debate around whether it’s better to cook French toast in butter or oil.
Butter and oil each have their pros and cons when it comes to making French toast. Factors like taste, nutrition, cost, and ease of cooking can help determine which one is the better choice for you.
Taste
When it comes to taste, butter and oil produce some noticeable differences in the French toast.
Butter – Cooking French toast in butter provides a rich, indulgent flavor. As the butter browns in the pan, it gives the French toast a slightly nutty taste. The milk solids in the butter also lend a creamy mouthfeel.
Oil – Oils like canola or vegetable oil create a crispy texture on the outside of the French toast. However, oil doesn’t add as much flavor complexity as butter. The French toast tastes light yet non-descript.
Most chefs and cooks prefer the fuller bodied flavor that butter provides. The butteriness seeps into the bread giving it more depth. Oil can make the French toast taste flat or one-dimensional in comparison.
Taste winner: Butter
Nutrition
Butter and oil differ quite a bit in their nutritional profiles. This can be an important consideration for those monitoring their fat or calorie intake.
Butter – Butter contains significant amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol. In a 1 tbsp (14 g) serving, butter provides:
- Calories: 102
- Total fat: 12 g
- Saturated fat: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
Oil – In contrast, vegetable and canola oils contain healthier unsaturated fats without cholesterol. A serving of canola oil (1 tbsp / 14 g) has:
- Calories: 124
- Total fat: 14 g
- Saturated fat: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
For those conscious of heart health or weight management, oil is the better choice. The mono- and polyunsaturated fats it delivers can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Nutrition winner: Oil
Cost
If you’re cooking French toast for a large family, the cost of butter versus oil may play a role in your decision.
Butter – The price of butter can range anywhere from $2.50 to $6 per pound. Expect to pay around $3-4 for a quality unsalted butter.
Oil – A liter bottle of canola or vegetable oil costs approximately $2-3. Due to its volume, oil prices out much cheaper ounce for ounce compared to butter.
For big batches of French toast, oil brings considerable cost savings over butter. Keep in mind it takes about 2 tbsp of fat to cook 3-4 slices of French toast. The price difference between butter and oil can really add up.
Cost winner: Oil
Ease of Cooking
Convenience and ease of use should also factor into whether butter or oil is the optimal choice.
Butter – Melting and browning butter requires a bit more time, attention, and experience in the kitchen. The butter’s milk solids can scorch and burn at higher heats if you aren’t careful. But for those comfortable behind the stove, butter is manageable.
Oil – Heating oil is straightforward. You simply pour it into the heated pan and it’s ready for cooking. As oils have higher smoke points than butter, they are more forgiving for novice cooks.
For quick and easy cooking, oil gets the nod. But with some care, butter can work fine too.
Ease of cooking winner: Oil
Frequency of Use
Depending on how often you make French toast, it may make sense to always have butter or oil on hand.
Butter – As butter is a staple ingredient in cooking and baking, it’s convenient to keep some in your refrigerator at all times. Unless you are cooking French toast every morning, you will likely use up butter before it goes bad.
Oil – Since oil is not called for as widely in recipes, you may not end up using up a whole bottle when only making French toast. Oils can also go rancid after a period of time if not used.
For occasional or weekly French toast, butter is the practical choice. But if making it every day for a large family, oil may be the way to go.
Frequency of use winner: Butter
Conclusion
So is it better to cook French toast in butter or oil? When weighing all the factors, butter edges out oil but only slightly.
While oil is the healthier option and more economical for larger batches, butter provides superior taste and is more convenient for infrequent cooking. Ultimately it comes down to your priorities and preferences in the kitchen.
If heart health and fat intake are concerns, oil is the route to go. However, for an undeniably rich and flavorful experience, butter is king.
As the differences are pretty marginal, there’s no outright right or wrong option. Use the comparisons above to decide whether butter or oil suits your needs best.
No matter which you choose, you’ll end up with delicious golden-brown French toast to enjoy.
Here is a summary table comparing butter and oil for cooking French toast:
| Criteria | Butter | Oil |
|---|---|---|
| Taste | Rich, indulgent flavor | Crispy texture, less flavor |
| Nutrition | Higher in saturated fat and cholesterol | Rich in healthier unsaturated fats |
| Cost | More expensive per ounce | Very affordable in larger quantities |
| Ease of Cooking | Requires more care when cooking | Easy to heat and use |
| Frequency of Use | Good for occasional cooking | Best for frequent/high volume |
As you can see, both butter and oil have their advantages. Choose the option that best fits your personal cooking needs and preferences.
Whichever fat you use, soaking the bread fully and cooking over medium-low heat are keys to getting perfect, golden-brown French toast. Play around with ingredient ratios and cooking times to get the ideal texture and doneness.
Once cooked, top your French toast with maple syrup, fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or other favorite accompaniments. The possibilities are endless for customizing this timeless breakfast treat.
With practice in the kitchen, you’ll be able to whip up restaurant-quality French toast in no time. The delicious aromas of cinnamon and vanilla will entice your family to the breakfast table.
So grab some bread, eggs, milk and your fat of choice. Then enjoy the fun and simple pleasure of cooking homemade French toast, no matter which you prefer.
French toast brings back feelings of comfort, childhood, and cozy weekend mornings with family. As Julia Child once said “Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” French toast just may be that passion for you.
The beauty of cooking is that recipes evolve. There are always new techniques to try and flavors to explore. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make French toast your own.
Vary the type of bread – challah, sourdough, and brioche all shine. Play with different milks – almond, oat, and coconut milk offer unique tastes. Try adding spices like vanilla, cinnamon, or nutmeg to elevate the flavor.
If your first attempt doesn’t turn out perfectly, don’t get discouraged. Cooking French toast takes some finesse. With a little patience and lots of practice, you will get the hang of it.
Pretty soon, you’ll be able to confidently serve up the best French toast on the block. Your friends and family will be begging for your secret recipe.
Remember that cooking should be fun! Don’t stress about following recipes exactly. Add your own creative spin and personality into the kitchen.
The kitchen is a great place to make memories. The time spent cooking and laughing together over meals is so valuable in this busy modern world.
Whipping up a batch of homemade French toast is the perfect weekend activity with kids. Let them crack the eggs and dip the bread for a hands-on lesson.
Cooking together teaches children so many important life skills – math, science, reading, and more. Plus they will cherish the bonding time spent making delicious food.
Even better – enjoy the fruits of your labor together. Sit down as a family to dip your French toast in syrup and talk about your day. Don’t rush the meal.
Linger over coffees and laughs shared around the table. This is why we cook – for the joy and community it brings us all together.
French toast holds such nostalgia because it connects us to family. When shared fresh from the pan, it brings comfort and a sense of home.
The kitchen has always been the heart of the home. And iconic dishes like French toast will continue this tradition for generations to come.
So grab an apron, fire up the stove, and relish the simple magic of turning basic ingredients into happiness. Let French toast bring sweetness – both in flavor and memories – to your mornings.