French toast, also known as eggy bread, is a popular breakfast dish made by soaking bread slices in a mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, then frying them until golden brown. While French toast is meant to be cooked through, some people wonder if it’s possible to undercook it.
What happens when you undercook French toast?
If French toast is undercooked, the egg mixture will not have fully set, leaving the inside raw and runny. The bread will also be very soft and soggy instead of golden brown and crisp on the outside. Undercooked French toast can taste overly eggy and the texture will be unappealing. Additionally, there are food safety concerns with eating raw or undercooked eggs.
Is it safe to eat undercooked French toast?
Eating undercooked French toast that contains raw or undercooked eggs poses a risk of foodborne illness. Salmonella and E. coli are bacteria that can be present in raw eggs and cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea if ingested. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for illness from consuming raw or undercooked eggs.
How to prevent undercooked French toast
Here are some tips to ensure your French toast is properly cooked:
- Use very fresh bread that is not too thick. Stale or thick bread slices will be harder to cook through.
- Allow the bread to soak thoroughly in the egg mixture so it’s completely saturated.
- Make sure your pan or griddle is hot enough before adding the soaked bread. Use a skillet or griddle that retains heat well.
- Cook over medium to medium-high heat. Cooking over too low of heat will lead to undercooking.
- Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Check that there is no visible egg runniness or uncooked egg mixture before removing from pan.
- Use a food thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 160°F.
How to tell when French toast is fully cooked
Signs that your French toast is fully cooked through include:
- The exterior is crispy and golden brown on both sides.
- The interior appears set and not runny or mushy when sliced into.
- It has firmed up and is not soggy or limp.
- It has an internal temperature of 160°F when checked with a food thermometer.
What to do if your French toast is undercooked
If you accidentally undercook your French toast, you have a couple options:
- Finish cooking it – Return the undercooked pieces to the skillet and continue cooking over medium heat until the interior sets and the exterior is crispy and golden brown.
- Bake it – Place undercooked French toast on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 5-10 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Discard it – If the French toast is very undercooked with lots of raw egg, it’s best to discard for food safety reasons.
Conclusion
While it’s possible to undercook French toast if it doesn’t cook through fully, it’s best to avoid eating raw or runny French toast. With proper technique, using fresh bread, and monitoring doneness, you can prevent undercooking. Look for an exterior that is crispy and golden brown, and a firm, non-runny interior. Discard any pieces that are too undercooked and appear wet or soggy inside. Following cooking recommendations will ensure your French toast turns out perfectly – inside and out.