French toast is a delicious breakfast dish that can be paired with a variety of sides and toppings to create a filling and satisfying morning meal. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide quick answers to common questions about what goes well with French toast and what to consider when planning a French toast breakfast.
What are some classic French toast accompaniments?
Some classic options to serve alongside French toast include:
- Bacon – The savory, salty flavor of crispy bacon is a tasty contrast to the sweetness of French toast.
- Sausage – Like bacon, sausages make an excellent protein to enjoy with French toast. Pork sausage, turkey sausage, chicken sausage are all good choices.
- Fresh fruit – Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries or sliced fruits like bananas, apples, or peaches taste delicious with French toast.
- Maple syrup – Drizzled over the top, pure maple syrup is a favorite sweet pairing for French toast.
- Powdered sugar – A dusting of powdered sugar adds sweetness without overpowering the French toast flavor.
- Whipped cream – Topping French toast with light and fluffy whipped cream makes the dish even more decadent.
- Butter – Spreading butter on French toast helps keep it warm and adds richness.
What are some creative topping ideas for French toast?
Beyond the classic toppings, you can also get creative with fun, unique toppings for French toast including:
- Sliced bananas and peanut butter
- Berries mixed into whipped cream or Greek yogurt
- Sliced apples and cinnamon
- Chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds
- Nutella or other chocolate-hazelnut spread
- Mascarpone cheese and honey
- Sliced stone fruits like nectarines, peaches, or plums
- Lemon curd or orange marmalade
- Shaved chocolate or chocolate chips
- Crumbled bacon pieces
What are good drink choices to go with French toast?
Beverages that pair well with a French toast breakfast include:
- Coffee – A warm cup of coffee is a breakfast classic to enjoy alongside French toast.
- Tea – Hot black tea, herbal tea, or fruit tea are nice options.
- Juice – Orange juice, apple juice, or other fresh fruit juices complement French toast’s sweetness.
- Milk – Cold milk is a refreshing beverage for breakfast.
- Hot chocolate – For a more indulgent drink, go for hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.
- Mimosa – Make it a special brunch with a sparkling mimosa of orange juice and champagne.
What are good side dishes to serve with French toast?
Beyond just toppings and drinks, some savory side dishes that pair nicely with French toast include:
- Hash browns or home fries
- Scrambled eggs or omelets
- Breakfast meats like bacon, sausage, or ham
- Fresh fruit or fruit salad
- Yogurt or granola parfaits
- Cinnamon baked goods like rolls, muffins, or scones
Sample menu ideas
Here are a few sample French toast breakfast menus to give you inspiration:
French Toast Classic
- French toast
- Crispy bacon
- Fresh strawberries
- Maple syrup
- Orange juice
- Coffee
French Toast Sweet & Savory
- French toast topped with banana slices and peanut butter
- Scrambled eggs
- Pork sausage patties
- Hash browns
- Milk
- Coffee
French Toast Fruity & Fresh
- French toast topped with yogurt, blueberries, and granola
- Fresh fruit salad
- Hard boiled eggs
- Mimosa
- Herbal tea
How can you customize French toast to suit different tastes and diets?
The basic French toast recipe can be adapted in many ways:
- Make it gluten-free – Use gluten-free bread or pancakes instead of regular bread.
- Use lactose-free milk – For dairy-free diets, sub in lactose-free milk or non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk.
- Reduce sugar – Skip adding sugar to the custard and use just a touch of maple syrup as topping.
- Boost protein – Add an egg white or protein powder to the custard.
- Add nutrients – Mix seeds, nuts, or wheat germ into the breading for extra crunch and nutrients.
- Make it vegan – Use vegan bread or egg replacer in the custard.
Conclusion
French toast makes for an indulgent yet highly customizable breakfast. From maple syrup to fresh fruit to creative toppings, there are endless delicious possibilities for what to serve with French toast. It pairs nicely with everything from breakfast meats and eggs, to yogurt, juice and baked goods on the sweeter side. With a few easy tweaks, it can also be adapted to suit various diets and nutritional needs. So dig into this ultimate comfort food in your own creative way!