A French toast combo is a popular breakfast meal that typically consists of French toast, meat, and eggs. The French toast is the star of the combo, but it is served alongside savory side dishes like bacon, sausage, or ham to make it a hearty and satisfying morning meal.
What is French Toast?
French toast is a dish made of bread soaked in a milk-egg mixture and then fried on a griddle or in a pan. The soaking causes the bread to become saturated with the custard-like mixture. When cooked, the egg mixture creates a rich, eggy exterior around the bread.
While French toast can be made with any type of bread, thicker slices of bread with a dense crumb like challah, brioche, or Texas toast work best. The thick slices soak up more of the egg mixture and hold up better to cooking without falling apart.
The basic mixture for French toast is made by whisking together eggs, milk or cream, sugar, and vanilla. For richer French toast, melted butter is sometimes incorporated into the soaking mixture. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice are often used to add warmth and flavor as well.
Once cooked, French toast is often dusted with powdered sugar or maple syrup and served warm. Sliced fresh fruit like bananas or strawberries also pair nicely with it.
Typical French Toast Combo Ingredients
Here are some of the most common ingredients found in a French toast combo:
- Thick-sliced bread for French toast
- Eggs and milk for French toast batter
- Bacon or sausage
- Ham
- Breakfast potatoes
- Fresh fruit like bananas or strawberries
- Syrup and butter
Let’s explore some of these key ingredients in more detail:
Bread for French Toast
The bread is the foundation of the French toast and needs to be thick enough to soak up the custard-like batter and hold together during cooking. Some good options include:
- Challah: This eggy, brioche-like bread has a rich flavor and tender crumb.
- Brioche: The high butter and egg content in this bread keeps it moist and rich-tasting after soaking and cooking.
- Texas Toast: Extra thick-sliced white bread that stays dense and sturdy.
- French Bread: The chewy crumb and sturdy crust helps the slices maintain their shape.
- Sourdough: The tangy flavor and chewy texture pairs well with the sweetness of French toast.
Meat Side Dishes
Since French toast is a sweet dish, the combo balances it out with salty, savory meats like:
- Bacon: Smoky, salty bacon is a classic. Crispy strips pair perfectly with the soft, custardy toast.
- Breakfast sausage: Spicy sausage links or patties add hearty flavor.
- Ham: Salty sliced ham rounds out the combo nicely.
- Chicken apple sausage: Milder than pork sausage with a touch of sweetness.
- Turkey bacon: For a leaner alternative to regular bacon.
Eggs
What’s breakfast without eggs? Round out the combo with eggs prepared any style like:
- Fried eggs
- Scrambled eggs
- Poached eggs
- Hard boiled eggs
Breakfast Potatoes
Crispy, buttery breakfast potatoes add even more substance. Potatoes can be roasted or pan-fried until golden brown and tender inside. Top with extras like:
- Onions
- Peppers
- Cheese
- Chili seasoning
- Herbs
Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruit brightens up the hearty combo. Berries, banana slices, or citrus fruits provide vitamin C and natural sweetness.
Steps for Making a French Toast Combo
Here is a typical order of operations for putting together a French toast combo breakfast:
- Prep the batter and soak the bread slices. Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Soak bread slices in the mixture until saturated.
- Cook any breakfast meat like bacon or sausage first. Bacon can bake in the oven for easy cooking.
- Once meats are cooked, start the French toast. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook soaked bread slices until golden brown on both sides.
- Cook any eggs desired like fried, scrambled, etc.
- Sauté any breakfast potatoes or prep fruit.
- Assemble the combo on a plate. Place French toast, meat, eggs, potatoes, and fruit on a plate. Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with syrup, and serve.
Where to Find French Toast Combos
Here are some places you can find French toast combo meals:
- Diners: Classic diner-style diners almost always have French toast combos on their breakfast menus.
- Brunch restaurants: French toast combos are menu staples at brunch spots and cafes.
- Fast casual spots like First Watch or Another Broken Egg Cafe.
- Coffee shops and cafes: Many cafes offer breakfast combos with French toast as an option.
- Hotels: Hotel restaurants frequently serve French toast combos. Their breakfast buffets may feature build-your-own options too.
- Room service: For a combo delivered right to your room, order room service at a hotel.
Ways to Customize a French Toast Combo
While the classic combo is delicious, part of the fun is customizing it to your tastes. Here are some easy ways to modify the combo:
- Bread choice: Substitute challah, brioche, or sourdough bread for regular white bread.
- Meat: Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon, add chicken sausage, or opt for ham steak.
- Egg style: Request your eggs prepared a different way like scrambled or poached.
- Potatoes: Trade in plain pan-fried potatoes for loaded potatoes topped with cheese, onions, etc.
- Add-ons: Ask for extra toppings like whipped cream, chocolate chips, or coconut.
- Fresh fruit: Replace standard strawberries with your favorite in-season fruit.
Don’t be afraid to ask your server how the combo can be adapted to your liking!
Serving Size and Nutrition
French toast combos are hearty, satisfying breakfasts that can pack 500-1,000 calories or more per serving. The exact nutrition will depend on the serving sizes and specific ingredients used, but in general:
- French toast provides carbohydrates from the bread plus protein from the eggs and milk used to prepare it.
- Meats like bacon and sausage add protein and fat.
- Potatoes contribute carbohydrates, fiber, potassium and other vitamins and minerals.
- Fresh fruit provides key micronutrients like vitamin C.
To make your combo a little lighter, request leaner meats like turkey bacon or chicken sausage, opt for just one egg, choose fresh fruit over syrup, and limit high-fat additions like whipped cream. Splitting the combo in half for two people to share is another way to cut down on portion size if the full serving is too large for one person.
Overall though, the joy of a French toast combo is getting to indulge in a variety of delicious breakfast foods all in one meal. So relax and savor each element of your customized combo!
Price Range
In general, expect to pay anywhere from $8-$15 for a French toast combo at most restaurants in the United States. Here are some factors that affect the price:
- Restaurant type: Fine dining and upscale hotels charge higher prices while diners tend to be more budget-friendly.
- Ingredients: Premium ingredients like smoked salmon or avocado will raise the price.
- Portion size: Larger servings with more food tend to cost more.
- Add-ons: Extra toppings, meat options, etc. increase the total.
- Location: Major cities like New York or San Francisco have higher prices than small towns.
At a mid-range family diner, a standard French toast combo consisting of two slices of French toast, two eggs, two strips of bacon, and breakfast potatoes will likely run $8-$12 based on the region. Overall, French toast combos offer a satisfying, filling breakfast at a reasonable price.
Tips for the Best French Toast Combo
Here are some tips for getting the most delicious French toast combo possible:
- Choose a bread that holds up well when soaked like challah or brioche.
- Let the bread soak in the batter thoroughly so it’s moist and custardy.
- Cook over medium-low heat for evenly browned and crispy edges.
- Layer on fresh, in-season fruit for brightness.
- Serve the combo immediately while everything is hot and fresh.
- Ask for any sauces like syrup or whipped cream on the side to prevent sogginess.
- Customize the meats and extras to your preferences.
Focusing on high-quality ingredients and proper technique will ensure your French toast combo is next-level delicious.
French Toast Combo vs. Regular French Toast
So what sets a French toast combo apart from regular French toast? Here are the key differences:
More Items
A combo includes additional breakfast items like meat, eggs, and potatoes while regular French toast is usually served just with syrup or fruit.
Greater Variety
You get a variety flavors and textures with a combo meal. French toast delivers sweetness while meats bring saltiness, eggs offer protein, and potatoes provide carbs.
Higher Protein
With the addition of meat and eggs, a combo packs more of a protein punch to keep you fuller longer compared to French toast alone.
Heartier Serving
The multiple components mean bigger portion sizes so combos are more filling and substantial than a plate of standalone French toast.
More Customizable
Diners can pick and choose combo ingredients to create their ideal meal. Regular French toast has fewer modification options.
So in summary, French toast combos provide a more interesting, filling, and customizable breakfast experience compared to enjoying French toast by itself. The combo takes things to the next level!
Conclusion
A French toast combo is the ultimate breakfast indulgence, combining sweet, eggy French toast with savory meats, eggs, and potatoes. While diners and cafes serve classic versions, the joy is customizing your perfect combo with your preferred breads, meats, and add-ons. Served hot and fresh, this hearty meal provides a stick-to-your-ribs start to the day. When you’re craving a satisfying all-in-one breakfast, a French toast combo is the way to go.