French toast is a delicious breakfast dish that can be served either sweet or savory. It consists of bread slices dipped in a milk-egg mixture and then fried until golden brown. While French toast on its own is tasty, finding the right sides and toppings to serve it with can take it to the next level. So what are the best accompaniments for French toast? Reddit users have plenty of suggestions when it comes to what to serve with French toast!
In the opening section of this article, we’ll provide a quick overview of some of the most popular recommendations from the Reddit community on sides and toppings for French toast. Further detail on each option is provided in the sections below.
Some of the top suggestions for what to serve with French toast include:
– Fresh fruit – Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are commonly recommended, as the sweet-tart flavor balances the richness of the French toast. Sliced bananas are another popular fruit topping.
– Syrup – Maple syrup is a classic topping for French toast. Other suggested syrups include fruit syrups, honey, and agave nectar.
– Whipped cream – Light and fluffy whipped cream can provide a nice contrast to the crispy exterior of French toast. Sweetened or unsweetened versions work well.
– Nuts – Chopped or slivered nuts like pecans, walnuts, and almonds add crunch and flavor.
– Bacon – Savory and salty bacon complements the sweetness of French toast.
– Powdered sugar – A light dusting of powdered sugar provides sweetness without overpowering the dish.
– Fruit preserves – Jams, jellies, and fruit butters spread on top or on the side are a great pairing with French toast.
Fresh Fruit
One of the most popular and recommended options for serving with French toast is fresh fruit. The sweet, bright flavors of fruits can balance and enhance the typically sweet, dense, and rich French toast. Here are some of the best fruits to consider:
Berries
Berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are very commonly suggested as a topping for French toast on Reddit. Their sweet-tart flavor provides an excellent contrast to richer French toast batters like those made with cream or custard. Sliced strawberries allow the juices to soak into the French toast for extra flavor. Blueberries and raspberries also work well whole.
Bananas
Sliced bananas are another fruit topping many Reddit users say they love with French toast. Caramelized or sauteed bananas can provide even more flavor depth. Bananas pair especially well with any French toasts that have a hint of cinnamon or other warm spices already incorporated.
Other fruits
Other fruits that are recommended for serving with French toast include:
– Sliced peaches or nectarines
– Diced pineapple
– Pitted cherries
– Sliced kiwi
– Diced mango
– Pomegranate arils
– Grilled or broiled grapefruit halves
The key when picking fruits as a topping is to go with options that provide some tartness or bright flavor to balance the French toast. Tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and kiwi tend to work better than mellower fruits like pears.
Syrup
Syrup is another very popular topping for French toast, as the sweet liquid can soak into all the nooks and crannies. Here are syrup options Reddit recommends:
Maple syrup
Maple syrup is hands-down one of the most popular syrups suggested for serving with French toast. The rich maple flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet egg bread. Grade B or dark amber maple syrups provide the most robust flavor.
Fruit syrups
Syrups made from fruit or flavored with fruit also get a lot of love on Reddit threads asking about French toast toppings. Favorite fruit syrups include strawberry, blueberry, peach, and mixed berry.
Honey
Drizzling floral honey over French toast adds sweetness along with subtle flower nectar flavors. Honey works with both sweet and savory French toast recipes.
Agave nectar
For those looking to limit sugar, Reddit users suggest using agave nectar in place of plain maple syrup or honey. The lower glycemic index prevents blood sugar spikes.
Other creative syrups
More unique syrup suggestions from Reddit include jalapeno syrup, rose syrup, lavender syrup, and ginger syrup. These can amp up the flavor in creative ways!
Whipped Cream
Billowy, sweet whipped cream is another element commonly recommended for serving atop or alongside French toast. Here are some tips:
– Sweetened or unsweetened whipped cream both pair well with French toast. Sweetened provides more indulgence while unsweetened lets the French toast flavor shine.
– For richer whipped cream with great holding power, whip the cream with a tablespoon or two of mascarpone cheese. The hint of tang pairs nicely with French toast too.
– Flavor whipped cream with a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract, cinnamon, or orange zest.
– Make maple whipped cream by combining pure maple syrup with the heavy cream when whipping.
– For fruit flavors, mix in a spoonful of fruit jam or puree when making the whipped cream.
– Pipe whipped cream decoratively on top of French toast or serve it on the side in a bowl for dipping.
Nuts
Nuts are highly recommended by Redditors as a crunchy accompaniment to enjoy with French toast. Here are some of the best nuts to consider using:
Chopped pecans – Toasted, chopped pecans provide a lovely crunch and nutty flavor that enhances cinnamon French toast.
Slivered almonds – Slivered almonds lightly toasted add great texture contrast and nuttiness.
Walnuts – Chopped or halved walnuts pair especially well with banana French toast or nut bread French toast.
Pistachios – Chopped pistachios offer color vibrancy and crunch.
Hazelnuts – Finely chopped hazelnuts lend a buttery undertone.
Nuts can be sprinkled over the top of the French toast or served in a small bowl on the side for topping individual bites. For best flavor, toast nuts before using.
Bacon
While most toppings for French toast tend to be on the sweet side, Reddit users also recommend enjoying French toast with savory bacon. The salty, crispy pork bacon provides delightful contrast to the softly sweet French toast.
To serve bacon with French toast, simply prepare strips of bacon in a skillet until crispy. Allow to drain on paper towels. Serve the bacon strips on a plate alongside the French toast slices. The bacon grease can also be used to fry the French toast for enhanced flavor.
Thicker sliced artisanal bacon lends the best texture and heartiness to stand up to the French toast. Cherrywood smoked or maple bacon varieties add even more flavor depth.
Powdered Sugar
A simple dusting of powdered sugar turns a basic slice of French toast into an elegant dish. The sweet powdered sugar provides just a hint of sweetness without drenching the toast.
To serve French toast with powdered sugar:
– Allow French toast slices to cool slightly after cooking so the powdered sugar won’t melt immediately.
– Place powdered sugar in a fine mesh strainer. Lightly tap strainer over the tops of the French toast to dust a fine layer evenly over each slice.
– For a fancier presentation, place powdered sugar in a squeeze bottle to artfully drizzle over the French toast.
– Can also serve additional powdered sugar for dusting over individual bites at the table.
Powdered sugar works great with classic cinnamon French toast. It can be used alone or paired with fruit toppings.
Fruit Preserves
Fruit jams, jellies, butters, and marmalades provide a sweet-tart fruit flavor that complements French toast wonderfully. Here are serving suggestions:
– Spread fruit preserves over the surface of French toast slices before serving, allowing it to soak in slightly.
– Serve jams and jellies on the side in small ramekins for dipping bite-sized pieces of French toast.
– Mash up berries and strain out the seeds to make quick homemade fruit jam for topping.
Some excellent preserves options to consider for French toast include:
– Strawberry jam
– Raspberry jam
– Apricot jam
– Orange marmalade
– Cherry preserves
– Blueberry butter
– Peach jam
The fruit pieces in preserves provide nice texture contrast and flavor bursts with each bite.
Other Tasty French Toast Toppings
In addition to the most popular options outlined above, here are some other creative French toast topping suggestions from Reddit users:
– Sliced bananas sauteed in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon
– Sauteed apples or pears
– Greek yogurt or quark
– Peanut butter or other nut butters
– Chocolate-hazelnut spread
– Lemon curd
– Dulce de leche or cajeta sauce
– Ice cream or sorbet
– Coconut flakes
– Crumbled bacon
– Everything bagel seasoning
– Crushed granola
– Whiskey caramel sauce
– Cookie crumbles
– Marscapone cheese
– Nutella
– Cream cheese frosting
– Fun toppings like sprinkles, crushed candy canes, etc.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to delicious French toast topping combinations!
Savory French Toast Topping Ideas
While most toppings for French toast tend to be sweet, you can also take French toast in a savory direction. Here are some savory topping ideas Reddit users recommend trying:
– Gravy – For a savory breakfast, top French toast with sausage, bacon, or mushroom gravy.
– Fried eggs – A fried egg on top of French toast turns it into a hearty breakfast sandwich.
– Avocado – Sliced or mashed avocado provides creaminess and nutrition.
– Salsa – Tomato salsa adds a fresh contrast to rich French toast.
– Cheese – Melted cheddar, Monterey jack, or Swiss add gooey deliciousness.
– Salad greens – For a lighter meal, serve French toast topped with greens tossed in vinaigrette.
– Tomatoes – Sliced tomatoes provide texture and a touch of sweetness.
– Herbs – Fresh herbs like chives, parsley, and dill brighten up savory French toast.
– Hot sauce – A dash of hot sauce amps up the flavor for spicy food lovers.
So don’t be afraid to think outside the sweet box when it comes to serving French toast! Savory options open up a whole new realm of possibilities.
What to Drink with French Toast
While toppings and sides get most of the attention, having a good beverage to sip on is key to a great French toast breakfast or brunch too. Here are some drink ideas Reddit users suggest:
– Coffee – A warm cup of coffee is a quintessential pairing with French toast. Enjoy it black or customize it with flavors like vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut creamer.
– Tea – For a less caffeinated option, earl grey, English breakfast, or chai tea complement French toast nicely.
– Hot chocolate – For an indulgent treat, enjoy French toast dunked in steaming hot cocoa.
– Milk – Ice cold milk washes down all that syrupy sweetness.
– Juice – Fresh orange, apple, or grapefruit juice brighten up the rich flavors.
– Smoothies – Blend up a berry-banana smoothie for a wholesome beverage pairing.
– Milkshakes – For ultimate decadence, make milkshakes using the same fruit sauce topping your French toast.
– Mimosas – At weekend brunch, opt for a mimosa with orange juice and sparkling wine or champagne!
Any beverage is fair game when enjoying French toast! Pick your favorite drink to sip on.
Putting It All Together
While French toast on its own is delicious, taking the time to thoughtfully choose sides and toppings can take it to the next level. Here are some of the most recommended pairings and serving ideas from Reddit users:
– Top French toast with fresh fruit like berries and bananas for natural sweetness and contrast.
– Drizzle with maple syrup or another fruit-based syrup for added sweetness and moisture.
– Add light and fluffy whipped cream for a classic topping pairing.
– Mix in some crunch with chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.
– For savory flavors, enjoy French toast with crispy bacon strips.
– A dusting of powdered sugar provides just a hint of sweetness without going overboard.
– Spread on fruit preserves like jams, jellies, and fruit butters for flavor.
– Get creative with mix-ins like peanut butter, chocolate-hazelnut spread, lemon curd, ice cream, and more!
– For beverages, coffee, tea, juice, and mimosas are all great choices.
Feel free to mix and match multiple toppings and sides to create your own perfect French toast flavor profile. Whether you prefer yours sweet or savory, simple or decked-out, Reddit has endless ideas for taking French toast to new taste heights!
French Toast Topping Recipes
If you want to take your French toast toppings up a notch, try making some homemade topping recipes, like:
Berry Coulis
– 2 cups fresh or frozen berries
– 2 tbsp sugar
– 1 tsp lemon juice
– 1/4 cup water
Simmer berries, sugar, lemon juice, and water over low heat for 10 minutes until berries break down. Mash lightly with a fork or potato masher. Let cool and serve drizzled over French toast.
Maple-Pecan Butter
– 1/2 cup chopped pecans
– 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
– 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
– Pinch of cinnamon
Process pecans in a food processor until very finely ground. Add remaining ingredients and process until fully smooth and combined. Chill slightly before spreading on French toast.
Whipped Mascarpone Cream
– 1 cup heavy whipping cream
– 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese
– 2 tbsp powdered sugar
– 1 tsp vanilla
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat cream and mascarpone together on high speed for 2-3 minutes. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until stiff peaks form. Top French toast slices.
Spiced Apple Topping
– 2 apples, peeled and chopped
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 1/2 tsp cinnamon
– 1 tbsp butter
Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Add apples and cook 5 minutes until beginning to soften. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon and cook another 5 minutes until apples are tender. Spoon over French toast.
How to Keep French Toast Crispy with Toppings
One potential pitfall when loading up French toast with lots of juicy fruit, syrup, and cream is it losing its crispy exterior in the moisture. Here are some tips to help keep French toast crispy even with toppings:
– Dry toast slices briefly in a low oven after cooking to ensure crispy outside before adding toppings.
– Fry the toast slices in plenty of hot butter or oil to create a good crispy crust.
– Avoid soft, watery fruits like melons. Opt for firmer fruits that won’t release as much liquid.
– Blot fruit pieces dry before topping French toast to remove excess moisture.
– Wait until serving time to drizzle on syrups. Allowing syrup to soak in too long makes the crust soggy.
– Stack French toast slices with parchment or wax paper squares between each layer after cooking. Remove paper before topping.
– If French toast does get soggy, try toasting in a hot skillet or under the broiler right before serving to crisp back up.
– Stir a tablespoon of cornstarch into fruit syrups to help them thicken up instead of pooling wetly.
With a few easy tricks, you can have beautifully crispy, golden French toast topped with all your favorite accompaniments. Time the toppings strategically for maximum texture.
Conclusion
French toast makes for a delicious breakfast or brunch when you top it with sides and toppings that provide flavor variety, textural contrast, and visual appeal. Reddit offers endless ideas spanning sweet ingredients like syrups and fruit to savory ingredients like meats and cheeses. Classic options include fresh berries, bananas, syrup, whipped cream, and nuts. But don’t be afraid to get creative with mixes like peanut butter and jelly or new flavor combos like coconut and lime! Serve French toast alongside crispy bacon, fruit juice, steaming coffee, or mimosas too. With so many possibilities, you could enjoy French toast daily and never have the same combination twice! Be sure to enjoy French toast while it’s hot and crispy before those toppings have a chance to soak in too much. With this guide from Reddit users’ suggestions, you’re ready to start topping your French toast in endlessly delicious ways.