French toast is a great way to start the day with something warm and indulgent, but cooking it on the hob can be effort. Standing over a frying pan first thing in the morning is time-consuming, and hot oil often splatters across the kitchen. It is also common for the oil to burn the outside while the inside remains undercooked and soggy.
Oven Method for French Toast
Michelle, the founder of Now Cook This, has revealed a simpler approach: cooking French toast in the oven. Michelle said: "The first time I made French toast in the oven, I couldn't believe how easy and delicious it was. It's been my go-to ever since. And I'd be willing to bet that, once you try it, it'll become yours too!"
Many people are unaware that French toast can be cooked in the oven, meaning you no longer need to stand at the hob constantly turning the bread. It allows you to prepare a large batch in one go without needing to keep a close eye on it, freeing you up to brew coffee, make tea, or unwind while it bakes.
Benefits of Oven Cooking
Cooking French toast in the oven ensures every part of the bread cooks uniformly, helping it develop a perfectly crispy texture without burning or remaining raw in the centre. Using the oven is not only more practical, but it also means you won't have to contend with a greasy hob or scrubbing a burnt frying pan once you're done cooking.
This is a superior approach to achieving restaurant-quality French toast without a great deal of effort, allowing you to savour your morning rather than spend it fretting in the kitchen.
How to Easily Make French Toast
You will need:
- Eight slices of brioche bread
- Four large eggs
- 240ml of whole milk
- One teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Half a teaspoon of cinnamon
- Pinch of salt (about a quarter teaspoon)
- Butter (optional)
- Maple syrup (optional)
- Cooking spray
Method:
Begin by preheating the oven to 220°C (200°C for fan ovens or Gas Mark 7), then generously coat a large sheet pan tray with cooking spray. Crack the eggs into a medium-sized bowl, then add the milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Combine everything thoroughly until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Pour the egg mixture into the tray, then arrange the bread slices in a single layer on top. Allow the bread to sit in the tray for one minute to absorb the moisture, then turn it over. Leave the slices for a few minutes until all the egg batter has been fully soaked up. Then place the tray in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the French toast is perfectly crispy and golden brown.
Serve immediately straight from the oven, drizzled with butter, maple syrup, or any toppings of your choice.
