By Emily Dawson, Food Blogger, Recipe Developer, Photographer
20+ recipes developed and tested in her home kitchen before publishing on British Kitchen Hub.
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Savoury French Toast with Cheese and Egg
Savoury French Toast with Cheese and Egg This French toast with cheese and egg is savoury, dropping the cinnamon and sugar for black pepper, a dash of mustard, and copious melted cheese sandwiched between pieces of bread. The bread sits in a seasoned egg mixture and fries gently in butter until the outside is brown and crispy, and the cheese on the inside is just about melted into that lovely stretchy gooeyness. It suits breakfast, lunch or a quick dinner when the fridge is not entirely full.
Prep
5 mins
Cook
10 mins
Servings
2 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Savoury French Toast with Cheese and Egg
My refrigerator has two eggs, a half loaf of bread, and a block of cheddar growing soft around the edges. It went something like this, and now I intentionally do it.
French toast is definitely usually a sweet dish; as far as I'm concerned, there's no hard and fast rule that it has to be. Substitute the sugar and vanilla for salt & pepper, and add a tablespoon of mustard to your batter. Now use that same soak-and-fry technique, and it really becomes something more like an elevated grilled cheese sandwich (with superior bread).
Why this recipe works
Place the cheese between some bread before you dip it. If you cheese your sandwich first, it will be melted and gooey inside of the toast instead of just sitting on top.
Adding a splash of mustard to the egg mixture helps balance all that richness. It gives it a little bite without tasting like a condiment.
Medium heat, more patience. Slower than you'd think, it allows the outside to brown beautifully without cooking before the inside has fully melted.
Emily's tip
Around halfway through cooking your sandwich on each side, press the sandwich down with a spatula. It allows the cheese to come into contact with all of the bread so it can melt evenly rather than staying in one solid clump down the center. If the pan looks dry, add a small additional knob of butter rather than cranking up the heat.
How to Make Savoury French Toast with Cheese and Egg (Step-by-Step)
Build the sandwich before soaking
Place the cheese between two pieces of bread. Dousing the entire sandwich at once (not single slices) keeps that cheese sealed inside where it belongs.
Season the egg mixture properly
Salt, pepper, and a spoonful of mustard turn a plain egg dip into something worth eating on its own. Whisk well so the mustard doesn't clump in one spot.
Dip quickly, don't drown it
A short dip on each side is enough. Leaving the sandwich in the egg mixture too long makes the bread soggy and harder to flip in one piece.
Cook low and slow for a full melt
Since the cheese needs time to melt, it ensures that by cooking on medium-low heat before over-charring any side. Midway through, press down gently with a spatula.
Savoury French Toast with Cheese and Egg
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Equipment
- Large frying pan or griddle
- Shallow bowl or dish for the egg mixture
- Whisk or fork
- Spatula
- Cutting board
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Put 2 slices of bread on a board. Divide the picked cheese over them, and top each with a subsequent cut of bread to make 2 sandwiches.
- In a shallow bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, mustard (if using), salt, and pepper as well as any chives until blended.
- In a large frying pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
- Soak each sandwich in the egg mixture, gently pressing and turning once so both sides as well as the edges absorb some of it. Do not allow it to sit long, or your bread will just crumble apart.
- Arrange the soaked pieces of bread in the pan. Cook on each side for 3 to 4 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula halfway through cooking (to help the cheese melt), until brown outside and melting inside. If necessary, add the remaining butter to the pan before flipping it.
- Transfer to plates, cut in half, and sprinkle some more grated cheese on top if you want. Serve immediately while the cheese is still nice and melted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bread works best for savoury french toast?
Thick slices of white bread or sourdough hold up well without falling apart during soaking. Avoid very soft sandwich bread, since it can turn mushy before it reaches the pan.
Can I make this ahead of time?
It's best fresh, since the cheese sets as it cools. If needed, assemble and soak the sandwiches ahead, keep them covered in the fridge for up to a few hours, then fry just before serving.
What cheese melts best for this recipe?
Cheddar, gruyere, and mozzarella all melt well. Cheddar gives the sharpest flavor, gruyere adds a nuttier note, and mozzarella gives the stretchiest pull when you cut into it.
Can I make this without mustard?
Yes, the mustard is there for a bit of tang but isn't essential. Leave it out or swap in a small pinch of garlic powder for a different kind of savoury note.
How do I keep the sandwich together while cooking?
Press gently with a spatula rather than flipping too soon. Waiting until the first side has set and turned golden before flipping keeps the sandwich intact.
Notes
Don't oversoak the bread.
Just a brief dip on both sides, to season the crust and give it some moisture. Soaking is for a longer duration, making the sandwich less easily moved without destruction.
Serving ideas
A slice of tomato or a few dressed greens and a spoonful (or two) of chutney - all these sit quite comfortably without overwhelming the cheese.
Nutrition
Calories: 410 kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Sodium: 640mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
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