What To Serve With French Toast - 30+ Great Ideas For Drinks, Vegetables, And More!

There is a myth that French toast did not originate in France. Like the eggs to the bread in recipes, I will give you a moment for that to sink in.

There are several theories as to who was the first to make this breakfast staple. According to a collection of recipes dating back to the fifth century, the Romans made an iteration of what we’ve come to know and love. Others theorize that it dates back to Medieval times when people had to use every bit of food for survival. Some books listed the current version of french toast as “German french toast,” “egg toast,” and “Spanish toast.”

While the history is unclear, French toast is delicious no matter what you call it or where you believe it originated.

French toast deserves a spot on the table, whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. While these tasty pieces of bread are delicious in their own right, they need a few dishes to complement them.

Here are some great ideas for what to serve with French toast.

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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French Toast Recipe – The Basics

Before we learn what to serve with french toast, we must make it. For recipe classics, we love the Pioneer Woman; she just nails it every time. Her french toast recipe breaks down everything you need to make a delicious meal.

Here are some tips for making great french toast.

Pick a structurally solid bread. If the foundation of french toast is too thin, the result will be soggy.
Heat the pan and THEN add the butter. If you place the butter on the pan or griddle too early, you end up with brown butter and burned toast.
Lower the heat after the bread is in the pan. Medium to low heat is perfect here, and don’t go too far from the stove as they cook rather quickly.
If you are hosting a crowd, make the french toast ahead of time. It will last up to three months in the freezer. On the day of your party, pop it in a preheated 250-degree oven for about thirty minutes. No need to defrost.

How To Make French Toast

Preheat your pan to medium/medium-high heat
Whisk eggs, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt in a pie dish until a thick custard forms. It should coat the back of a spoon.
Dip the bread in the custard and flip to ensure an even coating.
Melt a dab of butter in the pan, lower the heat to medium or low and then add the bread.
After 2-3 minutes, flip.
Keep pieces warm in a preheated 250-degree oven until ready to serve.

What To Eat With French Toast Without Syrup

What To Serve With French Toast Without Syrup

If you don’t have or want maple syrup with your french toast, don’t fret; there are plenty of great options for condiments. Let’s be honest — the toppings are the best part!

Here are some great ideas for what to eat with french toast without syrup. What’s great about French toast is that it works with lots of flavors, so feel free to put two or more of these toppings on your table. Your loved ones will thank you!

Jam
Powdered Sugar
Carmel Sauce
Chocolate Sauce
Honey
Molasses
Fruit
Granola
Nuts
Peanut Butter
Cookie Butter
Nutella
Whipped Cream
Ice Cream
Date Syrup

What to Drink With French Toast

Food gets all of the attention, but beverages are also important.

Orange Juice
Cranberry Juice
Tomato Juice
Milk
Coffee
Latte
Bloody Mary
Mimosa
Boba Tea

Vegetables That Go With French Toast

Savory french toast lends itself to veggies, but that’s not to say that traditional french toast is left out.

The classic french toast recipe is excellent with maple syrup. Therefore vegetables that pair well with that flavor make great sides. Think carrots, asparagus, broccoli, and parsnips.

If you are making a savory recipe, there are lots of possibilities. Overall, you want light vegetables that aren’t too carb heavy.

What To Serve With Savory French Toast

Mixed Greens – Serve as a salad with a light vinaigrette.
Sauteed Spinach
Carrots
Broccoli
Asparagus
Kale
Zucchini

French Toast For Dinner

French toast for dinner is an excellent option on nights when you need to eat but are too tired to think. It’s comforting, easy to prepare, and a crowd-pleaser. But, while it’s delicious, French toast alone often isn’t enough for a complete meal.

Here’s a simple menu for French toast for dinner.

French toast

Fresh fruit

Bacon or sausage

The toast is carb-heavy, but you want protein to keep everyone full. You can substitute breakfast sausage or vegan options. The fruit will add color and be a great healthy option.

There’s no need to stray too far from a classic menu. Since you are serving it in the evening, that’s a big enough change. Comfort is the most important notion here.

What to Serve With French Toast For Brunch

Brunch is such a great time to get together. You don’t have to get up too early, and you can laze the day away with loved ones. In that vein, be sure to pick recipes that are mostly make-ahead.

Our family loves this breakfast board that is completely make-ahead. French toast easily swaps for the pancakes, too.

Since French toast is carb-heavy, add fresh fruit and protein-packed options to round out the meal. Here are some great dishes to serve with French toast for brunch.

Quiche – Make it ahead and heat that morning. It’s packed with protein and easy to customize.
Frittata – If you insist on making a dish in the morning, this is it. Bonus points are gained for using any veggies you have lurking in the fridge.
Fresh Fruit – If you don’t want to cut fruit, try a berry salad or use low-fuss varieties like apples, clementines, grapes, or bananas. They make a beautiful presentation when placed on a tray together.
Yogurt with Granola – Place a large tub of vanilla yogurt in a bowl and serve it with chopped fruit, granola, or nuts on the side.
Bacon – Make bacon in the oven for a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing side dish. Guests will love the aroma, too!
Drinks – Have a bar cart ready with a pot of coffee, orange juice, and tomato juice. If you wish to serve alcohol, add vodka, bloody mary mix, and champagne for mimosas.

What To Serve With French Toast Casserole

While regular French toast is carb-heavy, the casserole is even heavier, so you want to choose lighter dishes when considering what to serve with french toast casserole. Tastes Better From Scratch has an excellent recipe, the topping makes it out of this world!

Here are some options.