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    Raspberries and Kohlrabi » Recipes » Breakfast Recipes

    How to Dry Out Bread for French Toast

    Published: Feb 7, 2022 · Modified: Aug 18, 2023 by Erica Schramek

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    Wondering how to make perfect French toast? The first step is to start with dried out bread.

    Perfect french toast has crispy edges with a soft custardy middle. I love topping french toast with syrup and lots of fresh berries. It can be difficult to find the right balance between soggy French toast and too dry French toast. The key is to start out with the perfect bread.

    Need more French bread tips? Check out my post on How to Make the Best French Toast.

    In France, French toast is known as "pain perdu," which means lost bread. French toast was originally created as a frugal breakfast because of its use of old leftover dry bread.

    Looking for an amazing French toast recipe? Try my recipe for Potato Bread French Toast.

    Three slices of french toast topped with mixed berries on a white plate.

    This page may contain affiliate links. I only recommend products that I would use myself. I may earn a small commission when you make purchases through these links at no additional cost to you. Thank you. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information please read my Disclosure Policy.

    Should you let bread dry out for French toast?

    Absolutely! In fact, when I want to make French toast I shop the discounted section of the bakery. The bread there is older and has already started to dry out.

    Fresh bread becomes soggy when it is dipped into the custard. Dry bread is better at soaking up the rich creamy custard while still maintaining its shape.

    Three slices of bread on a wire rack.

    How do you dry bread overnight?

    Planning to make French toast in the morning? Slice the bread and lay the slices out on a baking sheet or wire cooling rack overnight. The more of the bread's surface area that is exposed to air the quicker and more evenly the bread will dry out.

    In the morning you will wake up to perfectly dried bread.

    Slices of bread on a baking sheet.

    How do you dry bread for French Toast quickly?

    Suddenly craving French toast? If you are in a hurry cut the bread into evenly sized slices and lay the slices of bread out in a single layer on a sheet pan. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the bread in the oven for 10 minutes.

    Tip: After drying the bread out reduce the oven temperature to its lowest setting. Cook the slices of French toast and then place them back on the baking sheet and in the warm oven to keep it warm while you cook the remaining slices.

    Two slices of bread on a dark surface in front of a square container filled with custard.

    What is the difference between dry bread and stale bread?

    Drying bread extracts the bread's moisture via evaporation. Stale bread's moisture has migrated from the starch granules into the air pockets within the bread. Those starch granules then recrystallize creating bread that is tough and chewy.

    Stale bread is dry but has also lost a lot of its flavor and becomes unappealingly chewy. By buying fresh bread and drying it out yourself you will still have that freshly baked bread flavor.

    Dried bread isn't just great for French toast. Use it to make bread pudding, stuffing, or turn it into bread crumbs and make these delicious Italian-Style Meatballs.

    More Kitchen Tips

    • How to Cool Down Spicy Chili
    • How to Freeze Peaches
    • How to Tell When Banana Bread is Done
    • How to Cook with Fresh Herbs

    📖 Recipe

    Six slices of bread on a wire rack.

    How to Dry Out Bread for French Toast

    Author: Erica Schramek
    French toast created with dry bread is better at soaking up the rich creamy custard while still maintaining its shape.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 minute min
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 minute min
    Course Breakfast Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 Slices of Bread
    Calories 14 kcal

    Equipment

    • baking sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • Bread - sliced into even 1-inch slices

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Lay the slices of bread out in a single layer on a sheet pan.
    • Bake the bread in the oven for 10 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 14kcalCarbohydrates: 3gSodium: 25mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below! You can also snap a picture and post it on Facebook be sure to tag me @RaspberriesandKohlrabi.

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    Hi! I'm Erica

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    I am a self-taught cook and the writer, recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer behind this blog.

    I love helping others discover their love for food, just like I have. I'm all about cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Some of my recipes are quick and easy, while others require a little extra love and effort.

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