Classic French Toast (Pain Perdu) (2024)

FAQs

Is pain perdu the same as French toast? ›

Yes, pain perdu is French toast, but a superior one. Unlike regular French toast, this batter cooks into a custardy, crispy coating that leaves the bread creamy and oh so good. The use of good egg bread is a must here. Homemade is best; however, store-bought (such as Hawaiian bread) will work in a pinch.

A staple food in France, French toast is named “Pain perdu” which translates literally to lost bread, reflecting the use of stale bread so it doesn't get “lost”. These slices of breads dunked in an eggy mixture and toasted in a pan are comforting, sweet and tender – and a breeze to make at home.

Literally, « le pain perdu » means « lost bread ». The bread needs to be a few days old for the recipe to work well.

According to a collection of recipes from the early 5th century AD, the dish we now know as French toast existed as early as the age of the Roman Empire. In their style of French toast, called Pan Dulcis, Romans would soak bread in a milk and egg mixture, then fry it in oil or butter.

The British call french toast “eggy bread," “gypsy bread" or “french-fried bread." And sometimes they serve it with ketchup.

Common French Toasting Phrases and Expressions

"Santé!" - This is the most common toast in French, and it translates to "To your health!" It is a simple yet elegant way to raise a glass and wish good health to everyone present.

France – Pain Perdu

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, sweet French toast makes the perfect dessert. Pain perdu means 'lost bread' and describes day-old bread slices soaked in a vanilla custard, made by mixing eggs and milk. It's then fried in butter and topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream and berries.

Alternative names and variants include eggy bread, Bombay toast, gypsy toast, and poor knights (of Windsor). When French toast is served as a sweet dish, sugar, vanilla, or cinnamon are also commonly added before pan-frying, and then it may be topped with sugar (often powdered sugar), butter, fruit, or syrup.

The French did not invent French toast. Rather, it was Americans who gave the name "French Toast" to this dish because French immigrants in America popularized the dishe. In fact, French toast was invented long before France even existed.

French perdu, masculine, & perdue, feminine, from past participle of perdre to lose, from Latin perdere. First Known Use.

Which bread is best for French toast? ›

For a solid French toast, aim for sturdy bread with a uniform texture and a soft crust. Hearty sandwich bread, brioche, challah, and shokupan (Japanese milk bread) are all great choices. Avoid rustic loaves with thick crusts or large holes in the interior.

Alternative names and variants include eggy bread, Bombay toast, gypsy toast, and poor knights (of Windsor). When French toast is served as a sweet dish, sugar, vanilla, or cinnamon are also commonly added before pan-frying, and then it may be topped with sugar (often powdered sugar), butter, fruit, or syrup.

French toast, which isn't really toast, is made from bread dipped in seasoned, beaten egg. This is then shallow fried. Fried bread is just that, bread that is fried. Preferably fried in the fat that has rendered out when cooking your bacon & sausage.

Like all things French, pain perdu became quite the rage in Europe, until finally the dish and the presumed country of origin grew synonymous. Thus was French toast born. Strangely, the very first recorded mention of a thing called “French toast” appeared in 1660, in a book called The Accomplisht Cook.

French toast is a versatile and easy dish, which is also fun to make. Also known as 'eggy bread', you can pair this with anything you like. You can go sweet and traditional with syrup, whipped cream and berries, or opt for a savoury version with bacon and a fried egg.