Do you think that you can’t serve French toast except with some syrup or sprinkled sugar? Think again.
This tasty dish works for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even dinner, as there are several toppings to pick and serve. It’s easy to make, hearty, and satisfying, and moreover, with too many options out there, there will be one for every taste.
So, if you want to know what to put on French toast, you’ve come to the right place because we’ll talk about some cool and easy toppings and some complicated ones that can transform this delicious dish.
Keep reading to learn how to serve a different version of French toast every day.
What to Put On French Toast
French toast toppings can be quite simple for a quick breakfast or snack, or you can try something a little bit complicated to challenge your taste buds.
Since it’s quite versatile, there are several sweet and savory options to consider based on what you have in the kitchen and your dietary needs.
Sweet Toppings
The first reference to French toast dates back to the second century when the Romans called it aliter dulcia or another sweet dish.
During medieval times, the dish found its way to Europe and then to the US, where a chef called Joseph French prepared the modern version of French toast as we know it.
Sweet toppings are the classical options that most people think of when they crave French toast. Throughout the world, there are several sweet toppings to add on top of French toast that range from simple to sophisticated and complex to satisfy your sweet tooth.
1 – Syrup
Maple syrup is probably the most common sweet topping to serve with French toast. This syrup is exceptionally sweet with hints of prune, caramel, and some vanilla and nutty notes, so it will be a great addition to your French toast if you want to serve it for breakfast with some melted butter.
Moreover, it’s rich in minerals like manganese. However, some artificial syrups can be too sweet.
If you don’t like maple syrup, you can try some chocolate syrup or mix both for a twist.
2 – Honey
Honey is a sweet and nutritious addition to your French toast because it’s packed with healthy nutrients. Moreover, it’s a good alternative if you want a sweet topping that doesn’t have the strong taste of maple syrup.
You can top your honey with nuts or cinnamon to add a little edge. However, honey itself is a great and fast topping to serve with your French toast whenever you crave something sweet.
3 – Powdered Sugar
You don’t have to spend hours preparing a nice and tasty dish. So, if you’re in a hurry, nothing will add the needed sweetness to your French toast more than some powdered sugar.
The best thing about this topping is that you don’t have to prepare anything. So this is an excellent choice for busy mornings when you already have some reheated frozen French toast and want to grab a sweet breakfast before a long day.
For an added edge, you can add some cinnamon on top, as its spiciness will complement the sweetness of the sugar. You can also sprinkle some coconut flakes.
4 – Peanut Butter
Peanut butter adds richness and creaminess to your French toast. It tastes like creamy peanuts, and you can pick the sweet or slightly saltier variety.
You can serve other types of nut butter with your French toast. Hazelnut butter is a great option to consider, and you can also try pistachio butter for a new taste on your breakfast table.
If you want to make your French toast taste even sweeter, you can add a spoonful of cherry or strawberry jam on top of the nut butter, and your little ones will absolutely love it.
You can also prepare a stuffed French toast tower by alternating fillings of peanut butter, honey, and some fresh fruits.
5 – Fresh Fruits
Do you think that there’s no way to enjoy your French toast unless you add a calorie-packed topping?
You can definitely serve your French toast with some fresh fruits for a sweet yet healthy alternative.
Blueberries and strawberries work well with French toast. You can add just a little honey or some powdered sugar, and your sweet breakfast will be ready to serve.
You can also top your fresh fruits with some whipped cream or coconut flakes for a lovely and refreshing snack.
6 – Caramelized Bananas
Caramelized bananas are pretty easy to make if you want a sweet yet tasty brunch or breakfast. Just toss the banana slices with melted butter in a pan, sprinkle some brown sugar on top and let them cook.
You can serve your caramelized bananas with nuts or whipped cream to make your French toast taste richer. A scoop of vanilla ice cream with some chocolate syrup can also be the perfect topping for a hot summer day.
Savory Toppings
A lot of us crave salty food more than sweets, and French toast is versatile enough to be the perfect savory snack. As a matter of fact, this is how most people eat this delicious dish in Spain and Ireland.
Since you already have these ingredients in your kitchen, you can reheat some frozen French toast for a quick brunch, lunch, or dinner. The results will always be phenomenal.
7 – Herbed Butter
Herbed butter is a rich yet simple savory topping that you can add on top of your French toast, and the best part is that you can prepare a big batch and keep it in the fridge until it’s needed.
All you need to do is to mix some unsalted butter with some roasted garlic, roasted sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, thyme, rosemary, tarragon, salt, and pepper, and you’ll have a tasty spread that elevates the taste of your French toast.
You can also use this spread as a base for any of the other savory toppings.
8 – Scrambled Eggs
Nothing feels more satisfying than some buttery scrambled eggs, and adding them on top of your French toast means that you have a tasty meal that will keep you full and warm.
Mix some bacon bits with your eggs, or add your cheddar cheese for an extra kick. Spread some butter on your French toast before adding the eggs, top them with some salt and pepper, and your meal will be ready.
9 – Avocado
Avocados are packed with vitamins C, K, and E, so they will be a healthy and tasty addition to your French toast. So whether you have French toast in the morning or at night, just topping it with some avocados will make it taste divine.
You can either slice your avocados and add some salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese, or you can prepare an avocado spread by mashing them with a fork.
Mix your avocados with some chili flakes, lemon juice, tiny pieces of onion, or some olives. They will be the perfect addition to your French toast if you want a topping that feels hearty and rich.
You can also add a fried egg for extra goodness or top the avocado spread with fresh parsley and thyme.
10 – Halloumi and Honey
Although this topping includes honey, it has all the right savory notes from the halloumi cheese. Just fry or grill the halloumi cheese and top it with a drizzle of honey to balance out its strong taste.
You can also add some sundried tomatoes and roasted bell peppers and skip the honey if you want to enjoy the tanginess of the halloumi cheese. Adding some oregano and thyme will also work.
11 – Smoked Turkey And Poached Eggs
If you’re looking for a hearty and warm savory topping for your French toast, you can add a slice of smoked turkey topped by a poached egg or fried egg and sprinkle some black pepper and sea salt, and you’ll be good to go.
As you cut through the egg, all the goodness soaks your French toast for an incredible taste. You can also switch the smoked turkey with a slice of ham or some bacon for a mouthwatering lunch or dinner.
12 – Cream Cheese and Salmon
The combination of cream cheese and smoked salmon is a match made in heaven, and it will definitely work if you’re looking for a tasty and fresh savory topping for your French toast.
All you have to do is spread some cream cheese on top of your French toast and then add a slice of smoked salmon. You can add some capers or a slice of pickled onion for a kick, making this an excellent brunch or lunch dish.
Final Thoughts
Nothing beats the versatility of French toast as a tasty dish that you can serve any time of the day.
In this article, we suggested six sweet and six savory toppings to try, and you can also mix and match some ingredients to create your favorite mix. So just take a look at your kitchen, and you’ll definitely find something that works for your French toast.
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.