Get ready to meet your new favorite meal. This French Toast BLT takes the classic sandwich you love and elevates it to a whole new level of deliciousness. Imagine thick, fluffy brioche bread, soaked in a savory egg custard and cooked to golden perfection, then layered with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomato. It’s the perfect marriage of sweet and savory, and an unforgettable brunch experience.
We’re not just making a sandwich; we’re crafting a masterpiece. This recipe is designed to be perfectly balanced, ensuring every single bite is packed with flavor and texture. Forget boring lunches and breakfasts, because this is a true showstopper.
Why This French Toast BLT Recipe is a Game-Changer
This isn’t your average sandwich. What makes this French Toast BLT recipe truly special is the attention to detail. We use a savory custard for the French toast, which complements the salty bacon and creamy mayonnaise without being overly sweet. It creates a complex flavor profile that is simply irresistible.
The textures are just as important. You get the soft, rich bread, the crispy, salty bacon, the cool, crisp lettuce, and the juicy, fresh tomato all in one perfect bite. It’s a culinary experience that will have you coming back for more.
The Key Components of a Perfect French Toast BLT
A truly great sandwich is the sum of its parts. To build the best French Toast BLT, we need to focus on the quality of each individual component. Here’s what you need to know.
The Bread: Why Brioche or Challah is Best
The foundation of our sandwich is the bread. For the perfect French toast, you need a bread that is rich, sturdy, and slightly sweet. Thick-cut brioche or challah are the ideal choices. Their high egg and butter content creates a wonderfully soft, custard-like texture when cooked, and they are sturdy enough to hold up to the fillings without falling apart.
The Bacon: Achieving Maximum Crispiness
The “B” in BLT is crucial. We recommend using thick-cut bacon for a meatier bite. For maximum crispiness and perfect results every time, cook your bacon in the oven on a wire rack. This allows the fat to render out and the heat to circulate evenly, resulting in perfectly flat and crispy bacon slices.
The “L” and “T”: Freshness is Non-Negotiable
Don’t overlook the lettuce and tomato! For the best flavor, use crisp lettuce like romaine or iceberg for that signature crunch. The tomato should be ripe, juicy, and in-season if possible. A beautiful heirloom or beefsteak tomato, sliced thick, will make all the difference.
The Savory Custard: The Secret to the Perfect French Toast
The magic happens in the custard. Instead of a sweet, cinnamon-laden mixture, we’re creating a savory bath for our bread. We use eggs, milk, a touch of salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic powder. This savory base turns the bread into the perfect flavorful vehicle for our BLT fillings.
For a cheesy twist, try our mozzarella-stuffed pretzels recipe next!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Brioche or Challah Bread: 8 thick slices, about 1-inch thick.
- Bacon: 12 slices of thick-cut bacon.
- Tomatoes: 2 large, ripe tomatoes, sliced.
- Lettuce: 4-8 leaves of romaine or iceberg lettuce.
- Eggs: 4 large eggs.
- Milk: 1/2 cup of whole milk.
- Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup.
- Garlic Powder: 1/2 teaspoon.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons, for cooking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until perfectly crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Prepare the Custard: In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Soak the Bread: Briefly dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for about 15-20 seconds per side. Don’t let it get too soggy.
- Cook the French Toast: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet or on a griddle over medium heat. Place the soaked bread slices on the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining butter and bread slices.
- Assemble the Sandwich: To build your French Toast BLT, spread a generous layer of mayonnaise on one side of each slice of French toast. On four of the slices, layer the lettuce, sliced tomato, and three slices of crispy bacon. Top with the remaining four slices of French toast, mayo-side down.
- Serve Immediately: Slice the sandwiches in half diagonally and serve immediately for the best experience.
If you’re looking for another savory delight, our chicken bacon ranch sliders are always a crowd-pleaser.
Tips and Tricks for Sandwich Success
- Use Day-Old Bread: Slightly stale bread is more absorbent and will hold its shape better without becoming mushy.
- Don’t Oversoak: A quick dip is all you need. If the bread soaks for too long, the final sandwich can be soggy.
- Season Every Layer: A little salt and pepper on your tomato slices can elevate the flavor significantly.
- Press Lightly: After assembling the sandwich, give it a gentle press to help the layers meld together.
Fun Variations to Try
While the classic is fantastic, feel free to get creative! This French Toast BLT is a great canvas for other flavors.
Add Cheese!
A slice of sharp cheddar, provolone, or nutty Gruyère cheese melted onto the French toast just before assembling adds a delicious, gooey element.
Spice It Up
Mix a little sriracha or chipotle powder into your mayonnaise for a spicy kick. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the egg custard.
A Touch of Sweetness
For those who love the sweet and savory combination, try adding a tablespoon of maple syrup to your mayonnaise. It sounds unusual, but it’s a delicious nod to traditional French toast.
What to Serve with Your French Toast BLT
This sandwich is a meal in itself, but it also pairs wonderfully with classic brunch sides. Serve it alongside crispy home fries, a simple fruit salad, or a lightly dressed green salad. For a truly decadent meal, pair it with another comfort food favorite like these amazing au gratin potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions About the French Toast BLT
Absolutely! Adding cheese is a fantastic variation. A slice of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, or provolone melted on the French toast just before assembly adds a wonderful gooey texture and rich flavor.
This sandwich is best enjoyed immediately after assembly to ensure the French toast is warm and the lettuce is crisp. However, you can cook the bacon ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator to speed up the process.
To prevent a soggy sandwich, use slightly stale or day-old bread, as it’s more absorbent. Also, be sure not to oversoak the bread in the egg mixture—a quick dip on each side is all you need.
For a BLT, a savory French toast is highly recommended. Our recipe uses a savory custard with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, which perfectly complements the salty bacon and other fillings without making the sandwich overly sweet.
The best bread is a thick-cut, rich bread like brioche or challah. Their sturdy yet soft texture holds up well to the fillings and creates a delicious, custard-like interior when cooked.
The Best French Toast BLT Recipe
French Toast BLT: The Ultimate Brunch Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until perfectly crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Briefly dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for about 15-20 seconds per side. Don’t let it get too soggy.
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet or on a griddle over medium heat. Place the soaked bread slices on the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining butter and bread slices.
- To build your French Toast BLT, spread a generous layer of mayonnaise on one side of each slice of French toast. On four of the slices, layer the lettuce, sliced tomato, and three slices of crispy bacon. Top with the remaining four slices of French toast, mayo-side down.
- Slice the sandwiches in half diagonally and serve immediately for the best experience.
Notes
Season your tomato slices with a pinch of salt and pepper before adding them to the sandwich for an extra flavor boost.
Share This Amazing Recipe!
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