Add Cereal To Your French Toast For An Irresistible Crunch

From a sophisticated brunch to a leisurely breakfast to even a sweet dinner, French toast is more than just a luscious piece of custardy, griddled bread topped with sweetness. As anyone knows, a great piece of French toast is far different from those sticks that we ate as kids in the school cafeteria. Although every cook has a secret to their special recipe, one idea could offer the texture boost that people crave.

Kellogg's recommends a cereal-baked French toast recipe, using crushed All-Bran Complete Wheat Flakes cereal. After the bread absorbs the custard, it is covered in cereal on both sides. The idea is that the cereal will offer a contrast of texture.

Here are a few items of note with this recipe idea: First, it would be best to have evenly crushed pieces of cereal. The consistency will help the cereal more evenly coat the French toast. Second, this recipe bakes the bread, which can help the cereal to stick. With a frying or griddled method, the coating could unstick during the cooking process. In addition, cooks should consider the bread's thickness. The cereal coating adds texture, but it should not overshadow the custard goodness of the French toast itself. A very thin slice could make the cereal dominate, and too thick of a slice could lose the crust flavor completely. 

Lastly, be thoughtful with toppings on this recipe. Too much syrup could turn the cereal coating soggy, but having no dollop of whipped cream or drizzle of syrup or honey could make the dish unfinished. In the end, when the classic French toast recipe needs a boost, consider looking in the pantry and combining breakfast foods into one dish.

While a piece of bread soaked in luscious custard is the basis for a delicious French toast recipe, adding texture by coating the bread with crushed cereal can enhance the eating enjoyment. But picking the right cereal is key to this flavor experiment. First, the flavors need to complement each other. For example, cinnamon and apples are lovely, but marshmallows and apples might not be quite as successful.

Second, the type of cereal needs to be considered. All the components of the cereal should create an even crust. Thinking back to marshmallows, those sweet charms might not stick to the bread. A cereal without extras, whether it is marshmallows, fruit pieces, or something else, might be a better choice.

Basically, almost any cereal could become a crust for French Toast. Whether it is simple Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, or even Fruit Loops, the options are many. The choice comes down to flavor preference. From fresh and fruity to warm and spiced, the cereal could even be combined for a flavor boost. Even celebrity chefs, like Ayesha Curry with her Cereal-Crusted PB&J French Toast recipe, have embraced the breakfast-time duality recipe idea.

For anyone who likes French toast but wants to ensure a crispy, crunchy texture, coating it in cereal might be the tasty solution. Just remember not to drown the bite in syrup, or the crunch factor might be lost.

A basic French toast recipe is often just a handful of ingredients. While people can debate the best custard base to use, the reality is that one ingredient is key and can be the biggest French toast mistake. It all starts and ends with the bread selection.

From that simple slice of Wonder Bread to a flavorful brioche, everyone has their preference. While a thin bread can offer a crispier texture from the griddle, a thicker variety can absorb the rich custard, which makes for a more unctuous bite. In addition, some people prefer a heartier crust to offer that texture contrast between the edges and the middle.

Although there is no simple, one-size-fits-all, decisive answer, the cook needs to choose the best bread for the situation. For example, a meal with a family friend might not be the time to introduce a cranberry walnut country bread. A simple cinnamon raisin bread, which adds some flavor yet is still approachable, might be better suited for that situation.

Lastly, how the French toast is going to be served should influence the decision. From being smothered in syrup to topped simply with cut fruit, the flavor combinations should influence the bread selection. For example, a heartier bread might benefit from a little extra syrup or whipped cream. In contrast, a rich bread, like a brioche or a challah bread, might need some bright fruit notes to cut through the richness. The next time French toast is going to be served, do not crack an egg until the right bread is chosen, because it is the foundation of that perfect bite.