Savory French Toast
Updated: February 20, 2024, By Swasthi
Make this super easy Savory French Toast under 20 mins. Bread slices are dipped in a spicy egg mixture and pan-fried in butter. Whether you are bored with your regular toast or simply want to avoid your dessert/sweet French toast, this Savory Spicy French toast is a welcoming option you can try out.
About Savory French Toast
This Indian style toast goes by the name Masala French Toast & is a popular snack served in the cafes, small eateries & office/school/college canteens. It is usually served with ketchup or a cup of Chai (Tea) or filter coffee.
I show how to make this in a pan. But you can also make in an air fryer or in the oven (when you make a larger batch).
It requires only a few pantry staples like eggs, onions, chilies, red chili flakes, ground cumin, garam masala (or any other seasoning), coriander leaves, milk and butter. Thick bread slices of ¾ to 1 inch thickness are best, but even thinner slices work.
Very fresh bread that is too soft and airy can easily fall apart after dipping in the egg mixture. So experts advice using a day-old thick bread slices to make French toast.
My recipe also uses a chutney or hot sauce or pesto to spread over the bread slices, before dipping into the egg mixture. This not only makes your Savory French Toast colorful but also enhances the flavor. I use mint chutney or cilantro chutney but you can smear any hot chutney or pesto or sauce you prefer.
You are also free to omit it. If you want to make a small batch enough for your Savory French Toast, simply grind the following ingredients to a smooth thick chutney. (Makes 4 tablespoons)
- 1 cup mint leaves (or cilantro or 50/50, loosely packed)
- 1½ tablespoon roasted peanuts (skinned if possible)
- ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
- ½ tsp chaat masala
- salt as required + water (1 to 2 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 small garlic cloves
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Photo Guide
How to Make Savory French Toast (Stepwise Photos)
1. Gather the following ingredients
- 4 slices thick bread slices
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 to 3 tablespoons onion or shallots or green onions – chopped finely
- 1 to 2 green chilies chopped (optional, deseeded for low heat or use black pepper)
- 2 tablespoon coriander leaves fine chopped (or your favorite herbs)
- ⅓ teaspoon garam masala
- ⅓ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- ⅓ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ to 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 4 tablespoons mint chutney or hot sauce or pesto as needed
- 1½ tablespoon unsalted butter
2. Break eggs to a mixing bowl. Pour milk and add onions, chilies, coriander leaves, turmeric, chili flakes, cumin powder, garam masala and salt. Whisk together until frothy and combined.
3. Heat a non-stick pan with butter on a medium heat. Optional – Spread chutney/sauce on one side of the bread slice. If you don’t like this you may omit.
4. Place it in the beaten eggs. I don’t prefer to soak my bread in eggs for longer, but if you want you may do that for 2 mins. This results in a more eggy/ custard like texture inside.
5. Turn it to the other side with a fork
6. Remove, shaking off the excess to the same bowl and place in the hot pan. Follow the same steps and toast as many slices as you can in one batch.
7. If you want you may spoon a tablespoon of beaten eggs on each slice.
8. Cook on a medium flame until the base is cooked through. Turn it to the other side with a turner. Press down gently and cook until golden and crisp.
9. Remove to a serving plate and cook the rest of the slices. Sprinkle chaat masala and serve hot.
Savory French Toast is best served hot.
Related Recipes
Recipe Card
Savory French Toast (Spicy Masala French Toast)
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )
- 4 slices thick bread slices
- 1½ tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 medium organic eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- ⅓ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons onion or shallots or green onions – chopped finely
- 1 to 2 green chilies chopped (optional, deseeded for low heat or use black pepper)
- 2 tablespoon coriander leaves fine chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ to 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- ⅓ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- ⅓ teaspoon garam masala
- 4 tablespoons mint chutney or hot sauce or pesto as needed (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon chaat masala to serve – optional
Instructions
How to make Savory French Toast
- Break eggs to a mixing bowl. Pour milk and add onions, chilies, coriander leaves, turmeric, chili flakes, cumin powder, garam masala and salt. Whisk together until frothy and combined.
- Heat a non-stick pan with butter on a medium heat. Optional – Spread chutney/sauce on one side of the bread slice.
- Place it in the beaten eggs and turn it to the other side with a fork. Remove, shaking off the excess to the same bowl and place in the hot pan. Follow the same steps and toast as many slices as you can in one batch. If you want you may spoon a tablespoon of beaten eggs on each slice.
- Cook on a medium flame until the base is cooked through.
- Turn it to the other side with a turner. Press down gently and cook until golden and crisp. Remove to a serving plate and cook the rest of the slices.
- Sprinkle chaat masala and serve hot.
Video
Watch Savory French Toast Video
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
© Swasthi’s Recipes
About Swasthi
I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me
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Comments
Delicious! I omitted the chutney/sauce. It still tastes delicious. We have made this twice so far.
Thanks for trying Aadhi
We are trying to cut down sweetener from our diet and this savory toast was a great try. Made this without chutney and pesto since I didn’t have. Still it turned out great. I have already made this thrice in a row. Thank you for posting
That’s really nice to know Kaira. Thank you for sharing back
I once ate a similar toast with a spread of habanero sauce and mayo. Never thought of replicating that until I saw your recipe. I used a spicy hot sauce and followed the recipe. Amazing savory toast!
Thanks for trying David. I think this is a food served in Indian and Middle Eastern cafes and outlets. Glad you like it.
This recipe is a lifesaver. Have been making it often for a quick breakfast. I don’t use any chutney or sauce, still it turns out delicious.
Thanks for trying Bharati
This is the first time I come across a savory French toast. I am a not a Indian so I don’t have garam masala or coriander. Is there a close substitute I can try with?
Hi,
You can omit garam masala & use parsley for coriander leaves. Garam masala is a combination of different spices like cumin, coriander, nutmeg, cloves and cardamoms. If you have those you may use or try all-spice or steak seasoning. Hope you enjoy
I am a huge fan of your cilantro chutney and often store a jar. We use it on toast, wraps and in raitas. I made this savory toast tonight and loved it. Thank you and keep the recipes coming!
Thanks Amy. That’s really nice to stock a jar of this chutney. So glad you like this.
You make amazing food. I discovered your website last month while looking for Indian recipes. I have tried out butter chicken, malai curry and paneer tikka masala. All were yummy. I am loving this savory french toast now. Going to make it soon.
That’s lovely to read Zayani. Thank you so much for trying. Hope you like this one too.