How to Reheat French Toast to Crispy, Cakey Perfection

French toast is a delicious breakfast dish that can be prepared ahead of time and reheated. Properly reheating french toast is important to maintain its texture and flavor. Here are several methods for reheating french toast using common kitchen appliances.

Reheating in the Microwave

The microwave provides a quick and easy way to reheat french toast.

• Place french toast on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer, not stacked.
• Cover with a paper towel to prevent drying out.
• Microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute per slice.
• Check periodically and microwave in 10 second increments to prevent overcooking.
• Let stand 1-2 minutes after microwaving to allow heat to evenly distribute.

Tips:

• Add a teaspoon of milk or water to the plate to steam and soften the bread if desired.
• Take care not to over microwave as this can make the french toast rubbery.
• The microwave is best for reheating a single serving of 1-4 slices of french toast.

Reheating in the Oven

The oven allows reheating larger batches of french toast evenly.

• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Place french toast slices on a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Cover pan with aluminum foil.
• Heat french toast for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
• Check periodically to prevent drying out.
• For a crisper exterior, uncover for the last 2-3 minutes.

Tips:

• Add a teaspoon of water or milk to the baking sheet to create steam.
• Use oven-safe pans or baking sheets to avoid burning on the bottom.
• The oven works well for reheating 4-8 slices of french toast.

Reheating on the Stove

The stove provides opportunity to re-crisp the exterior of the french toast.

• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Add a teaspoon of butter or oil.
• Cook french toast slices 2-3 minutes per side until heated through and lightly browned.

Tips:

• Use a lower heat if the exterior is browning too quickly.
• Add a teaspoon of water or milk to the pan and cover for a minute to steam if needed.
• The stove allows reheating individual servings of 1-2 slices.

Reheating in the Air Fryer

The air fryer makes french toast crispy on the outside and heated inside.

• Pre-heat air fryer to 300°F.
• Place french toast slices in air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Cook 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Check frequently to avoid over browning.

Tips:

• Lightly brush both sides with oil or butter to get crispy.
• Shake basket periodically for even cooking.
• The air fryer works well for 1-4 slices of french toast.

Q&A

How do you reheat frozen french toast?

Slowly defrost frozen french toast in the refrigerator overnight. Then reheat using the oven, stove, or microwave using the instructions above. Adjust cooking times as needed for fully frozen french toast.

Can you reheat french toast in an air fryer?

Yes, an air fryer works great for reheating french toast to get it crispy on the outside while heated through. Follow the air fryer directions above.

What is the best way to reheat a large batch of french toast?

The oven is ideal for evenly reheating larger batches of 4-8 slices of french toast. Place on a sheet pan, cover with foil, and use a low 300°F oven.

Q: How do you reheat French toast without it getting soggy?

A: Use a lower microwave power setting and cook in short intervals. Or reheat in the oven at 300°F on a wire rack to allow airflow underneath to crisp the bottom.

Q: Can you reheat French toast in a toaster?

A: Yes, you can reheat French toast in a toaster oven or regular pop-up toaster. Use a lower setting and check frequently to avoid over-browning.

Q: How long does reheated French toast last in the fridge?

A: Properly stored reheated French toast will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to seal it in an airtight container.

Additional Tips for Reheating French Toast

• Always reheat fully to 165°F internal temperature.
• Use a cooking thermometer to verify temperature if uncertain.
• Add a teaspoon of milk or water when reheating to add steam and prevent drying out.
• Cut into thicker slices before reheating so the centers heat through.
• Don’t stack slices when reheating to ensure even cooking.
• Reheat any syrup, fruit, or other toppings separately.
• Let French toast cool completely after cooking before refrigerating to prevent sogginess.
• When reheating, start with lower heat and increase gradually to ensure the interior is hot without over-browning the exterior.
• If the French toast seems dry, brush both sides lightly with butter or oil before reheating.
• Day old French toast may take longer to reheat since the bread is firmer. Add more time or use a slightly higher temperature.
• To reheat syrup or fruit topping, do it separately from the French toast to prevent sogginess.
• Freeze slices with parchment paper between each piece for easy reheating later.

Easy French Toast Recipes

Classic French Toast

• Whisk together 3 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp cinnamon.
• Dip bread slices into egg mixture to coat thoroughly.
• Cook on greased griddle 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.

Banana Foster French Toast

• Slice bananas and sauté in butter with brown sugar and cinnamon until caramelized.
• Dip bread into egg mixture and cook as above.
• Top french toast with banana mixture before serving.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

• Mix together 4 oz softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup diced strawberries.
• Spread cream cheese mixture onto bread slices.
• Dip into egg mixture, fry, and top with strawberries.

Product Recommendations

Microwave:

• Panasonic NN-SN936B – 1.2 cu. ft. 1200W microwave
• Toshiba EM131A5C-BS – 1.2 cu. ft. 1100W microwave
• GE JES1097SMSS – 1.0 cu. ft. 1000W microwave
• Breville Quick Touch BMO734XL – 0.7 cu. ft. 1200W microwave
• Sharp ZSMC0710BB – 0.7 cu. ft. 700W microwave

Oven:

• GE JB750SJSS – 5.3 cu. ft. electric range oven
• Bosch HGI8056UC – 5.4 cu. ft. electric single wall oven
• LG LDE4415ST – 6.3 cu. ft. electric double oven
• Frigidaire FFET3025PS – 5.3 cu. ft. electric single wall oven
• Whirlpool WEE510S0FS – 5 cu. ft. electric range oven

Stovetop:

• GE JP5030DJBB – 5 burner electric cooktop
• Frigidaire FFEC3025UB – 5 burner electric coil cooktop
• Bosch NIT5066UC – 5 burner induction cooktop
• LG LCE3010SB – 4 burner electric smooth top
• Whirlpool W5CE3024XB – 4 burner electric ceramic glass cooktop

Air Fryer:

• Cosori CO130-AO – 5.8 qt air fryer
• Ninja AF101 – 4 qt air fryer
• Instant Vortex Plus – 6 qt air fryer
• Philips HD9641/96 – 4 qt digital air fryer
• Chefman 6.3 qt Digital Air Fryer

Reheating french toast is easy with the right technique. Follow these appliance-specific instructions to enjoy delicious french toast again and again. Let it cool completely before storing in the refrigerator overnight and up to 3-4 days. With proper reheating, you can enjoy leftover french toast with its texture and flavor intact.