Savory Cheddar and Bacon French Toast

A melting, soaked center with a butter-browned crust that cracks under the tooth. Melted cheddar adds richness and character, highlighted by the smoky crunch of bacon.

• Prep time: 10 min
• Cook time: 15 min
• Difficulty: Easy
• Calories: 685
• Protein: 31 g
• Carbs: 67 g
• Fat: 31 g

Ingredients

• 4 piece Country bread ( 2cm thick slices )
• 3 piece Egg
• 200 ml Whole milk
• 50 ml Cream
• 80 g Cheddar cheese ( grated )
• 8 piece Bacon strip
• 30 g Salted butter
• 1 tsp Mustard
• 1 pinch Nutmeg
• 1 pinch Black pepper ground
• 1 tbsp Chives fresh ( finely chopped )

Instructions

1. Cream mixture

   In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and cream. Add the mustard, nutmeg, and pepper. The mixture must be perfectly smooth, with no mustard lumps.

2. Soaking

   Submerge the bread slices in the mixture. They should double in weight and be saturated to the core, but remain whole without falling apart.

3. Bacon browning

   Sear the bacon in a dry pan. When it is stiff, browned, and the fat is translucent, set it aside on paper towels.

4. Butter frying

   Melt the salted butter in the pan until it foams and turns nut-brown. Place the bread and sear until a uniform brown crust forms on both sides.

5. Cheese finish

   Sprinkle the cheddar over the hot bread. Cover for 30 seconds so the cheese coats the crumb, then add the bacon and chopped chives.

Chef's tips

• Use two-day-old stale bread; it will absorb the mixture better without collapsing.
• Do not press the bread in the pan; let the heat gently puff up the crumb.

Storage

Eat immediately. Reheating softens the crust and ruins the texture contrast.