Ever tried French toast with a spicy desi makeover? This Indian-style savoury french toast is the comfort food that hits just right—crispy edges, spicy and warm flavours, and ready in minutes. It’s my go-to when I want something quick to go with chai! This is my mom's recipe using fresh herbs, green chillies and my favourite fennel seeds!
In our home, we call this Eruville Rotti Vaatiye—spicy bread toast in Malayalam. Growing up, this was a regular weekend pre-breakfast or an after-school snack—right up there with the sweet version we all know and love.
My mom never really gave exact measurements (duh). And while I get it—most people cook by instinct—I’m a stickler for sharing recipes that work every single time. So, I jot down notes, test the proportions, and tweak as needed. That way, there’s no guesswork, no wastage, and it’s easy to scale up when needed!
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Here’s Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe took some time to perfect. My mom's savoury French toast often had visible chunks of green chillies or onions, which we enjoyed. But I aimed to ensure every toast was consistently packed with the same amount of flavours. So, like my Kadala curry recipe, I can boldly say this is better than mom's recipe! Hope you will try this recipe and share your feedback as always!
Ingredients Used
If you are a savoury-for-breakfast kinda person like me, then this spicy french toast recipe is going to be your new favourite. Trust me.
- Fresh herbs: I have used only mint and coriander.
- Ginger or garlic: You can either use ginger or garlic or both, but avoid ginger garlic paste if possible. But in a crunch, you may use the paste.
- Green chillies: increase or reduce as per taste
- Mini shallots: You may use red onions
- Fennel seeds: You may use cumin instead, but I highly recommend fennel seeds!
- Eggs: If you want to avoid eggs, you can substitute with about 2 tablespoon of any flour or custard powder.
- Full-fat milk: I have not tried with other kinds
- Salt and pepper: as per taste
- Bread: a stale bread (more on it below)
- Butter: unsalted. If using salted butter, then adjust the salt in the batter or use ghee
Refer to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this page for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.
Steps to Make Savoury French Toast
Let's see how to make savoury french toast!
Firstly, prepare the green paste. Add all the ingredients into a grinder or food processor and grind to a paste. It won't get smooth, but continue grinding until no big chunks.
You may add a splash of milk to get it to process better. It won't get smooth, but continue grinding until no big chunks. You may add a splash of milk to get it to process better.
Transfer the content into a bowl. Add a portion of the milk into the jar and shake well. This is to get every bit of greens out of it.
Pour the content into the same bowl (I prefer to use a brownie pan or a pie dish). Add the eggs, remaining milk, salt and ground black pepper.
Whisk this mixture until combined and no large traces of egg yolk strands remain. Heat a flat pan over medium heat. Add some butter and spread it all over the pan.
Dunk a bread slice into the egg mixture for about 10 to 20 seconds. Repeat each side and place it on the hot, greased skillet. You may use your fingertips or a spoon to keep the bread slices dunked.
Toast on medium heat until golden brown on both sides. Takes about 1 to 3 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of your bread.
Cooking time may vary depending on the bread's thickness and density, and how much egg it has soaked up.
Extra Good
Cheese slices: Add a layer of grated cheese (cheddar, parmesan cheese, mozzarella, or your favourite cheese) between two slices of bread before dipping them in the egg mixture. This creates a gooey, cheesy centre when cooked.
Equipment
You'll need some basic kitchen equipment:
- Mixing Bowl: A medium-sized mixing bowl for preparing the egg mixture.
- Mini Mixie or Food Processor: This is essential for grinding the green paste. If you don't have one, a mortar and pestle can work as well, although it might require more effort.
- Whisk: To whisk and combine the egg mixture thoroughly.
- Flat Pan or Skillet: A non-stick flat pan or cast iron skillet for toasting the bread slices.
- Spatula: Use a spatula for flipping the toast while it's cooking to ensure even browning.
Storage
If you have any leftovers or want to prepare your savoury french toast in advance, here's how you can store it:
- Refrigeration: Place any leftover toast in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Freezing: If you'd like to store it for a longer period, you can freeze the toast. Place the individual slices on a tray and freeze until they're solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or a container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1-2 months.
- Reheating: To reheat refrigerated or frozen toast, you can use a toaster or oven:
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and warm the toasts for a few minutes until they're heated through.
- Toaster: Add two slices of toast and press the Defrost settings with the knob pointing at 2.
Remember that the texture of reheated savoury french toast may not be as perfect as when freshly made, but it's still a tasty option for a quick meal.
FAQ
In the 90s, every mom in India probably used good old white bread or milk bread to make Bombay toast. Whatever bread you are using, make sure it is at least a day old, which makes the best french toast. I love to use brioche french toast, normal white bread or brown bread or store-bought baguette!
What can go wrong with French toast? You can end up with either a dry or soggy outcome. I've experienced both! Dry toast results from insufficiently soaking the bread in the egg mixture. Soggy toast is the result of over-soaking and inadequate cooking. Dry French toast has a dry centre, while soggy, wet and heavy in the middle due to incomplete cooking.
What to serve with savoury french toast? I grew up having spicy toast with a cup of chai, and so it continues even today. But I would suggest you can add an assorted cheese board along with the toasts for a fancy breakfast spread.
Related
Looking for other recipes using mint and coriander? Try these:
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📖 Recipe Card
Savoury French Toast
Ingredients
For the green paste
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, tightly packed
- ½ cup Fresh coriander leaves
- 2 to 3 green chillies
- ¼ inch ginger
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 3 to 4 mini shallots , ½ a small red onion
For the batter
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup full-fat milk
- salt and pepper to taste
For the toast
- 6 to 8 bread slices, stale preferred - meaning a day or two old
- 1 to 2 tablespoons butter, or ghee to pan-toast the bread slices
Instructions
Prepare the batter
- Prepare the green paste by adding all the ingredients into a mini mixie or food processor and grind to a paste. It won't get smooth but continue grinding until no big chunks. You may add a splash of milk to get it to process better.½ cup fresh mint leaves½ cup Fresh coriander leaves2 to 3 green chillies¼ inch ginger2 garlic cloves½ teaspoon fennel seeds3 to 4 mini shallots
- Transfer the content into a bowl (big enough to fit the sliced bread)
- Add a portion of the milk into the mixie jar and shake well to get every bit of greens out of it.
- Pour the content into the same bowl (I prefer to use brownie pan or pie dish)
- Add the eggs, remaining milk, salt and pepper and whisk this mixture until combined and no large traces of egg yolk strands remain.3 large eggs½ cup full-fat milksalt and pepper to taste
Prepare the toast
- Heat your favourite flat pan with some butter and spread it all over the pan1 to 2 tablespoons butter
- Dunk one bread slice into the egg mixture for about 10 to 20 seconds on each side and place it on the hot greased skillet. You may use your fingertips or a spoon to keep the bread slices dunked. Repeat with bread slices as much as the pan can hold.6 to 8 bread slices
- Toast on medium heat until golden brown on both sides which is for about 1 to 3 minutes on each side depending on the thickness of your bread. Cooking time can vary based on thickness and density of bread as well as the amount of egg soaked into the bread.
- Remove and stack on the serving plate with more butter or ketchup. Serve with my hot cuppa chai! or use it to make a cheese sandwich!
Anonymous says
The fennel seeds took this into the Realm Of Awesome 👌
Pallavi says
Looks yummy