French Toast for a Crowd

Whether you’re hosting Sunday brunch or planning Christmas morning breakfast, cooking the first meal of the day for a group can be tough—there tends to be a lot of scrambling and flipping involved, which can get tedious fast. What if we told you there was a way to streamline the process and get a show-stopping breakfast on the table with minimal fuss? Once you learn how to make French toast for a crowd, you may never go back to the old turning-each-piece-with-a-spatula way again.

These recipes from our collection are tantalizing year-round, and as a bonus many can be prepped the day before so all you have to do on the big day is slide the prepared pan into the oven—all before you’ve had your first cup of coffee.

Baked Eggnog French Toast

Although particularly well suited for the holidays, you’d be hard-pressed to find a time of year when cream, sugar, bourbon, vanilla, and nutmeg aren’t welcome flavors at your breakfast table. This baked challah French toast can be totally prepared the night before so all you have to do in the morning is preheat an oven and bake.

Meyer Lemon French Toast

Another French toast recipe that can be prepped ahead, this version is infused with the bright flavor of Meyer lemon zest. Use day old challah bread, which puffs up and gets almost custardy in the oven. Though Meyer lemons lend a special touch, if they aren’t available regular lemon—or even orange—zest can be substituted.

Brioche French Toast with Fruit Syrup and Meyer Lemon Marmalade

This recipe, from Chef Jason French of Portland’s Ned Ludd restaurant takes French toast to a new level with the addition of a simple yet impressive homemade marmalade garnish. Meanwhile, buttery brioche soaks up a sweet and creamy mixture that includes a whole split vanilla bean and crushed cardamom pods, which is then is baked in the oven for a fuss-free feast.

Family-Style French Toast with Strawberry Syrup

Taking a cue from one of our favorite egg dishes, this French toast recipe is cooked in a nonstick frittata pan, which allows you to flip the whole thing together once instead of worrying about turning individual pieces. Of course, it’s the homemade strawberry syrup that puts this breakfast over the top in the best way possible.

Pear Bread Pudding

Where do you draw the line between French toast and bread pudding, anyway? Call it “French toast” instead of bread pudding and—poof—suddenly it’s fair game for breakfast. This delightful recipe sets sliced challah atop a bed of cinnamon-spiced caramelized pears for a super special breakfast treat.