This Matcha French Toast is a delicious spin on regular French Toast. Thick slices of green tea custard-soaked bread cook up into a fluffy and delicious breakfast. The matcha tea adds a little earthy note to the custard mixture. It's a fun way to change up your breakfast or brunch offerings.
This post first appeared on Sift & Simmer in April 2018. Updated Feb 2021.
Amongst breakfast perennial favourites pancakes and waffles, I think French toast often gets overlooked.
I mean, pancakes are great, and matcha waffles are one of my husband's favourites.
But I love French toast.
What is French toast?
French toast is sliced bread dipped in a custard mixture of beaten eggs and milk.
It can be sweet or savoury.
Or stuffed with peanut butter, as in this Hong Kong-style French toast.
Sweetened versions of French toast have flavours such as cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar added to the eggs and milk.
The slices of egg-coated bread are then pan-fried in a little butter or oil.
Why you'll love this recipe
I've taken my childhood weekend breakfast favourite and added earthy matcha green tea to the batter, giving the French toast a more grown-up flavour.
It's really easy to whip up, using store-bought bread, or using your own homemade Matcha Shokupan (Japanese milk bread).
This recipe consists of a few ingredients, probably things that you already have in your pantry.
Using a high-quality matcha powder and cooking over a low heat ensures that the French toast stays green.
Ingredients you'll need
You'll need:
- sliced bread: day-old bread; thick sliced/Texas-style, or milk bread. Using day-old bread helps to ensure that bread won't absorb too much liquid and become soggy. But it's OK to use fresh bread. Just be careful not to soak the bread too long in the egg mixture.
- butter: or you can use a neutral oil, but butter adds more flavour
- beaten egg: is the base of the custard mixture for the bread
- milk: you can use whole milk, or any dairy-free alternative
- granulated sugar: adds a little sweetness to the egg mixture; you can use any sweetener you like
- vanilla extract: use a pure vanilla extract for the best taste
- matcha: sifted, use a high quality matcha powder for the best flavour and colour retention
- powdered/icing sugar: optional, for sprinkling over top of the French toast
How to make it
In a bowl, whisk together egg, oil milk, sugar, vanilla, and sifted matcha.
Dip the bread into the egg-custard mixture, ensuring it soaks up the mixture, but doesn't get too soggy.
Heat a frying pan over medium-low heat.
Add 1 teaspoon of butter to the pan and swirl it around.
Place the custard-soaked bread into the pan, cover with a lid and cook for 4-5 minutes over low heat.
Flip the bread and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Serve the Matcha French Toast immediately.
How to serve & store
My favourite way to serve Matcha French Toast is with some powdered sugar, maple syrup, a pat of butter and some fresh berries.
If you want, you can dust additional matcha powder on top.
Or try it with a Matcha Hazelnut Spread, or Milk Jam.
For a quick breakfast, you can individually freeze the Matcha French Toast.
Wrap the cooled French toast in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place into a freezer-safe bag, or place a piece of parchment in between the toasts.
Store the French toast in the freezer for up to 2 months.
How to reheat
Microwave the French toast for about 30 seconds, or until warmed through.
Alternatively, you can heat the slices of French toast in a toaster oven.
Expert tips & FAQs
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely.
Is French toast vegan?
No, this Matcha French Toast is not vegan.
Eggs are part of the custard for the toast to soak in.
How to prevent French toast from being soggy?
The best way to prevent soggy French toast is to use day-old bread.
Another way is to lightly toast fresh bread and be sure not to oversoak the bread.
Just dunk the bread long enough on both sides so that the custard has a chance to soak in.
My toast turned brown, rather than green
The key to maintaining the green colour from the matcha is to cook the French toast on low heat.
Also, use a high-quality matcha powder to ensure that the vibrant green colour doesn't dissipate.
You can also increase the amount of matcha powder if you prefer a more pronounced earthy flavour and colour.
Other matcha recipes you may like
If you're looking for more matcha ideas, try:
Matcha Shokupan (Japanese Milk Bread)
Mini Matcha & Hojicha Pancakes Cereal
Hotteok (Sweet Korean Pancakes)
Matcha Raspberry Cream Cheese Rolls
If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it! Be sure to tag me @siftandsimmer on Instagram or leave a comment/rating below!
Matcha French Toast
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
Matcha French Toast:
- 2 thick-cut sliced bread day old is best
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or neutral vegetable oil
- ¼ C whole milk or non-dairy alternative
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar or any sweetener that you like
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ tablespoon matcha sifted
- 1 teaspoon butter or oil for greasing the pan
To serve:
- powdered sugar optional
- maple syrup
- fresh berries
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, lightly whisk together the egg, melted butter (or oil), and milk. Add in sugar, vanilla extract and matcha. Whisk until everything is combined.
- If the mixture has a few lumps from the matcha powder, pour the mixture through a sieve.
- Heat a frying pan over medium-low heat. Lightly grease with 1 teaspoon butter (or oil).
- Dip one slice of bread into the egg mixture and flip. Press firmly on the bread to ensure it soaks up the mixture.
- Place the egg-soaked bread into the frying pan and cook over low heat for 4-5 minutes (depending on how thick your bread is). Cover with a lid. Remove the lid and flip the bread. Cover and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Repeat with the remaining slice of bread.
- Serve with powdered sugar/matcha dusted on top, and/or maple syrup and berries.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
heather (delicious not gorgeous)
YES PLEASE. i tried mixing cocoa powder into my french toast batter once and it was so dang stubborn. i can see matcha being much more forgiving (; also thinking about how good this would be with a scoop of matcha ice cream on top :3
siftandsimmer@gmail.com
Ohhhhhhhh yes to ice cream!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
I love French toasts, and there was a period when I was experiencing a lot. Unfortunately, I haven't done it for a while, so thank you for such a beautiful (And delicious! And certainly creative too) reminder.
siftandsimmer@gmail.com
Always glad to help, Ben! 🙂
David @ Spiced
Ah, we love French toast around here - and come to think of it, we haven't made it in a while. We have some matcha in the pantry, so perhaps I should make this version - it sounds fantastic! (Perhaps I could convince Robbie we made it green for St. Patrick's Day?? Hah!)
Michelle
Yeah, I find that French toast is always so missed when it comes to "pancakes or waffles?" Def a great idea for St. Patrick's Day! Robbie would love it 🙂
Kim | Give it Some Thyme
Such a huge fan of french toast and love the matcha spin! So delicious!
Michelle
Thanks Kim! French toast is my fave! 🙂
John / Kitchen Riffs
What a fun -- and flavorful!! -- twist on classic French toast. Really inspired recipe -- thanks.
Michelle
Thanks John! 🙂
Jill
This is some seriously fantastic looking french toast. And I'm sure it's been mentioned, but an obvious choice for St. Patrick's Day!!