Savory French Toast with Garlicky Mushrooms & Thyme

Put a spin on your favorite brunch with this Savory French Toast recipe. Topped with seared garlicy mushrooms and thyme, this herby, vegetarian breakfast recipe is always a crowd-pleaser.

I’ve always been a fan of French toast. But whether it’s Hong Kong-style or Nutella-stuffed, most of my go-to recipes are sweet. That’s why I decided to brunch out (see what I did there?) and put a savory spin on this classic breakfast recipe. This savory French toast with garlicky mushrooms and thyme is every bit as easy as the more classic sweet version but with an unexpected flavor profile.

Instead of maple syrup, this dish gets its bold flavor from savory herbs and vegetables. It’s also incredibly versatile. Serve it as a breakfast treat, brunch for a crowd, or even for dinner! There will still be room for dessert after.

this recipe

Jump to:

• How to Make Savory French Toast
• Ingredient Substitutions and Swaps
• Can I freeze leftover French Toast
• More savory brunch ideas
• Helpful tools
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews

How to Make Savory French Toast

Making this mushroom and thyme French toast recipe is a quick and easy affair. Start with nice thick slices of a neutral white bread. I love challah, as it has a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the other savory ingredients. It also soaks up the egg mixture well to make custard-like French toast. Brioche is another great option.

Soak your bread slices in a simple mixture of eggs, egg yolk, milk and thyme. Add salt and pepper for a boost of flavor.

While the bread soaks, you can sear the mushrooms and garlic in the same pan you’ll cook the French toast in. This cuts back on dishes and streamlines your breakfast making. i.e. less washing up, more smiles.

To cook the toast, simply push the golden-brown mushrooms to one side of the skillet. This keeps them warm while you cook the French toast. If your skillet doesn’t have enough room, you can transfer the cooked mushrooms to a bowl and cover them to keep warm until you’re ready to serve.

In the empty side of your skillet, cook the soaked pieces of toast for 2 to 3 minutes per side. They’re done once they’re golden brown and a bit crispy on the edges. Serve them up hot with a heaping scoop of mushrooms, and an extra sprinkle of thyme leaves on top.

Ingredient Substitutions and Swaps

If you don’t have all of the ingredients listed for this savory French toast recipe, here are a few simple swaps that will make a dish every bit as delicious:

• For gluten-free savory French toast, use your favorite gluten-free white bread instead of challah.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute the dairy milk with an unsweetened, unflavored plant-based milk of your choice. Almond, oat, or soy milk will all work well. In addition, substitute the butter for vegan butter or a neutral-flavored oil.
• You can replace the thyme with another fresh herb. Rosemary, tarragon, oregano or basil would all be lovely.
• Any variety of mushrooms work great in this recipe. I like a mixture of wild mushrooms for their diverse flavors and textures. Feel free to use your favorites! If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, you can also use another savory vegetable. Onions or leeks would both be delicious.

Can I freeze leftover French Toast

Freezing French toast is a great way to keep a homemade breakfast on hand, even on the busiest mornings. To freeze your French toast, let the pieces cool fully to room temperature on a wire rack after cooking.

Then place the cooled pieces of toast in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours. At this point, the bread should be mostly frozen, so it will no longer stick together. Transfer the toast pieces to an airtight container or bag and freeze for up to two months. I recommend labeling the bag to make things easier to remember!

When you’re ready to eat the frozen toast, heat the pieces on a hot, buttered skillet directly from frozen until warmed through. You can also defrost the slices in the microwave in 30-second intervals.

The cooked mushrooms, however, won’t freeze as well as the toast. However, you can store leftover seared garlicy mushrooms in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’re a delicious addition to green salads, pastas or pizzas.

From breakfast to dinner, this savory French toast recipe with garlicky wild mushrooms and fresh thyme is a must-try twist on your favorite classic dish.

More savory brunch ideas

A good savory brunch can easily be the best meal of the day. Here are a few other recipes you may enjoy:

• Cilbir (Turkish Eggs)
• Lobster Benedict
• Cheesy Oeufs en Cocotte
• Merguez Shakshuka

Helpful tools

Rejoice! There is no special equipment required to make this savory version of French toast.

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And that’s it for today! Have you tried this savory French toast recipe? Or maybe another version? Leave me a comment, and tell me all about it.

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