Cheddar Pretzel French Toast (Printable)

Brioche toast with cheddar and pretzel crust makes a delicious, easy dish for brunch or evening meals.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 8 slices thick-cut brioche or challah bread

→ Custard

02 - 4 large eggs
03 - 1 cup whole milk
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

→ Crust & Filling

08 - 1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels (small twists or rods)
09 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

→ Cooking

10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

→ To Serve

12 - Chopped fresh chives
13 - Sliced scallions
14 - Hot sauce or grainy mustard

# How-To:

01 - Whisk together eggs, whole milk, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder in a large shallow bowl until fully incorporated.
02 - Spread crushed pretzels on one large plate and shredded cheddar cheese on a second plate for coating.
03 - Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, ensuring both sides are evenly coated.
04 - Press one side of soaked bread into shredded cheddar, then press both sides into crushed pretzels for even coverage.
05 - Heat butter and vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place bread slices cheddar side down and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy, adding more butter as needed for subsequent batches.
06 - Serve warm, garnished with chopped chives or sliced scallions. Add hot sauce or grainy mustard if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Layered flavor from cheesy custard and crunchy pretzels
  • Quick prep for a satisfying breakfast or brunch
02 -
  • Contains common allergens: eggs, milk, wheat
  • To make vegetarian & gluten-friendly, swap standard bread and pretzels with appropriate options
03 -
  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the custard
  • If you want crispier toast, use slightly stale bread
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