Savoury Sourdough French Toast with Chive Butter

A Warm, Savoury Twist on Classic French Toast

If you’ve only ever made French toast sweet, this savoury version is about to change your brunch game. Made with thick slices of sourdough, soaked in a garlicky egg mixture, and topped with melty chive butter. It’s rich, flavourful, and surprisingly simple.

This is the kind of recipe that makes use of your leftover loaf, especially if it’s a little past its peak. And thanks to sourdough’s hearty texture, the toast stays crisp on the outside while fluffy inside. Perfect for lazy weekends, quick lunches, or an elevated breakfast-for-dinner moment.

💡 Using a homemade sourdough loaf? Check out our beginner’s sourdough bread recipe or grab a starter kit to start baking your own at home.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

For the Chive Butter:

55g butter, softened 5g fresh chives, finely chopped

For the Egg Soak:

½ cup milk 2 eggs 1 tsp chopped garlic 1 tsp garlic powder or seasoning ½ tsp salt 50g melted butter

For the Toast:

4 thick slices of sourdough bread Extra butter, for frying Flaky sea salt, to finish

Instructions

Make the chive butter:
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with chopped chives. Spoon the mixture onto a piece of cling film, roll into a log shape, and place in the fridge to firm up while you prepare the toast.

Prepare the egg mixture:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, garlic, garlic seasoning, and salt until smooth and well combined.

Soak the sourdough:
Lay the slices of sourdough in a shallow dish or tray. Pour the egg mixture over the bread, making sure both sides are well coated. Let soak for at least 10 minutes to absorb the flavour.

Cook the toast:
Preheat a large frypan over medium heat. Add a small pat of butter. Cook the slices in batches, 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crisp.

Serve and enjoy:
Top each slice with a generous slice of chive butter. Let it melt slightly, then finish with flaky sea salt.

Substitutions & Variations

Make it spicy: Add a pinch of chilli flakes or hot honey to the egg mixture. Make it cheesy: Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top just before serving.

Tips for the Best Savoury French Toast

Can I use stale bread?
Yes! Slightly stale sourdough holds up beautifully and soaks without getting soggy.

Can I prep it in advance?
You can prep the chive butter the day before. The toast is best served fresh from the pan, but leftover slices can be reheated in a frypan or airfryer.

Why sourdough?
Sourdough adds structure and flavour that regular sandwich bread can’t match. Plus, it crisps up like a dream.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover cooked toast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a frying pan or air fryer for the best texture. Extra chive butter can be kept in the fridge for a week or frozen for longer storage.

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