IHop French Toast Recipe (Copycat)

It’s Sunday morning, you roll out of bed at 9am and can’t help but think how delightful it would be to enjoy your coffee with a nice big stack of IHop french toast. You immediately grab your keys and run to the front door, only to find that the ground is dusted with a 6-inch layer of heavy, snowball-making snow. Before you have the chance to get too disappointed, you come to the realization that maybe, just maybe, you can make this tasty dish yourself. 

Challenge accepted. 

This fluffy stack of french toast is so much easier than you could ever imagine! Only 8 simple ingredients in this recipe that you probably already have sitting in your fridge and cupboards to make a delectable morning brunch. 

Choosing the right bread is Important

Making sure that you pick the perfect bread is essential to making an incredible french toast. Too thin and the dish becomes a bit crunchy. Too old and the toast ends up dry and lacks fluffiness. Too much fibre and it tastes dry and bland. Enter – either a brioche bread or a french bread. 

Brioche is a traditional French bread that has a rich and tender texture. It is slightly lighter and fluffier than other breads due to the fact that is made with more butter and egg yolks. It’s often paired with sweet recipes (like this) because it works as the perfect accompaniment.

This recipe uses french bread, which is a classic white bread that is known as “french bread” due to it’s shape. It tends to be in the form of a baguette or a long, oval loaf. For the purpose of this recipe, you can feel free to choose either brioche or french bread, but the most important factor is to make sure it’s cut in thick slices and that it’s fresh! 

How To Make IHop French Toast From Scratch

Making IHOP French Toast at home is simpler than you might think. Start by slicing your bread into 1-inch thick pieces. This thickness is ideal for ensuring even cooking and achieving that signature IHOP fluffiness.

Next, let’s tackle the egg mixture, which is straightforward and less intimidating than it seems. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and a key ingredient that sets this recipe apart – all-purpose flour. This addition is what gives the French toast its unique fluffiness and tender texture. Whisk the mixture until it’s smooth and slightly bubbly.

Now, dip each bread slice into this batter, ensuring an even coat. Then, place it onto a buttered, pre-heated pan. Cook each side for about 2-3 minutes over medium heat until you achieve a golden-brown perfection on the outside.

For serving, unleash your creativity! Top your French toast with classic maple syrup, or elevate it with fruits, nuts, and a dollop of whipped cream. This recipe serves six, but it’s easily adjustable for larger gatherings. Just remember, French toast is best served fresh, so if you’re planning to take it to a brunch, cook it there for the best experience.

And there you have it – a delicious, fluffy, and crispy IHOP-style French toast, all made in the comfort of your own kitchen. Enjoy!

And there you have it – your very own perfectly fluffy, crispy, delightful stack of fresh french toast enjoyed from the comfort of your own kitchen. 

Ingredients

1. Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the French toast batter.
2. Milk: Adds creaminess and moisture to the batter.
3. Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor with a sweet, aromatic essence.
4. All-Purpose Flour: Uniquely included in this recipe, flour gives the batter a slightly thicker consistency, contributing to a fluffier texture in the finished toast.
5. Thick-Cut French Bread: Serves as the base; its thickness is ideal for soaking up the egg mixture without becoming too soggy.
6. Table Salt (a dash): Balances and enhances the overall flavor of the French toast.
7. Salted Butter: Used for cooking the toast, adding richness and achieving a golden-brown exterior.
8. Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the batter.

Tips & Tricks

• Bread Choice Matters: The recipe calls for thick-cut French bread, and I’ve found that the thickness is key to achieving that classic IHOP texture. Brioche or challah are also great options for their richness and ability to soak up the egg mixture without falling apart.
• Getting the Batter Just Right: The unique addition of all-purpose flour to the batter, along with eggs, milk, and vanilla extract, creates a smoother, thicker consistency that coats the bread well. Whisking until it bubbles slightly ensures a uniform mixture that cooks evenly.
• Perfect Pan Temperature: Cooking the French toast over medium heat in a well-buttered pan is crucial. It allows the toast to achieve a golden-brown color without burning. I always wait for the butter to sizzle before adding the bread.
• Cooking Time is Key: Each side of the French toast should be cooked for 2-3 minutes. This timing has consistently given me that perfect golden crust with a soft, fluffy inside.
• Serving with Style: IHOP’s French toast is known for its toppings. I love adding a drizzle of maple syrup, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and fresh fruits like sliced bananas or strawberries. For an extra treat, a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon can elevate the dish.

Conclusion

IHOP as you might be aware has a great reputation for spreading joy at breakfast with meals such as their Ihop french toast. Whether it’s waffles, pancakes or french toast, you know you’re in for a treat everytime you enter their restaurant. I really enjoy being able to enjoy my favorite recipes and recreating them from home, just like the copycat version of this dish.

There you have it, my recipe for replicating the ihop french toast found in their restaurants. You can be enjoying their amazing toast and eggs filled dish, which is the ultimate ihop breakfast in no time. Just don’t forget to add some sugar and butter to make this even tastier and serve on a hot plate.

Let us know down below if you’ve made this dish for yourself and how it turned out. We love getting our readers feedback. Most of all, enjoy!