Turmeric Chili French Toast

Section: Start Your Day with Flavor and Energy

If you want French toast to wake up your taste buds, this is it. Soak hearty slices in a spiced up egg mix with onion, chili, turmeric, and cilantro. Sizzle till crispy and bright yellow. You get a punchy bite with a little heat, some earthiness, and a lot of fresh flavor. Awesome hot, grab your favorite hot sauce or even a chilled green chutney, and breakfast is never boring again.

A woman in a white shirt and apron smiles for the camera.
Rédigé par Barbara Barbara
Dernière modification le Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:21:49 GMT
Toasted bread with golden spices and a dipping sauce. Épingler l'article
Toasted bread with golden spices and a dipping sauce. | tastefullyeats.com

Masala French Toast turns a classic breakfast into a spicy, colorful treat any time you want something different. You get a familiar dish, only now it’s bursting with Indian flavors and comfort in every bite. It’s like sweet French toast’s bolder cousin, full of surprises.

I came up with this one when I was swamped and needed a fast, filling meal. That random attempt ended up a top brunch request when friends drop by. Spices mixed with something as homey as French toast? People are always wowed.

Flavorful Ingredients

  • Ketchup, green chutney, or sriracha: Grab your favorite for dipping or drizzling when you serve
  • Bread slices: Slightly stale bread is ideal since it holds up better and soaks up all those eggs without breaking
  • Milk: This keeps the batter smooth, but water makes a lighter version if you want
  • Fresh cilantro: The bold, fresh herb taste brightens everything up
  • Kosher salt: Brings out all the flavors and keeps everything in balance
  • Ground turmeric: Adds that golden color and earthy vibe, plus some health perks
  • Green chili: Gives a kick, and you can use more or less to suit your mood
  • Red onion: Tossed in for bite and softens as it cooks
  • Large eggs: Helps everything stick together and gives you that well-known texture

Easy How-To

Fry it up:
Get a nonstick or seasoned cast iron skillet warm on medium. Add a bit of oil, then move your soaked bread from the bowl to the pan. If there’s extra onion left in the batter, scoop that onto the bread now. Let it sit and get crisp and golden for about a minute before flipping.
Soak your bread:
Drop a slice in the egg mix and gently squash down with a fork. That helps the whole slice suck up the good stuff. Flip and repeat for the other side. It should be fully wet but not so mushy that it breaks.
Mix everything together:
In a big wide dish or bowl, whisk together milk, chopped cilantro, salt, turmeric, chili, and onions. Crack in the eggs and give it all a hard whisk—about a minute—till it’s yellow and you can see flecks of herbs and onion.
A plate of french toast with a bowl of sauce.
A plate of french toast with a bowl of sauce. | tastefullyeats.com

Green chili is the real game changer here. I learned to love it hanging around Mumbai’s street food carts. The cooks there whip up savory toasts like this in no time. Making this at home reminds me of those bright, loud food stalls every single time.

Pick The Right Bread

Your final Masala French Toast totally depends on your bread choice. Go for sturdy, slightly dry slices—think multigrain or sourdough—since they won’t fall apart after soaking. Denser bread brings a tasty crunch outside with a soft middle. Skip that super soft white sandwich bread since it turns to mush.

Awesome Sidekicks

This version of French toast plays nice with big breakfasts or stands solo. Make it a real Indian-style brunch with chai or cardamom coffee. They just work together. If you want a bigger meal, add a cucumber-yogurt salad to cool off the spices. Sprinkle on some chaat masala when serving for a tangy, savory punch.

Make It Your Way

This meal is all about swapping and adding. Only got shallots? Use them instead of onions. Toss in grated ginger for a spicy kick and to help your stomach. Go wild with different spices—try garam masala or curry powder—or pile on some cheese at the end for extra richness. Paneer works great too.

Two pieces of fried bread with herbs on top.
Two pieces of fried bread with herbs on top. | tastefullyeats.com

With this mashup, you get bold flavors and cozy feels—all in one awesome plate!

Foire aux questions sur la recette

→ What kind of bread holds up for this toast?

You’ll want something sturdy like whole wheat, multigrain or sourdough. These breads won’t fall apart when soaked and they give a hearty crunch with all that savory egg.

→ How do I tone down the heat?

No worries! Just add less green chili or pick a milder one. If you don’t like spicy at all, skip the chili for a gentle turmeric boost.

→ What are some good sides for masala French toast?

Besides ketchup, sriracha or chutney, try it with some yogurt, a fried egg, or simply toss together a tomato and cucumber salad. Sautéed veggies work great too for a big breakfast.

→ Can I mix the eggs ahead of time?

Yep, prep the egg mix a day early and stash it in the fridge—just whisk it up before dipping your bread so nothing’s settled. Wait to dunk your bread until you’re ready to cook for best results.

→ How do I skip dairy in this dish?

Swap the milk for water or use any unsweetened plant milk like oat or almond. You’ll still get lovely flavor, and it keeps things dairy-free.

→ What stops French toast from turning soggy?

Don’t leave bread in the mix for long—just a quick dip works. Using bread that’s a bit dry or day-old helps too. Make sure your pan is nice and hot before letting those slices hit the skillet.

Turmeric Chili French Toast

Spicy French toast loaded with turmeric, cilantro, and green chili. It’s a fun way to switch up your usual savory morning bite.

Durée de préparation
10 min
Durée de cuisson
5 min
Temps global
15 min
Rédigé par Barbara: Barbara

Type de plat: Breakfast & Brunch

Niveau de difficulté: Simple

Origine culinaire: Indian-Fusion

Quantité obtenue: 1 Nombre de portions (2 slices of spicy French toast)

Spécificités diététiques: Végétarien

Liste des ingrédients

→ Main Ingredients

01 ⅓ cup milk or water
02 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
03 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
04 1 teaspoon green chili, minced (use jalapeno or another spicy option)
05 ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
06 2 slices of bread (whole wheat, multigrain, or sourdough)
07 2 large eggs
08 ½ teaspoon cooking oil
09 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped finely

→ For Serving

10 2 tablespoons sriracha, green chutney, or ketchup

Étapes de préparation

Instruction 01

In a bowl that can fit bread slices, mix together the milk, green chili, onion, turmeric, cilantro, and salt. Crack the eggs into the mixture and beat everything together until combined.

Instruction 02

Take a slice of bread, press it gently into the mixture using a fork, making sure it soaks up the liquid completely. Flip it over and let the other side do the same.

Instruction 03

Warm up a non-stick skillet (cast iron works too) with ½ teaspoon oil. Put the soaked bread in the pan with care and add some extra onion bits from the mixture on top. Over medium heat, cook until the underside starts turning golden.

Instruction 04

Flip the bread carefully and brown the other side for another minute. Once both sides are golden, repeat with the next piece of bread.

Instruction 05

Serve immediately while still warm. Enjoy it with ketchup, green chutney, or sriracha for extra flavor.

Informations complémentaires

  1. This salty take on French toast is packed with Indian spices, making it perfect for breakfast or brunch.
  2. If you like milder or spicier food, adjust the chili amount to your taste.

Ustensiles requis

  • Mixing bowl
  • Non-stick or cast iron pan
  • Spatula
  • Whisk or fork

Informations sur les allergènes

Examinez chaque ingrédient pour repérer la présence d'allergènes. Demandez conseil à un professionnel de santé en cas d'incertitude.
  • Eggs are included
  • If milk is used, this dish contains dairy
  • Contains gluten if regular bread is used