Meyer Lemon French Toast
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This Meyer Lemon French Toast uses Meyer lemons for a light and zesty homemade French toast that's not too rich. I love topping this nostalgic breakfast with fresh raspberries!
If you love making French toast as much as I do, be sure to check out some of my other favorite recipes like my Coconut French Toast, Vanilla Bean Buttermilk French Toast, or my Sourdough French Toast Sticks.
I love Meyer lemons because they are sweeter than traditional lemons and they have a much more interesting flavor profile as well because they are not as tart. I usually get Meyer lemons from friends who have family or know people who have a tree down south, and they bring them up. And my neighbors had gifted me some from their daughter who brought them back from the Bay Area.
This healthier take on French toast makes a really light organic French toast that doesn't make you feel too full or like you've over indulged. Sometimes this classic brunch dish can be too heavy, and this version is really light!
I use the classic beginnings of homemade French toast: eggs and milk. Then I added in a little bit of fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice, Meyer lemon zest, and just a little bit of cinnamon. I always top my homemade French toast with syrup — I'm the kind that likes to drown my French toast in syrup! I also added a little bit of powdered sugar and fresh raspberries for an amazing brunch recipe that you will love. This is seriously my favorite organic French toast I've ever made!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Bright, Citrus Flavor: Meyer Lemon French Toast offers a refreshing twist with its unique blend of sweet and tangy citrus flavors, providing a delightful contrast to the rich, custardy bread.
Nutrient-Rich: Meyer lemons are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, which can boost your immune system and support overall health while adding a burst of fresh flavor to your breakfast. If I'm having a breakfast with syrup, it's going to be this organic French toast!
Seasonal: This dish elevates traditional homemade French toast to a gourmet level with seasonal Meyer lemons, making it a perfect choice for special occasions or a luxurious weekend brunch.
Organic French Toast: I use organic ingredients in this homemade French toast, making it so much better than dining out.
Ingredients
- Sourdough Bread: I use organic sourdough bread, my favorite store bought kind is Inked Sourdough as they have no seed oils or sugar. You can also use homemade sourdough or even white bread is a great option as you want a light bread for flavor.
- Butter: I use Organic Valley Salted Butter, you can use your favorite.
- Cinnamon: I use organic Korintje cinnamon, as its my favorite kind. Read more about the Best Cinnamon to Bake With to learn more about different kinds of cinnamon.
- Eggs: The eggs create a custard-like coating when the milk and eggs are mixed together that coats the bread perfectly.
- Milk: Use whole milk for the best flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: I dust this finished homemade French toast with powdered sugar, this is totally optional though.
- Meyer lemons: I use Meyer lemons, but if you don't have them, you can use traditional lemons as well. The Meyer lemons will give this homemade French toast a little more sweet flavor profile, where traditional lemons will have a little more tart flavor.
- Maple Syrup: I top this organic French toast with organic maple syrup.
- Raspberries: I also add fresh raspberries on top as I love the combination of lemon and raspberries. You can also use strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries too.
Tools Needed
- Shallow Baking Dish: You'll need a shallow baking dish to mix up the eggs and milk mixture so you can easily soak the bread in it. I use my Staub.
- Large Skillet: I use a large skillet, but your cast iron skillet also works.
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Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
In a shallow dish, add the eggs, milk, Meyer lemon juice, Meyer lemon zest, and cinnamon. Whisk together. Soak 2 slices of bread in the egg mixture.
Step 2
In a large skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter and put over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the 2 slices of soaked bread and cook until lightly golden brown on the bottom, flip and cook until lightly golden brown on the other side. Remove from heat.
Step 3
Soak the remaining 2 pieces of bread in the egg mixture, and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Add the 2 slices of soaked bread and cook until lightly golden brown on the bottom, flip and cook until lightly golden brown on the other side. Remove from heat.
Step 4
Dust with powdered sugar, add fresh raspberries, and serve with maple syrup.
Tips
- Use bread that you like. If you prefer white bread, use it. If you prefer wheat, use it. The flavor of the bread you choose will come through in the French Toast, so it should be one that you like. For this specific recipe I chose white bread because I wanted the bread to be as plain as possible so the Meyer lemon flavor could really shine. But, if you have whole wheat that works too!
- Do use whole milk! This is for fat and flavor so using whole milk is important.
- Make sure to soak the bread for a few minutes. You shouldn't see any dry spots on the bread when it goes into the skillet. Soaking it until it is completely coated is important as that gives the flavor to the French toast and also makes it turn golden brown.
- Use a medium heat so you get a golden brown color, as that's where the flavor will shine through.
- Do buy pure organic maple syrup. This is one of the items I really highly recommend spending a little more and buying the good stuff!
- Eat your French toast immediately after cooking it. This is not a recipe to save and it's best when eaten immediately.
FAQ's
Yes, you can use regular lemons in place of Meyer lemons. The recipe will have a subtle different flavor as Meyer lemons are sweeter and traditional lemons are more tart. Check out my article on the Difference Between Lemons and Meyer Lemons.
I love topping this with fresh raspberries as the raspberries go so well with the Meyer lemons. You can also use strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or bananas for other fruit options. And then of course toppings like powdered sugar, butter, and maple syrup! I also love serving this with classic scrambled eggs or sausage, try my Fluffy Scrambled Eggs recipe of Homemade Pork Breakfast Sausage.
Yes, just use your favorite gluten free bread!
Craving More?
Meyer Lemon French Toast
Equipment
- Baking Dish (or shallow bowl or dish)
Ingredients
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice
- 1 Meyer lemon (zest)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 57 grams salted butter (for cooking)
- powdered sugar (for serving)
- maple syrup (for serving)
- raspberries (for serving)
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, add the eggs, milk, Meyer lemon juice, Meyer lemon zest, and cinnamon. Whisk together.
- Soak 2 slices of bread in the egg mixture.
- In a large skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter and put over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the 2 slices of soaked bread and cook until lightly golden brown on the bottom, flip and cook until lightly golden brown on the other side. Remove from heat.
- Soak the remaining 2 pieces of bread in the egg mixture, and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Add the 2 slices of soaked bread and cook until lightly golden brown on the bottom, flip and cook until lightly golden brown on the other side. Remove from heat.
- Dust with powdered sugar, add fresh raspberries, and serve with maple syrup.
Notes
Nutrition
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Love this light and zesty version of French toast!