French Toast with Honeyed Citrus Ricotta

This is French toast for people who are bored with plain syrup. It walks the line between brunch and dinner, sweet and savory, comfort and curiosity. Think crispy edges, custardy center, unexpected pops of flavor, and just enough drama to make it memorable.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Serves: 4

Ingredients

French Toast Base

• 8 thick slices brioche or challah

• 3 large eggs

• ¾ cup whole milk

• ¼ cup heavy cream

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

• Pinch of salt

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Honeyed Ricotta

• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta

• 2 tablespoons honey

• Zest of ½ orange or lemon

• Pinch of flaky sea salt

Savory Crunch Topping

• ¼ cup toasted pistachios or pecans, roughly chopped

• 2 tablespoons crispy bacon or toasted breadcrumbs

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary, finely chopped

Finish & Drizzle

• Warm maple syrup or hot honey

• Fresh berries or fruit

• Powdered sugar (optional but dramatic)

Instructions

1. Make the Custard
   In a wide bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.

2. Soak with Intention
   Dip each slice of bread into the custard for about 20–30 seconds per side. You want soaked—not soggy.

3. Whip the Ricotta
   In a small bowl, mix ricotta, honey, citrus zest, and flaky salt. Set aside at room temp.

4. Cook the Toast
   Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook bread 3–4 minutes per side until golden, crisp, and lightly caramelized.

5. Build the Crunch
   Combine nuts, bacon (or breadcrumbs), and herbs in a small bowl.

6. Assemble Like a Chef
   Plate French toast, dollop with honeyed ricotta, sprinkle with savory crunch, add fruit, and drizzle with syrup or hot honey.

Chef’s Tip

This dish lives in the contrast. Sweet needs salt. Creamy needs crunch. Don’t skip the savory topping—it’s what turns this from brunch food into conversation food.

🧠 Did You Know?

Adding a touch of olive oil with butter raises the smoke point and helps achieve a deeper golden crust without burning. Restaurants do this constantly. Now you do too.

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