Mediterranean French Toast Bake

This Mediterranean French Toast Bake has a soft and creamy center. We prepare this toast bake with bread, eggs, Greek yogurt, milk, olive oil, honey, cinnamon, strawberries, blueberries, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and lemon zest. This toast bake has approximately 320 calories and 37 g of net carbs. We make this toast bake in about 60 minutes. This Mediterranean-inspired French Toast Bake is ideal for family breakfasts, weekend brunches, holidays, gatherings, cozy mornings, and make-ahead meals. You can serve this toast bake with Greek Yogurt & Berries, Mediterranean Fruit Salad, Honey-Roasted Pears, Fresh Orange & Mint Salad, or Pistachio Yogurt.

STATS:

• Course: Breakfast, Brunch
• No. of Calories: 320 kcal
• Diet: Mediterranean
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Cook time: 45 minutes
• Portion size: 1/8 of recipe
• Cooking mode: Baked
• Total servings: 8
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Total time: 60 minutes

TOOLS:

• Baking dish
• Bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife
• Spatula
• Oven

INGREDIENTS:

FRENCH TOAST BASE:

• 8 cups bread
• 6 eggs
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Three tbsp. honey
• One tsp. vanilla extract
• Cinnamon, 1½ tsp
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt

FRUIT & TOPPING:

• 1 cup blueberries
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 1 cup strawberries
• ½ cup walnuts
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp mint

INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:

BREAD:

• We use bread to provide a hearty texture and help create a satisfying breakfast. As a replacement, you can use whole-wheat bread, sourdough bread, or multigrain bread.

GREEK YOGURT:

• Greek yogurt provides creaminess, protein, and a pleasant tang to the French toast bake. You can also use plain yogurt or skyr.

MILK:

• A creamy and silky custard mixture is made possible by the addition of milk. As an alternative, you can use unsweetened almond milk or oat milk.

HONEY:

• The berries and cinnamon are complemented by the natural sweetness of honey. As a different choice, you might use agave or maple syrup.

BLUEBERRIES & STRAWBERRIES:

• We use fresh berries to add natural sweetness, freshness, and color. Raspberries, blackberries, peaches, cherries, or apples can be used as alternatives.

WALNUTS:

• Walnuts have a nutty flavor and a nice crunch. Pistachios, pecans, or almonds could be employed in their place.

PUMPKIN SEEDS:

• Pumpkin seeds add extra crunch and texture. Sunflower seeds can be used instead.

OLIVE OIL:

• Beneficial fats and a Mediterranean flair are added by olive oil. Avocado oil can be used as another option.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Warm the oven to 350°F, then grease the dish lightly & put the whole-grain bread in the dish.
2. Whisk milk, eggs, honey, Greek yogurt, cinnamon, olive oil, vanilla, salt, and nutmeg in the bowl to make the smooth mixture.
3. Pour the egg mixture on the bread and gently press it to absorb the custard.
4. Include strawberries, pumpkin seeds, lemon zest, walnuts, and blueberries on the bread.
5. Leave the mixture for 15 minutes, then bake for 45 minutes.
6. Cool the dish for ten minutes, then drizzle honey on top.
7. Lastly, garnish the dish with fresh mint, then slice it into 8 portions.

TIPS:

• To absorb the custard better, use slightly stale bread in the recipe.
• Avoid including too much milk so the center does not get soggy.
• For a creamy texture in the dish, use thick Greek yogurt.
• Cool the bake for some time, then slice to get clean pieces.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

FRESH & FRUITY:

• Fresh Strawberries
• Fresh Blueberries
• Mediterranean Fruit Salad
• Fresh Orange & Mint Salad
• Honey-Roasted Pears

MEDITERRANEAN PAIRINGS:

• Greek Yogurt
• Fresh Mint
• Pistachio Yogurt
• Chopped Pistachios
• Honey-Roasted Fruit

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• Put the French toast bake in a closed box and stock it for only 4 days.

FRZEEZER:

• Store the separate portions in a covered box for almost 1 to 2 months.

FAQs:

Can I make this French toast earlier?

• Yes, you may assemble it and refrigerate overnight then bake in the morning.

Are different fruits good to include in this recipe?

• Yes, you may include raspberries, peaches, apples, cherries, or pears.

Can I reduce the amount of honey?

• Yes, you may add honey as per your sweet preference or skip the honey topping as well.

What makes the French toast soggy?

• Extra liquid or fresh bread makes the French toast soggy; use stale bread for better results.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Proteins: 14 g

Caloric Content: 320 kcal

Net carbs: 37 g

Sodium: 350 mg

Fiber: 5 g

Sugar: 16 g

Fats: 12 g

Portion Size: 1/8 of recipe

Total carbs: 42 g