These Savory French Toasts with Spinach and Mushrooms offer a savory twist on the classic French toast. With a parmesan-infused custard, crispy golden toast, garlicky mushrooms, and wilted spinach, this dish makes for a satisfying and indulgent breakfast or brunch. Topped with a spicy honey drizzle, it strikes the perfect balance between salty and sweet.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Savory French Toast:

• 6 slices of bread (preferably multigrain or sourdough)

• 2 eggs

• 2/3 cup milk

• 3 tbsp parmesan cheese

• 2 tsp Italian seasoning (or dried herbs)

• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (or chili powder)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 4 tbsp butter

For the Mushroom & Spinach Topping:

• 2 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)

• 200 grams white mushrooms (sliced)

• 2 cups spinach (chopped or baby spinach leaves)

• 1 tbsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 tbsp dried rosemary (or fresh)

• 3 tbsp parmesan cheese

For the Spicy Pepper Honey (optional but recommended):

• Honey

• Black pepper

• Cayenne pepper

• Salt

• Paprika

Directions

1. Prepare the Spicy Honey: Heat honey in a saucepan or microwave until liquid. Add black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and paprika. Stir well and set aside.

2. Cook the Mushrooms and Spinach: Heat olive oil in a pan. Add mushrooms and cook until browned. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat, stir in parmesan cheese, and set aside.

3. Prepare the French Toast Custard: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.

4. Cook the French Toasts: Heat butter in a pan. Dip each slice of bread into the custard, soaking for 3-4 seconds on each side, then cook in the pan for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy on the edges. Repeat for all slices.

5. Assemble the Dish: Place the cooked French toasts on a plate. Top with the mushroom and spinach mixture, then drizzle with spicy honey. Serve immediately.

Nutrients (estimated per serving)

• Calories: ~450 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 45g

• Protein: 14g

• Fat: 25g

• Saturated Fat: 10g

• Cholesterol: 200mg

• Sodium: 650mg

• Potassium: 400mg

• Fiber: 5g

• Sugar: 15g

• Vitamin A: 2800 IU

• Vitamin C: 15mg

• Calcium: 250mg

• Iron: 4mg

The Allure of Savory French Toast

While French toast is typically associated with a sweet breakfast, a savory version like this one brings a refreshing change. The key to this transformation lies in the custard mixture, which traditionally includes eggs, milk, and sugar. In this recipe, the sweetness is replaced by parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and a touch of cayenne pepper, infusing the bread with a rich, umami-packed flavor. The bread slices are then cooked in butter, creating a golden, crispy texture on the outside while maintaining a soft, flavorful interior. The savory custard provides the perfect base for the mushroom and spinach topping, making each bite a satisfying combination of flavors.

Why Parmesan Makes All the Difference

Parmesan cheese is the standout ingredient in the custard for this savory French toast. It adds an essential salty, nutty flavor that brings depth to the dish. Parmesan also contributes to the crispy, golden exterior of the toast, as its natural oils help to create a satisfying crunch. The combination of the parmesan custard and the rich, garlicky mushrooms with spinach ensures that each bite of this savory French toast is packed with flavor. In addition to its taste, parmesan also provides protein and calcium, making this dish both tasty and nutritious.

Mushrooms and Spinach: The Perfect Pairing

Mushrooms and spinach are a classic pairing in many savory dishes, and they work beautifully together on top of this French toast. The mushrooms, when cooked properly, develop a rich, earthy flavor and a satisfying texture. The process of browning the mushrooms in olive oil enhances their natural flavors, and the addition of garlic powder, rosemary, and a pinch of salt and pepper ensures that they are well-seasoned. The spinach, which wilts and softens as it cooks, provides a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the richness of the mushrooms. The parmesan cheese stirred in at the end of cooking adds a finishing touch, making the mixture creamy and savory. The combination of mushrooms and spinach not only adds vibrant color to the dish but also offers essential nutrients like fiber, vitamin A, and iron.

The Spicy Honey Drizzle: A Sweet and Savory Touch

The spicy honey drizzle is an optional but highly recommended component that elevates this savory dish to a whole new level. The sweetness of the honey is complemented by the heat of cayenne pepper and black pepper, creating a spicy-sweet contrast that pairs perfectly with the richness of the French toast and mushrooms. The paprika adds a touch of smokiness, which deepens the complexity of the drizzle. When drizzled over the top of the French toast and mushroom mixture, the honey transforms the dish, giving it an irresistible balance of sweet, savory, and spicy. This drizzle brings a unique layer of flavor that complements the richness of the custard, the earthiness of the mushrooms, and the freshness of the spinach.

How to Make Savory French Toast with Spinach and Mushrooms

The process of making Savory French Toast with Spinach and Mushrooms is straightforward, though there are a few key techniques to ensure the dish comes together perfectly. The first step is to prepare the custard for the French toast, which includes whisking eggs, milk, parmesan cheese, and seasoning into a smooth mixture. Once the custard is ready, it’s important to allow the bread slices to soak for just a few seconds on each side, ensuring they absorb enough of the custard without becoming too soggy. The bread should be golden and crispy on the outside, which can be achieved by frying it in butter until it reaches the perfect level of crispness.

The mushroom and spinach topping is made by cooking the mushrooms until browned and releasing their natural juices, then adding spinach and cooking it until wilted. Seasoning the vegetables with garlic powder and rosemary enhances their flavor, while the parmesan cheese adds creaminess and ties the topping together. Once the French toast is ready, it’s simply a matter of assembling the dish by topping the toast with the mushroom-spinach mixture and drizzling the spicy honey over it.

Nutritional Benefits of Savory French Toast with Spinach and Mushrooms

Savory French Toast with Spinach and Mushrooms offers a well-balanced meal, thanks to its combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. The eggs in the custard provide a high-quality protein source, while the bread adds carbohydrates to fuel your day. Spinach contributes essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron, making it a nutrient-rich addition to the dish. Mushrooms are low in calories but packed with antioxidants and fiber, and the parmesan cheese boosts the dish’s calcium and protein content. The spicy honey drizzle, while sweet, also provides an extra burst of flavor without being overwhelmingly sweet.

The dish contains a moderate amount of fat, largely from the butter and olive oil used in cooking. While these fats help to create the rich texture and flavor of the dish, it’s important to keep portion sizes in mind if you’re watching your fat intake. However, the fiber from the spinach and the multigrain or sourdough bread help balance the meal, making it a satisfying choice for a filling breakfast or brunch.

Pairing Suggestions for Savory French Toast

Savory French Toast with Spinach and Mushrooms can be served on its own as a complete meal, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of sides for a more substantial breakfast or brunch spread. A fresh fruit salad can provide a light, refreshing contrast to the richness of the dish, while breakfast potatoes or roasted vegetables would complement the savory flavors. If you’re serving this dish for a gathering, consider offering a side of crispy bacon or sausage to add more protein to the meal. A chilled glass of freshly squeezed orange juice or a warm cup of coffee would also be great beverages to pair with this dish, making for a well-rounded and satisfying brunch experience.

Conclusion: A Savory and Satisfying Twist on French Toast

In conclusion, Savory French Toast with Spinach and Mushrooms offers a delightful variation on the classic French toast, taking it in a rich, savory direction with the addition of parmesan cheese, mushrooms, spinach, and a spicy honey drizzle. The balance of textures and flavors—crispy golden toast, earthy mushrooms, wilted spinach, and a touch of sweet heat from the honey—makes this dish a perfect choice for breakfast or brunch. Whether you’re enjoying it on a lazy weekend morning or serving it to guests at a special gathering, this savory French toast is sure to impress and satisfy.