To keep French toast from deflating, follow these tips and techniques:
Use Thick Bread Slices: Opt for thick slices of bread for your French toast. Thicker slices will hold their structure better during the soaking and cooking process, reducing the risk of deflating.
Stale Bread: Use slightly stale bread rather than fresh bread. Stale bread tends to be drier and absorbs the egg mixture without becoming too soggy, leading to a firmer texture.
Don't Soak Too Long: When dipping the bread into the egg mixture, do not soak it for too long. A quick dip on each side is usually sufficient. If the bread soaks too much, it can become mushy and deflate when cooked.
Use Enough Egg Mixture: Ensure that the bread is thoroughly coated with the egg mixture on both sides. This will help create a protective layer around the bread, giving it a firmer texture.
Cook on Medium Heat: Cook the French toast on medium heat. Cooking at too high a temperature can cause the outer layer to set too quickly, trapping steam inside and leading to deflation. Medium heat allows for more even cooking.
Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the French toast in batches, leaving enough space between slices in the pan. Overcrowding can trap steam and moisture, leading to a less airy and deflated texture.
Flip Gently: When flipping the French toast to cook the other side, do it gently. Avoid pressing down on the toast, as it can compress the air inside and cause deflation.
Use a Wire Rack: After cooking, place the French toast on a wire rack instead of a plate. This allows air to circulate around the toast, helping it maintain its texture and preventing sogginess.
Serve Immediately: French toast is best served immediately after cooking. Delaying serving can lead to the toast losing its fluffiness and becoming soggy.
By following these tips, you can achieve light, fluffy French toast that stays delicious and retains its texture until it reaches the table. Enjoy!