Packing in tons of flavors and scrumptiousness, the Savory Masala French Toast is a gratifying breakfast made by dipping sliced bread in a spicy egg mixture and then pan-frying it to a perfectly delectable brown. Made from eggs, onions, and warming spices like turmeric and chili, this recipe is sure to be your family’s most loved on the breakfast menu.
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Bombay Toast
This Canteen-style savory French toast, also known as Bombay Toast, takes me right back to college days in India. Chatting with friends over endless cups of chai and plates of hot masala toast as the monsoon rain drummed on tin roofs.
I loved it so much, I’d even ask my mom to recreate it for our weekend brunches, and she always did! Easy to whip up and incredibly filling, this savory French toast also makes a perfect working lunch or weeknight dinner. I love serving it sizzling hot with a side of ketchup, Green chutney, and a cup of Masala Chai. Can you imagine the burst of flavors in every bite? The combination is just... aaah, mind-blowing!
Don't eat eggs? Try Vegan Masala Toast for a delicious plant-based option! Prefer sweet? Try my French Toast Bread Pudding, topped with maple syrup, bananas, or chocolate chips.
Want to try some more Indian breakfasts that are also perfect as a light meal? Try my Bombay Chutney Sandwich, Poha, and Upma recipes.
How to Make Desi Masala French Toast
Step 1: Whisk together onion, green chili, turmeric, salt, cilantro, and milk in a wide bowl (big enough to fit the sliced bread). Add in the eggs and whisk for a minute.
Step 2: Dip one slice of bread in the egg mixture and gently press down with a fork so the bread can absorb the egg mixture. Flip the bread over and repeat on the other side.
Step 3: Heat a non-stick or cast-iron pan and add oil. Place the soaked bread on the pan and spoon and spread some extra onion mixture on top. Cook on medium heat for a minute or until the bottom side starts to turn golden brown. Turn over and cook the other side for a minute until it becomes golden brown.
Step 4: Repeat with the second slice of bread.
Serve with ketchup, green chutney, and a cup of hot chai.
Tips
- For the best texture, use slightly firm bread. It holds up well and gives the perfect texture. Sourdough or multigrain is my go-to choice for this savory Indian breakfast!
- If using a softer bread, keep the slices in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes
- Chop the onions and chilies as finely as you can; this way, they will stick easily to the bread
★ Tried this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment and let me know, or snap a quick pic and upload it—I love seeing your creations. If you’re on Instagram, tag @ministry_of_curry so I can check it out. Your feedback means so much to me and makes all the time I spend perfecting each recipe totally worth it. Thank you!
Recipe
Masala French Toast | Savory Bombay Toast
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons red onion finely minced
- 1 teaspoons green chili finely minced, jalapeno or other spicy chili works too
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons cilantro finely chopped
- ⅓ cup milk or water
- 2 slices bread sourdough, multigrain or whole wheat
To serve
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- ¼ cup cilantro mint chutney
Instructions
- Whisk together onion, green chili, turmeric, salt, cilantro and milk in a wide bowl (big enough to fit the sliced bread). Add in the eggs and whisk for a minute. Dip one slice of bread in the egg mixture and gently press down with a fork so the bread can absorb the egg mix. Flip the bread over and repeat on the other side.
- Heat a non stick pan (you can also use cast iron) and apply ½ teaspoon of oil. Carefully place the soaked bread on the pan. Spoon and spread over some extra onions from the egg mixture on top. Cook on medium heat for a minute or until the bottom side starts to turn golden brown.
- Turn over and cook the other side for a minute until it becomes golden brown. Repeat with the second slice of bread.
- Serve hot with ketchup and green chutney.
Nutrition
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Sonam says
Delicious and easy to follow recipe
sneha says
wow definetly try .which pan s this can you give us the name.thank you
Archana says
Its healthy non stick pan - 2. https://mealthy.com/products/stainless-steel-10-inch-frying-pan
Use Coupon Code “ministryofcurry” for $10 discount for purchase over $59.95
Sabeen says
Quick, easy, delicious and filling!!
Sabeen says
Just to add, I was making a single serving, so ended up throwing all of the ingredients (halved) directly into a small square pan... sautéed for a bit, mixed in the egg and immediately put the bread slice over it. Let it soak for a few seconds and flipped it over and spooned the excess batter over it. One less dirty dish and all of the batter gets used up.
Bijal James says
Loved it. Quick and easy morning breakfast. Love all your recipes Archana.
Geetha Parasuram says
Hi Archana. I discovered you this morning and immediately made your masala french toast ( using keto bread made with vital wheat gluten) . Oh wow. My taste buds have been starving for something Indian.
As a diabetic on diet control and exercise, I am looking at your recipes to adapt for low carb/keto lifestyle.
I love that you have the nutrition breakdown at the end of your recipes.
My question - Is the nutrition value for the entire dish with accompaniments. For example for pav bhaji, is it with or without the bread. For tofu kheema, is it with or without the lettuce wraps and raitha and so on.
Thank you for this lovely blog and recipes.
Geetha
Archana says
Hi Geetha! So the nutrition value are calculated based on the ingredient list. So, Pav Bhaji includes the pav and Tofu kheema includes raita and lettuce
Geetha Parasuram says
Thanks for the reply. Love your recipes.
Rupali says
I was drooling over this recipe so much that I couldn’t wait till morning to try it. I made this masala French toast for dinner, and added sliced cheese to make it a grilled cheese, and it was SO good! It was a more tasty version of grilled cheese, and it felt healthier as it had some protein from the eggs. Will be making many more of these in the future!
Archana says
WOW!! Love grilled cheese french toast!
Polly says
I want to try this! What kind of green chili pepper did you use? I will use a jalapeno, tonight, but for next time I'd like to know what you mean by green chili pepper.
Thanks!
Archana says
Indian green chili pepper. It's smaller and spicier than a jalapeno. Although jalapeno is a good substitute. Read more here about Indian green chili peppers - https://securedspot.vip/indian-green-chili-peppers/%3C/a%3E -
Polly says
What kind of cheese did you use? Thanks for your reply!
Shabinamistry says
Must try easy and healthy
Shamin says
Hi Archana. I love your recipes. Could this recipe be adapted for cooking in an air fryer, perhaps?
Archana says
You can cook these in the air fryer by lining the air fryer basket or tray with parchment paper so the dough does not stick. Spray the top side with oil. cook for 4 to 5 minutes on 350 F, flip it over and spray the top with oil. Cook for additional 3 to 4 minutes. Def keep an eye for the last few minutes as each air fyer works differently and you may need to adjust the cook time to be more or less.
Nelly says
I love this recipe so much. It is definitely one of my favorites! Thank you for sharing!!!
Lili says
Yum taste like home fries