In this recipe, thick slices of brioche are slathered with pistachio butter, soaked in a vanilla-egg custard, and cooked in a buttery skillet until golden brown. Pistachio butter creates a warm, nutty center that takes this above and beyond basic french toast. Top with fresh berries and sprinkle with chopped pistachios, and you’ve got a breakfast that looks like it came from an Instagram-famous brunch spot.
The Recipe: Pistachio Butter French Toast
Ingredients
- 4 slices of brioche bread, about 1″ thick
- 4 tbsp pistachio butter (pistachio cream is found more commonly, but if you can find pistachio butter, it’ll work better in this recipe. We like Peppertux’s pistachio butter).
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp butter
- Berries and pistachio crumbs to garnish
How to Make Pistachio Butter French Toast
Step 1: Spread pistachio butter (or pistachio cream) generously onto each slice of brioche bread.
Step 2: Press two slices together to form a sandwich, pistachio butter sides facing in. Repeat with the remaining two slices.
Step 3: In a shallow bowl, whisk together egg, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 4: Dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, letting both sides soak fully. Don’t rush this step!
Step 5: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add butter, and swirl to coat the pan. Add the sandwiches and cook on each side until deeply golden brown.
Step 6: Plate, garnish with fresh berries and pistachio crumbs, and serve immediately.
Why is brioche the right bread for this pistachio butter french toast?
Not all bread is created equal when it comes to French toast, and brioche earns its place here for a few specific reasons:
- Fat content: Brioche is enriched with butter and eggs, which gives it a tender, almost custardy crumb that soaks up the egg mixture without falling apart or turning soggy.
- Thickness: At about 1″ thick, brioche slices hold up to the sandwich format and give you enough structure to contain the pistachio butter filling through the soaking and cooking process.
- Flavor: Brioche has a subtle, milky sweetness that complements pistachio butter without competing with it.
If you can’t find brioche, thick-cut challah is the best substitute. It has a similar richness and structure that works beautifully here.
Can I make pistachio butter french toast dairy-free or vegan?
Adapting this recipe is straightforward, with one honest caveat about the egg.
For dairy-free:
- Swap the milk for any plant-based alternative; oat milk works especially well here because its natural creaminess mimics whole milk in the custard.
- Use a plant-based butter for the skillet.
- If you use pistachio cream instead of pistachio butter, just make sure it’s dairy-free (not all are).
For vegan:
Follow the dairy-free steps plus:
- Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, rested for 5 minutes) or a store-bought egg replacer. The texture of the custard will be slightly different, a little less rich, but the pistachio butter filling and the brioche carry the recipe beautifully.
- Use a vegan brioche if you want to go fully plant-based.
Are pistachios a good source of protein?
Yes, pistachios are a good source of protein. Plus, pistachios are a complete protein, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids. That’s rare in the plant world. Most nuts, including almonds and peanuts, are not complete proteins. Starting your morning with pistachios built into your breakfast means you’re getting more protein than typical french toast.
Original recipe created by Peppertux.
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