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Home - Recipes - Side Dishes

Latest Updated: Feb 28, 2026 by Andrew Gray

What to Serve with French Toast? 7 Tasty Side Dishes

The best sides for French Toast are Syrup, Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Fresh Fruits, and Butter.

We've tried everything from bacon to fruit.

For a lighter option, try Butter. Once the butter gets perfectly melted, you can throw in the bread and sizzle it up real nice.

French toast on the menu means it's a special day in our house. Seriously, this dish isn't just breakfast; it's a weekend highlight.

We all agree, it tastes amazing on its own. Yet, we've found it gets lonely.

Needs a buddy, you know? Think beyond syrup.

We've tried everything from bacon to fruit. Some hits, some misses.

Our favorites? Well, they might surprise you.

Table of Contents

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  • 7 Ideal Sides to Pair with French Toast
    • 1 - Syrup
    • 2 - Bacon
    • 3 - Scrambled Eggs
    • 4 - Fresh Fruits
    • 5 - Butter
    • 6 - Powdered Sugar
    • 7 - Coffee
  • Frequently Asked Questions

7 Ideal Sides to Pair with French Toast

1 - Syrup

syrup Save for Later!

Good old classic French Toast with a generous drizzle of syrup, and there you have it, the perfect breakfast to kick-start any lazy Mondays.

Soak the bread thoroughly and once the pan is heated, drop in a large blob of butter.

Once the butter gets perfectly melted, you can throw in the bread and sizzle it up real nice.

Toast the bread perfectly on both sides.

Now you can serve the fresh French Toast with a drizzle of maple syrup or any syrup of your choice - explore maple syrup substitutes for swaps if needed.

Here's a recipe by Robyn Stone on classic French Toast to pump up your morning.

2 - Bacon

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If you think what a weird combination it is to pair with French Toast, then you have been missing out big time, dear friend.

If you ask any French toast lovers, many will agree with the fact that all kinds of bacon compliment French Toast to another level.

Pan fry a few strips of bacon, which is almost always available in any kitchen.

Just a few drops of oil will do, and start sizzling the slices of bacon till they turn crispy.

Serve the bacon hot along with the warm French Toast.

You can also give this recipe by Elena Silcock a try on French Toast with bacon - and find bacon-wrapped date side ideas that offer a sweet-salty complement.

3 - Scrambled Eggs

scrambled eggs Save for Later!

Want to make your French toast recipe more savory? Serve your French Toast with a side of scrambled eggs.

You will not regret it after you have a taste of it.

First, prepare your French Toast and pan fry it the traditional way (you can even add vanilla to the batter).

There is no better start to mornings than with fresh Toast and scrambled eggs.

You can serve the Toast with the scrambled eggs on the side or have it the sandwich way.

Here is a simple recipe by BC Mama on French toast-style scrambled eggs - plus scrambled eggs side ideas for additional savory options.

4 - Fresh Fruits

fresh fruits Save for Later!

If you are someone who likes a balance in food, then fresh fruit is your choice of side dish with French Toast.

French Toast is one tasty, incredibly healthy dish and a heavy breakfast to start the day.

This toasted bread has eggs, milk, sugar, and loads of butter, making it really healthy and addictive.

For some, it can be slightly heavy for breakfast.

And that is where these fruits work like magic.

According to Healthline Media, fruits like blueberries, dragon fruit, banana, mango, strawberries, etc., are healthy fruits that are super nutritious.

Now you know which fruits to pair up with your French Toast - for serving tips, see fresh strawberry side ideas.

5 - Butter

butter Save for Later!

If you're a lover of butter, then this is the dish you will fall into every time you take a bite into.

There is no such thing as too much butter.

In fact, there are many who love their French Toast pan-fried in butter and topped with more butter.

You can use salted butter while frying the soaked bread.

Once it's fried till the sides get golden and crispy, you can serve it hot on a plate topped with a cube or two of butter.

And there you have it, a buttery, crispy French toast to please your palate - similar richness appears in garlic butter shrimp side options.

6 - Powdered Sugar

powdered sugar Save for Later!

French Toast goes amazingly well with powdered sugar.

Also, French Toast is typically served as a sweet dish.

So guess what? There is no way this combination can go wrong unless you don't like sweet stuff.

In fact, there are many health benefits from consuming butter.

First up, toast your bread real nice and crispy, and serve it up hot on a plate.

Next, sprinkle it with powdered sugar, and you can enjoy your sweet, crispy and buttery French Toast - or try muscovado sugar swap options for different flavors.

7 - Coffee

coffee Save for Later!

They say nothing ever beats the old classic way.

And one cannot agree more when it comes to French Toast.

One can enjoy the tasty warm toasts as it is alongside a hot cup of coffee.

A sip of coffee every time you take a bite off the crispy and buttery Toast, it's like heaven to your palate.

You can enjoy your simple French Toast with any type of coffee of your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best side dish for French Toast?

We've tried everything from bacon to fruit. Well, they might surprise you.

Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.

What side adds the most nutritional balance?

A leafy green or fiber-rich vegetable balances the meal best. This side dish is a good pick for adding color and nutrients.

Pairing a protein-heavy main with a lighter vegetable side keeps the meal from feeling too heavy.

What makes a side dish work well here?

A good side dish either contrasts or goes with the dominant flavor. If the main is rich and savory, something with acidity or crunch balances the plate without competing.

Can side dishes be swapped based on dietary needs?

Yes.

Most classic pairings have easy swaps - substitute roasted vegetables for grain sides, or use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for a lower-carb option.

French bread side pairings works with many breakfast spreads. French fries side ideas shows options if a crisp, salty element is desired.

Explore more: This post is part of our Side Dish Pairing Guide.
Andrew Gray

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Andrew Gray - GustoMeadow founder

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Food Writer & Recipe Developer

Restaurant industry veteran sharing real recipes, honest substitutes, and tips that actually work in a home kitchen.

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