French Toast (Sweet Anday Wali Double Roti)
فرنچ ٹوسٹ (میٹھی انڈے والی ڈبل روٹی)
French toast, or sweet anday wali double roti, is one of the first things many Pakistani children learn to cook: bread dipped in eggs beaten with milk, sugar and a pinch of cardamom, then fried golden in butter on a . It's crisp outside and soft like custard inside. Day-old bread works best, so it's also a good way to use up the end of a loaf. A savoury version with green chili and coriander is just as popular.
- ⏱ Total: 15 min
- Prep: 5 min
- Cook: 10 min
- Easy
- Serves 2
Method
Tap a step when it is done.
In a wide, shallow bowl, beat the eggs, milk, sugar, cardamom and cinnamon until smooth and no streaks of egg white remain.
Heat a or frying pan over medium-low heat and melt half the butter. Dip a slice of bread into the egg mix for 5 seconds per side, so it soaks in but doesn't fall apart.
Cook the soaked slices for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and puffed slightly. Add more butter as needed for the next batch.
Cut into triangles or fingers and serve warm with sliced banana, a dusting of cinnamon or a drizzle of honey.
Kitchen notes
Savoury French toast: skip the sugar and spices; add salt, black pepper, a chopped green chili, chopped onion and coriander to the eggs. Serve with ketchup.
Fresh, soft bread soaks too fast and turns soggy. If yours is fresh, leave the slices out for an hour or toast them lightly first.
Cut French toast into strips for little hands: toddlers can eat them as finger food.
A childhood favourite
Anday wali double roti is a weekend and holiday breakfast in many Pakistani homes, often made by a parent on a Sunday or by older children learning to cook. The sweet version with a hint of cardamom is close to the French and British “eggy bread”, while the savoury masala version is pure desi, eaten with ketchup and a cup of chai.
Soak just right
The bread should soak up the egg custard without falling apart. Day-old bread is firmer and soaks evenly. Dip each side for about five seconds, let the excess drip off, and get it into the pan straight away. Thick slices can soak a little longer.
Low heat, golden crust
Cook over medium-low heat so the egg inside sets before the outside burns. Butter gives the best flavour and colour; a little ghee is very Pakistani. The slices should puff slightly as the egg cooks.
Serving
Serve sweet French toast with fruit, a spoon of yogurt and a little honey, or savoury French toast with ketchup and chai. For more quick kids’ breakfasts, try banana pancakes, egg muffins or a desi omelette.
Questions people ask
Can I use brown bread?
Yes. Brown or wholewheat bread gives a nuttier French toast with more fibre.
Can it go in a lunch box?
Savoury French toast is good cold in a lunch box. Sweet French toast is best eaten warm.
Nutrition (estimate, per serving)
- Calories
- 340
- Protein
- 13 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Carbs
- 40 g
