Feta Cheese French Toast with Spiced Honey Syrup

Chef John's savory feta cheese French toast is served with a spiced honey syrup that's so delicious, you won't miss the classic recipe.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 953 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 4 (1 inch thick) slices stale French bread
• 4 ounces feta cheese, sliced
• 0.25 cup honey
• 0.25 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1.5 teaspoons white sugar
• 0.125 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.333 cup heavy cream
• 0.25 teaspoon Aleppo pepper flakes, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place stale bread in a shallow dish just large enough to tightly fit the slices in one layer.

Step 2

Wrap and refrigerate until bread has absorbed all the batter or is fully saturated, 2 to 12 hours.

Step 3

To make the honey syrup, combine honey, water, chili flakes, and salt in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir and bring to a simmer, then cook for 30 seconds. Turn off the heat and reserve until needed.

Step 4

Remove bread from the refrigerator and press sliced feta into the top of each piece; about 2 tablespoons feta should almost cover the surface of each piece.

Step 5

Heat butter and olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place in the bread, cheese-side down. Cook until the cheese has caramelized and the surface is well browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn the slices over, reduce heat to medium, and cook the other side until golden brown.

Step 6

Whisk eggs, salt, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, cayenne, and heavy cream for batter together in a bowl and pour over bread slices. Use tongs to toss to coat evenly. If there's excess batter pooling at the bottom of the dish, spoon it over the top of the bread slices.

Step 7

Serve immediately with the honey syrup spooned over top.