Bombay Toast

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• Serves: 2 people
• Cooking: 10 minutes
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Golden, crispy, and gently sweet, Bombay Toast is a desi-style French Toast.

Slices of bread are dipped in a cinnamon-vanilla egg dip and toasted in ghee until crisp on the edges and custardy in the center.

Served warm with jam, fruit, or plain, it's a comfort dish that is both indulgent and unmistakably Indian.

Bombay Toast Audio Recipe

Ingredients

• Vanilla Essence - 1/4 teaspoon
• Cinnamon Powder - 1/4 teaspoon
• Sugar - 2 tablespoon
• Egg - 2 large number
• Milk - 1/2 Cup
• Bread - 2-4 slices
• Ghee - 1-2 tablespoon

Directions

1. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon powder, and vanilla essence until well combined.
2. Heat a tablespoon or two of ghee in a pan over medium heat.
3. Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, making sure both sides are fully coated.
4. Place the soaked bread slices in the hot ghee and toast on both sides until golden brown and crispy.
5. Once toasted, remove from the pan and serve warm. Enjoy your Bombay Toast!

Cooking Tips

• Use day-old bread rather than fresh. It holds the egg custard better without breaking.

• Soak the bread just long enough to coat or it turns mushy.

• Ghee is traditional and gives the best flavor, but butter or neutral oil also works.

• Keep the heat medium-low as this allows the center to cook without burning the outside.

• Use a wide pan to fit more slices and avoid overcrowding.

How to Serve

• Powdered Jaggery and Fruits

• Honey or Date Syrup

• A sprinkle of Cardamom or Nutmeg

• Strawberry or Mango Jam

• With Masala Chai or Coffee

The Story Behind Bombay Toast

Bombay Toast was our weekend special. Dad would make it on Saturday mornings, especially when there was leftover bread from the week. The smell of cinnamon and ghee would drift through the house.

Unlike regular breakfasts, this one felt luxurious. He'd dip the slices slowly, letting them soak just enough to become tender, and toast them in the toaster with some ghee. Once they hit the plate, we didn't need syrups or toppings. For us kids, they were always sweet, golden, and perfect.

What Is Bombay Toast? Bombay Toast, the Indian French Toast or sweet egg toast, is a soft and sweet breakfast dish. Day-old bread is dipped in an egg-based custard and then pan-fried in ghee. While inspired by the classic French Toast (pain perdu), Bombay Toast is unmistakably desi with local staples, ghee, and occasionally even cardamom or malai (cream). It's thicker, richer, and often paired with Indian-style sides like bananas or jam.

Unlike the savory Kerala Spicy Toast, this version is sweeter, enhanced by indian spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg. Where Spicy Toast is peppery, this one is sweet. Where the former is eaten with chutney or ketchup, the latter is enjoyed with sweet toppings or nothing at all. Both hold a nostalgic place in my heart, but this Sweet Egg Toast leans more into a dessert-like breakfast.

Across homes, this Desi French Toast has taken many forms. Some fans of American breakfasts eat it with powdered sugar and bananas. Others, like my sister, add jam, condensed milk, nut butter, or chocolate syrup on top.

This is a dish for everyone, from kids and busy professionals to someone who loves bread and eggs. No matter the version, it remains the perfect sweet start to a slow weekend.

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

→ Whisk the mixture thoroughly so that sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla are fully dissolved.

→ Taste the batter before soaking.

→ Let excess egg drip off before adding to the pan to avoid soggy edges.

→ Don't press while cooking. The toast should puff naturally for the best crisp outside-soft inside texture.

Bombay Toast Variations

1. Stuffed Bombay Toast– Spread jam, cream cheese, or banana slices between two slices before dipping.

2. Coconut Toast – Replace dairy milk with coconut milk and top with grated coconut.

3. Sweet Spiced Toast – Add a pinch of tea masala or cardamom powder for a warming flavor.

4. Rava-Coated Toast – After dipping in egg mix, coat in fine semolina (rava) for an extra crispy crust.

5. Fruit Toast – Add a thin slice of apple or strawberry over the bread before frying.

6. Custard Bake – Bake bread topped with egg custard and fruit instead of pan-frying.

7. French Toast Sticks – Cut bread into strips before dipping for kids or as starters.

Diet-Friendly Adaptations

Dairy-Free – Use almond, oat, or coconut milk in place of dairy milk.

Gluten-Free – Substitute with gluten-free bread slices.

High Protein – Use an extra egg, and serve with peanut butter or yogurt.

Vegan – Use flaxseed egg or chickpea/oat flour batter instead of eggs.

Storing & Reheating Tips

→ Storage – Store leftover toast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.

→ Reheat – Reheat in a pan with a few drops of ghee or in a low oven for 5–7 minutes. Avoid microwaving as the toast becomes soft and chewy, but use the oven mode to reheat.

→ Freeze – Stack slices in between parchment or butter paper na dplace in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 weeks.

→ Reheat Frozen: Toast directly on a frying pan or in an oven.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

→ Over-soaking can lead to soggy toast that falls apart in the pan.

→ Using fresh, soft bread means broken bread slices. Slightly dry bread is ideal.

→ High heat makes the outside brown faster while it remains raw inside.

→ Undermixing the egg batter results in uneven flavor and texture.

→ Skipping vanilla or spice means a loss in flavour.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this without eggs?

Yes — use a chickpea flour or custard powder slurry for a vegan version.

2. Can I add fruits?

Absolutely. Try sliced banana or berries on top after cooking, or between slices before pan frying.

3. Can I make this ahead for a party or brunch?

Yes. Toast all slices and refrigerate. Warm them on a tray in the oven just before serving.

4. Is it safe to pack in a tiffin?

Yes, as long as it's fully cooked and cooled before packing. Wrap in foil or butter paper.

5. Can I use jaggery instead of sugar?

Yes. It gives a caramel-like flavor and works beautifully in this toast.

Equipment Needed

→ Mixing Bowl

→ Whisk or Fork

→ Flat Frying Pan or Tawal

→ Spatula

→ Plate and Paper Towels (optional, for draining)

→ Measuring Spoons

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