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    Home » Breakfast » Yumurtalı Ekmek (Turkish French Toast)

    Published: Apr 15, 2018 · Modified: Jan 10, 2021 by Zerrin & Yusuf

    Yumurtalı Ekmek (Turkish French Toast)

    Jump to Recipe

    Yumurtalı Ekmek is the perfect breakfast or brunch to make with a few simple ingredients and a quick preparation. Plus, it's  a great way to use stale bread!

    Eggy bread served with fried egg and tomatoes on a dark colored plate. Cherry tomatoes and fresh mint leaves on the side.

    Yumurtali Ekmek is a delicious and easy-to-make dish, often enjoyed for breakfast. It's similar to what many know as French Toast, but with a unique Turkish twist. This is one of the easy breakfast recipes you can make with eggs and bread slices.

    Breakfast in Turkey is not just the first meal of the day; it's a rich and joyful gathering, often extended and savored with family and friends. Amidst the array of cheeses, olives, jams, and more, Yumurtalı Ekmek often shines as a favorite, especially for kids.

    Jump to:
    • What is Yumurtalı Ekmek?
    • Yumurtali Ekmek Vs French Toast
    • About The Ingredients
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Variations
    • Soggy or Crispy?
    • Toppings
    • Storage
    • Tips
    • Can I Make It Gluten-Free? 
    • FAQs
    • Other Egg Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    What is Yumurtalı Ekmek?

    Turkish French Toast, aka Yumurtali Ekmek, is a simple and tasty breakfast dish from Turkish cuisine.

    The name "Yumurtalı Ekmek" means "eggy bread" in Turkish. It's quite similar to what is known as French Toast in other parts of the world.

    To make Turkish French Toast, you take slices of bread and dip them in a mixture of beaten eggs. Sometimes, a little milk, or spices like black pepper, cumin, red pepper flakes and mint are added to the egg mixture to give extra flavor.

    After the bread soaks up the egg mixture, it's fried in a pan until it turns golden brown and crispy on the outside.

    This is one of those popular Turkish recipes. It's not only delicious but also very easy to make. It's a great way to use up bread that's a bit old and dry, as the egg mixture makes it moist and tasty again.

    People often eat Yumurtalı Ekmek on its own or with savory toppings like fried eggs, cheese, cured meat or fruit.

    Eggy bread sliced in half served with bacon, fried egg and tomatoes on a dark plate.

    Yumurtali Ekmek Vs French Toast

    Traditionally, French toast is served with sweet accompaniments like maple syrup, honey, sweet preserves, and whipped cream.

    On the other hand, Turkish eggy bread is essentially a savory French toast recipe. That means that it is served with savory accompaniments like, cheese and eggs.

    So basically these two breakfast dishes are quite similar but how they are served makes them what they are.

    About The Ingredients

    Before looking at exactly how to make egg fried bread, let's first look at what you need. The ingredients are really simple.

    Bread slices, eggs, milk, butter, salt and pepper on a grey backdrop.

    Bread

    We use plain soft white bread. Brioche, Challah, French bread all work great for this recipe. 

    We don't recommend bread with large wholes like ciabatta when making yumurtali ekmek. While it will create delicious flavors, the bread itself won't soak up the egg mixture very well.

    So, use any white loaf with a dense, soft, and fluffy porous texture.

    Eggs

    The key ratio is one large egg per slice of bread. You may be able to get more bread slices from the eggs, but this is the minimum amount we’d recommend. You can easily increase the quantities using this ratio if you are cooking for a crowd. 

    Using room-temperature eggs allows the bread to soak up the mixture better.

    Milk

    The milk in this recipe helps thin the egg mixture a little so the bread slices can absorb it better. 

    Want to make it dairy-free? 

    It’s exactly the same as how to make French toast without milk. You can either leave it out completely or substitute it with water or a plant-based alternative like almond milk, oat milk or soy milk.

    Spices

    We use only salt and pepper. You can also add cinnamon for a subtle sweetness or chili flakes for a little heat.

    Butter

    It helps create that crispy texture, beautiful brown color and nice buttery taste for sure. You can use olive oil instead if you want to make the recipe dairy-free or with less calories.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    Making yumurtalı ekmek is extremely quick and easy. You can enjoy it as a part of lazy weekend breakfast or on its own as a quick weekday breakfast.

    A collage of two pictures showing how to make the egg mixture for eggy bread.
    1. Make the egg mixture: Whisk together the eggs in a shallow bowl. Add in milk. Then, season this beaten mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
    A collage of four pictures showing how to soak bread slices in the egg mixture and how to fry it in a non-stick pan.
    1. Soak the bread: Work with one slice at a time. Dip the bread slice inside the egg mixture wait until the bottom of the bread is well coated. Flip it over. Make sure that both sides have soaked up the egg before moving on to step 3.
    2. Fry the egg-soaked bread slice: Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add about ½ tablespoon of butter (or as much as you like) and let it melt. Then, place the slice of bread inside the pan. Allow it to fry for about 2 minutes or until it has turned golden brown. Flip the slice of bread over and leave it to fry on the other side until it is golden as well.
    3. Serve: Transfer the cooked slices to a plate. You can either serve them immediately with fried or poached eggs (and crispy bacon) on the side.
    4. Alternatively, you can keep them warm in a warm oven on the lowest setting (200 F / 90 C) while frying the rest of the slices.
    Woman about to eat eggy bread served with fried egg and cherry tomatoes on a grey colored plate.

    Variations

    • Cheesy: Add finely grated cheese such as cheddar or mozzarella in the egg mixture. Place the bread slices in it, let them soak up a little of the mixture on both sides and then fry them in a pan. They will have a nice cheesy crust on the outside. You can even turn them into grilled cheese sandwiches after frying them. You might want to see our grilled cheese recipe in air fryer.
    • Sweet: Add a pinch of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in the egg mixture and then soak the bread slices in it. Drizzle maple syrup or honey over them when serving. You can top these with some fresh berries.
    • For Babies: With its soft texture, this egg fried bread  is a perfect breakfast food for babies starting from 6 months old after they start eating food containing gluten, dairy and eggs. Remove the crust of bread slices for younger babies who don't have any teeth yet. And you can cut them in strips or bite-sized pieces before soaking them in the egg mixture. Your baby can manage them easily this way.

    Soggy or Crispy?

    Turkish Eggy Bread should be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. However, the inside of the bread slice should not be soggy in any way! 

    To avoid soggy Turkish French toast, keep the following in mind:

    • Try to use a slightly stale bread, a few days old. Fresh bread absorbs too much of the egg mixture and you get a soggy result.
    • Don't let the bread slices sit in the egg mixture for too long. Soak them for about 20 seconds.
    • Don't add too much milk in the egg mixture. We use just 1 tablespoon.
    • Don't cook them over too high heat. This causes the outside cooks too fast while the center is undercooked. Fry them over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side.

    Toppings

    Savory Toppings:

    This fried bread with egg is often served with savory accompaniments. You can go as simple as tomato ketchup or another sauce you like.

    And don’t hesitate to add fried, scrambled, or poached eggs as well. Also, you can serve sliced avocado, tomatoes and some salad leaves on the side. 

    If you want to take them to the next level, you can turn them into a sandwich with ham and cheese. Check out our French Toast Breakfast Sandwiches to get an idea.

    Sweet Toppings:

    You can also serve it with sweet accompaniments just like you do when serving crepes or pancakes. These include all the classics like powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, whipped cream (or yogurt) maple syrup, honey and berries or any fresh fruit you like.

    It is even possible to turn these into a nice dessert by spreading some Nutella or peanut butter and jam on the slices.

    A stack of eggy bread slices topped with fried bacon and egg. Egg yolk is dripping.

    Storage

    Now that you know how to make Turkish egg toast, let's look at how you should store it.

    Eggy toast is best served immediately. It helps you serve the best possible texture and flavor.

    If you have to store any leftovers (but we doubt you will have any), place them inside an airtight container. Then, the slices have to be kept inside the fridge. It will keep well for about a day or two.

    You need to re-heat the slices with some melted butter or oil in a hot non-stick skillet to revive their crisp, soft texture.

    This Easy French Toast recipe with a spicy twist makes your mornings worth waking up to. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect with both savory and sweet toppings but I love it as it is.

    Tips

    • We use milk to thin the egg mixture a little. It makes it easier for the bread to soak up and makes much better egg-fried bread. Leave the milk out if you'd like, or replace it with a vegan alternative.
    • If you want to make eggy bread sticks (especially for kids), cut the bread slices in strips before soaking them in the egg mixture.
    • The key to making eggy bread perfectly crisp is temperature control. If your slices are browning too quickly (without cooking the eggs on the inside), then lower the heat slightly.
    • Leave the bread slices while they cook. If you play with them too much or constantly flip them, they won't get a nice crispy texture and beautiful golden color. You only have to turn them once and fry them on each side once.
    • Store the cooked eggy bread in a warm oven while making the rest of the slices. This is only needed for big batches. Preheat the oven to its lowest temperature (200 F / 90 C). Place the cooked slices inside an oven-safe baking dish. 

    Can I Make It Gluten-Free? 

    Yes, you can! Use your favorite gluten-free bread. As they don't contain gluten, they might easily fall apart when soaking them in the egg mixture. Just carefully flip the slices without letting them sit in the mixture for too long and immediately transfer them into the hot frying pan.

    FAQs

    How do you know when eggy bread is cooked?

    The center should be set and firm when you cut it. You can achieve this by frying them in a hot skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes.

    Is eggy bread healthy? 

    It depends on your diet. It is not bad unless you eat too many or you are trying to avoid carbs. Also, the topping is another thing to consider if you want to keep it healthier. You can serve it on its own or use toppings like yogurt and fruit.

    Where does eggy bread come from? 

    It is a staple food in France. Originally it is called pain perdu in French, which means 'lost bread', reflecting the use of stale bread.
    According to Wikipedia, the earliest known reference is in the Apicius, a collection of Latin recipes dating to the 1st century CE. There are similar recipes in German cuisine in the 14th century, in the Italian cuisine in the 15th century and in the Ottoman cuisine.

    How does Gordon Ramsey make eggy bread?

    He makes it with an addition of cinnamon in the egg mixture and serve it with stewed apples.

    Other Egg Recipes

    • Turkish Eggs
    • Menemen (Turkish Tomato Scrambled Eggs)
    • Spinach With Eggs

    As always: If you make this recipe, let us know what you think by rating it and leaving a comment below. And post a pic on Instagram too—tag @give_recipe so we can see!

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    📖 Recipe

    Two slices of eggy bread served with tomatoes and fried egg garnished with mint leaves on a dark colored plate.
    5 from 2 votes

    Yumurtalı Ekmek (Turkish French Toast)

    By Zerrin & Yusuf
    Bread slices dipped into a beaten egg mixture and then fried. One of the easiest and quickest breakfast recipes.
    Yields: 4 servings
    PRINT PIN
    PREP 5 minutes mins
    COOK 16 minutes mins
    TOTAL 21 minutes mins

    INGREDIENTS
      

    • 4 large eggs
    • 1 tablespoon milk optional
    • 1 pinch salt
    • 1 pinch black pepper
    • 4 slices white bread
    • 2 tablespoons butter

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl. Add in milk. 
    • Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
    • Dip one slice of bread into the egg mixture. Make sure both sides soak up the egg mixture well.
    • Heat a frying pan on medium heat. Melt ½ tablespoon of butter in it. 
    • Place the egg soaked bread slice into the pan and fry for about 2 minutes or until golden.
    • Turn it over and fry the other side until golden.
    • Transfer onto a plate and repeat the same steps for the remaining bread slices. 
    • Serve immediately on its own or with crispy bacon, fried egg or poached egg on the side.

    NOTES

    • We use milk just to thin the mixture a bit. We find it easier to soak the bread. You can leave it out if you want. 
    • If you want to make eggy bread sticks, cut the bread slices in strips before soaking them in the egg mixture.
    • If you think the bread slices turn brown too fast when cooking in the pan, turn the heat down.,
    • Don’t play with the bread slices much when cooking. Let them fry well and get a nice crust.
    • To keep the fried eggy bread slices warm while you are working with the other slices, place them on an oven-proof plate and keep it in a warm oven on the lowest setting (200 F / 90 C) while frying the rest of the slices. 
    • Eggy bread is mostly served with savory companions like bacon and eggs. But if you want, you can serve it with maple syrup, honey or fruit jam just like you would serve French toast.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 192kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 9gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 202mgSodium: 246mgPotassium: 106mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 451IUCalcium: 87mgIron: 2mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    ADDITIONAL INFO

    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine Turkish
    Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Norman Baron says

      July 19, 2018 at 7:42 pm

      I'm with you. I can't stand it when people add flavor to my french toast!

      Reply
    2. Natalie Ellis says

      April 18, 2018 at 10:22 am

      There are some weekends I often make simple but nice breakfast like this. Nothing is better than a lazy Sunday with egg and bread breakfast with hot chocolate or coffee. So cozyyy xD

      Reply
      • Zerrin says

        April 18, 2018 at 11:49 pm

        Hi Natalie! I've already missed the weekend! Cozy breakfast is the reason for happiness in life!

        Reply
        • Natalie Ellis says

          April 23, 2018 at 12:32 pm

          Agree! xD

    3. KalynsKitchen says

      April 16, 2018 at 2:37 am

      Hi Zerrin,
      I haven't heard of savory French toast, here I think most everyone eats it with maple syrup. I like the idea of making it a savory dish! Thanks for the shout-out for my egg muffins.

      Reply
      • Zerrin says

        April 16, 2018 at 9:48 pm

        Thanks Kalyn!
        I love to pair it with cheese. Hope you have a chance to try it.
        Your egg muffins are great for weekdays!

        Reply
    4. Carol R says

      April 15, 2018 at 9:02 pm

      5 stars
      I can eat this every morning. French toast never gets old.
      Thanks for the awesome tips.

      Reply
      • Zerrin says

        April 15, 2018 at 11:35 pm

        Glad you like it Carol! French toast is a must for a good breakfast, isn't it?

        Reply
    5. Kathy says

      March 05, 2018 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      Never used spices when making french toast. Love the idea!

      Reply
    6. daniel the bread guy says

      September 27, 2010 at 5:41 am

      hi zerrin!

      i want to thank you for giving a short cultural lesson before you give us your recipe. i think this is missing from most cookbooks as well as recipe websites.
      In the end you have bread on your table, but do not even know its origins.

      i am not sure i like your bread, but i will definetly try it out. especially now that i know about who is baking it usually, to have my imaginations when eating 🙂

      Reply
    7. Hugging the Coast says

      October 05, 2009 at 4:21 am

      Savory French toast is a great favorite of mine!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

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    Zerrin & Yusuf

    Meet Zerrin and Yusuf Gunaydin: The couple behind this blog. We bring Turkish food into your kitchen! From kebabs to desserts, everything you crave is here.

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    Zerrin & Yusuf

    Meet Zerrin and Yusuf Gunaydin: The couple behind this blog. We bring Turkish food into your kitchen! From kebabs to desserts, everything you crave is here.

    More about us→

    POPULAR RECIPES

    • Chicken seasoning in a glass jar and a small spoon in it.
      Dry Rub For Chicken - Chicken Seasoning
    • Turkish bean stew in a dark colored bowl and a spoon inside it.
      Kuru Fasulye Recipe (Turkish Beans)
    • Roasted tomato soup topped with feta cheese and basil leaves in a white bowl, grilled cheese sandwich dipped into it and more grilled cheese sandwiches behind it.
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    • Turkish chicken dish with a tomato sauce served in a bowl and a fork inside it.
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    • Baked chicken wings on a rack.
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