Cheesy Pizza French Toast

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15–20 minutes
Total: 30–35 minutes
Servings: 4

This recipe recreates the image as thick bread slices layered with a savory egg-and-cheese mixture, tomato, sausage, herbs, and a golden cheesy crust.

Ingredients

For the toast

8 thick slices sandwich bread or brioche
4 large eggs
½ cup (120 ml) milk
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp butter or olive oil

Pizza topping

½ cup pizza sauce or tomato sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella
½ cup shredded cheddar
100 g cooked sausage or pepperoni, sliced
½ small tomato, finely diced
2 tbsp finely chopped onion
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
½ tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions

Prepare the egg mixture: Whisk eggs, milk, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl.
Dip the bread: Quickly dip each bread slice into the egg mixture, coating both sides without soaking it so much that it becomes soggy.
Brown the bread: Heat butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bread for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
Add pizza sauce: Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over each toasted slice.
Build the topping: Add mozzarella, cheddar, sausage/pepperoni, tomato, and onion.
Bake: Place on a lined baking tray and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 7–10 minutes, until the cheese melts and begins to brown.
Crisp the top: Broil for 1–2 minutes if you want the deeply golden, bubbly finish shown in the picture. Watch carefully.
Garnish: Sprinkle with parsley and oregano. Let cool for 2–3 minutes, then serve hot.

Air Fryer Version

After assembling, air-fry at 375°F (190°C) for 5–7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden.

Approximate Nutrition

Per serving, assuming 2 slices:

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~520 kcal
Protein	~27 g
Carbohydrates	~39 g
Fiber	~3 g
Total Fat	~27 g
Saturated Fat	~11 g
Cholesterol	~235 mg
Sodium	~1,050 mg
Sugar	~6 g
Calcium	~390 mg
Iron	~3 mg
Potassium	~350 mg

Nutrition varies considerably depending on the bread, cheese, sauce, and sausage used.

Tips

Use thick-cut bread so the slices stay sturdy.
Don’t oversoak the bread in the egg mixture.
For extra cheese pull, use low-moisture mozzarella.
Turkey or chicken sausage works well for a lighter version.
Add mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, spinach, or jalapeños for extra flavor.
For a crispier bottom, bake the assembled slices directly on a preheated baking tray.

Quick Q&A

Can I make these ahead?
Yes. Assemble them, refrigerate covered for up to 24 hours, then bake until hot and bubbly.

Can I use regular sandwich bread?
Yes, but thick bread works better and is less likely to fall apart.

Can I skip the sausage?
Absolutely. Use mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, or extra cheese instead.

Why did my bread become soggy?
It was probably soaked too long. Dip quickly and let excess egg mixture drip off before cooking.

Can I freeze them?
Yes. Cool completely, wrap individually, and freeze for up to about 2 months. Reheat in an oven or air fryer for the best texture.

Are they sweet or savory?
This version is fully savory—essentially a crispy pizza-style French toast with melted cheese and sausage.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.