Wentelteefjes (Dutch French Toast)

A Dutch take on French toast, wentelteefjes turn simple white bread into a warm, custardy breakfast or sweet snack. Slightly stale slices are ideal, absorbing the egg-and-milk mixture without collapsing, while cinnamon and vanilla give the dish its familiar gentle spice. Fried in butter, the bread should be golden at the edges and soft through the centre, then finished simply with caster sugar. Served straight from the pan, it is quick, economical and especially good when you want something sweet without a lengthy batter or baking time.
Cuisine style Dutch home cooking
Flavor profile Sweet • Buttery • Cinnamon-scented
Techniques Soaking • Pan-frying
Key equipment Frying pan • Shallow bowl • Whisk
Cooking style Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 15 minutes

Why this recipe works

  • Ready fast: The custard mixture comes together in one bowl and the bread cooks in minutes, making this well suited to a quick breakfast.
  • Soft centre, golden outside: A brief soak gives the bread a tender middle, while pan-frying in butter creates a lightly browned exterior.
  • Uses everyday ingredients: Egg, milk, bread, butter and sugar create a satisfying dish without specialist ingredients or lengthy preparation.

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Ingredient notes

  • Choose slightly stale bread: Day-old white bread absorbs the egg mixture more evenly and is less likely to fall apart in the pan.
  • Whole milk gives richness: Whole milk helps the centre stay soft and custardy; lighter milk will work but gives a less rounded texture.

Texture tips

  • Do not oversoak: Dip the bread just long enough to absorb some custard while still being firm enough to lift cleanly.
  • Keep the heat moderate: Medium heat lets the centre set before the outside browns too quickly.

Timing notes

  • Serve straight away: Wentelteefjes are best warm from the pan, while the surface is buttery and the centre is still soft.
  • Have the topping ready: Once the butter is hot, the recipe moves quickly, so keep the caster sugar ready for finishing.

Make-ahead tips

  • Best eaten fresh: The texture is at its best immediately after frying, before the bread softens further as it cools.
  • Reheat gently: Warm leftovers in a frying pan over a low heat with a little butter, or in a 180°C (355°F) oven until piping hot.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs with the whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and a pinch of fine sea salt until smooth.
  2. Dip the white bread slices into the egg mixture, turning to coat, and let them sit for 20 to 30 seconds so they soak slightly without falling apart.
  3. Heat half the unsalted butter in a frying pan over a medium heat until foaming. Fry two soaked slices for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and set through, then transfer to plates.
  4. Add the remaining butter and fry the last two slices in the same way. Dust the wentelteefjes with caster sugar and serve straight away, warm.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Use slightly stale white bread for the best texture, as it soaks up the custard without turning soggy.
  • Keep the heat at medium so the centres cook through before the outside browns too quickly.

Substitutions

  • Replace Vanilla extract with 1 tsp Ground cinnamon for a more strongly spiced finish.
  • Replace Unsalted butter with Salted butter, then omit the Fine sea salt.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in a frying pan over a low heat with a small knob of unsalted butter until piping hot, or warm in a 180°C (355°F) oven for 6 to 8 minutes.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Total time: 12min (12min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Dutch
  • Allergens:
    Eggs Gluten Milk Wheat
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

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