National French Toast Day celebrates a dish that has been a breakfast favorite for generations. With crispy edges, a soft center, and a delightful blend of egg, milk, and sometimes vanilla, French toast has become a staple in kitchens worldwide.
The true appeal of French toast is its simplicity and versatility. It can be a sweet indulgence topped with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh fruit, or turned into a savory dish by adding ingredients like bacon, cheese, or herbs. National French Toast Day offers a chance to appreciate this beloved dish in all its forms, from the traditional to the creative.
You can celebrate National French Toast Day by enjoying a plate of French toast, whether you keep it classic with syrup and butter or add your own twist. Whether homemade or from a local restaurant, it’s a perfect opportunity to savor one of the world’s most adaptable breakfast dishes.
When is National French Toast Day Celebrated?
National French Toast Day falls on November 28th each year, giving you the perfect excuse to indulge in this tasty breakfast dish. If you’re ready to mark your calendar, here’s when National French Toast Day will take place over the next several years:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | November 28, Thursday |
| 2025 | November 28, Friday |
| 2026 | November 28, Saturday |
| 2027 | November 28, Sunday |
| 2028 | November 28, Tuesday |
| 2029 | November 28, Wednesday |
| 2030 | November 28, Thursday |
From Rome to the World: Historical Variations of French Toast
French toast has a fascinating history that dates back to ancient Rome. The earliest known version was called Pan Dulcis, where Romans would soak bread in milk and sometimes eggs before frying it in oil. This method was an ingenious way to use up stale bread, transforming something ordinary into a rich and satisfying meal. Over time, many cultures adapted this concept in their own unique ways.
🇫🇷 France: In France, it’s known as pain perdu, meaning “lost bread,” a reference to reviving stale or “lost” bread. It’s typically topped with simple ingredients like jam, honey, or Nutella.
🇪🇸 Spain: The Spanish version, torrijas, is soaked in milk or wine and sweetened with honey or sugar. It’s often enjoyed during Lent as a traditional dish.
🇩🇪 Germany: In Germany, the dish is called arme ritter, or “poor knights,” reflecting its origins as an affordable meal. It’s commonly served with sweet toppings like sugar, cinnamon, or fruit.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: In the UK, it’s often referred to as eggy bread. Unlike the sweet French toast, eggy bread is usually a savory dish, served with bacon, sausage, or sometimes just a dash of salt and pepper.
🇺🇸 United States: In the U.S., French toast is typically topped with maple syrup and often paired with powdered sugar or butter, making it a breakfast classic.
🇳🇿 New Zealand: In New Zealand, French toast is served with a savory twist, often accompanied by bacon and bananas, blending sweet and savory flavors.
🇯🇵 Japan: In Japan, French toast is popular as a dessert, served with whipped cream, strawberries, and fresh fruits for a sweet treat.
🇭🇰 Hong Kong: In Hong Kong, French toast is a popular street food, made with thick slices of white bread and often filled with peanut butter or syrup for a rich, indulgent flavor.
In parts of the Middle East, French toast might be garnished with yogurt and drizzled with honey, adding a tangy element to the sweetness.
These global variations highlight how French toast can be adapted to suit different cultural tastes, transforming a simple dish into something special in every corner of the world.
Did You Know? Fun Facts About French Toast
- Oldest Recipe: The oldest known French toast recipe dates back to the 5th century, but the idea of soaking bread in milk and eggs likely existed even earlier.
- A Global Comfort Food: French toast goes by different names around the world, like pain perdu in France, torrijas in Spain, and eggy bread in the UK.
- A Solution to Food Waste: Historically, French toast was created as a way to avoid wasting bread that had gone stale, turning it into a tasty dish.
- World Record for French Toast: In 2021, the world record for the largest serving of French toast was set in India, where chefs cooked up 1,653 pieces of French toast, weighing in at 476 kg (over 1,000 pounds)!
- Versatile Anytime Dish: While often seen as a breakfast food, French toast can be served for any meal—sweet for breakfast or brunch, or savory as a lunch or dinner option.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
