Where does Pain perdu come from?

Pain perdu — country of origin: France.

What is Pain perdu made of?

Stale bread, egg, milk, sugar, butter, vanilla, icing sugar.

Which allergens does Pain perdu contain?

Contains cereals and gluten-containing products. Contains eggs and egg products. Contains milk and milk products (including lactose).

How do you pronounce Pain perdu?

Pain perdu (French) is pronounced /pɛ̃ pɛʁdy/.

Pain perdu

Pronunciation (IPA) /pɛ̃ pɛʁdy/

Stale bread soaked in egg and milk and fried in butter — the French dish whose name means "lost bread", because it exists to rescue a loaf gone dry.

Also known as: French toast · Pain doré

Allergens & declarations

Contains

Cereals (gluten)

Wheat

Contains cereals and gluten-containing products

Egg

Contains eggs and egg products

Milk (including Lactose)

Contains milk and milk products (including lactose)

This describes the classic recipe, so you know what to ask about. It is not a declaration for any particular kitchen — recipes and suppliers vary, and only the restaurant can tell you what is in the dish it serves.

In detail

Pain perdu is stale bread soaked in egg and milk, then fried in butter. The name means "lost bread": the dish exists to rescue a loaf that has gone too dry to put on the table.

What it really is

Thick slices of day-old bread are dipped in beaten egg loosened with milk and sweetened, often with vanilla. The bread has to be stale — fresh crumb turns to paste, while dry crumb drinks the mixture and still holds its shape. Brioche gives the richest version; a plain white loaf or a baguette gives the everyday one.

The soak is the whole decision. Too short and the middle stays dry bread; too long and the slice collapses in the pan. The soaked slices go into hot butter and fry until both sides are golden and the inside has set to something between bread and custard.

How it is served

Warm, straight from the pan, dusted with sugar or icing sugar.
With stewed fruit, jam, honey or cream.
As a dessert or an afternoon goûter as often as at breakfast.

Say which bread: brioche and a plain loaf give very different plates.
Name what comes with it — the bread itself is simply sweetened.
Wheat, egg and milk are all structural here; there is no version of the classic without them.

Typical ingredients

Put it on your menu with Menuella

Frequently asked questions

What is Pain perdu?: Stale bread soaked in egg and milk and fried in butter — the French dish whose name means "lost bread", because it exists to rescue a loaf gone dry.
Where does Pain perdu come from?: Pain perdu — country of origin: France.
What is Pain perdu made of?: Stale bread, egg, milk, sugar, butter, vanilla, icing sugar.
Which allergens does Pain perdu contain?: Contains cereals and gluten-containing products. Contains eggs and egg products. Contains milk and milk products (including lactose).
What is Pain perdu also known as?: French toast, Pain doré.
How do you pronounce Pain perdu?: Pain perdu (French) is pronounced /pɛ̃ pɛʁdy/. Select the speaker button next to the dish name to hear it.