Torrijas are similar in style to a French Toast. The recipe is super simple and includes thick slices of semi-stale bread (or toasted fresh bread) soaked in a baking-spice infused milk mixture, dipped in eggs, and pan-fried. Instead of the French toast’s traditional toppings of maple syrup and butter, torrijas uses a hearty sprinkle of cinnamon, sugar, and honey.
Torrijas can be enjoyed warm, fresh out of the pan, or at room temperature and are often served as a “postre” (dessert) but could also be found served for breakfast or brunch. They are particularly popular at Easter time and during semana santa (holy week) and the last day of lent. Frying the torrijas in EVOO creates this spectacular caramelized crust, a truly unique experience and lightyears different from the semi-soggy French toast.
Torrijas (Spanish-Style Crispy French Toast)
Course: BreakfastCuisine: SpanishDifficulty: Medium4
servings15
minutes40
minutesThe milk mixture is a really important component to this recipe. It can be made a day or two in advance (this allows the flavors to deepen) and refrigerated until you’re ready to fry and eat.
Ingredients
- Torrijas Milk Mix:
1 1/2cupswhole milk
1/4 cupgranulated sugar
1teaspoonground cinnamon
2 – 3pieces orange peel
2eachcardamom pods
2eachstar anise
- Torrijas Assembly:
1cupmild intensity extra virgin olive oil
3eacheggs
1loafFrench bread, thick sliced and toasted (or slightly stale)
1/4cupgranulated sugar
1 1/2 tablespoonsground cinnamon
- Garnish:
fresh berries
honey
Directions
- Place milk, sugar, cinnamon, orange peels, cardamom, and star anise in a medium saucepan and bring to a low simmer over medium heat, whisking frequently. Simmer until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Place olive oil in a large high-sided skillet and heat over medium-high.
- Place the cooled milk mixture in a shallow bowl. Crack eggs into another shallow bowl and whisk until blended.
- While the oil is heating, soak toasted (or stale) bread slices in the milk mixture until slightly soggy and transfer the slices to a wire rack.
- Once the oil is hot, dip the soaked bread slices in the egg, letting any excess drip off, and carefully place in the hot oil. Working in batches, fry the French toast until golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes per side.
- Remove from the skillet, letting any excess oil drip off, and place on a clean wire rack or paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining bread slices.
- Before serving, thoroughly sprinkle the French toast with cinnamon and sugar. Serve torrijas with fresh berries and honey.
Discover more recipes with extra virgin olive oil.
More Recipes
Apr. 25, 2022
Detroit-Style Pizza with EVOO Crust
Detroit-style pizzas are so en vogue. These rectangular wonders have a focaccia-like thick crust that's topped with hunks of cheese and runners of tomato sauce. The toppings spread all the way to the edge, resulting in a darkly caramelized and crunchy crust.
May. 26, 2022
Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yes, EVOO is great in all kinds of savory recipes, but it also works beautifully well with cookies too! Mildly intense extra virgin olive oil provide a delightful way to incorporate taste and healthy wholesome ingredients into your favorite sweet treats and baked goods.
Apr. 6, 2023
This Spicy Sicilian Bread Dipper is a sensational dipper, fully loaded with robust EVOO, balsamic vinegar, garlic, onion, salt, pepper flakes, parmesan, pickled peppers, and fresh herbs
Apr. 6, 2023
Spicy Italian Breakfast Sandwiches
With all its delicious spice and fruit, medium-intensity olive oil works really well in this recipe, used for both the spread and for cooking and preparing the sausages and eggs.