How to make Rabanadas (Portuguese French Toast Recipe)

Like we cannot imagine Christmas without Bacalhau, we also cannot imagine it without various desserts served during the holiday season. One of the most typical Portuguese desserts is Rabanadas and you can learn more about it on our Porto Food Tours.

Portuguese-style French toast, Rabanadas, is a great breakfast choice and a wonderful dessert option as well (with a glass of port wine). In the winter months, it also becomes available at many Cafes, just ask the staff for one Rabanada. It is actually very easy to make, so here is a quick recipe on how you can make Rabanadas at home.

Try it out, take a photo, and share your “making rabanadas” experience with us on Instagram @portofoodtours. Enjoy this piece of Porto in your home!

Rabanadas recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 loaves of sturdy bread, sliced up into 1/2-inch thick pieces
  • 12 eggs
  • 3 liters of milk
  • 12 tablespoons of sugar
  • additional 500g of sugar for coating
  • the peels of 4 lemons
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • additional 200g of powdered cinnamon
  • 2 liters of oil for frying

How to make Rabanadas (step by step)

  • Let the bread sit out for 2 days until it is hard – this helps to ensure it doesn’t fall apart during the soaking and cooking
  • In a pot, warm the milk with the sugar, lemon peels, and cinnamon sticks on the stovetop over low heat
  • Scramble the eggs in a bowl
  • Warm the oil in a deep pan
  • Mix the additional sugar and ground cinnamon in a bowl
  • With tongs, place the bread into the milk mix, allowing the bread to coat and soak a bit
  • With tongs, pick up the bread, allowing the extra to run off before placing it into the eggs
  • Again, let the extra runoff before placing the bread into the oil
  • Allowing the bread to fry until golden brown on each side, flipping just once
  • Using other tongs, remove the bread and place it in the sugar and cinnamon mix
  • Coat well with the mix before placing in a deep pot with a lid for storing
  • Enjoy right away or, even better, the next day when all the juices have had the chance to soak and create a delicious syrup. It is even good for up to three days.

Expert tip: Don’t do this alone! Gather your friends and family for an assembly line approach and you will be truly embracing the Portuguese way!

Warm Foodie Regards,
Taste Porto Team

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