Toasting Bread, The Old-Fashioned Way

Toasting bread on a cast iron pan is a great alternative to using a toaster and can produce toast with a crunchy grilled outside and a soft, fluffy inside. All you need is a cast iron skillet or pan, some bread, and, optionally, some butter, coconut oil, ghee, or olive oil. First, heat the cast iron pan over medium-high to high heat. If desired, add a small amount of butter or oil to the pan. When the pan is hot, place the bread in the pan and let it cook for a couple of minutes on each side until golden brown.

Heat a cast iron pan to medium-high heat

Toasting bread on a cast-iron pan is a great alternative to using a toaster. It's a simple method that delivers delicious, evenly toasted bread with a crunchy grilled exterior and a soft, fluffy interior.

To get started, you'll want to heat your cast iron pan to medium-high heat. This is the optimal temperature range for achieving the perfect toast colour and texture. A cast-iron pan is ideal for this as it retains heat very well and spreads the heat evenly across the surface.

Depending on your preference, you can choose to add a small amount of fat to the pan, such as coconut oil, ghee, olive oil, or butter. This step is not necessary, as most breads will toast up just fine without any added fat, but it can enhance the flavour and add a bit of extra crispness.

It's important to let the pan get nice and hot before adding your bread. You'll know it's ready when you see that the pan is shimmering, or you can simply wave your hand above the pan to feel the heat. A hot pan is crucial for achieving the desired sear on your toast.

Once your pan is hot, you're ready to move on to the next step of toasting your bread.

Slice bread thicker than usual

If you're slicing your own bread, cut it thicker than you usually would—about 0.5 to 1 inch thick. This will give you a better texture contrast between the crispy outside and the warm, chewy inside.

Thicker slices of bread will take a little longer to toast, so be sure to heat your cast iron pan over medium-high to high heat. If you like, add a small amount of fat to the pan, such as coconut oil, ghee, olive oil, or butter. You don't need to add any fat at all if you don't want to, though.

When the pan is hot, place your thick-cut bread slices onto the dry pan or into the fat, and let them cook for a couple of minutes on each side until they're golden brown. If you're making garlic bread to go with dinner, you can add spices or garlic to the oil before adding the bread.

Add a bit of coconut oil, ghee, olive oil, or butter

Toasting bread in a cast-iron pan is a great way to get delicious, crispy toast without a toaster. If you want to add a bit of fat to the pan, you can use coconut oil, ghee, olive oil, or butter. You don't need to use much, and some types of bread don't need any at all. For example, if you're using a non-stick pan, you can simply place the bread directly into the pan without any oil or butter.

If you are using a fat, heat your cast-iron pan over medium-high to high heat, and add a small amount of coconut oil, ghee, olive oil, or butter. You can also add spices or garlic to the oil for extra flavour. Once the pan is hot, place your bread into the pan. If you're using sliced bread, it's recommended to cut the slices a little thicker than usual to get a better contrast between the crispy outside and soft, chewy inside.

Let the bread cook for a couple of minutes on each side until it reaches your desired level of doneness. For a simple toast, you can enjoy it as is, or you can rub each slice with a garlic clove. If you're making garlic bread, you can spread a garlic butter mixture on the bread before placing it in the pan, with the spread side down.

Using a cast-iron pan to toast your bread gives you a crunchy grilled exterior with a soft and fluffy interior, creating a delicious texture that's well worth the effort!

Cook each side for a few minutes

When the pan is hot, place your bread onto it. If you've added oil, butter, or fat to the pan, make sure the bread lands on top of it.

Listen to the bread sizzle as it cooks. You should start to hear the bread cooking and toasting after a few minutes. If you like, you can turn the heat down to medium at this point.

Keep the bread on one side for about four minutes. You're aiming for a golden brown colour, so keep an eye on the bread and remove it from the heat when it's toasted to your liking.

After four minutes, flip the bread and toast the other side. You can add a touch more oil, butter, or fat to the pan at this point if you like, but it's not necessary. Cook this side for about three minutes, or until it's golden brown.

Enjoy immediately or top with garlic, spices, or preserves

Once your bread is toasted to your liking, you can enjoy it as it is or add your favourite toppings. If you're making the toast to go with dinner, you can add spices and garlic to the oil before adding the bread. You could also rub a clove of garlic on the freshly toasted bread. If you're feeling indulgent, you could spread some butter on your toast and top with garlic, spices, or preserves. For a real treat, make a garlic butter spread by mixing together salted butter, finely minced garlic, grated parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Brush the spread on the bread, then toast it in the pan.

Frequently asked questions