How to Toast Sourdough Bread
A toaster often dries out the interior of sourdough, leaving you with a brittle mess that shatters when you spread it. Pan-toasting keeps the heart of the slice soft while creating a deeply browned, firm surface.
Mind the density of the crumb
Sourdough has more moisture than commercial bread, so it requires higher heat for a shorter duration to toast effectively.
- Cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed stainless steel pan
- Spatula
What goes in.
- 2 slicesSourdough bread, sliced 3/4-inch thick
- 1 tbspUnsalted butter or ghee (optional)
Heat management
Use a dry pan for the first minute to seal the surface before adding any fat. If you add butter too early, the bread acts like a sponge and becomes greasy rather than crisp.
The method.
Heat the pan
Place your skillet over medium-high heat. Let it warm for two minutes until a drop of water flickers and evaporates immediately upon contact.
Sear the bread
Lay the slices directly onto the hot, dry surface. Do not press down. Leave them untouched for 90 seconds until the edges start to curl and the color turns deep mahogany.
Flip and finish
Flip the slices. If you are using butter, add it to the pan now, letting it melt into the gaps between the bread and the metal. Toast for another 60 to 90 seconds.
Test for firmness
The bread is ready when the center feels firm to the touch rather than doughy or yielding.
Other turns to take.
Garlic-rubbed
Immediately after removing the toast from the pan, rub a peeled clove of raw garlic against the coarse surface of the crust.
Olive Oil Toast
Drizzle high-quality olive oil directly into the pan right before you flip the bread, creating a fried, lace-like edge.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Cut your slices at least 3/4-inch thick; anything thinner will lose its chew and turn into a cracker.
If the pan starts smoking, lower the heat immediately—that is the flour on the surface burning, not the bread toasting.
Use a serrated bread knife to ensure you get even slices; thick-and-thin slices will toast inconsistently.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I use a regular toaster instead?
You can, but it will pull moisture from the entire slice, making the bread brittle throughout. If you must use a toaster, set it to the highest setting for a quick, high-heat blast.
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