What is Texas Toast Made Out Of?

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to legend, Texas toast originated in the 1940s at a drive-in restaurant when a cook received bread sliced too thick for the toaster. What is Texas toast made out of? The essential components are surprisingly simple: a thick-cut slice of soft bread, plenty of butter, and often, garlic.

Quick Summary

Texas toast is made from thick-sliced white bread, generously coated on both sides with a buttery spread and then grilled or toasted until golden. Additional flavorings like garlic and parsley are common additions to the butter mixture. The unique thickness creates a crispy exterior and a pillowy soft interior.

Key Points

Thick-cut bread: The core ingredient is a soft, white bread sliced roughly one inch thick, creating a pillowy interior and crisp exterior.
Buttery spread: Generous amounts of softened butter, sometimes mixed with olive oil, are brushed on both sides of the bread before cooking.
Garlic and herbs: Minced garlic or garlic powder, and herbs like dried parsley, are classic flavor additions to the buttery spread.
Griddled or baked preparation: Authentic Texas toast is not made in a conventional toaster but cooked on a griddle, in a skillet, or baked in the oven to achieve its signature texture.
Versatile serving: It's a popular side for southern dishes like barbecue, a base for grilled cheese and French toast, or a standalone snack.
Accidental origin: The dish was invented out of necessity at a Texas drive-in when a batch of bread was sliced too thick to fit in the toasters.

The Core Ingredients of Texas Toast

The foundation of Texas toast is thick-cut bread. While many assume this requires a specific "Texas toast" loaf, it originally arose from a restaurant receiving an unusually thick bread delivery. The thickness, usually three-quarters to one inch, is crucial, allowing the inside to remain soft and fluffy while the exterior becomes crisp. Standard, soft white sandwich bread is the most traditional choice, but other varieties like bakery-style white bread, Italian loaves, or even sourdough can be used.

The second non-negotiable ingredient is butter. A generous application of softened or melted butter is brushed onto both sides of each slice before cooking. Some recipes might use a combination of butter and olive oil to prevent the butter from browning too quickly, ensuring a perfect, golden finish.

Seasonings are what elevate Texas toast beyond a simple buttered toast. Garlic, in either powdered or minced form, is the most common addition, creating a rich, savory flavor profile reminiscent of garlic bread. Dried parsley or other herbs like oregano or Italian seasoning are often mixed in with the garlic butter for added color and herbaceous notes.

The Preparation Process: From Loaf to Legend

Unlike traditional toast, which is made in a pop-up toaster, authentic Texas toast is cooked on a griddle, in a skillet, or baked in the oven. This cooking method ensures an even, golden-brown crust and a thoroughly buttery flavor.

Preparing the Spread: Combine softened or melted butter with minced garlic, garlic powder, parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mixing the ingredients thoroughly ensures every bite is flavorful.
Slicing the Bread: If not pre-cut, slice a soft, square loaf of white bread to a thickness of about one inch. This creates the signature hearty texture.
Buttering Both Sides: Brush the garlic-butter mixture generously over both sides of each thick slice of bread. This step is key to achieving that rich, golden-brown crust.
Cooking the Toast: Heat a pan or griddle over medium heat. Place the buttered slices down and cook for several minutes per side until golden and crisp. Alternatively, bake on a sheet pan at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Texas Toast vs. Garlic Bread: A Culinary Comparison


Feature	Texas Toast	Garlic Bread
Bread Type	Made from thick-cut, typically soft white sandwich bread.	Can be made from various breads, most commonly a baguette or French loaf.
Preparation	Individual thick slices are buttered and cooked, often on a griddle or in an oven.	Usually made from a whole loaf or half-loaf that is sliced, buttered, and then baked together.
Texture	Distinctly crispy on the outside with a pillowy-soft, tender interior.	Can have a more uniformly crunchy or chewy texture, depending on the bread used.
Serving Style	Often served as a side dish alongside barbecue, fried chicken, or used as a base for sandwiches.	Traditionally paired with pasta dishes like spaghetti or lasagna.
Core Flavoring	Butter and garlic are the primary flavors, though other herbs may be added.	Also uses butter and garlic, but the flavor profile is often more intense, given the bread's different structure.

Variations on Classic Texas Toast

While the classic recipe is a favorite, Texas toast is versatile and can be customized with a variety of toppings and ingredients. Popular variations include:

Cheesy Texas Toast: A classic variation that involves sprinkling shredded cheese, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or parmesan, on top of the toast before baking or broiling. This creates a melted, gooey, and crispy cheese layer.
Breakfast Texas Toast: The thick-cut bread is perfect for making French toast. The sturdy slices hold up well to the egg and milk batter, creating a decadent breakfast.
Savory Toppings: For a more elaborate appetizer, the toast can be topped with ingredients like caramelized onions, bacon bits, or a simple bruschetta mix.

The Cultural Significance of Texas Toast

Texas toast has become a staple of American comfort food, especially in the South. Its origins are tied to the Pig Stand restaurant chain in Texas, where the happy accident of a thick-cut bread delivery led to a beloved culinary tradition. The result was a toasted bread perfect for sopping up rich barbecue sauce or gravy, cementing its place as a side dish in many restaurants and fast-food chains. Its hearty size and rich flavor have made it a satisfying side for all kinds of meals, from breakfast plates to hearty dinners.

Conclusion

Ultimately, what is Texas toast made out of boils down to a few key ingredients: extra-thick slices of white bread, generous amounts of butter, and often, garlic. The simple formula, born from a kitchen improvisation, has stood the test of time. This thick-cut toast achieves a perfect contrast of a golden, crunchy exterior with a soft, warm interior, making it the ideal companion for everything from barbecue to pasta. While countless recipes exist, all share a commitment to buttery richness and a satisfyingly substantial bite. To experience this classic comfort food, the ingredients you need are simple and the process is easy to master at home.

Visit a restaurant with a rich history of Texas toast, like the modern-day Pig Stand, to try an authentic version.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best bread is a soft, unsliced white bread loaf, cut into slices about one inch thick. If you can't find an unsliced loaf, store-bought Texas toast bread or sturdy Italian or French bread are good alternatives.

While similar, Texas toast and garlic bread are not the same. Texas toast is defined by its extra-thick, individual slices of soft sandwich bread, whereas garlic bread can be made from a variety of breads, most commonly baguettes or French loaves.

It's called Texas toast because it was invented in Texas in the 1940s at the Pig Stand drive-in restaurant chain. The 'Texas' name reflects the state's reputation for doing things bigger, including toast.

Yes, you can. While garlic is a common and beloved addition, authentic Texas toast is primarily defined by the thick bread and buttery preparation. For a simpler toast, you can just use butter.

The most authentic methods are grilling or toasting on a flat griddle or pan. Many also bake it in the oven for a hands-off approach. This allows for generous butter application and a consistently golden, crisp crust.

Yes, its thick, sturdy slices make Texas toast an excellent choice for making French toast. It can absorb more of the egg and cream batter, resulting in a richer, denser final product.

Texas toast pairs well with a variety of dishes. It is a traditional side for barbecue, fried chicken, and chicken-fried steak. Its sturdiness also makes it great for soups, chili, or as a base for hearty sandwiches.