Texas Toast: What It Is, Bread Type and How to Make It at Home
Texas Toast
Texas toast is thick-sliced bread that is buttered, often with garlic, and toasted or grilled until the outside is golden and the inside stays soft. It is a classic side for steak, chili and pasta, and it also works as the bread for a grilled cheese or a burger. Freddy’s uses it on the Grilled Cheese Steakburger, where it replaces the bun. This guide explains what Texas toast is, what kind of bread it uses, how it differs from regular toast and how to make it at home.
For more Freddy’s sides and bread-style menu items, see our guides to Freddy’s Grilled Cheese Steakburger, Freddy’s Chili Cheese Fries and Freddy’s Onion Rings.
What Is Texas Toast?
Texas toast is a thick slice of bread, usually white sandwich bread, cut about twice as thick as a standard slice. The slice is spread with butter or garlic butter and then toasted in an oven, toaster oven or on a griddle. The thickness is the key: the outside turns crisp and buttery while the center stays soft and fluffy. Its exact origin is debated, but the name points to Texas, and the style spread across the American South and into restaurants and grocery stores nationwide.
Texas Toast at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Bread | Thick-cut white sandwich bread, though other loaves can also be sliced thick |
| Thickness | Often about 3/4 to 1 inch, roughly double a regular slice |
| Spread | Butter, garlic butter, or butter with herbs and cheese |
| Cooking method | Oven, toaster oven, skillet or griddle |
| Texture | Crisp, buttery outside and a soft center |
| Common uses | Side for steak, chili and pasta, grilled cheese, burgers and sandwiches |
Thickness and toppings vary by brand and restaurant, so treat these details as a general guide.
What Kind of Bread Is Texas Toast?
Texas toast is traditionally made from soft white sandwich bread that is sliced thick. You can find it as pre-sliced Texas toast bread in the bread aisle, from grocery bakeries and as frozen garlic Texas toast. It is not a separate type of dough, so the thick cut and the buttering are what make it Texas toast. Whether a loaf contains egg, milk or soy depends on the brand, so check the label if you have an allergy.
Texas Toast vs Regular Toast
| Feature | Texas Toast | Regular Toast |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | Thick, about double | Standard |
| Usual spread | Butter or garlic butter | Butter, jam or nothing |
| Texture | Crisp outside, soft and fluffy inside | Evenly crisp |
| Best for | Hearty sides and grilled sandwiches | Breakfast and light sandwiches |
Regular toast is sliced bread that is simply browned, while Texas toast is the thicker cut that is usually buttered before it is toasted. A thick slice also holds a filling better, which is why it can stand in for a bun.
Texas Toast at Freddy’s
Texas toast appears on the Freddy’s menu in the Grilled Cheese Steakburger, which uses buttery Texas toast in place of a burger bun, with two steakburger patties, American and Swiss cheese, crispy bacon and a savory tomato spread. The sandwich is listed at 1,050 calories for the whole item, not for the toast alone, so check the official nutrition information for the version you order. Read the full breakdown on our Grilled Cheese Steakburger page.
How to Make Texas Toast at Home
| Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|
| Thick-sliced bread | White sandwich bread cut about 3/4 to 1 inch thick |
| Butter | Softened, spread on both sides of each slice |
| Garlic | Fresh minced garlic or garlic powder, optional |
| Parsley or Parmesan | Optional finish for extra flavor |
Mix softened butter with garlic and a pinch of salt, then spread it on both sides of the bread. Bake on a sheet pan at about 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping once, or cook in a skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden. To reheat leftovers, use the oven or an air fryer so the crust stays crisp instead of soggy.
What to Serve With Texas Toast
Texas toast works best with rich or saucy dishes such as steak, chili, pasta, fried chicken and tomato soup. At Freddy’s, you can round out a sandwich with sides like Chili Cheese Fries, Onion Rings or Cheese Curds, and try Freddy’s Fry Sauce for dipping.
Allergen Information
Texas toast usually contains wheat (gluten) and butter (milk), and some breads also contain soy or egg. Freddy’s allergen information lists wheat for the Grilled Cheese Steakburger, and the sandwich also contains cheese, so guests with allergies should check Freddy’s current allergen guide before ordering. View Freddy’s official Nutrition & Allergen Information
Easy Variations to Try
Garlic butter is the most common version, but you can also top the slices with mozzarella or cheddar for a cheesy side. Sweet versions use cinnamon sugar instead of garlic and work well with breakfast. Frozen slices from the store bake nicely in an oven or air fryer at about 400°F for a few minutes.
Thick slices also make excellent French toast because they soak up the egg mixture without falling apart. Whisk eggs, milk and a little vanilla, dip the slices, and cook them on a buttered skillet until golden on both sides.
Common Questions
Is it the same as garlic bread? Not exactly. The thick slice is the Texas toast, and garlic butter is only one popular topping.
Can you keep leftovers? Wrap cooled slices tightly and refrigerate for up to three days, or freeze them for longer storage. Reheat in an oven or air fryer so the crust crisps back up.
Does it work for sandwiches? Yes. The sturdy slice holds melted cheese, burger patties and fried chicken without turning soggy, which is why many diners use it for grilled sandwiches.
Conclusion
Texas toast is thick-cut bread that is buttered and toasted until it is crisp outside and soft inside. It works as a side, as the bread for a grilled cheese and as the base for a hearty burger like the Freddy’s Grilled Cheese Steakburger. At home, thick bread, butter and garlic are all you need. Anyone managing a food allergy should check the official nutrition and allergen information before ordering.
