The traditional tray of torrijas (Spanish-style French toast) at Easter has become a kind of food inflation thermometerWhat used to be a cheap, almost leftover dessert, now reflects how the rise in the price of some basic products is creeping into the kitchens of many homes and onto the counters of pastry shops.
In just one year, The cost of preparing torrijas has increased significantlyThis is mainly due to the rise in egg and milk prices, while other key ingredients, such as sugar and olive oil, have seen some price decreases. Even so, both in supermarkets and bakeries, consumers are starting to notice that this sweet treat is more expensive than it was not so long ago.
How inflation has made homemade French toast more expensive
French toast uses simple ingredients: bread, milk, eggs, sugar and oilAt first glance, nothing luxurious. However, the combination of rising energy costs, geopolitical tensions, and problems in the food supply chain has meant that, all things considered, the final cost is no longer so modest.
According to calculations based on supermarket prices, Preparing between 10 and 12 torrijas costs around 3,95 euros today.Last year it was around €3,73, so we're talking about an approximate 6% increase. Even so, they're still cheaper than in 2024, when the cost exceeded €5 due to the sharp rise in oil prices.
Breaking down the purchase, a loaf of bread costs around 0,55 Euros; a liter of milk, around 0,94 Eurosabout 100 grams of sugar, barely 0,10 Euros; a couple of medium-sized eggs, close to 0,62 Euros; and the oil needed for frying (approximately one third of a liter) is around 1,74 EurosThe sum of these amounts, with inflation in the background, explains why this classic sweet has become significantly more expensive from one year to the next.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) suggests that The basic ingredients of torrijas have accumulated a price increase of up to 50% in two yearsThis is especially true considering the medium-term price trends for products like eggs, milk, and sugar. Although some have begun to ease the pressure, the lingering effects continue to weigh on consumers' wallets.
Eggs and milk are the ingredients that most significantly increase the bill.
The main reason for the increased price of torrijas is the egg. The price of eggs has skyrocketed by around 30% in one yearto the point that today they cost almost twice as much as in 2021. It has become the food that has increased the most in price so far this year within the basic food basket.
Behind this surge is, primarily, avian influenza and control measures implemented to curb outbreaks. Restrictions and culling of birds have reduced the number of laying hens and, therefore, the availability of eggs on the market, which has strained supply and pushed prices upward.
Milk also adds to the pressure: The price has increased by around 3% in the last yearAccording to the INE (National Institute of Statistics). Although it is not as sharp a jump as that of the egg, since it is another essential ingredient for the torrija (Spanish-style French toast), its increase is noticeable when the overall cost of the dessert is calculated.
Overall, the combination of more expensive eggs, rising milk prices, and a complicated energy context means that Making homemade torrijas is significantly more expensive than in previous campaigns, even in a scenario where oil is no longer at record highs.
Bread, sugar and oil: between calm and new tensions
Although the inflation narrative always seems to focus on what's going up, some components of the recipe have provided a small respite. The price of sugar has fallen by about 4,7% in one yearAccording to the latest data from February, this comes after a period of sharp increases. This helps to moderate, albeit slightly, the overall cost.
Something similar is happening with olive oil. After setting records in recent years, The price of oil has fallen by around 14,1% year-on-year.That price drop was key to making last Easter much cheaper in terms of fried foods. In fact, the decrease in oil prices offset some of the price increases of the other ingredients, something that isn't happening as strongly this year.
Bread, however, complicates the equation once again. With the intensification of conflicts in the Middle East and the rising cost of energy and raw materials, The price of bread has registered increases ranging between 10% and 20% in some areasGiven that traditional torrijas are based precisely on slices of bread soaked in milk, this increase is also noticeable.
Beyond the recipe, products like cereals, sugar, and certain fruits and vegetables They continue to be pressured by rising fuel and fertilizer prices. All of this creates a scenario in which, although some prices fall, others rise enough to maintain the overall feeling that the shopping basket is expensive.
Energy and conflict: the invisible factor behind French toast
The price increase of torrijas is not solely due to what happens on the supermarket shelf. The rise in energy and fuel prices It plays a crucial role, from the field to the oven. More expensive energy increases the cost of producing, processing, transporting, and refrigerating food.
Tensions in the Middle East, especially around the Strait of HormuzThese waterways, through which nearly 20% of the world's seaborne oil passes, threaten to drive up crude oil prices if transit disruptions occur. This directly impacts energy and fuel prices and, by extension, the costs of the entire food supply chain.
In Spain, a an increase of around 7,5% in energy and increases of up to 40% in agricultural diesel. For a crop that depends on irrigation, machinery, and transport, these percentages translate into a higher cost per kilo produced, which ultimately affects the end consumer.
The food industry, aware of this situation, has expressed its concern despite positively valuing public aid aimed at cutting energy costs and provide relief to certain sectors. However, organizations like Aecoc are calling for broader and more specific measures for the consumer goods sector, which they consider particularly vulnerable to these pressures.
French toast in pastry shops: affordable prices, new formats
Meanwhile, bakeries experience Holy Week as one of their biggest campaigns of the year. In many bakeries, sales of torrijas increase by up to 35%. These days, sweets become the star product in shop windows. The motto repeated by professionals is clear: try to keep prices down without sacrificing quality.
The message coming from different establishments is similar: They have tried to absorb some of the increased costs By reformulating processes, adjusting margins, or opting for different formats. In Madrid, for example, some pastry shops have turned to a mini version of torrija, a format designed to be shared, given as a gift, or to make the purchase more affordable for those who are watching their budget.
In Andalusia, one of the territories with the longest tradition, The average price of a torrija in a pastry shop is between 3,5 and 5 euros per unitAccording to industry figures, demand remains strong: each Andalusian family will spend an average of 50 euros on this sweet treat and other typical products during this time of year.
In a scenario of rising costs, many bakeries also point to the weight of the artisanal laborMaking a quality torrija requires time, careful techniques and specialized personnel, an aspect that, according to some pastry shop owners, makes the final product even more expensive compared to industrial or supermarket alternatives.
Regional impact: focus on Andalusia and Madrid
If you look closely at what happens in different communities, you can see that The popularity of torrijas varies depending on the region But it maintains a common denominator: the rise in costs has not dampened the appetite for this Easter dessert.
En AndalucÃaIndustry estimates suggest that families will spend around €50 on French toast and other traditional sweets, a significant amount considering the current inflationary environment. The aforementioned price of between €3,5 and €5 per French toast in pastry shops sets a price point that many are willing to pay once a year.
In Region of MadridFrench toast is also experiencing its own boom. Forecasts predict sales of around seven million units During the campaign, according to the Association of Artisan Bakers and Pastry Chefs (Asempas). Alongside these, other Easter sweets such as monas, pestiños, and chocolate figurines are placed on the counters, completing an offering that caters to both traditional consumers and those seeking more innovative options.
Madrid professionals insist that, despite the rise in raw material prices, No drop in sales has been detectedHowever, there is a noticeable increase in price sensitivity, with customers comparing more and opting for smaller formats or mixed boxes to adjust spending without sacrificing tradition.
The weight of tradition versus an increasingly expensive basket
The current situation paints a clear picture: French toast is more expensive, but it remains an untouchable ritual for many families.The rising cost of ingredients, the impact of energy, and international instability directly influence what people pay for this sweet treat, both at home and in pastry shops.
Even so, most consumers seem willing to accept a slight price increase once a year, as long as it's not a disproportionate jump. Bakeries, for their part, try to play with margins, formats, and offers to avoid losing a clientele that values ​​quality and craftsmanship, but also pays close attention to the price tag.
With all these factors at play, the torrija has become a kind of domestic indicator of how the Inflation seeps into small traditionsThe price of this sweet treat this holiday season perfectly encapsulates the impact of rising prices for eggs, milk, bread, and energy on daily life, reminding us that behind every bite lies a chain of costs that no longer goes unnoticed.