Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These French toast sticks are a game-changer! The air fryer makes them perfectly crisp without the need for excess oil or frying. They’re easy to make and customizable with toppings like cinnamon sugar, syrup, or powdered sugar. They’re great for meal prep, too—make a batch ahead of time and enjoy them throughout the week. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast or a fun snack for kids, these Air Fryer French Toast Sticks are the answer.
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon butter (for greasing)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Maple syrup (optional, for serving)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C), if your model requires preheating. While the air fryer heats up, slice the bread into sticks and set them aside. - Prepare the Egg Mixture:
In a bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. - Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar:
In a separate shallow bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Stir well to combine. - Coat the Bread Sticks:
Lightly grease the air fryer basket with butter or cooking spray. Dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, making sure to coat it thoroughly, and let the excess drip off. - Air Fry the French Toast Sticks:
Arrange the coated bread sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the sticks are golden and crisp on the outside. - Add Cinnamon Sugar:
As soon as the French toast sticks come out of the air fryer, sprinkle them with the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they’re still warm, so it sticks nicely. - Serve:
Serve the French toast sticks with maple syrup or your favorite dip, and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4 servings
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
Variations
- Fruit Topping: Top your French toast sticks with fresh berries, banana slices, or even caramelized apples for extra sweetness.
- Nut Butter: For a protein boost, serve with peanut butter or almond butter for dipping.
- Chocolate Chip French Toast: Add a few chocolate chips to the egg mixture for a chocolatey twist.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free bread for a gluten-free version of this recipe.
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a different flavor profile.
Storage/Reheating
These French toast sticks are best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to crisp them back up. You can also reheat them in a regular oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes, any bread will work for French toast sticks. Brioche, challah, or whole wheat bread are excellent alternatives to standard white bread.
2. Can I make these without an air fryer?
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can pan-fry the French toast sticks in a skillet with butter over medium heat, cooking each side until golden and crispy.
3. How can I make these dairy-free?
For a dairy-free version, substitute the milk with a non-dairy milk such as almond milk or oat milk, and use dairy-free butter or cooking spray to grease the basket.
4. Can I freeze these French toast sticks?
Yes! To freeze, allow the French toast sticks to cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. To reheat, air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes.
5. Can I add protein to the egg mixture?
Yes, you can add a scoop of protein powder to the egg mixture for a protein-packed version. Make sure to whisk well to ensure the powder blends in smoothly.
6. How do I make the French toast sticks crispier?
For extra crispiness, dip the bread sticks in the egg mixture, then coat them lightly with breadcrumbs before air frying. This will give them an even crispier texture.
7. Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the egg mixture and slice the bread ahead of time, but it’s best to cook and serve the French toast sticks fresh to maintain their crispiness.
8. What should I serve with these French toast sticks?
These French toast sticks are great on their own or with your favorite breakfast sides, like scrambled eggs, sausage. You can also serve them with a fruit salad or yogurt for a complete meal.
9. Can I make these without cinnamon?
Yes, if you’re not a fan of cinnamon, you can omit it and just use the sugar, or substitute it with another spice like nutmeg or cardamom for a different flavor.
10. How do I make these French toast sticks lower in sugar?
To reduce the sugar, use less cinnamon sugar or skip it altogether. You can also opt for a sugar-free syrup or dip them in fresh fruit for natural sweetness.
Conclusion
These Air Fryer French Toast Sticks are the perfect quick and easy breakfast or snack. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make crispy, golden, and delicious French toast in no time. Whether you’re making them for a busy morning or a lazy brunch, they’re sure to be a hit. Serve with syrup or your favorite dip, and enjoy a fun, kid-friendly meal that everyone will love!
Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer French Toast Sticks are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfect for a quick breakfast, brunch, or snack. They’re easy to make, customizable with toppings, and ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
4 slices bread
1/3 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon butter (for greasing)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Maple syrup (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C), if required. Slice the bread into sticks and set aside.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar: In a separate shallow bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
- Coat the Bread Sticks: Lightly grease the air fryer basket. Dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, coating it thoroughly, and let excess drip off.
- Air Fry the French Toast Sticks: Arrange the coated bread sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle the warm French toast sticks with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serve: Serve with maple syrup or your favorite dip and enjoy!
Notes
For extra crispiness, coat the bread sticks with breadcrumbs before air frying.
These French toast sticks are great for meal prep; store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Customize with different toppings like fresh fruit or nut butter for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stick
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
