Air-Fried French Toast: A Quick, Crispy Breakfast Treat

French toast is a breakfast classic, but can you make it in an air fryer? The answer is yes! This cooking method delivers a perfect crisp on the outside and a soft, fluffy inside. It's also incredibly easy to make, with most recipes taking under 15 minutes. So, if you're looking for a quick, delicious, and indulgent breakfast, air fryer French toast is a great option!

The best type of bread to use

You can use any kind of bread to make French toast in an air fryer. However, some types of bread may yield better results than others. Here are some options to consider:

Texas Toast

Texas toast is a popular choice for French toast in an air fryer. It is a thick-sliced bread that can hold onto the custard filling better than thinner slices. Texas toast also toasts well and gives a nice crispy texture on the outside while remaining moist in the middle.

Brioche Bread

Brioche is another excellent option for French toast. It has a slightly sweet flavour and a soft texture that soaks up the egg and milk mixture well. It also adds richness and sweetness to the dish.

Sourdough Bread

If you're looking for a denser bread option, sourdough bread is a great choice. Its unique flavour and chewy texture can make your French toast stand out. However, you may need to soak it in the egg mixture for a little longer to ensure even cooking.

White Bread

For a classic option, simple white sandwich bread works just fine. It is readily available and can be a good choice if you want to make French toast with basic ingredients.

Other Options

Other types of bread you can use include whole wheat, multigrain, French bread, Italian bread, challah, or even gluten-free bread. You can also experiment with different flavours of bread, such as berry sourdough, to add a unique twist to your French toast.

How to prepare the air fryer

Preparing your air fryer to make French toast is simple and only takes a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F-375°F. This step is important as it ensures even cooking and prevents the French toast from being raw in the middle. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, simply turn it on and let it run at the desired temperature for about 5 minutes before adding the food.

Next, you'll want to prepare the air fryer basket or tray. Grease it with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. If using parchment paper, it's a good idea to spray it with cooking spray as well to prevent sticking. Some recipes also suggest using a pan inside the air fryer for easier cleanup.

Now that your air fryer is preheated and prepared, it's time to make the custard mixture for your French toast. In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. You can also add a little sugar to the mixture if you like your French toast extra sweet. Whisk until everything is well combined, but don't worry if the cinnamon clumps a bit.

Once your custard mixture is ready, it's time to dip your bread. Choose a thicker slice of bread, such as brioche or Texas toast, for best results. Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture, making sure both sides are coated. Don't soak the bread for too long, or it may start to fall apart.

Finally, place the coated bread slices into the prepared air fryer basket or tray, leaving a little space between each slice to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the French toast in batches.

Now, you're ready to start cooking! Air fry your French toast at 350°F-400°F for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until it's golden brown and cooked to your desired level of doneness.

With these simple steps, your air fryer will be ready to make delicious, crispy-on-the-outside, and fluffy-on-the-inside French toast!

Making the batter

• Eggs
• Milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Sugar (optional)

To make the batter, start by cracking a couple of eggs into a medium-sized bowl and beat them. You can use a fork or a whisk for this step. Next, pour in the milk and beat the mixture until the eggs and milk are well combined. Now, add in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. You can also add a bit of sugar to the batter if you prefer your French toast to be sweeter. Mix everything together until you have a smooth, lump-free batter.

If you want to get creative, you can experiment with different seasonings and extracts. For example, you could try using almond or coconut extract instead of vanilla and swapping regular milk for almond or coconut milk. This will give your French toast a fun, tropical twist.

Once your batter is ready, it's time to dip your bread slices. Make sure you use thick slices of bread, such as brioche or Texas toast, to ensure the bread doesn't become soggy. Carefully dip each slice of bread into the batter, making sure both sides are well coated. Allow the bread to soak for a few seconds, but be careful not to oversoak, or it may start to fall apart.

Dipping the bread

Firstly, prepare the custard mixture by whisking together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sugar (if using) in a shallow bowl. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour. Make sure the mixture is well combined, although some cinnamon clumping is normal.

Now you are ready to dip the bread. Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture, ensuring both sides are coated. For best results, allow each side to soak for at least 10 seconds. However, be careful not to oversoak the bread, as it may start to fall apart while cooking. If you are using thinner slices of bread, you can insert a toothpick to hold everything in place, removing it before serving.

Once the bread is coated, you can add an extra sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top for an even crispier French toast. You can also experiment with other toppings, such as crushed cornflakes or rice crispies, by pressing the exterior of the battered bread slices into a shallow dish filled with these ingredients.

Finally, place the soaked bread slices into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping and are in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the French toast in batches to ensure even cooking.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve French toast made in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:

Savoury

If you prefer a savoury breakfast, you could serve your French toast with butter. You could also serve it with bacon or sausage links or patties.

Sweet

For a sweet breakfast, you could serve your French toast with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit and berries. You could also go for a more indulgent option and serve it with whipped cream or melted butter and syrup. For an extra special treat, serve it with a blueberry sauce or a chocolate dipping sauce.

On the side

If you want to serve your French toast with a side dish, you could go for breakfast potatoes or a green smoothie.

For dipping

French toast sticks are great for dipping. You could serve them with a cinnamon sugar dip or a chocolate dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions