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

Making French toast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to whip up a tasty breakfast. The process is simple: mix together eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla, dip your bread of choice in the mixture, and then place it in the air fryer for around 5-7 minutes. The result is a delicious, crispy-on-the-outside and fluffy-on-the-inside breakfast treat that can be served with butter, maple syrup, or fresh fruit.

Choosing the right bread

When selecting a bread for air fryer French toast, you have a lot of flexibility. You can use whatever type of bread you like or have on hand. Some common options include white sandwich bread, whole wheat bread, multigrain bread, French bread, Italian bread, challah, brioche, or even sourdough. The key is to choose a bread that will fit in your air fryer. If you are using a larger loaf of bread, such as a baguette or a thick-sliced bread, you might need to cut the slices in half or use a larger air fryer.

It is recommended to use thicker slices of bread for air fryer French toast. Thicker slices, such as Texas toast or brioche bread, hold onto the custard filling better than thinner slices. They also tend to result in a fluffier and more substantial final product. If you only have thin-sliced bread on hand, you can still use it, but you may need to adjust the cooking time and be careful not to oversoak the bread, as it may fall apart more easily.

Another option is to use stale bread. Stale bread will soak up the egg mixture better, resulting in a crispier outside and softer inside. If you don't have stale bread, you can lightly toast fresh bread to dry it out a bit before dipping it in the egg mixture.

When preparing your bread for air fryer French toast, it is important not to oversoak the slices in the egg mixture. This can cause the bread to fall apart, especially if you are using a softer variety like brioche. Instead, dip each slice briefly, allowing both sides to soak for just a few seconds, and then place them in the air fryer.

In conclusion, when choosing the right bread for air fryer French toast, consider using thicker slices of bread, such as Texas toast or brioche. You can also use stale bread or lightly toast fresh bread to improve its ability to soak up the egg mixture. Just be sure not to oversoak the bread to avoid it falling apart during cooking.

Preparing the egg mixture

To prepare the egg mixture, you'll need eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sugar. Start by cracking the eggs into a medium-sized bowl and whisking them. Then, add the milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sugar, and whisk everything together until well combined. You can also add a pinch of salt to the mixture if desired. The amount of each ingredient will depend on how much French toast you want to make, but a typical recipe calls for 3-4 eggs, 1/4 cup of milk, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of sugar.

It's important to whisk the mixture thoroughly to ensure that all the ingredients are well incorporated. You can use a fork or a whisk to do this. Also, make sure you're using room-temperature eggs, as cold eggs can cause the butter to harden if you're using it in your mixture.

Once your egg mixture is ready, you can dip your bread slices into it, making sure to coat both sides evenly. Don't oversoak the bread, as it can start to fall apart. After dipping, give the bread a gentle shake to remove any excess mixture before placing it in the air fryer.

Dipping the bread

Before dipping the bread, prepare the custard mixture by whisking together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a shallow bowl. You can also add a bit of sugar to the mixture if you prefer sweeter French toast. Once the custard is ready, dip each slice of bread into the mixture, making sure both sides are coated. Don't oversoak the bread, as it may start to fall apart. Each side should soak for around 10 seconds.

If you're using thinner slices of bread, you can insert a toothpick to hold everything in place while cooking, then remove it before eating. For thicker slices of bread, such as Texas toast or brioche, you may need to soak the bread for a little longer in the custard mixture.

After dipping the bread, give it a quick shake to remove any excess mixture. Then, place the coated bread slices into the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap and are in a single layer. You may need to cook the French toast in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.

Cooking in the air fryer

The air fryer is a great alternative to the stovetop for making French toast. It's quicker, easier, and healthier, as you don't need to use as much butter or oil. Plus, it's versatile—you can use pretty much any type of bread you like, from simple white sandwich bread to brioche, challah, or even sourdough.

Ingredients

You'll need the following ingredients to make French toast in an air fryer:

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

Method

Here's a step-by-step guide to making French toast in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F (180-190°C). Grease the air fryer basket or a pan that fits inside with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and any other optional ingredients you're using. Beat until well combined.

Step 3: Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, making sure both sides are coated. Don't soak the bread for too long, or it may start to fall apart.

Step 4: Place the coated bread slices into the air fryer basket or pan, leaving space between them so they're not touching. You may need to work in batches.

Step 5: Air fry at 350-375°F (180-190°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping the bread halfway through. The French toast is ready when it's golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Step 6: Serve with your choice of toppings or sides, such as butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.

Tips and Tricks

• Use stale or day-old bread for a crispier outside and softer inside texture.
• For a thicker batter that coats the bread better, add more egg and less milk.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or pan. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.
• Experiment with different toppings and flavours, such as cinnamon sugar, almond or coconut milk, and extracts.
• For an even crispier exterior, spray the bread with oil and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before air frying.
• If using thinner slices of bread, insert a toothpick to hold everything in place while air frying, then remove before serving.
• Preheating the air fryer is important to ensure even cooking. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, let it run at 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes before adding the bread.
• If your bread is a little soggy, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent a mess.
• Leftover French toast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer or a toaster until warm.

Serving suggestions

French toast cooked in an air fryer is best served warm. You can serve it with butter and maple syrup, or with a dusting of powdered sugar (also known as confectioner's sugar or icing sugar) and maple syrup for dipping. You can also serve it with fresh fruit or berries, or go all out with whipped cream.

For a savoury option, you could serve your air-fried French toast with bacon or sausage links.

If you want to make your French toast even more indulgent, you could add a shot of Grand Marnier to the batter.

You can also experiment with toppings such as cinnamon sugar, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.

Frequently asked questions