Air Fryer French Toast Sticks: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air Fryer French Toast Sticks are a quick, easy, and tasty breakfast treat. They are perfect for a busy morning as they can be made ahead of time, frozen, and reheated. The recipe is simple: cut thick bread into sticks, dip them into an egg mixture, and then coat them with cinnamon sugar before air-frying to perfection. The result is a delicious, crispy, and soft breakfast that can be served with your favourite toppings and sides.

Choosing the right bread

First, it is recommended to use a thicker bread for French toast sticks. Thicker slices, such as Texas Toast, challah, or brioche, hold together better during cooking and provide a more substantial base for the egg mixture. These types of bread also tend to have a softer texture, allowing them to soak up the egg and milk mixture more effectively without falling apart.

If you opt for brioche, as suggested in some recipes, you'll add a slight sweetness to your French toast sticks due to brioche's naturally sweet flavour profile. However, be cautious not to oversoak brioche bread as it can become too soggy and fall apart.

While thicker bread is ideal, you can also use regular bread. Just be aware that you may need to be more careful during the dipping and cooking process since regular bread is thinner and less sturdy.

Some recipes suggest using day-old or slightly stale bread. This is because drier bread will better withstand the soaking process without disintegrating. If your bread is fresh, you can let it dry out a bit before dipping it in the egg mixture to help prevent it from falling apart.

Finally, consider the number of servings you need. For a single batch, you'll typically need around 8 slices of bread, cut into thirds to make sticks. However, you can easily double the recipe if you're cooking for a larger group or want to make extra for freezing.

Preparing the egg mixture

To prepare the egg mixture, you will need eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla extract. Some recipes also include cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.

First, grab a bowl and crack your eggs into it. You will need two eggs for every four slices of bread. Whisk the eggs until they are beaten and light. Then, add in about a teaspoon of vanilla extract and whisk again. If you are using cinnamon and nutmeg, add a pinch of each and whisk once more. Finally, add in about a tablespoon of melted butter and whisk until the mixture is fully blended.

Your egg mixture is now ready to be used to coat your bread slices!

Dipping and coating the bread

Firstly, prepare your bread slices by cutting them into thirds to create sticks. It is recommended to use slightly stale or day-old bread to ensure it doesn't fall apart during the soaking process. Thicker slices, such as Texas Toast, challah, or brioche, are ideal as they provide a sturdy base for dipping and coating.

Next, prepare your egg mixture by whisking together eggs, milk, butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a shallow bowl. You can also add a pinch of ground nutmeg for extra flavour. The egg mixture should be well combined but expect some cinnamon clumping as it is normal.

Now, it's time to dip and coat the bread. Dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, ensuring both sides are fully coated. It is important not to oversoak the bread, especially if using a softer variety like brioche, as it can start to fall apart. After dipping, gently shake off any excess liquid.

For an extra layer of flavour, prepare a cinnamon-sugar mixture by combining cinnamon and granulated sugar in a separate bowl. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg to this mixture if desired. Lightly sprinkle or dip each coated bread stick into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring both sides are evenly coated.

Finally, place the coated bread sticks into the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. If your air fryer basket is not non-stick, consider lining it with parchment paper before placing the bread sticks inside.

By following these steps, you will achieve delicious, evenly coated French toast sticks that are ready to be cooked to golden perfection in your air fryer!

Cooking the French toast sticks

First, preheat your air fryer to 360–375 °F (180–188 °C). While that's heating up, cut your bread into thirds to make sticks. You can use any thick, slightly stale bread, but Texas toast and brioche are popular choices.

Next, prepare your egg mixture. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, butter, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until well combined. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg and a small amount of sugar if you like.

Dip each piece of bread into the egg mixture, making sure each piece is well-coated. Give them a shake to remove any excess liquid, then place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not touching. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Cook the French toast sticks for 5–6 minutes, then turn them over and cook for another 3–5 minutes. When they're done, they should be golden brown and puffed.

Finally, serve the French toast sticks warm with your choice of toppings. Some popular options include maple syrup, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or fresh fruit.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer French toast sticks are a delicious breakfast treat and can be served in a variety of ways. The traditional way to serve French toast sticks is with a dusting of powdered sugar and a side of maple syrup for dipping. You can also get creative with your toppings and try something different like a chocolate drizzle, peanut butter, or a powdered sugar glaze.

These French toast sticks also go well with a variety of breakfast foods. Try serving them with fresh fruits and berries, or for a heartier meal, pair them with bacon, sausage, or eggs. If you're serving a crowd or want to make the meal more filling, consider adding some whipped cream on the side.

For a simple and elegant presentation, serve the French toast sticks on a platter with a small bowl of maple syrup for dipping in the centre. If you're serving a group, it's a good idea to provide a variety of toppings and let everyone customise their own sticks. Some possible toppings include:

• Fresh berries
• Chopped nuts
• Chocolate chips
• Crushed cookies or biscuits
• Caramel sauce
• Honey
• Yoghurt
• Jam

If you're serving these French toast sticks for a special occasion or want to make them extra festive, consider adding some edible decorations like sprinkles or crushed candy canes. You could also serve them with a side of hot chocolate or mulled wine for a winter-themed treat.

Frequently asked questions