Air-Fried French Toast: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Making French toast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to whip up a tasty breakfast. The air fryer gives French toast a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. You can use a variety of breads, including brioche, sourdough, white, or even stale bread, and the cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the bread. The basic ingredients are simple: eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla. You can also add sugar, butter, and salt to taste. The bread slices are dipped in the egg mixture and then placed in the air fryer for around 5-7 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispness. This recipe is a great option for a quick, delicious, and family-friendly breakfast.

Choosing the right bread

First, the bread should fit comfortably in your air fryer. If you're using a larger loaf, such as a French or Italian bread, you might need to cut it into slices or sticks before dipping it into the egg mixture. Thicker slices of bread, such as Texas toast, are ideal as they hold onto the custard filling better. If you're using a dense bread like sourdough, you'll need to soak it in the egg mixture for a little longer.

Another option is to use stale bread, which will soak up the egg mixture better and result in a crispier outside and softer inside texture. Challah or brioche are also excellent choices for French toast as they have a slightly sweet flavour and a soft texture that soaks up the egg and milk mixture well.

Ultimately, the type of bread you choose depends on your personal preference and what you have available. Experiment with different types of bread to find your favourite!

Preparing the batter

To make the batter for French toast in an air fryer, you'll need eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Some recipes also include butter, flour, and sugar.

Crack the eggs into a medium-sized bowl and beat them. Then, pour in the milk and continue to beat the mixture until it is well combined. Introduce the cinnamon and vanilla into the same bowl and mix until everything is well combined. If you're using butter, melt it and whisk it in with the other ingredients. If you're using flour and sugar, add them to the bowl and whisk until smooth.

You can also add a pinch of salt to the batter, as well as other seasonings like nutmeg. If you want your French toast to be sweeter, you can add more sugar to the batter.

Dipping the bread

Firstly, prepare your bread. You can use any type of bread you like, from simple white sandwich bread to whole wheat, multigrain, French, Italian, challah, or brioche. If you want to make French toast sticks, cut the bread into thick strips. Using stale bread is a great way to use up leftovers, and it will also soak up the egg mixture better, resulting in a crispier outside and softer inside.

Next, prepare your custard mixture or batter. In a medium or large shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. You can also add a little sugar if you like your French toast sweet, although this is optional. Mix well, but don't worry if there is some cinnamon clumping.

Now it's time to dip the bread. Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture, making sure both sides are well coated. If you are making French toast sticks, coat all over. Don't leave the bread in the mixture for too long, as it can start to fall apart. For thicker slices of bread, ensure each side soaks for around 10 seconds. If using thinner slices, you may need to insert a toothpick to hold everything in place, then discard it before eating.

If you have time, you can also try pressing the battered bread slices into crushed cornflakes or rice crispies for an extra crunchy coating.

Finally, place the coated bread into the air fryer basket, making sure the slices aren't touching. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can prevent even cooking. If your air fryer basket is not non-stick, you can line it with parchment paper first.

Cooking the toast

Now that you've gathered your ingredients, it's time to cook your French toast in the air fryer. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide:

First, preheat your air fryer. Different recipes suggest different temperatures, ranging from 350°F to 377°F. You should also grease your air fryer basket or line it with parchment paper, and then spray the paper with cooking spray if necessary.

Next, prepare your batter by mixing together your eggs, milk, and seasonings in a bowl. You can add vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to taste. Mix well, but don't worry if there's some cinnamon clumping.

Dip each slice of bread into the batter, making sure both sides are coated. You can also cut your bread into thick strips to make French toast sticks. Just be careful not to oversoak the bread, especially if you're using a softer variety like brioche, as it might start to fall apart.

Place the coated bread into the air fryer basket, ensuring the slices aren't overlapping. If you're making French toast sticks, you don't need to flip them during cooking. For regular French toast, you'll need to cook the slices for around 4-7 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of your bread and the temperature of your air fryer.

Keep an eye on your toast to ensure it doesn't burn, and flip it over halfway through the cooking time. The French toast is ready when it's golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Serving the Toast

Finally, it's time to serve your French toast! You can sprinkle it with confectioners' sugar, cinnamon sugar, or powdered sugar. Serve it with a side of fresh fruit or berries, and provide maple syrup or butter for dunking or drizzling.

Your air-fried French toast is now ready to be enjoyed! It's a quick, easy, and delicious breakfast treat that's perfect for the whole family.

Serving suggestions

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

Syrup

French toast is often served with a syrup to dip or drizzle over the top. Maple syrup is a classic choice, but you could also make a homemade syrup. For an extra special treat, serve with whipped cream on the side for a truly indulgent breakfast.

Fruit

Fresh fruit is a great way to add a healthy element to your French toast. Berries are a popular choice, especially when served with whipped cream or yoghurt. For a more savoury option, try serving with sliced bananas and a dusting of cinnamon.

Sugar

For an extra sweet treat, sprinkle your French toast with a dusting of powdered sugar, or confectioner's sugar. You could also mix sugar and cinnamon together to coat the French toast sticks, creating a crunchy, sweet exterior.

Savoury

For a savoury take on French toast, try adding a dash of sea salt to the egg mixture, or sprinkle a little on top before serving. You could also experiment with adding different cheeses to the egg mixture, or serving with a slice of cheese on top.

Sides

French toast is often served with breakfast sides such as bacon, sausages, or breakfast potatoes. You could also serve with a green smoothie to balance out the sweetness of the French toast.

Presentation

Finally, think about how you want to present your French toast. You could serve the French toast whole, or cut into sticks or triangles for a fun and easy-to-eat option.

Frequently asked questions