Air Fryer Xl French Toast: Who Makes It Best?

Making French toast in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare this classic breakfast dish. The air fryer gives French toast the perfect crisp on the outside, while keeping it soft and fluffy on the inside. This recipe typically includes simple ingredients such as bread, eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla, and can be made with a variety of breads and milk substitutes. The air fryer method is also a great option for those looking for a healthier alternative, as it requires less butter or oil compared to traditional cooking methods.

Best bread for XL French toast

When it comes to making XL French toast in an air fryer, the bread you choose is crucial. It needs to be thick and sturdy enough to withstand a good soaking and frying without falling apart. Here are some of the best options:

Brioche

Brioche is thick, sturdy, and plush, with a high butter and egg content. It pairs perfectly with the rich custard made with eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla typically used in French toast. Its slices tend to be thick and dense, making it ideal for XL French toast.

Sourdough

Sourdough bread has a tangy flavour and a sturdy texture, making it an excellent choice for French toast. Its natural texture mimics that of slightly stale white bread, which is traditionally used for French toast. Sourdough's firmness means it won't fall apart during the cooking process.

Baguette

A baguette may seem like an unusual choice, but it has the ideal characteristics for French toast. It has a thick crumb and a crisp crust, making it perfect for soaking. Cutting the long loaf into thick round slices gives your French toast a unique, French-looking appearance.

Challah

Challah is a traditional Jewish bread that is eggy, sturdy, and delicious. Its braided loaf makes for a gorgeous finished dish. It has all the qualities you want in French toast bread and is a popular choice for this dish.

Plain White Bread

While it may not be the fanciest option, plain white bread is a perfectly acceptable choice for French toast. French toast is a dish born out of frugality, so don't be afraid to use any thick-sliced white bread you have on hand. It will absorb the custard mixture well and create a delicious, crispy bite when cooked.

How to make XL French toast sticks

Ingredients

You can use any type of bread to make XL French toast sticks, but thicker slices like Texas toast, brioche, or challah are ideal as they hold up better to the custard filling. If you're using gluten-free bread, be sure to choose a certified gluten-free option.

For the custard mixture, you'll need eggs, milk (dairy or plant-based), vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. You can also add a bit of sugar to the mixture if you like your French toast sweeter.

Method

Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F-375°F and greasing the air fryer basket with cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper.

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt (and sugar, if using). Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated. Allow any excess batter to drip off—you want the bread to be coated but not soggy.

Place the coated bread sticks into the air fryer basket, making sure they're not touching. Cook for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.

Serve your XL French toast sticks warm with your choice of toppings. Classic options include butter, maple syrup, and powdered sugar, but you can also get creative with cinnamon sugar, fresh fruit, or whipped cream.

Tips

• Don't oversoak the bread in the custard mixture, or it may start to fall apart.
• If your bread is a bit soggy, line your air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent any liquid from making a mess.
• Preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• If using a denser bread like sourdough, you may need to soak it in the custard mixture for a little longer.
• For extra crispy French toast, spray the bread with oil and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before air frying.
• If making a large batch, cook the French toast in batches to ensure even cooking.

How to make XL French toast in an air fryer

Ingredients

You can use any type of bread for this recipe, but thicker slices of bread are better as they hold the custard filling better. Texas toast, brioche, and challah bread are all great options. If you want to make French toast sticks, cut the bread into thick strips.

For the custard mixture, you will need:

• Eggs
• Milk (any type)
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Salt (optional)
• Sugar (optional)

Method

Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F. Grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper and spray that with cooking spray.

In a shallow bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sugar (if using). Beat until the eggs are broken up and everything is well combined.

Dip each piece of bread into the custard mixture, ensuring both sides are coated. If making French toast sticks, dip each strip into the mixture.

Place the coated bread into the air fryer basket, making sure the pieces are not touching. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the French toast is golden brown.

Serve immediately with butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, or your choice of toppings.

Tips

• Don't oversoak the bread in the custard mixture, or it will start to fall apart.
• If using parchment paper, do not preheat it in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer first, then carefully place the parchment paper in the basket and spray with cooking spray before adding the French toast.
• For crispier French toast, spray the exterior of the bread with oil and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before air frying.
• If your bread is fresh, lightly toast it first so that it is sturdy enough to absorb the custard mixture without becoming soggy.

How to prevent XL French toast from sticking to the air fryer

To prevent XL French toast from sticking to the air fryer, you can try a few different methods. Firstly, it is important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket or pan. This will ensure that the French toast cooks evenly and has room to crisp up. If using a pan, you can reuse it to cook multiple batches without having to clean the basket out each time.

Another way to prevent sticking is to use parchment paper. You can line your air fryer basket with parchment paper, which will catch any drips and prevent the toast from sticking to the basket. However, it is important to note that you should not put the parchment paper in the air fryer while it is preheating, as this could cause a fire. Instead, preheat the air fryer and then carefully place the parchment paper inside before adding the French toast. It is also a good idea to spray the parchment paper with cooking spray for extra assurance that your French toast won't stick.

Additionally, you can prevent sticking by ensuring that your bread is not too soggy before it goes into the air fryer. To do this, don't oversoak the bread in the egg mixture, as this can cause it to fall apart. Thicker slices of bread, such as Texas toast or brioche, will hold up better than thinner slices. You can also use stale bread, which will soak up more of the egg mixture and result in a crispier outside and softer inside.

Finally, make sure to preheat your air fryer before adding the French toast. This will help ensure that the French toast cooks evenly and doesn't stick. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, let it run at 375°F for about 5 minutes before adding the bread.

How to store XL French toast

While XL French toast is a delicious breakfast, you may find yourself with leftovers. Here is a detailed guide on how to store XL French toast:

Refrigeration

To store XL French toast in the refrigerator, place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to three days. You can reheat it in the air fryer or toaster.

Freezing

If you have a lot of XL French toast leftover, you can freeze it to preserve it for longer. First, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the slices of XL French toast on it in a single layer. Put the baking sheet in the freezer. Once the XL French toast slices are mostly frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. You can store them in the freezer for up to one to three months.

To reheat, you can either let the slices thaw partially and cook them in a skillet or oven, or you can reheat them directly in the air fryer.

Other Tips

If you are freezing multiple slices of XL French toast together, place parchment paper between the slices to prevent them from sticking together. It is recommended to use the frozen XL French toast within ten days to avoid freezer burn.

Frequently asked questions