Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Air fryer French toast sticks are seriously irresistible and easy to make. Delightfully crispy on the outside and creamy and custardy inside, you’ll see that homemade French toast sticks taste way better than the kind you’ll find in the freezer aisle.
How long it takes: 10 minutes or less to prep, 8 minutes to air fry
Equipment you’ll need: large shallow bowl, air fryer
Servings: makes 18 sticks
Easy Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Sure, ready-to-eat French toast sticks are available in the freezer section of your grocery store. But why buy expensive pre-made French toast when homemade is so much better? These air fryer French toast sticks boast crispy outsides with soft insides, served with maple syrup for dipping. They’re easy to make, and so good!
I make French toast often (or should I say Ben does?). It’s kind of a morning specialty. Along with our overnight French toast casserole and French toast muffins, these easy homemade French toast sticks are fast becoming a new family favorite.
More About Air Fryer French Toast
Kid friendly. My kids pretty much go crazy over these air fryer French toast sticks. (Finger food is always a hit with them, especially if there’s a dip, too.) They also love these egg muffins, portable breakfast sandwiches, and whimsical eggs in a basket.
Easy ingredients. The ingredients are simple and inexpensive: bread, milk, eggs, sugar. Add a little cinnamon and vanilla if you like (and I do!) and that’s all you need. Homemade is so much better than frozen French toast sticks: no preservatives, no unpronounceable ingredients, just simple healthy goodness.
Healthier. The beauty of making French toast sticks in your air fryer? You get French toast with a perfectly crispy exterior, and because it’s not fried in butter, there’s no added fat.
Versatile. We never run out of topping ideas or serving ideas to make this recipe into a delicious family breakfast. Keep reading for extra tips and ways to make it your own!
Ingredient Notes
- Texas Toast Bread: Texas toast bread makes great French toast because it’s light and airy so it soaks up lots of the egg mixture. You can find bagged Texas toast bread in the bread/bun section of your grocery store. If you would rather use a different type of bread, choose one that isn’t overly dense or moist.
- Eggs and Milk: Typical French toast ingredients. Whole milk yields the best-tasting French toast.
- Sugar: Plain white sugar is added for just a hint of sweetness.
- Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract, and Salt: These three flavorings are what make French toast sing. The salt keeps it from tasting flat.
- Nonstick Cooking Spray: A light misting keeps the French toast from sticking to the air fryer rack.
- Maple Syrup, for serving
How To Make Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Let’s get started on this easy recipe! If you know how to make French toast, you can easily make French toast sticks in your air fryer.
Slice the bread. Use a serrated knife to cut the bread slices into thirds to create “sticks”. Pile up a few slices of bread and cut a bunch at once if you have a good sharp knife. Super easy. You can cut the crusts off, but you don’t have to (I usually don’t).
Dip the bread. In a large shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, sugar, a pinch of salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. Dip the bread “sticks” into the egg mixture and turn them over a couple of times until they’re completely coated and soaked with the egg mixture.
Cook. Spray the rack inside your air fryer with nonstick spray. Place the coated bread sticks into your air fryer in a single layer, sides not touching. You’ll probably have to do the French toast sticks in batches. Flip them once during the cooking time. They’ll be ready in 7 to 8 minutes total. So easy and delicious!
Cooking Tip
Exact cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the bread you use and your air fryer model. If the bread is heavily saturated with the egg mixture, the French toast sticks may take a bit longer. If you find that your French toast sticks are a bit soggy, it could be that they weren’t cooked long enough.
Tips for Air Fryer French Toast
- The best bread for French toast: Dry day-old bread works better than super fresh bread. I love making my French toast with Texas toast bread, however, brioche, challah, or French bread are all good options.
- To avoid soggy French toast: Try not to oversoak the bread. If you’re using particularly dry, thin bread slices, you may not need to soak the bread as long before you air fry it. Another factor to consider if you find that your French toast is still soggy, consider reducing the amount of milk you use. Too much milk and not enough eggs can contribute to soggy French toast.
- Don’t have an air fryer? You can make these French toast sticks on a griddle or frying pan. Prepare as directed, then place on a preheated, greased pan to fry. Flip once and cook until cooked through and golden brown.
- Making a lot? See the recipe card for instructions on how to keep your French toast sticks warm.
Easy Recipe Variations
- Use a different type of bread. Any kind of sandwich bread will work well as the “sticks”. Dry or stale bread is okay, in fact, better, because it will soak up more eggs. Keep in mind that using denser types of bread may affect the cooking time. Brioche is always a good choice, too!
- Non-dairy: Substitute a non-dairy milk alternative, like coconut, oat, almond, or soy.
- Double or triple the recipe. I’m pretty sure you’ll want to make extra so you can have them in your freezer for a quick breakfast or snack.
What To Serve With French Toast Sticks
Try French toast sticks dipped in real maple syrup or sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar. They’re also delicious dipped in homemade applesauce.
Serve crispy French toast sticks with a bowl of yogurt topped with fresh fruit and homemade granola, or a green smoothie for a healthy breakfast. Or, make them for brunch, paired with air fryer bacon and a hearty breakfast casserole.
Air fryer French toast sticks and maple syrup make a fun and easy, kid-friendly snack. Add them to an after-school snack board!
Frozen air fryer French toast sticks: Love the convenience of frozen French toast sticks? So do I! Ready to reheat whenever a craving strikes, frozen air fryer French toast sticks are an easy make-ahead breakfast. Simply freeze the cooked French toast sticks in a single layer on a baking pan. Once they are frozen solid, stash them in a zip-top freezer bag to store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Keep reading for more storing and reheating tips.
Fridge: Allow the French toast sticks to cool completely, and then wrap them or store them airtight. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Ideally, reheat them in your toaster, air fryer, oven, or toaster oven. If you reheat them in the microwave, they’ll still be tasty but not very crispy.
Freezer: As mentioned earlier, you can store and freeze cooked air fryer French toast sticks for up to 2 months. Reheat them straight from the freezer, adding an extra 1 to 2 minutes to the cooking time.
More Easy Breakfast Ideas
Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- ⅔ cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch kosher salt
- 6 slices Texas toast, each slice cut into thirds (other types of bread can be used, too)
- maple syrup, cinnamon sugar, or confectioner’s sugar for serving
Instructions
- Beat eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt in a large shallow bowl.3 large eggs, ⅔ cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, pinch kosher salt
- Add bread sticks, a few at a time, (you should have 18 total), turning to coat in egg mixture.6 slices Texas toast, each slice cut into thirds
- Lightly coat the basket of air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Place French toast sticks in basket, in a single layer, making sure they aren’t touching each other. You’ll probably need to cook them in batches.
- Set air fryer to 375° and cook 6 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 1 to 3 minutes, watching closely, or until golden brown.
- To keep warm, place French toast sticks on a wire baking rack placed on top of a sheet pan in a warm oven (175-200ºF). This will keep the cooked French toast warm and crispy while you finish cooking the rest.
- Serve warm, drizzled with maple syrup or sprinkled with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar.
Notes
- To freeze: Freeze the cooked French toast sticks in a single layer on a baking pan. Once they are frozen firm you can slide them into a resealable freezer bag to store for up to 2 months in the freezer.
- Non-dairy: Omit the milk out and dip the sticks in the beaten eggs. You can also use a milk substitute like soy, almond, or coconut.
- Other types of bread: Choose your favorite bread, or use what you happen to have in the house. Day-old, dry bread is the best bread for French toast. Adjust cooking time for denser breads.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
So good and crispy! I added a pinch of nutmeg and ginger and used La Boulangerie Croissant Toast. Didn’t have a 375F setting so used 370 and followed the cooking times. I wish we had leftovers but every stick was eaten. Love your air fryer recipes!
So glad you’re enjoying my air fryer recipes, thanks for leaving a comment! I love the addition of nutmeg and ginger, yum.
These sticks are so fun and delicious, but I found them messy and cumbersome to work with (dipping & sprinkling). The also took my air fryer much longer as I had to flip them and they totally stuck to the basket.
I found dipping, setting on a plate, sprinkling, then setting them sprinkle side down in the basket sprayed with nonstick spray then sprinkle the 2nd side with cinnamon sugar helped. Still had to flip mine but thats probably just my air fryer. Very tasty though!
Great tip! Glad you liked them!
Texture just right. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Used leftover French bread cut approximately the thickness of Texas toast. Did sub in Silk’s Cashew Milk. Added just a dribble of honey to the mixture to aid in browning. Did spray with Pam, too. This is a keeper.
So glad you liked this recipe, Margaret! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
Wow, was I happy to see this recipe! It’s easy and so good to have another option for breakfast. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Dale! I’m so glad you like this recipe!
we’ve never had the french toast sticks of any kind, but they sound delicious.
They’re so tasty, and fun to eat!