Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Posted: 02/28/2020
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Easy to make, air fryer French toast sticks are seriously irresistible. Delightfully crispy on the outside and creamy and custardy inside, your family will love this easy breakfast treat!
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Homemade French toast sticks are easy to make and 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: a large shallow bowl and an air fryer
Servings: makes 18 sticks
Table of Contents
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- 1 Recipe Overview
- 2 Easy Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- 3 Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Recipe
- 4 What You’ll Need
- 5 How To Make Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- 6 Make-Ahead Idea
- 7 Tips for Air Frying French Toast
- 8 FAQs
- 9 Make This Recipe Your Own
- 10 What To Serve With French Toast Sticks
- 11 Storage & Reheating Tips
- 12 More Easy Breakfast Ideas
- 13 Get the Recipe: Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Easy Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Sure, you’ll find French toast sticks 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 are crunchy outside with soft insides, served with maple syrup for dipping. They’re easy to make, and so good!
And need I say it? Homemade is so. much. better. No unpronounceable ingredients. No preservatives. Just simple healthy goodness. 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, these easy homemade French toast sticks are fast becoming a new family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Recipe
My kids pretty much go crazy over these air fryer French toast sticks. And who wouldn’t? Here’s why you’ll love them, too:
- 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.
- 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, 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. Don’t forget to scroll for extra tips and ways to make it your own!
What You’ll Need
Let’s have a quick look at the ingredients you’ll need to make this kid-friendly twist on air fryer French toast. As always, you’ll find the printable recipe card near the end of the post with complete instructions and nutrition information.
- 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 up 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. Place the coated bread sticks into your air fryer in a single layer, sides not touching. Don’t forget to spray the rack first with non-stick cooking spray. You’ll probably have to do the French toast sticks in batches. Flip them once during the cooking time. They’ll be ready in 7-8 minutes in total. So easy and delicious!
Make-Ahead Idea
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. See below for more storing and reheating tips.
Tips for Air Frying French Toast
Here are some tips to keep in mind when preparing French toast sticks in the air fryer:
- The best bread for French toast is stale, day-old 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.
- 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 in the meantime.
FAQs
How long do you cook French toast sticks in the air fryer?
This air fryer recipe takes approximately 7-8 minutes at 375°F. Exact cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the bread you use and your air fryer model.
Why are my French toast sticks soggy?
Try reducing the amount of milk. Too much milk and not enough eggs can contribute to soggy French toast. It could also be because your sticks are undercooked, see above.
Can you overlap the French toast sticks?
For best results, make sure to arrange your bread sticks in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, leaving space between each stick so that the hot air can circulate.
Make This Recipe Your Own
Looking to change things up a little at your breakfast table? Try these 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!
- Want to make your French toast non-dairy? Use a non-dairy alternative, like coconut, oat, almond, or soy.
- You can easily 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!
Storage & Reheating Tips
French toast sticks left over? It doesn’t happen very often at my house but if you find yourself with a few extra, here’s the best way to store them:
- 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 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
servings
Golden and crispy air fryer French toast sticks are an easy kid-friendly breakfast or snack. This air fryer French toast recipe is quick to make, perfect for dipping in maple syrup!
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. Add bread sticks, a few at a time, (you should have 18 total), turning to coat in egg mixture.
- 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 1-3 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
- Nutrition information is based on 6 French toast sticks per serving and does not include toppings.
- 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 zip top freezer bag to store for up to 2 months in the freezer.
- To make non-dairy French toast sticks, leave the milk out and dip the sticks in the beaten eggs. Or use a milk substitute like soy, almond, or coconut.
- Other types of bread can be used. Adjust cooking time for denser breads. Stale, dry bread is the best bread for French toast.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 412kcal, Carbohydrates: 45g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 169mg, Sodium: 505mg, Potassium: 136mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 326IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 89mg, Iron: 13mg
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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Debs says
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!
Rachel Gurk says
So glad you’re enjoying my air fryer recipes, thanks for leaving a comment! I love the addition of nutmeg and ginger, yum.
Marie says
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!
Rachel Gurk says
Great tip! Glad you liked them!
Margaret says
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.
Rachel Gurk says
So glad you liked this recipe, Margaret! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
Dale says
Wow, was I happy to see this recipe! It’s easy and so good to have another option for breakfast. Thanks for sharing.
Rachel Gurk says
Thanks Dale! I’m so glad you like this recipe!
denise says
we’ve never had the french toast sticks of any kind, but they sound delicious.
Rachel Gurk says
They’re so tasty, and fun to eat!