Quick & Easy Air Fryer French Toast Sticks: Your Go-To Breakfast Recipe
Transform your morning routine with these incredibly delicious and unbelievably simple Air Fryer French Toast Sticks! Made in just minutes with a handful of common ingredients, this recipe promises a fun, family-friendly breakfast that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare. Say goodbye to soggy, oil-laden French toast and hello to perfectly golden, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside sticks, ready for dipping in your favorite syrup.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Discovering how effortlessly these delightful French toast sticks come together in the air fryer was a game-changer for my breakfast routine. If you’re looking for a breakfast solution that’s both incredibly delicious and wonderfully simple, you’ve found it. This recipe is perfect for busy mornings, weekend brunches, or even a quick after-school snack.
The beauty of using an air fryer for French toast is the unparalleled texture it creates. You get that satisfyingly crisp exterior without the need for excessive oil, leading to a lighter, yet equally indulgent, experience. The inside remains wonderfully soft and custardy, infused with the warm flavors of cinnamon and sugar. Plus, the stick format makes them incredibly fun to eat and perfect for little hands (or big ones!) to dip into syrup or other favorite toppings.
While I adore many air fryer breakfast recipes, including a hearty Chick Fil A Breakfast Bowl copycat, fluffy pancakes, and savory air fryer sausage links, these French Toast Sticks hold a special place. They’re a sweet treat that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple to whip up. For an even more complete breakfast, don’t forget to pair them with these quick and easy air fryer hash browns.
The best part? This entire breakfast comes together with just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time, meaning you can enjoy a gourmet-like breakfast without the fuss. It’s the ultimate combination of speed, simplicity, and mouth-watering flavor.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- Key Ingredients for Perfect French Toast Sticks
- Step-by-Step: How to Master Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- Expert Tips for the Best Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- FAQs About Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- MORE AIR FRYER BREAKFAST RECIPES
- Air Fryer French Toast Sticks Recipe Card
Key Ingredients for Perfect French Toast Sticks
Creating irresistible French toast sticks doesn’t require a long list of exotic ingredients. In fact, you likely have everything you need in your pantry right now! Here’s a closer look at the simple components that make this dish shine:
- Bread: The foundation of any good French toast. While fresh bread works, slightly stale bread is truly the secret weapon. I recommend letting your bread sit out overnight, or for at least a couple of hours, to achieve that perfect dryness. This allows it to absorb the egg mixture without becoming overly soggy. For the best results, consider using white sandwich bread, Texas toast, brioche, or even challah – all will give you a fantastic texture.
- Eggs: The essential binder that creates the rich, custardy coating characteristic of French toast. Dipping the breadsticks thoroughly in a well-whisked egg mixture ensures every bite is flavorful and moist once cooked. For an even richer texture, you can add a splash of milk or cream to your egg wash.
- Cinnamon and Sugar: This classic pairing provides the quintessential warm and sweet flavor profile for French toast. Coating the egg-dipped bread in a generous mix of cinnamon and granulated sugar before air frying creates a delightful caramelized crust and infuses each stick with comforting aroma and taste. You can adjust the ratio to your preference or even add a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth.
While this classic cinnamon and sugar version is my absolute favorite, feel free to experiment with different spices or even a pinch of vanilla extract in the egg mixture. The versatility of French toast means you can easily customize it to your taste!
Step-by-Step: How to Master Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Making delicious French toast sticks in your air fryer is a breeze. Follow these simple steps for a perfect outcome every time:
Step 1: Prepare Your Flavor Coating
In a small, shallow bowl or a wide plate, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Whisk them together thoroughly until evenly mixed. This creates the sweet and spiced crust for your French toast sticks. Set this mixture aside, ready for dipping.
Step 2: Slice the Bread into Sticks
Stack your bread slices neatly. Using a serrated knife, carefully cut each stack of bread into three equal strips. This stick shape is not only fun for dipping but also allows for more even cooking and a greater crispy surface area in the air fryer. Aim for consistent sizes for uniform cooking.
Step 3: Whisk the Egg Wash
In another rimmed plate or shallow bowl, whisk the eggs together thoroughly. If desired, you can add a tablespoon or two of milk, cream, or a dash of vanilla extract for extra flavor and richness. Ensure the egg mixture is well combined.
Step 4: Dip and Coat
Take each bread piece and dip it into the whisked egg mixture, ensuring all sides are coated. Let any excess egg drip off. Immediately after, dip the egg-coated bread into the cinnamon and sugar mixture, pressing lightly to ensure a good, even coating on all sides. This double-dip method is key to the irresistible flavor and texture.
Step 5: Load the Air Fryer Basket
Carefully place the coated breadsticks into your prepared air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single layer, ensuring there’s about an inch or two of space between each piece. This crucial step prevents overcrowding, which allows the hot air to circulate properly, leading to perfectly crispy results. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Step 6: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Set your air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit (185°C) and cook the bread pieces for 8-9 minutes. Make sure to flip them halfway through the cooking time (around 4-5 minutes) to ensure even browning and crispness on all sides. They should emerge golden brown and beautifully toasted.
Step 7: Serve Immediately
Once cooked, carefully remove the French toast sticks from the air fryer basket. Serve them hot with your favorite toppings. They are truly best enjoyed fresh off the air fryer!
This truly is such a delicious and incredibly easy recipe. For an extra touch of sweetness, you can dust the finished French toast sticks with powdered sugar before serving. No matter how you choose to enjoy them, these delicious and easy French toast sticks will be gobbled up quickly!
Expert Tips for the Best Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Achieve French toast perfection every time with these valuable tips:
- Embrace Stale Bread: This is arguably the most important tip! Stale bread (bread that has been left out for a few hours or overnight) is drier and will absorb the egg mixture more effectively than fresh bread. This prevents soggy centers and ensures a truly custardy interior.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: For crispy, evenly cooked French toast sticks, always arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket with space in between. Overcrowding will steam the bread instead of crisping it, leading to a less desirable texture. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Just like with an oven, preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding the food helps ensure consistent cooking temperatures and promotes a better crust.
- Flip Halfway: To get that beautiful golden-brown color and even crispness on all sides, remember to flip your French toast sticks halfway through the cooking process.
- Customize Your Coating: While cinnamon and sugar are classic, feel free to get creative! Add a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or even some orange or lemon zest to your sugar mixture for different flavor profiles.
- Serve with a Sprinkle: Dip the French toast sticks into the cinnamon and sugar mixture before air frying, but save some of that mixture or use powdered sugar to sprinkle on top right after cooking for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
- Make it a Complete Meal: Elevate your breakfast by serving these sticks with your favorite fruit toppings (berries, sliced bananas), a dollop of whipped cream, a side of crispy bacon, or savory air fryer sausage links for added protein.
- Freezing for Later: These French toast sticks freeze beautifully! Once cooked and cooled completely, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and crispy.
FAQs About Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Got questions about making French toast sticks in your air fryer? We’ve got answers!
For the best French toast sticks, I highly recommend using a slightly thick-cut bread. Plain white sandwich bread that’s been sitting out at room temperature for a few hours to get stale works wonderfully. Other excellent choices include Texas-style toast, brioche bread (known for its rich, buttery flavor), challah, or even a denser sourdough for a touch of tang. The key is to avoid overly soft, fresh bread that can become soggy.
Using stale bread is a crucial step for achieving the perfect French toast texture. Stale bread has less moisture, allowing it to absorb the egg custard mixture much better without falling apart or becoming mushy. Fresh, soft bread tends to absorb too much liquid too quickly, resulting in a soggy interior, especially when air frying. The drier texture of stale bread ensures a golden, crispy exterior and a wonderfully custardy, cooked interior.
If you forgot to leave your bread out overnight or don’t have a few hours to spare, you can quickly stale your bread in the oven. Simply place the bread slices in a single layer on a wire rack on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150°C) for about 8 minutes, then flip the slices and bake for an additional 6-8 minutes, or until the bread feels dry and lightly toasted but not browned. This process efficiently removes excess moisture, preparing your bread for the perfect French toast experience.
Absolutely! Adding 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to your whisked eggs will enhance the flavor of your French toast sticks, giving them a delightful aromatic sweetness that complements the cinnamon beautifully. It’s a simple addition that makes a big difference!
Leftover French toast sticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 1-2 months. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy again. This method brings back much of their original texture, far better than a microwave.
We truly hope you enjoy this easy and delightful breakfast recipe as much as we do! It’s a perfect meal for the entire family, and simple enough for kids to help with, making it a fun culinary activity as well.
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Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Rate
Equipment
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Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4-6 pieces bread, (allow it to sit out for 2-3 hours before using)
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp granulated white sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
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Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl or plate and set aside.
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Stack the bread and then use a serrated knife to cut the slices into thirds.
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Whisk the eggs together and pour them into a rimmed plate.
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Dip the bread pieces into the egg and then dip into the cinnamon and sugar.
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Place the bread into the prepared Air Fryer basket in a single layer with an inch or two between slices.
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Air Fryer the bread pieces for 8-9 minutes on 370 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping them halfway through.
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Remove from the Air Fryer and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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