Growing up, French toast was always a weekend tradition at our house, but it meant mom standing at the stove for what felt like forever. My kids love it just as much as I did, but between school and activities, who has time for that these days?
That’s when I discovered making French toast sticks in the air fryer, and it changed our breakfast game completely. Not only does it take half the time of the traditional stovetop method, but the air fryer gives them this perfect crispy outside while keeping the inside soft and custardy. Plus, turning them into sticks makes them way more fun for little hands to dip and munch.
Why You’ll Love These French Toast Sticks
- Quick breakfast solution – Ready in just 15-30 minutes, these french toast sticks are perfect for busy mornings when you want something special but don’t have lots of time.
- Kid-friendly format – The stick shape makes them perfect for little hands to dip and munch – no knife and fork needed! Plus, they’re fun to eat for adults too.
- Simple ingredients – You probably already have most of these basic ingredients in your kitchen, making this an easy breakfast option any day of the week.
- Healthier cooking method – Using the air fryer means you’ll get crispy, golden french toast with minimal oil, making these a lighter alternative to pan-fried versions.
What Kind of Brioche Should I Use?
For French toast sticks, you’ll want to start with a loaf of brioche that’s slightly stale – day-old bread actually works better than fresh since it soaks up more of the egg mixture without falling apart. Regular brioche from the bakery section works great, but you can also use challah or even thick-sliced white bread in a pinch. When shopping, look for a loaf that’s rich and yellow in color (that’s from the eggs and butter in the dough) and feels slightly firm but not rock hard. If you only have fresh brioche, you can dry it out a bit by leaving the slices out on the counter for an hour or popping them in a low-temperature oven for a few minutes.
Options for Substitutions
This easy breakfast recipe is pretty adaptable – here’s what you can swap if needed:
- Brioche bread: While brioche gives the best rich and buttery result, you can use Texas toast, challah, or even regular thick-cut white bread. Just avoid very thin sandwich bread as it won’t hold up well.
- Milk: Any kind of milk works here! Use whole milk, 2%, almond milk, oat milk, or even coconut milk. Just note that non-dairy alternatives might make the coating slightly less rich.
- Vanilla essence: Out of vanilla? Try using vanilla bean paste, or even a tiny splash of maple syrup or almond extract for a different but tasty twist.
- Ground cinnamon: You can skip the cinnamon if you’re not a fan, or try pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice for a different flavor profile.
- Spray oil: Any neutral cooking spray works, or you can lightly brush the air fryer basket with regular oil using a pastry brush.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Air Frying
The biggest challenge when making air fryer French toast sticks is overcrowding the basket, which prevents the hot air from circulating properly and leads to uneven cooking – work in batches and leave space between each stick for the crispiest results.
Another common mistake is cutting the bread too thin, causing the sticks to become flimsy and fall apart during cooking – aim for slices about 1-inch thick and cut them into even-sized strips for consistent cooking.
Temperature control is crucial: setting your air fryer too high will burn the outside while leaving the inside soggy, so stick to 350°F and flip the sticks halfway through cooking for that perfect golden-brown exterior.
For extra insurance against sticking, make sure to give your air fryer basket a quick spray with oil before each batch, and let the French toast sticks cool for 1-2 minutes before serving to allow them to crisp up further.
What to Serve With French Toast Sticks?
These crispy French toast sticks are perfect for breakfast or brunch, and there are so many tasty ways to serve them! The classic approach is to add a small bowl of warm maple syrup for dipping, along with a pat of butter that melts right into the warm sticks. For a complete breakfast spread, add some crispy bacon or breakfast sausage links on the side, and include some fresh berries or sliced bananas for a pop of freshness. If you’re feeding a crowd, set up a little dipping station with different options like honey, chocolate sauce, or fruit compote so everyone can customize their plate.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These french toast sticks stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. They’re perfect for busy mornings – just make a batch and grab them when you need a quick breakfast!
Freeze: Want to prep these for later? Let them cool completely, then pop them in a freezer bag with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. It’s so handy having these ready to go whenever a craving hits!
Reheat: To warm up your french toast sticks, just pop them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F until they’re heated through and crispy again. You can also microwave them for about 30 seconds, though they won’t be as crispy. No need to thaw if they’re frozen – just add an extra minute to the heating time.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5-6 minutes per batch |
| Total Time | 15-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1000-1100
- Protein: 35-40 g
- Fat: 40-45 g
- Carbohydrates: 120-130 g
Ingredients
- Spray oil for cooking (if necessary)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 8 slices of brioche bread
Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
Once preheated, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
If necessary, lightly spray the parchment paper with cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the French toast sticks later.
Step 2: Make the Egg Mixture
In a large shallow bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
Whisk these ingredients together until they are fully incorporated, creating a smooth and homogenous mixture for coating the bread.
Step 3: Coat the Bread
Take each piece of bread and dip it into the prepared egg mixture.
Flip the bread to ensure both sides are well-coated.
This will help the French toast sticks maintain a nice, even flavor and texture once cooked.
Step 4: Arrange and Cook the French Toast Sticks
Place the coated bread pieces in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you should be able to fit 8-12 pieces at a time.
Cook the French toast sticks for 5-6 minutes or until they are golden brown and puffed, checking halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Step 5: Serve the French Toast Sticks
Once cooked, remove the French toast sticks from the air fryer and serve them warm.
Pair them with maple syrup for dipping and a dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness, if desired.
Enjoy your delicious and easy air fryer French toast sticks!