Air Fryer French Toast Sticks Recipe

Crispy 5-Ingredient Air Fryer French Toast Sticks Recipe

Crispy air fryer French toast sticks reinvent ordinary breakfast into an extraordinary morning delight.

These golden-brown treasures combine comfort and convenience in a single bite-sized package.

Bread slices metamorphose into delectable, crunchy strips that crackle with each mouthwatering nibble.

Warm spices and rich custard create a perfect harmony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Breakfast enthusiasts will adore how quickly these sticks come together with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

The air fryer works its magic, delivering a perfectly crisp exterior while maintaining a soft, pillowy center.

Home cooks can easily elevate their morning routine with this simple yet impressive technique.

Why Air Fryer French Toast Sticks Are a Fast Breakfast Fix

  • Quick Breakfast Magic: Transform plain bread into crispy, golden French toast sticks in just minutes using an air fryer, making breakfast preparation a breeze.
  • Texture Sensation: Enjoy perfectly crispy exterior with a soft, custardy interior that delivers a delightful contrast in every single bite, creating a mouthwatering breakfast experience.
  • Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by using different bread types, adding variations like nutmeg or changing up the coating to suit individual tastes and preferences.
  • Minimal Cleanup Hero: Air fryer method means less oil, easier cleaning, and a healthier alternative to traditional pan-frying, making breakfast time stress-free and enjoyable.

What You Need for French Toast Sticks in the Air Fryer

Bread Base:
  • Thick-Sliced Stale Bread: Sturdy bread that holds custard well and creates crispy exterior when air fried, preferably day-old Texas toast for best texture.
Custard Mixture:
  • Milk, Eggs: Classic liquid base that creates rich, creamy coating for French toast sticks, providing moisture and binding ingredients together.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet flavor that enhances overall taste and provides aromatic depth to the dish.
Coating and Topping:
  • Granulated Sugar, Cinnamon: Sweet and warm spice blend that creates delicious caramelized exterior and traditional French toast flavor profile.
  • Maple Syrup: Classic accompaniment that adds extra sweetness and traditional breakfast complement, perfect for dipping or drizzling.

How to Make Crispy and Soft Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

Step 1: Warm Up The Cooking Buddy

Turn on your air fryer and set the temperature to 350°F. Let it get nice and hot while you prepare the ingredients.

Step 2: Slice The Bread

Take your bread slices and transform them into delightful sticks. Cut each slice into four equal pieces. Pro tip: slightly stale bread works best for absorbing the delicious mixture.

Step 3: Create The Magical Egg Mixture

In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together:
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract

Blend until the ingredients dance together smoothly.

Step 4: Prepare The Sweet Coating

In another shallow bowl, mix:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Ground cinnamon

Combine until the mixture looks like sparkling sand.

Step 5: Dunk And Drip

Gently dip each bread stick into the egg mixture. Let excess liquid drip off to keep the sticks crispy, not soggy.

Step 6: Air Fry To Perfection

Place the coated bread sticks in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through until they turn golden and crisp.

Step 7: Add The Sweet Finish

Immediately toss the hot French toast sticks into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Watch the sugar melt and create a tempting caramelized coating.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Plate your French toast sticks and drizzle with maple syrup if desired. Grab a fork and dig in!

Tips for Even Cooking and Maximum Flavor

  • Choose the Right Bread: Select slightly stale or day-old bread for the best texture and absorption of the egg mixture.
  • Prevent Sticking: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to ensure easy removal and prevent sticking.
  • Don't Overcrowd: Arrange bread sticks in a single layer with space between them for even crispy cooking and maximum air circulation.
  • Pat Dry Excess Moisture: Gently blot bread sticks with paper towels after dipping to remove extra egg mixture and achieve crispier results.
  • Quick Coating Technique: Toss the hot French toast sticks in cinnamon sugar immediately after cooking for the most delicious, caramelized exterior.

How to Store and Reheat French Toast Sticks Easily

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover French toast sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure they cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation and sogginess.
  • Freeze: Place cooled sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They'll keep well for 1-2 months.
  • Reheat: Revive cold sticks in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until crispy and warm. Alternatively, use a toaster oven or regular oven for similar results, avoiding microwave to maintain their original crunch.

What to Dip or Serve with Air Fryer French Toast

  • Sweeten the Morning: Pair these crispy air fryer French toast sticks with a chilled glass of cold-pressed apple juice for a refreshing breakfast combo that balances the warm, sugary sticks with a bright, fruity drink.
  • Creamy Companion: Serve alongside a smooth vanilla yogurt or Greek yogurt for a protein-packed side that complements the cinnamon-sugar coating and adds a cool, tangy contrast to the warm toast.
  • Nutty Delight: Sprinkle some toasted almonds or pecans over the French toast sticks to add a delightful crunch and nutty depth that elevates the texture and brings out the warmth of the cinnamon.
  • Berry Bliss: Top with fresh mixed berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries to introduce a fresh, slightly tart element that cuts through the sweetness and adds a vibrant pop of color to the dish.

Tasty Variations on French Toast Sticks to Try

  • Nutty Crunch Edition: Crush almonds or pecans and mix them into the cinnamon sugar coating for an extra textural layer and rich, toasted flavor profile.
  • Cream Cheese Filled Variation: Cut a small slit in each bread stick and pipe softened cream cheese inside before dipping, creating a surprise creamy center that melts during cooking.
  • Berry Bliss Option: Sprinkle freeze-dried raspberry or strawberry powder into the cinnamon sugar mixture, adding a tangy fruity note that complements the sweet toast sticks.
  • Chocolate Lover's Remix: Dust the cooked French toast sticks with cocoa powder alongside the cinnamon sugar, or drizzle melted dark chocolate over the top for intense chocolate lovers.
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Air Fryer French Toast Sticks Recipe

Air Fryer French Toast Sticks Recipe


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4.7 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 18 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy air fryer French toast sticks offer a quick breakfast delight with golden-brown edges and cinnamon-sugar coating. Dipped in rich egg mixture and air fried to perfection, you’ll savor this nostalgic treat that brings restaurant-style indulgence right to your kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Eggs:

  • 2 large eggs

Main Bread Ingredient:

  • 4 slices thick-sliced stale bread (like Texas toast)

Liquid and Sweeteners:

  • ⅓ cup (79 ml) milk
  • ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vanilla extract

Spices:

  • 1 tablespoon (7 g) cinnamon

Optional Serving:

  • Maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Slice thick bread into uniform batons, aiming for consistent width to ensure even cooking and crispy texture.
  2. Create a luxurious custard mixture by whisking eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully integrated, eliminating any egg streaks.
  3. Craft a delectable cinnamon-sugar coating in a separate shallow vessel, blending granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until thoroughly combined.
  4. Immerse each bread baton into the egg custard, allowing brief submersion to maximize flavor absorption without oversaturating the bread.
  5. Gently transfer custard-soaked bread to the air fryer basket, positioning pieces in a non-overlapping configuration to promote optimal air circulation.
  6. Configure air fryer temperature to 350°F and initiate cooking process, rotating bread batons midway through approximately 6-8 minute cooking duration.
  7. Monitor toast sticks carefully, ensuring they transform into golden-brown delicacies with crisp exterior and tender interior.
  8. Immediately after removing from air fryer, roll hot toast sticks through prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture, creating a glistening, sweet exterior that adheres while warm.
  9. Transfer coated French toast sticks to serving platter, presenting alongside maple syrup or preferred complementary dipping sauce for enhanced indulgence.

Notes

  • Rescue stale bread by transforming it into crispy, sweet breakfast sticks that crackle with cinnamon-sugar magic.
  • Ditch soggy traditional French toast for a lighter, crunchier air fryer version that takes less than 15 minutes to prepare.
  • Quick weekend breakfast hack that turns ordinary bread into a restaurant-worthy morning treat without excessive oil or complicated techniques.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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