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! 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
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!
Ingredient Notes
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 to 8 minutes total. So easy and delicious!
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 dry 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.
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! 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!
Make-Ahead Idea
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.
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 to 2 minutes to the cooking time.
