Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

At a glance

What stands out: Air fryer French toast sticks are seriously irresistible and straightforward to mix. Delightfully crispy on the outside and creamy and custardy inside, you’ll see that from-scratch French toast sticks 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: large shallow bowl, air fryer
Servings: makes 18 sticks

Straightforward Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

Sure, ready-to-eat French toast sticks are available in the freezer section of your grocery store. But why buy expensive pre-made French toast when from-scratch is so much better? These air fryer French toast sticks boast crispy outsides with soft insides, served with maple syrup for dipping. They’re straightforward to mix, and so good!

We make French toast often (or should we say Ben does?). It’s kind of a morning specialty. Along with our overnight French toast casserole and French toast muffins, these straightforward from-scratch French toast sticks are fast becoming a new family favorite.

What goes in

• 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 a standby-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 it comes together

Let’s get started on this straightforward recipe! If you know how to make French toast, you can easily make French toast sticks in your air fryer.

Slice 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. straightforward. You can cut the crusts off, but you don’t have to (we 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. Spray the rack inside your air fryer with nonstick spray. Place the coated bread sticks into your air fryer in a single layer, sides not touching. 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 straightforward and rich!

Cooking Tip

Exact cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the bread you use and your air fryer model. If the bread is heavily saturated with the egg mixture, the French toast sticks may take a bit longer. If you find that your French toast sticks are a bit soggy, it could be that they weren’t cooked long enough.

Tips for Air Fryer French Toast

• A standby bread for French toast: Dry day-old bread works better than fresh bread. We love making our 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. Another factor to consider if you find that your French toast is still soggy, consider reducing the amount of milk you use. Too much milk and not enough eggs can contribute to soggy French toast.
• 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.

Straightforward 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. We're pretty sure you’ll want to make extra so you can have them in your freezer for a speedy 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 rich dipped in from-scratch applesauce.

Serve crispy French toast sticks with a bowl of yogurt topped with fresh fruit and from-scratch granola, or a green smoothie for a lighter 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 straightforward, 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 we! Ready to reheat whenever a craving strikes, frozen air fryer French toast sticks are a straightforward 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.

Keeping leftovers

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 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.

Baked Oatmeal Recipe – with flavor ideas!

• Yield: 3
• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 8 minutes
• Total: 18 minutes

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

Method

1. Beat eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt in a large shallow bowl.
2. Add bread sticks, a few at a time, (you should have 18 total), turning to coat in egg mixture.
3. 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.
4. Set air fryer to 375° and cook 6 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 1 to 3 minutes, watching closely, or until golden brown.
5. 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.
6. Serve warm, drizzled with maple syrup or sprinkled with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar.

Notes

To freeze: 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 resealable freezer bag to store for up to 2 months in the freezer.

Non-dairy: Omit the milk out and dip the sticks in the beaten eggs. You can also use a milk substitute like soy, almond, or coconut.

Other types of bread: Choose your favorite bread, or use what you happen to have in the house. Day-old, dry bread is a standby bread for French toast. Adjust cooking time for denser breads.