Air Fryer French Toast Sticks are a crowd-pleasing breakfast made golden and crisp in the air fryer. Serve them with maple syrup, whipped cream or fresh fruit for a fun, family-friendly meal.
French Toast with a Fun Twist!
If your family loves classic French toast, these air-fryer French toast sticks are an easy, playful variation everyone will enjoy. They’re especially great for kids because they’re easy to hold and don’t require cutting at the table. Serve them as-is, dusted with cinnamon sugar, or alongside syrup, fruit, or whipped cream.
What Are French Toast Sticks Made Of?
The ingredients are familiar if you’ve made French toast before. I prefer making them from scratch because the custard is simple and the result is wholesome and delicious.
For the French Toast
- Eggs: Large eggs (room temperature if possible).
- Heavy cream: Makes the custard rich; milk or half-and-half can be used as a lighter alternative.
- Sugar: Caster sugar dissolves easily, but granulated sugar works fine.
- Salt
- Orange zest: Optional, but brightens the flavor.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warmth—use fresh spices for best taste.
- Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste.
- Bread: Brioche or another enriched, soft loaf like challah is ideal; cut each slice into thirds to make sticks.
- Cinnamon & sugar: For the finishing coating that adds a bit of crunch and sweetness.
Why Brioche Works So Well
Brioche is an enriched bread—made with eggs, butter and often cream—so it’s soft, tender and slightly sweet, similar to a light cake. That richness yields French toast sticks with a tender interior and a golden exterior when cooked in the air fryer.
Let’s Make Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
This method is straightforward and quick—perfect for busy mornings.
- Make the custard: Whisk together eggs, heavy cream, sugar, salt, orange zest (if using), cinnamon and vanilla in a large bowl.
- Dip the bread: Briefly dip each bread stick into the custard, turning so all sides are evenly coated. Avoid over-soaking to prevent sogginess or drips in the air fryer.
- Arrange in the air fryer: Place sticks in a single layer with space between them so air circulates. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook: Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook until golden and crisp, about 8–10 minutes, shaking or turning the sticks halfway through.
- Make the cinnamon sugar: Combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl while the sticks cook.
- Coat and serve: As soon as the sticks come out, roll them in the cinnamon sugar so it adheres while they’re still warm. Serve hot with maple syrup and fresh strawberries if you like.
Tips for Success
These practical tips will help you get consistent results.
- Cream options: Heavy cream gives the richest custard, but half-and-half or milk will still produce great flavor and texture.
- Bread thickness: Use thick slices for sturdy sticks; thin bread can overcook or fall apart.
- Dipping: Quickly coat the bread—unlike an overnight soak, these only need a short dip so they don’t become soggy.
- Parchment: If your air fryer needs protection, use air-fryer-safe parchment to catch drips and make cleanup easier.
What to Serve with French Toast
Pair sweet French toast sticks with savory or fresh sides to balance the meal. Try scrambled eggs or egg cups, crispy bacon, or a fresh fruit compote for variety and texture contrast.
How to Store and Reheat
- Refrigerate: Cool leftovers within two hours and store in airtight containers or zip-top bags for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheat: Use a toaster oven or bake at 350°F until heated through. Avoid a regular slot toaster, which can catch soft pieces.
- Freeze: Freeze in a single layer until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for up to two months. Reheat from frozen.
Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
Ingredients
For the Custard
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon caster sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8 slices brioche or white loaf bread, each slice cut into thirds
For the Cinnamon Sugar
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For Serving
- Maple syrup
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, caster sugar, salt, orange zest, ground cinnamon and vanilla until combined.
- Dip each bread stick into the custard, turning to coat all sides evenly. Avoid over-soaking.
- Place the sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces. Work in batches if needed.
- Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook 8–10 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden and crisp.
- While they cook, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl to make the cinnamon sugar.
- Remove the sticks from the air fryer and immediately roll them in the cinnamon sugar so it adheres while warm.
- Serve hot with maple syrup and sliced strawberries.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
Notes
- Cream: Heavy cream gives the best richness, but half-and-half or milk will work.
- Bread thickness: Use thick slices so the sticks hold together during cooking.
- Dipping: These should be quickly soaked, not left to sit like an overnight bake.
- Storing: Refrigerate leftovers within two hours in airtight containers for 3–4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in a single layer until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for up to two months. Reheat from frozen.
- Reheating: Warm in a toaster oven or bake at 350°F until heated through; avoid a regular slot toaster.
Nutrition
Serving: 3 sticks | Calories: 262 kcal | Carbohydrates: 25 g | Protein: 7 g | Fat: 15 g
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Values may vary by ingredients and tools used.
More Sweet Breakfast Recipes
- Dutch Baby Pancake
- Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch
- Blueberry Scones