EASY AIR FRYER FRENCH TOAST STICKS – Delicious & Easy!

Are you on the lookout for a breakfast that feels a bit special, is wonderfully easy, and has everyone eagerly gathered around the table? We understand the challenge of busy mornings – you want to create something delightful but just don’t have the time for a complex recipe and the clean-up that follows. Imagine achieving perfectly golden French toast sticks, wonderfully crisp on the outside and fluffy within, all without a drop of oil splattering from a pan. We’re delighted to share our solution: this foolproof guide to making easy air fryer French toast sticks!

This method truly elevates a breakfast classic into a contemporary favourite. The air fryer works its magic, circulating hot air to achieve a sublime texture that’s simply unattainable in a traditional pan. Forget about soggy middles; prepare for delightful, dippable batons of joy. If you enjoy how speedy and tasty this sweet treat is, we have a feeling you will also love our recipe for Blueberry Heaven Cookies The Definitive Recipe For Soft Chewy Perfection.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe

Before we get to the how-to, let’s explore exactly why this recipe is set to become your new breakfast staple. We’re quite certain that after trying French toast sticks in the air fryer, you won’t look back. Here’s why:

• Genuinely Quick and Effortless: This recipe comes together in under 20 minutes, making it ideal for those rushed school-run mornings or as a quick weekend indulgence.
• Flawlessly Crisp Texture: The air fryer is the secret to getting that irresistible crunch on the exterior, while the inside stays beautifully soft and custard-like. It’s a textural delight!
• Minimal Mess, Maximum Calm: Forget oil splattering across your hob. The whole cooking process happens inside the air fryer, which makes cleaning up incredibly simple.
• A kid-friendly air fryer recipe: Children adore finger foods. These dippable sticks are not only fun and delicious but also a great way to get little ones helping in the kitchen.
• Wonderfully Versatile: Our recipe serves as an excellent base. Feel free to experiment with different spices, toppings, and dips to please every member of the family.

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Success

The elegance of this recipe is in its simplicity, yet selecting the best ingredients will take your French toast sticks from merely good to truly exceptional. We find that paying a bit of attention to these details really pays off.

The Best Bread for French Toast Sticks

The very foundation of any memorable French toast is, naturally, the bread. For these sticks, you need a bread with some substance, one that will maintain its integrity after being soaked in the custard and cooked. Here are our preferred options:

• Brioche: This is our top recommendation. Its rich butter and egg content lends it a decadent flavour and a soft yet robust structure that soaks up the custard mix perfectly without disintegrating.
• Texas Toast or Thick-Cut White Bread: If you can’t get your hands on brioche, a thick-sliced white bread is a superb substitute. Its generous thickness helps ensure the centre stays soft and custardy.
• Challah: Much like brioche, this braided egg-based bread is wonderfully rich and subtly sweet, making it another brilliant choice.
• Slightly Stale Bread: Don’t discard day-old bread! It is, in fact, ideal for making French toast. Drier bread is better at absorbing the custard without becoming waterlogged and mushy.

The Perfect Custard Mixture

It’s the custard that imparts French toast with its characteristic flavour and creamy texture. Our blend is carefully balanced to be rich and flavourful without being overly ‘eggy’.

• Eggs: We use large, free-range eggs to form the base, providing both structure and richness.
• Milk or Cream: For a creamy consistency, we suggest using whole milk. For an even more indulgent treat, you can replace a portion of the milk with double cream.
• Vanilla Extract: A high-quality vanilla extract introduces a lovely, aromatic warmth that pairs beautifully with the cinnamon.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is an absolute must for achieving that classic, comforting French toast flavour.
• A Pinch of Salt: It might seem unusual in a sweet recipe, but a small pinch of salt works wonders to enhance all the other flavours and balance the overall sweetness.

Ingredients You Will Need

Here is a straightforward list of everything you’ll require. We find that getting all your ingredients ready before you start makes the whole process smoother and more enjoyable.

• 6-8 slices of thick-cut brioche or Texas toast
• 2 large eggs
• 60ml (1/4 cup) whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
• A pinch of salt
• 50g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
• Butter or cooking spray, for the air fryer basket

Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

And now for the best bit! We’ve organised the method into clear, manageable steps. Let’s begin.

1. Prepare the Bread: Begin by trimming the crusts from your bread slices (this is optional, but creates a softer end result). Then, slice each piece into three or four uniform sticks, approximately 2-3 cm in width.
2. Mix the Custard: In a shallow bowl or pie dish—something wide enough to accommodate a breadstick—whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and half a teaspoon of the cinnamon. Continue whisking until the mixture is completely smooth.
3. Prepare the Topping: In another shallow dish, combine the granulated sugar with the remaining half teaspoon of cinnamon. Set this to one side for later.
4. Dip the Sticks: Taking one stick at a time, give it a quick dip in the egg mixture. Turn it over to coat all sides, but avoid letting it soak for too long—just a couple of seconds per side is plenty. You want it coated, not saturated. Allow any excess custard to drip back into the dish.
5. Preheat and Prepare the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease the basket with a little butter or a quick spray of cooking oil to stop the sticks from sticking.
6. Air Fry to Perfection: Arrange the coated sticks in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. It’s important not to overcrowd the basket, so cook in batches if you need to. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, turning the sticks over halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden-brown and crisp on all sides.
7. Coat in Cinnamon Sugar: The moment you take the hot French toast sticks out of the air fryer, toss them immediately in your cinnamon-sugar mix until they are all evenly coated. The warmth from the sticks helps the sugar to adhere beautifully. Serve straight away with your favourite dips!

Our Top Tips for the Best Results

Having made this recipe numerous times, we’ve gathered a few handy tricks over time. By following these pointers, you can guarantee that your French toast sticks turn out perfectly every single time.

• Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: This is the cardinal rule of air frying. Ensuring there’s space between the sticks enables the hot air to circulate properly, which gives you evenly cooked and crispy French toast sticks. If needed, cook them in separate batches.
• Don’t Over-Soak: A swift dunk is all that’s required. If the bread soaks up too much of the custard, the centres can turn out soggy and the sticks might break apart.
• Preheat Your Air Fryer: Much like a conventional oven, preheating your air fryer ensures the cooking begins the instant the food goes in, which is vital for achieving that crisp outer layer.
• Coat While Warm: Tumble the sticks in the cinnamon sugar as soon as they emerge from the air fryer. The residual heat will slightly melt the sugar, helping it to stick for that perfect, sweet crust.
• Know Your Appliance: Different air fryer models can vary in their cooking power. Think of your first batch as a trial. You might need to tweak the cooking time by a minute or so to achieve the perfect result. To really master your machine, we suggest reading this useful guide from BBC Good Food on common air fryer mistakes.

Delicious Serving Suggestions and Variations

One of the greatest things about this recipe is its sheer versatility. You can serve it as a straightforward breakfast or elevate it for a special occasion brunch. After tucking into this lovely breakfast, you may be on the hunt for a simple, savoury lunch idea, and if so, we wholeheartedly recommend The Ultimate Easy Creamy Chicken Tortilla Wraps.

Dipping Sauces

Dipping is undoubtedly part of the fun! Why not set up a dipping station with little bowls of:

• Classic Maple Syrup
• Melted Chocolate or Nutella
• Caramel Sauce
• Strawberry or Raspberry Coulis
• Whipped Cream
• Yoghurt mixed with a little honey

Fun Variations

• Introduce different spices: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom to either the custard or the sugar coating for a new flavour dimension.
• For a zesty kick: Add the finely grated zest of half an orange to your cinnamon-sugar mix for a wonderfully bright and fresh taste.
• For a gooey centre: With a small knife, carefully cut a slit to make a pocket in each breadstick and push in a few chocolate chips before you dip and air fry them.

Storing and Reheating Your French Toast Sticks

On the off chance you have any leftovers (it’s a rare occurrence in our house!), they are incredibly simple to store and reheat.

• To Store: Allow the sticks to cool down completely before placing them in an airtight container. They can be kept in the fridge for up to three days.
• To Reheat: For the best texture, we recommend putting them back into the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 2–3 minutes. This will restore their fantastic crispness. We advise against using a microwave, as it tends to make them soft and unappealing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make these ahead of time?

Definitely! You can cook them fully, let them cool, and then store them in either the fridge or the freezer. Simply reheat them in the air fryer directly from chilled or frozen until they are hot all the way through and crispy again. They are ideal for preparing a quick air fryer breakfast in advance.

Why are my French toast sticks soggy?

Sogginess typically stems from two main issues: soaking the bread for too long in the custard, or overcrowding the air fryer basket. Ensure you only give the bread a very quick dip and always cook the sticks in a single, well-spaced layer.

What’s the best bread to use for this recipe?

As we touched on earlier, a thick and robust bread such as brioche, challah, or Texas toast yields the best results. Using bread that’s a day or two old is even more effective, as it will hold its shape much better.

Do I need to use parchment paper in my air fryer?

It’s not essential, but using a perforated air fryer liner or a small piece of baking parchment can make the clean-up process even quicker. It also helps to prevent any sticking, which is particularly useful if the non-stick coating on your basket is starting to wear.

Can I make these without sugar?

Of course. You can leave out the cinnamon-sugar coating altogether and serve the sticks with some fresh fruit for a healthier, less sweet alternative. You could also use a sugar substitute in the coating if that’s your preference.

Your New Favourite Breakfast Awaits!

We are truly excited for you to give this recipe for easy air fryer French toast sticks a go. It is a genuine game-changer for those hectic mornings, relaxed weekends, or any time you crave a comforting and delicious treat without any fuss. It’s proof that you don’t need lots of time or a messy kitchen to put together a breakfast that feels wonderfully special.

So, why wait any longer? It’s time to get your air fryer out and create the most delicious French toast sticks you’ve ever tasted! We would love to hear how they turn out for you. Please feel free to leave a comment and a rating below to share your thoughts!