Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

Oh my gosh, you have to try these Air Fryer French Toast Sticks! They’ve become my absolute go-to breakfast hack when I’m rushing out the door but still want something delicious. I stumbled onto this method one sleepy Sunday when my toaster broke, and wow – crispy golden edges with that soft, custardy center? Perfection.

What I love most is how ridiculously easy they are. Five minutes of prep, eight minutes in the air fryer, and boom – you’ve got these gorgeous little dippable sticks that my kids go crazy for. No soggy bottoms like when you pan-fry, and way less mess than traditional French toast. The air gives them gives them this magical crunch that makes you feel like you’re eating breakfast at your favorite diner.

These sticks saved my mornings last winter when my youngest decided he’d only eat “finger food” for breakfast. Now they’re our weekend tradition – I make a big batch while still in my pajamas, and we all gather around the counter dipping them in syrup. Pure cozy morning magic!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

Let me count the ways these little guys will change your breakfast game:

• Lightning fast: From fridge to plate in under 15 minutes (hello, sleepy mornings!)
• No soggy sadness: The air fryer gives every stick that perfect golden crunch
• Kid-approved: The dippable shape makes breakfast fun (my picky eater actually eats them!)
• Minimal mess: One bowl, no flipping in a greasy skillet, easy cleanup
• Customizable: Add nutmeg, swap in cinnamon raisin bread, drizzle with honey…the options are endless

Trust me, once you try air fryer French toast sticks, you’ll wonder why you ever made them any other way.

Ingredients for Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these magical little sticks – I bet you’ve got most of it in your kitchen already!

• 4 slices bread (slightly stale works best – I often use leftover sandwich bread from yesterday)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature blends smoother)
• 1/4 cup milk (any kind – I’ve used everything from whole milk to almond milk)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (the real stuff makes all the difference)
• 1 tsp cinnamon (I always add an extra pinch because why not?)
• 1 tbsp sugar (white or brown both work beautifully)
• Cooking spray (just a quick spritz makes them extra crispy)

That’s it! Simple pantry staples that transform into something extraordinary in the air fryer.

Equipment You’ll Need

Gather these trusty kitchen tools – nothing fancy required!

• Air fryer (any model works, but basket-style gives the best crisp)
• Mixing bowl (medium-sized so you can dunk those bread sticks easily)
• Whisk (or just a fork in a pinch – I’ve done it!)
• Cooking spray (that little spritzer is key for golden perfection)
• Knife (to slice your bread into perfect dippable sticks)

See? Told you it was simple. Now let’s make some magic!

How to Make Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens – turning simple ingredients into golden, crispy sticks of breakfast joy. Follow these steps and you’ll be dipping into deliciousness in no time.

Step 1: Prep the Bread

First, grab your bread slices (slightly stale works best – fresh bread can get too soggy). I cut each slice into 3 perfect sticks – thick enough to hold the egg mixture but thin enough to get that gorgeous crisp all around. Pro tip: A serrated knife gives you clean cuts without squishing the bread!

Step 2: Make the Egg Mixture

Now for the custardy goodness! In your mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar until it’s completely smooth. I mean really whisk it – you want no streaks of egg white remaining. This ensures every bite gets that perfect flavor and texture. The mixture should look like liquid gold!

Step 3: Cook in the Air Fryer

Here’s where the air fryer works its magic. Preheat to 370°F (190°C) – trust me, this temp gives that ideal crispy outside/soft inside combo. Working in batches (don’t crowd them!), arrange your coated sticks in a single layer with space between each one. Give them a quick spritz with cooking spray – this helps them turn that beautiful golden brown. Cook for 5 minutes, flip ’em over, then another 3-5 minutes until they’re crisp and gorgeous. That heavenly cinnamon scent will tell you when they’re done!

See that? In less than 15 minutes, you’ve got restaurant-worthy French toast sticks with half the mess and all the flavor. Now grab that syrup and dig in!

Looking for more breakfast ideas? Check out my Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes or go savory with this melty Air Fryer Grilled Cheese.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks for French toast stick perfection:

• Check early! Air fryers vary – peek at 7 minutes to prevent over-browning.
• Thick-cut bread rules – Texas toast or brioche makes extra-plush sticks.
• Spritz generously – That cooking spray is the secret to golden crunch.
• Warm your syrup – A quick microwave zap makes it cling beautifully.
• Mix-in magic – A pinch of nutmeg or orange zest takes flavor next-level.

My biggest lesson? Don’t skip the flip – it’s what gives you that even, all-over crispiness we all crave!

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

Oh, the dipping possibilities! My kids go wild for these sticks with warm maple syrup (the real stuff, please!), but here are our family’s favorite ways to serve them:

• Classic – Puddles of maple syrup with a dusting of powdered sugar
• Fruit love – Fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream
• Protein boost – Greek yogurt with honey drizzle
• Decadent – Nutella and sliced bananas (weekend treat!)
• Fun twist – Cinnamon sugar shake in a paper bag

The best part? Let everyone mix and match – it’s like a breakfast topping bar party!

Storage and Reheating

These sticks keep surprisingly well! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. When you’re ready for round two, just pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2 minutes – they’ll come out crispy and warm like fresh-made. No microwave sogginess here!

Nutrition Information

Here’s the scoop on what’s in these tasty sticks (per serving of 3 pieces): About 180 calories, 5g fat, 25g carbs, and 7g protein. Remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers will dance a bit depending on your bread and milk choices!

Frequently Asked Questions

There you have it – my foolproof method for the crispiest, most delicious air fryer French toast sticks! Give them a try this weekend and let me know how they turn out. I’d love to hear your favorite dipping combos and any fun twists you invent. Happy air frying, friends!

Print