These air fryer french toast sticks are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and so easy to make. They come together in about 15 minutes and taste way better than anything from the freezer aisle.
The air fryer does an amazing job here. It gives the bread that golden, slightly crunchy coating without needing to stand over a pan flipping them one by one.
You only need a few basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Simple stuff like eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla.
They make a great breakfast for busy mornings or even a fun snack. Kids and adults both love them, and they are easy to eat on the go.
Dust them with a little powdered sugar, dip them in some maple syrup, and you are good to go. Let me show you how to make them.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispy Outside and Soft Inside – The air fryer gives these sticks an amazing golden crunch while keeping the inside perfectly soft and custardy.
Tastes Like a Restaurant Breakfast – The vanilla and cinnamon combo with a powdered sugar dusting makes these taste like something off a brunch menu.
Perfect for Dipping – The stick shape makes them ideal for dunking into maple syrup which honestly makes breakfast way more fun.
Ingredients
- 6 slices Thick White Bread
- 3 large Eggs
- 1/2 cup Whole Milk
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- Cooking Spray
- Powdered Sugar for dusting
How To Make
Step 1
Cut each bread slice into 3 long sticks and set aside.
Step 2
In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
Step 3
Preheat air fryer to 370°F for 3 minutes. Spray the basket with cooking spray.
Step 4
Dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, coating all sides but letting excess drip off. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
Step 5
Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Step 6
Remove from air fryer and dust with powdered sugar. Serve immediately with maple syrup for dipping.
Tips
Use Day-Old Bread
Fresh soft bread soaks up the egg mixture too fast and can fall apart when you try to move the sticks into the air fryer. If your bread is fresh, lay the slices out on a cooling rack for about 30 minutes before cutting them so they dry out a bit.
You can also pop the slices in the toaster on the lowest setting for about 20 seconds per side. This gives them just enough firmness to hold their shape without turning them into actual toast.
I’ve found that Texas toast-style bread works perfectly here because it’s thick enough to stay sturdy after dipping.
Don’t Over-Soak the Sticks
When you dip the bread sticks into the egg mixture, a quick 2-3 second dip on each side is all you need. You want a nice coating on the outside, not bread that’s completely soaked through.
If the sticks absorb too much liquid, they’ll turn soggy in the middle and won’t crisp up properly in the air fryer. They can also stick badly to the basket even with cooking spray.
My favorite trick here is to hold each stick at a slight angle after dipping and let the excess drip off for a second or two before placing it in the basket.
Give Them Space in the Basket
Leave about half an inch of space between each stick in the air fryer basket. If they’re touching or overlapping, the hot air can’t circulate around them and you’ll end up with soft spots instead of an even golden crust.
You’ll probably need to cook these in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer. It’s worth the extra few minutes to get every stick crispy all the way around.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Stuffed French Toast Bites
- Air Fryer Pancakes
- Air Fryer Perfect Bacon
- Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze these and reheat them in the air fryer later?
Yes, and honestly this is one of the best reasons to make a big batch. Once they cool completely, lay them flat on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour, then transfer to a freezer bag. They keep well for up to two months.
To reheat, just place them straight from the freezer into the air fryer at 350°F for about 4-5 minutes. No need to thaw them first – they come out just as crispy as when you first made them.
Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- 6 slices Thick White Bread
- 3 large Eggs
- 1/2 cup Whole Milk
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- Cooking Spray
- Powdered Sugar for dusting
- Cut each bread slice into 3 long sticks and set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Preheat air fryer to 370°F for 3 minutes. Spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, coating all sides but letting excess drip off. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Remove from air fryer and dust with powdered sugar. Serve immediately with maple syrup for dipping.