A simple and delicious breakfast, these Air Fryer French Toast Sticks come together quickly with just a few pantry staples. Crisp on the outside and tender inside, they make a fast morning treat that’s perfect for busy weekdays.
If you haven’t tried french toast sticks in the air fryer, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. They turn golden and slightly crisp without needing much hands-on time. These sticks are great for making ahead and freezing for later—reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes and they’ll taste freshly made. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar and a side of maple syrup for dunking.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Breakfast Recipe
- Hands-off cooking: once the sticks are in the air fryer, you can prepare coffee or set the table.
- Small-batch friendly: most baskets fit about 5–6 sticks, ideal for a single serving. If cooking for more people, simply run additional batches or use a larger, square basket to fit more at once.
- Few ingredients: everything you need is probably already in your kitchen, so these are quick and convenient to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bread — thicker slices work best. Slightly stale bread soaks up the custard well.
- Eggs — the base for the custard.
- Milk — whole milk gives richness, but 1% or 2% will work.
- Vanilla extract — real vanilla adds the best flavor.
- Cinnamon — for warmth and aroma.
- Salt — just a pinch to enhance the flavors.
How To Make Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
- Cut the bread into sticks. Cutting each slice into three long sticks works well.
- Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl until combined.
- Quickly dip each bread stick into the custard mixture, coating both sides but not letting the bread sit and become soggy.
- Place the dipped sticks in a parchment-lined air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 5–6 minutes. Flip and cook one more minute if the bottoms need extra color.
- Serve warm with maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar, if desired.
Tips and Notes
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Without it, the custard can stick and burn on the basket, making cleanup difficult.
- Don’t oversoak the bread; it may fall apart when wet for too long.
- Brioche, challah, or sourdough are excellent alternatives to plain white bread and add extra flavor and texture.
- To stale fresh bread quickly, leave slices uncovered on the counter overnight.
- It’s normal for cinnamon to clump slightly in the mixture; a quick whisk before dipping fixes this.
- Do not stack sticks in the basket; they need space for hot air to circulate so they crisp properly.
- Make ahead: store cooked sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a minute or two until warm.
Recipe
Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
A quick and tasty breakfast made with simple ingredients and ready in minutes.
4.91 from 33 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 21 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
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Air fryer
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Parchment paper sheets
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Tongs
Ingredients
- 7–8 slices bread
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
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Cut the bread into sticks (about three per slice).
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In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
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Dip each bread stick briefly in the mixture, coating both sides without soaking.
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Place sticks in a parchment-lined air fryer basket in a single layer.
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Air fry at 375°F for 5–6 minutes, flipping once if needed for even browning.
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Serve warm with maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar, if desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 240kcal
| Carbohydrates: 28g
| Protein: 13g
| Carbohydrates: 28g
| Protein: 13g
Course: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American
Author: Carmy
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Find more from the author on Instagram: @onepotonlyrecipes and on Pinterest under One Pot Only.