Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
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Air fryer French toast sticks are a tasty breakfast treat you can make in just 20 minutes. These crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside sticks are perfect for dipping and only 48 calories each. You’ll need day-old bread, eggs, milk, butter, vanilla, and cinnamon to whip up this easy recipe.
With an air fryer, you can enjoy French toast sticks that are golden and crisp without deep frying. The air fryer cooks them evenly and quickly. Kids and adults alike will love these fun, portable breakfast bites. Serve them with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or your favorite toppings for a delicious morning meal.
Exact Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to make these yummy air fryer French toast sticks:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 slices day-old bread, cut into thirds
- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar (or to taste)
You’ll also want to have some maple syrup on hand for dipping. Make sure your bread is slightly stale for the best results. If it’s fresh, you can toast it lightly first.
For equipment, you’ll need:
- Air fryer
- Large shallow bowl
- Whisk
- Parchment paper
This recipe makes about 12 French toast sticks. It’s perfect for a family breakfast or brunch. You can easily double the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd.
Remember, the key to crispy French toast sticks is not overcrowding your air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed for the best results.
Instructions
Grab a large, shallow bowl and whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix it up well!
Cut your day-old bread into thirds. Dip each piece in the egg mixture for 2 minutes. Flip them halfway through. Give them a little shake to get rid of extra liquid.
Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Lay out the dipped bread pieces. Don’t let them touch or overlap. You might need to cook in batches.
Set your air fryer to 370°F. Cook for 6 minutes, then flip the sticks over. Cook for 3 more minutes until they’re golden brown.
Sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. Serve with maple syrup for dipping. Yum!
Remember, your air fryer might cook differently. Keep an eye on your French toast sticks the first time you make them. They’re done when they’re crispy outside and soft inside.
Possible Substitutes List
You can easily swap ingredients in this air fryer French toast sticks recipe. Here are some tasty options:
Bread:
- Brioche
- Challah
- French bread
- Whole wheat bread
Milk alternatives:
- Almond milk
- Oat milk
- Coconut milk
- Soy milk
Sweeteners:
- Honey instead of powdered sugar
- Agave nectar
- Maple sugar
Try adding different spices to mix up the flavor:
- Nutmeg
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Cardamom
- Ginger
For a fun twist, you can use flavored extracts:
- Almond extract
- Coconut extract
- Maple extract
If you’re out of butter, try these options:
- Coconut oil
- Vegetable oil
- Ghee
Don’t have cinnamon? Consider using:
- Apple pie spice
- Allspice
- Cardamom
Feel free to experiment with these substitutes to create your own unique version of air fryer French toast sticks!
How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly
To make these French toast sticks more suitable for people with diabetes, you can try a few simple swaps. Use whole grain bread instead of white bread. This adds fiber and helps slow down sugar absorption.
Replace regular milk with unsweetened almond milk. It has fewer carbs and calories. You can also use a sugar substitute like stevia in place of powdered sugar.
Try these ingredient substitutions:
- 4 slices whole grain bread
- 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp stevia (instead of powdered sugar)
Skip the maple syrup for dipping. Instead, serve with fresh berries or a small amount of sugar-free syrup. This cuts down on added sugars.
To further reduce carbs, use just egg whites instead of whole eggs. This lowers the fat content too. You can use 4 egg whites in place of the 2 whole eggs.
Remember to watch your portion size. Stick to 2-3 sticks per serving to keep carb intake in check. Pair them with some protein like Greek yogurt or scrambled eggs for a balanced meal.
Tips, Tricks & Storing
Use day-old bread for the best results. It soaks up the egg mixture better and gets crispier when cooked. If you only have fresh bread, leave it out for a few hours to dry out a bit.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure the French toast sticks aren’t touching each other. This allows the hot air to circulate and cook them evenly.
Shake off excess egg mixture before placing the sticks in the air fryer. This prevents soggy spots and helps them crisp up nicely.
Try different toppings! Besides powdered sugar, you can add fresh fruit, whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
To store leftovers, let them cool completely. Put them in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to a month.
To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. This brings back their crispy texture. You can also use a toaster oven if you don’t want to fire up the air fryer.
For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of almond extract to the egg mixture. This gives your French toast sticks a unique twist.