Homemade French Toast Sticks

These Homemade French Toast Sticks are easy to prepare and fun to eat!!  They're soft on the inside and rolled in a crunchy cinnamon sugar coating, making them sweet, flavorful and loved by all!

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This post is sponsored by Iowa Egg Council,
but all opinions and text are my own!

It’s always been important to me to make my kids a nutritious breakfast before they off to school.  But let’s be honest, mornings are BUSY and a gourmet breakfast isn’t in the cards.

However, a simple pan of scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and a serving of these homemade French toast sticks will give my kids a hearty breakfast AND the kids love it!  And I love that I can prepare them ahead of time, freeze them and grab a few on busy mornings.  Win-win!

Not only will the eggs (from the scrambled eggs AND the French toast sticks!) give kids the power to make it through ‘til lunch, but they also contain nutrients important for brain health.  Choline is a nutrient vital in brain development, but 90% of Americans don’t get as much as they should.  Eggs are an excellent source of choline and actually one of the most concentrated sources out there!

So whip up this homemade French toast sticks recipe and treat the whole family with a protein-packed breakfast they’ll love!

Ingredients Needed (amounts in recipe card below)

• Bread – I like to use thick slices of white bread, Texas Toast, brioche or French bread; it works even better if it’s  stale bread or had a chance to dry out a bit so it soaks up all the delicious batter without getting soggy
• Eggs – I always use “large eggs” in my recipes
• Half and Half – You can opt to use heavy cream or whole milk instead
• Sugar – You’ll need white sugar for the egg mixture as well as the cinnamon sugar coating
• Vanilla Extract 
• Salt 
• Butter – Unsalted or salted butter is fine
• Ground Cinnamon 
• Your favorite syrup and fresh berries for serving, if desired!

How to Make Homemade French Toast Sticks

You’ll start by cutting the crusts off the slices of bread.  This part is optional – you can certainly keep them on if you wish!!  Then, slice each into 4 strips.  If you’re using fresh bread, you can let them set on a wire rack for 2-3 hours to dry out a bit.  This will help ensure you don’t end up with soggy French toast!

Next, you’ll mix up the egg batter and the cinnamon sugar coating.  For the egg batter, you’ll start by whisking the eggs in a shallow dish or pie plate.  Then, add the half and half (or milk), sugar, vanilla and salt and stir until well-combined. 

For the cinnamon sugar mixture, you’ll mix together the two ingredients in dish and set aside.

Now you’ll coat the bread slices in the egg batter and cook in a skillet, air fryer or the oven. 

Pan-Fried French Toast Sticks

I typically cook these in a skillet or on a griddle, because it gives the most classic French toast texture!  Once you dip them in the egg mixture, they’ll go onto a hot skillet with melted butter.  Cook them on each side (just a minute or two each) then transfer them to the bowl of cinnamon sugar.

Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

Preheat to 350F and cut a piece of parchment paper to fit into the air fryer.  Grease the parchment paper with cooking spray and place into the air fryer.  Batter a few bread slices and place on the parchment paper, making sure to give at least 1 inch between each French toast stick.  Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will have to work in batches.

Air fry the French toast stick for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown.  Roll them into the cinnamon sugar mixture and serve warm.

Baked French Toast Sticks

Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Dunk the French toast sticks into the egg batter and place them on the lined pan in a single layer.  Bake for 10-13 minutes or until a light golden brown.  Remove from the pan and immediately roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

How to Store French Toast Sticks

Let the leftover French toast sticks come to room temperature keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.  You can also freeze them.  To do so, place them on a pan lined with waxed paper or parchment paper.  

Place the French toast sticks on the lined pan, making sure they don’t touch.  Once frozen, place them into a freezer bag until ready to warm and enjoy!

Tips for Delicious French Toast Sticks

• Use thick slices of a sturdy (or slightly stale) bread.  This will make sure the egg batter doesn’t soak all the way into the center of the bread and make it mushy.
• Dunk quickly.  Don’t let the slices of bread stay in the egg batter too long or you’ll end up with soggy results!
• Roll in the coating immediately.  If you don’t roll them in the cinnamon sugar right away, it won’t stick.

Other French Toast Recipes I Love!