Description
These French toast sticks are quick to make, delightfully crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside, making them irresistible to kids and adults alike. Perfect for busy mornings, brunch gatherings, or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large Eggs
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 pinch Salt
- 8 slices Thick-Sliced Bread
- 2 tablespoons Butter, for cooking
- Maple Syrup, for serving
- Powdered Sugar, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until frothy and fragrant, about 30 seconds for a smooth batter.
- Trim crusts from each slice of thick bread and cut into 4 uniform sticks, about 1/2-inch thick, ensuring even sizes so they cook evenly and crisp up beautifully.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter until foaming and sizzling gently, about 1 minute, careful not to let it brown to ensure a rich, golden crust on each stick.
- Working in batches, dip each stick into the batter for about 5 seconds per side, letting excess drip off, then arrange in the skillet and fry 2–3 minutes until golden-brown, crispy edges form.
- After the first side is crisp, use tongs to flip each stick and cook an additional 2 minutes, achieving a uniform golden-brown crust and a soft, tender center in every piece.
- Transfer cooked crispy French toast sticks to a baking sheet, placing in a 200°F oven to stay hot and crispy while you finish the remaining batch.
- Arrange crispy French toast sticks on a warmed platter, dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar, and serve alongside a ramekin of warm maple syrup and optional fresh berries for a delightful finish.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for the best texture; it soaks up the batter without becoming soggy.
- Preheat the pan properly; butter should be hot but not browned before frying.
- Slice bread sticks uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Do not overload the batter; dip sticks quickly and let excess drip off to prevent sogginess.
- Keep cooked crispy French toast sticks warm in a low oven to maintain crunch while cooking the rest.
- Serve immediately for the best crispy and tender contrast.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free bread.
- For a vegan option, substitute eggs with flaxseed meal and water, and use almond or oat milk.
- Try croissants for a luxurious, buttery twist.
- Add a teaspoon of orange or almond extract to the batter for an exciting flavor.
- Mix chopped nuts into the batter or sprinkle on top of cooked sticks for added texture.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter for a spicy kick.
- Melt chocolate and dip half of each crispy French toast stick for an indulgent treat.
- Store leftover crispy French toast sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze crispy French toast sticks for up to 2 months by freezing them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a zip-top bag.
- Reheat frozen crispy French toast sticks at 375°F for 10-12 minutes for optimal crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-fried
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 100mg