French Toast Sticks are a delightful twist on the classic breakfast favorite. These crispy, cinnamon-coated strips of bread bring back memories of cozy Sunday mornings filled with laughter and warmth. They blend being both easy and satisfying—perfect companions to syrup or powdered sugar. Whether enjoyed on a lazy weekend or an energetic weekday, French Toast Sticks make every bite feel like a small celebration.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. With just a handful of everyday ingredients, you can create a dish that feels special. Comparatively, homemade French Toast Sticks are a world apart from store-bought ones—much fresher, customizable, and infinitely more delicious. You can easily whip them up in under 45 minutes, and they’re sure to impress your family or weekend guests. Grab those stale slices of bread, and let’s make some unforgettable French Toast Sticks!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: This recipe takes just 15 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking—perfect for busy mornings.
- Irresistible Flavor: Sweet, cinnamon-sugar goodness with a crunchy exterior and pillowy inside. Yum!
- Eye-Catching Appeal: These sticks are not just delicious but also fun to eat, making them perfect for kids and adults alike.
- Flexible Serving: Enjoy them for breakfast, brunch, or even as an afternoon snack. They’re great any time!
- Customizable Toppings: Get creative with toppings like fresh berries, whipped cream, or your favorite syrup.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 8 slices brioche bread or french bread: Day-old or stale bread works best as it absorbs the egg mixture beautifully without getting soggy. You can use any bread you like, but brioche gives a rich flavor.
- 4 large eggs: Vital for binding the mixture and creating the lovely custardy texture.
- 2/3 cup whole milk: Adds creaminess; feel free to substitute with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version.
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar: Just enough sweetness to enhance the flavor. You can replace it with granulated sugar if preferred.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: This infuses a delightful aroma and flavor into the batter. Use pure vanilla for the best results.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- 6 cups cinnamon toast crunch cereal: The crunchy coating gives a fantastic texture and an irresistible cinnamon flavor.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter: For cooking, ensuring those delicious golden edges. Margarine can be used as an alternative.
How to Make French Toast Sticks
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Slice the Bread: Cut your brioche or French bread into sticks. If using thicker French bread, aim for about 3/4-inch slices, then divide into 2-3 sticks. If you’re using pre-sliced brioche, cutting each slice into four sticks works perfectly. Set these aside on a plate, uncovered.
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Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, 2/3 cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. This mixture will give your bread a delightful custardy flavor when cooked.
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Make Cereal Coating: Take your 6 cups of cinnamon toast crunch cereal and place it in a blender or food processor. Pulse in short bursts until you achieve fine crumbs. Transfer the cereal crumbs to a large shallow bowl for easy coating.
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Coat the Sticks: One bread stick at a time, dip it into your egg mixture, ensuring it’s well-coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off, then roll the stick in the cereal crumbs, pressing lightly to adhere. Repeat until all sticks are coated.
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Cook the Sticks: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, or set your electric griddle to 375°F. Add about 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to the pan or griddle. Once the butter is melted and bubbling, arrange the coated bread sticks in a single layer, leaving space between them. Cook until the bottom is golden brown and crisp, roughly 2-3 minutes, then flip and repeat on the other side.
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Cool and Serve: Transfer your cooked French Toast Sticks to a wire cooling rack to keep them crispy while you cook the remaining sticks. If desired, serve immediately dusted with powdered sugar, fresh berries, and a drizzle of maple syrup or vanilla sauce.
Storing & Reheating
To store your leftover French Toast Sticks, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator where they’ll last for up to three days. You can also freeze them for longer storage—simply arrange the sticks on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container, storing for up to three months. To reheat, pop them back in a toaster or air fryer at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes until hot and crisp again. Just be aware that the texture might slightly change after freezing, but they’ll still taste delicious!
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Consider using stale bread for the best results; it absorbs the egg mixture without getting too soggy.
- Don’t skip the wire rack after cooking! This helps maintain crispiness instead of making them steamy.
- For extra flavor, try adding a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the egg mixture.
- Don’t crowd the pan while cooking; give each stick enough space for a crisp finish without steaming.
- Feel free to switch up the toppings—Nutella, fresh fruits, or flavored syrups encourage creativity!
Want to enjoy the sheer joy of homemade breakfasts that are as enjoyable as they are simple? These French Toast Sticks fit that bill perfectly. The unique combination of buttery, crisp edges paired with a soft, flavorful center is undeniably satisfying. Grab your favorite toppings, invite a few friends over, or make a batch for your family, and watch them disappear! The joy of cooking is in trying new things, so feel free to experiment; you’ll find the sweet spot that speaks to your taste buds.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make French Toast Sticks ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the sticks a day in advance by coating them in the egg mixture and cereal crumbs. Store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. Just be mindful that the texture may vary slightly upon reheating.
What type of bread is best?
For the most delightful French Toast Sticks, brioche bread or stale French bread are excellent choices. Their richness helps achieve a custardy inside while remaining crisp on the outside. However, you can use any bread you have on hand—get creative!
How do I avoid soggy French Toast Sticks?
To keep your French Toast Sticks from becoming soggy, ensure you don’t soak them too long in the egg mixture. A quick dip is all they need to absorb the flavor while ensuring a nice textural contrast during cooking.
Can I make these French Toast Sticks gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute the bread with your favourite gluten-free bread and use gluten-free cereal for the coating. This way, everyone can enjoy this delicious breakfast treat without worry!
Print
French Toast Sticks
These French Toast Sticks are a delicious and fun breakfast option! With a crispy cinnamon coating and rich flavor from the brioche bread, they are perfect for a quick family meal or a weekend treat. Light, fluffy, and easily customizable with toppings like powdered sugar, berries, and syrup, they bring a bit of joy to every bite.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 8 slices brioche bread or french bread (day old/stale is best)
- 4 large eggs
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups cinnamon toast crunch cereal
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- serving suggestions: powdered sugar, whipped cream, berries, vanilla syrup, etc
Instructions
- Slice the bread into sticks, cutting French bread into 3/4-inch thick slices and then into 2–3 sticks, or cut each slice of Brioche into 4 sticks. Set aside uncovered.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
- Blend the cereal into fine crumbs in a blender or food processor, then transfer to a shallow bowl.
- Dip each bread stick in the egg mixture, then roll in the cereal crumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat with the remaining sticks.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low or an electric griddle to 375°F. Melt a pat of butter in the skillet.
- Arrange the coated bread sticks in a single layer in the skillet. Cook until golden brown and crisp on both sides.
- Transfer cooked sticks to a wire rack. Wipe out the skillet and repeat with remaining sticks. Serve warm with powdered sugar, berries, and syrup.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
Day-old bread offers the best texture for this recipe.
Customize your toppings to elevate your French Toast Sticks experience.
Ensure the butter is bubbling before placing the sticks in the skillet for perfect crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stick
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
