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Air Fryer French Toast Sticks

Katie Calton
Servings: 4 people
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Making the classic French Toast handheld, this recipe for Air Fryer French Toast Sticks is exceptionally custardy, deeply satisfying, and best of all, fun to eat.

Ingredients 

  • 6 1-inch slices Country French or Brioche bread*
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar, orange zest, and pure maple syrup for serving

Instructions

  • Prepare the bread by cutting each slice into columns 1-inch wide—this should yield about 4 sticks per slice, or 24 sticks total. In a shallow bowl or pie tin, make the custard by beating the eggs, heavy cream, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla with a whisk until completely homogenous. There should be no discernible streaks of egg white, and the mixture should run in a smooth stream from the whisk when lifted. Add the bread to the custard in a single layer and flip to coat, then allow it to soak until each slice absorbses the custard.**
  • Set the air fryer temperature to 375° Fahrenheit. Spray the air fryer basket liberally with cooking spray and transfer the soaked bread into the basket, allowing any excess custard to drip off. Lay the bread in a single layer, leaving about ½ inch of space between each stick. Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may need to work in batches. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until each French toast stick is golden brown and puffed.
  • Remove from the air fryer, then dust all over with powdered sugar and zest a navel orange over the top. Serve with a small bowl of warm maple syrup, for dipping.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Notes

*French toast is only as good as the bread you use! Ideally, grab a loaf of Country French bread or Brioche from a local bakery or the bakery section of a reputable grocery store. 
** For standard more delicate loaves like French bread you will only need to soak briefly in the custard, but if you are using a more sturdy, substantial bread it may take up to 5-10 minutes for the bread to fully absorb the custard.