These Cinnamon-sugar french toast sticks will not only be a perfect one for the kids, but it will transport you right back to being a kid yourself! I swear I ate more than half of these and the kiddos ate the rest!
These french toast sticks are backed with cinnamon, a hint of sugar and perfectly dip-able. Don’t be shy with the maple syrup here and let’s face it, everyone loves to dip their food!
I did a two cook method on these and they came out incredible. I have seen recipes that brown them in a pan and I have seen recipes that just bake them. When I was working on this recipe, I found that a combo of the two is actually the best final product. They are slightly crisp on the outside. The sugar caramelizes to make a crust. The inside is soft and chewy, not ooey and gooey. I don’t like french toast or french toast sticks that you can taste the eggs in. This recipes gives and amazing stick that will stand up on it’s own, but also give you the best french toast flavor.
French toast vs French Toast Sticks
Why sticks? Well, they are more fun to dip, right? Also, I love that these can be made ahead in a big batch and then frozen for quick and easy breakfasts for a busy morning. They are a great finger food for little ones and they are not as formal of a breakfast.
I feel like french toast is a Sunday morning kind of breakfast. Big thick slices of bread in a luscious custard with fresh fruit, powdered sugar, bacon on the side… you know, lazy morning breakfast. When I think french toast sticks, I think on the go, easy and quick.
What I love the most about this recipe is that it can be made ahead and come out of the freezer, but it is homemade. These are the perfect back to school breakfast go to items!
What do you need to make these french toast sticks?
You actually don’t need much.Plus, it is all staples that you most likely have in your house anyway.
Bread- I like a thicker bread for this, just so that they are a bit more stable, but you can use your favorite. I like Texas toast
Eggs-Â You need to make an egg custard to dip the sticks into to give that french toast goodness
Milk- I like to use whole milk to make the custard, but you can swap out any milk that you and your family like to drink
Spices-Â Cinnamon is a classic french toast spice. Also,these are cinnamon-sugar french toast sticks after all. I do also add a hint of nutmeg into my custard. I like the depth of flavor it adds. If you are make these around the Fall you can add pumpkin pie spice. In the winter you can add a little clove.
Vanilla-Â I always like to add a little vanilla into my custard for all french toast. So, it was only natural I added it into this recipe as well. I love the hint of vanilla in the finished product
Butter- You will cook the french toast sticks in butter on the stove top. Then you will also brown a little butter in the pan and brush on top of the browned sticks and roll them in cinnamon sugar. This helps the cinnamon sugar mixture stick to them and also creates a great crust in the oven.
Kosher Salt- Always a little salt, even in sweet items. Also, always kosher salt in my kitchen
As you can see from above, these are all pantry and staple items that you most likely already have at home. Bonus!
How do you freeze and reheat the leftover french toast sticks?
In the event that you have leftover… or if you make a larger batch, which I always do. You can freeze these and pull them out for a quick breakfast. Here is how I do it.
To Freeze them-
Make the french toast sticks as directed and coat in cinnamon sugar and bake. Arrange the french toast sticks in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze 1-2 hours, until firm. Transfer the french toast sticks to a freezer safe container and freeze for 3-4 months.
To Heat them up-
Microwave for 1 minute, flip and microwave 1 minute more. Times will vary depending on your microwave. You can also pop them into a toaster over for 4-5 minutes or even an air fryer on 400 degrees for 3 minutes, flip them and another 2 minutes
Chef’s Tips-
When you are making these or any french toast really, if you add the spices to the eggs before you add the milk they will mix better into the custard. If you add the spices after the milk, they tend to just float at the top of the custard. Make sure that you just dip them into the custard and don’t let them soak as you may for a full slice of bread. These sticks absorb the custard quickly and they will just fall apart if they are too wet. If you do soak them too much, pop them in the fridge for about 10 minutes or freezer for about 5 minutes before cooking them. That will help them firm a little before cooking them.
To start the cooking process on the stove and finish in the oven, you want to make sure that they don’t get too brown on the outside. Just a light sear and then back onto a parchment lined baking sheet. If you brown the butter a little before brushing it onto the sticks, you will get a deeper, nuttier flavor. It is so delicious in this recipe. ENJOY!
If you love this recipe, check out a great french toast recipe for the weekend too!
Nutella Stuffed Croissant French Toast
Favorite kitchen tools to use in this recipe
Here are my favorite items to use when making these french toast sticks
I love a flat pan for french toast- regular or sticks and pancakes. Even for bacon or sausage. This is my favorite one
I also love a sturdy pair of tongs, here are the ones I use
Lastly, here are my favorite sheet pans and parchment paper
Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Sticks
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick cut soft Texas toast or brioche bread
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk or any milk you and your family like to drink
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut each slice of bread into 1 inch wide "sticks". In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt
- Dip each bread stick into the egg mixture and toss to coat. Remove, allowing any excess to drip off back into the bowl. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining bread. Add butter into a hot skillet a tablespoon at a time and add the sticks in batches. Cook on both sides until lightly golden brown. Add butter each time you add a new batch of the sticks. Then add the remaining butter afterwards to lightly brown.
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar, and cinnamon. Brush each french toast stick with browned butter and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping them half way through or until lightly golden and a nice crust has formed on the outside from the sugar.
- Serve warm with maple syrup. ENJOY!
