Rise and shine with a breakfast treat that’s bound to become a family favorite: French Toast Sticks! These scrumptious sticks are perfectly golden and ready to be dipped, dusted, or drizzled to your heart’s content. Perfect for kids and adults alike, they’re a delightful twist on traditional French toast that’s all about fun and flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Kid-Friendly Fun: These French Toast Sticks are easy for little hands to hold and impossible not to love.
- Quick and Easy: From mixing to the plate in just 15 minutes, this breakfast won’t keep you tied up in the kitchen.
- Versatile Toppings: Enjoy endless possibilities with toppings from fresh fruit to a dusting of cinnamon sugar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating the perfect French Toast Sticks starts with a handful of simple, yet essential ingredients. From the rich creaminess of eggs to the delicate sweetness of cinnamon, each component adds to that irresistible, golden outcome.
- Milk: Adds creaminess and helps to achieve the perfect consistency in the batter.
- All-purpose flour: A surprising addition that helps the batter stick to the bread.
- Eggs: The cornerstone of French toast, bringing richness and binding all the flavors together.
- Light brown sugar: Offers a hint of caramel sweetness without overpowering.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the sticks with delightful warmth and depth.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a touch of spice that is quintessential to classic French toast.
- Kosher salt: Balances flavors and enhances sweetness.
- Butter: Ensures a beautiful golden brown exterior on each stick.
- Bread of choice: Thick slices like brioche, which hold up beautifully and absorb flavors nicely.
- Optional Toppings: Customize your dish with berries, syrup, or whatever your heart desires!
Variations
One of the best parts about French Toast Sticks is how easily they can be adapted. Whether it’s dietary needs or flavor preferences you’re accommodating, the possibilities are nearly as endless as your imagination.
- Dairy-free: Substitute milk with almond milk or your favorite plant-based alternative.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread and a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
- Spiced: Add a dash of nutmeg or cardamom for a twist on the traditional spice profile.
How to Make French Toast Sticks
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Slice 6 pieces of bread into 1-inch wide strips. Using thick bread like brioche will not only maintain structure but will also soak up the rich egg mixture without becoming soggy.
Step 2: Make the Egg Mixture
Place milk, flour, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt into a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth, or whisk thoroughly if doing by hand. This is the heart of our French Toast Sticks, so ensure everything is well combined for the most flavorful result.
Step 3: Cook the Sticks
Preheat your griddle to 350°F or warm a skillet over medium-high heat. Butter it generously before placing the bread on to cook. Dip each stick into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak briefly, then place on the griddle. Cook for about 2 minutes per side until lightly golden. Remember to whisk the mixture occasionally.
Step 4: Serve with Flair
Serve those golden beauties immediately and enhance with your choice of toppings—be it a heap of fresh berries, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a drizzle of maple syrup, the choice is yours!
Pro Tips for Making French Toast Sticks
- Bread Selection: Opt for slightly stale bread as it’s perfect for soaking up the flavorful egg mixture without getting soggy.
- Mix Consistency: Ensure your egg mixture is smooth and lump-free for even coating on the bread.
- Portion Control: Slice the bread uniformly to ensure all sticks cook evenly.
- Taste Test: Experiment with spices—consider adding a pinch of nutmeg for added depth.
How to Serve French Toast Sticks
Garnishes
Top your French Toast Sticks with an array of garnishes. A dusting of cinnamon or powdered sugar adds sweetness, while fresh berries offer a delightful burst of tanginess. Or, go with a luxurious drizzle of Nutella for a decadent treat.
Side Dishes
Pair your delightful French Toast Sticks with crispy bacon or savory sausage links for a well-rounded breakfast. A fresh fruit salad on the side would also complement the sweetness of the toast perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in a fun stack with skewers or arrange sticks in a dip-friendly bowl with syrup at the ready. For a whimsical touch, create breadstick towers or cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters for a child’s delight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover French Toast Sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheated, they taste nearly as good as freshly made!
Freezing
For easy breakfasts, freeze cooked French Toast Sticks after they’ve cooled by arranging them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag for up to a month.
Reheating
Reheat directly from frozen by placing the sticks on a baking sheet and into an oven preheated to 375°F for about 8-10 minutes or until heated through. For a quicker solution, pop them in the toaster or air fryer.
FAQs
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Can I prepare the French Toast Sticks ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare them up to the cooking stage and store in the refrigerator overnight. This is perfect for a fresh hot breakfast with no morning fuss!
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What type of bread is best for French Toast Sticks?
Thick bread like brioche or challah, especially when slightly stale, works wonderfully as it absorbs the egg mixture well without becoming overly soggy.
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Can these be made gluten-free?
Yes, simply use gluten-free bread and a gluten-free flour blend to make delicious gluten-free French Toast Sticks!
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What is the best way to keep them warm for serving?
Place cooked French Toast Sticks on a baking sheet in a warm oven at around 175°F while finishing up other batches. This keeps them toasty without drying out.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to jazz up your breakfast routine, these French Toast Sticks are the answer. Easy to make, and even easier to enjoy, they’ll become a beloved standard in your kitchen. Give them a try, and turn your simple mornings into delightful culinary experiences.
PrintFrench Toast Sticks Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast and Brunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious and crispy French Toast Sticks made with thick bread, soaked in a flavorful egg mixture, and cooked to golden perfection. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these sticks are topped with your favorite toppings like berries, powdered sugar, or syrup for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt
For Cooking
- 1 Tablespoon butter
Bread
- 6 slices thick bread (preferably brioche)
Optional Toppings
- berries
- fresh fruit
- powdered sugar
- nutella
- whipped cream
- jam
- syrup
Instructions
- Slice the bread: Cut 6 slices of bread into 1-inch wide sticks. Use slightly stale or thick bread like brioche for best texture.
- Make the egg mixture: In a blender or a bowl, combine milk, eggs, flour, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Blend or whisk until smooth and thoroughly mixed.
- Preheat the pan: Heat a griddle or skillet to 350°F (about medium-high heat). Add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt, coating the surface.
- Coat the bread sticks: Dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, flipping to coat all sides evenly. Be sure not to soak too long to avoid sogginess.
- Cook the sticks: Place the coated bread sticks on the hot griddle or skillet. Cook for approximately 2 minutes per side, or until lightly golden brown. Flip as needed and keep the mixture whisked for even coating.
- Serve: Transfer cooked sticks to a plate. Serve immediately topped with your favorite toppings such as berries, powdered sugar, or syrup.
Notes
- Bread: Use day-old or slightly stale bread to prevent sogginess. Thick bread like brioche works best.
- Sugar: Enhance flavor by dusting with powdered sugar or rolling in cinnamon sugar while still warm.
- Keeping warm: Place cooked sticks on a baking sheet and keep in an oven at 175°F to serve warm.
- Overnight soaking: For a make-ahead version, soak bread in the egg mixture overnight in the refrigerator. Cook fresh the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 sticks
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
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