Easy Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Recipe: A Perfect Breakfast Treat
This Easy Cinnamon French Toast Sticks recipe has delighted readers for over a decade! Imagine thick-cut slices of Texas toast, saturated in a fragrant cinnamon-vanilla custard, and then cooked to a beautiful golden brown. For the ultimate breakfast experience, dip and dunk these delightful sticks in warm maple syrup.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients
- How to Make Cinnamon French Toast Sticks
- Kelly’s Tips
- How do you keep French toast warm for a crowd?
- Storing and Freezing
- Common Questions
- Best French Toast Recipes
- Easy Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Recipe
If you’re a fan of delicious, custard-soaked breakfast treats, you’ll quickly realize I have a strong affinity for French toast variations. From the comforting Banana Bread French Toast, to the festive Egg Nog French Toast, and the indulgent Nutella Stuffed French Toast, I love experimenting with this breakfast staple. Today, we’re adding another winner to the collection: Easy Cinnamon French Toast Sticks.
What makes these buttery, cinnamon-infused sticks so irresistible that you’ll want to skip the drive-through breakfast options? It’s the simple yet flavorful cinnamon-vanilla custard that provides the signature eggy coating, transforming ordinary bread into something truly special.
Forget forks! It’s time to embrace a finger-friendly approach to French toast. These slender sticks are perfect for dipping and enjoying with your hands. All that’s missing is a sprinkle of fresh berries and a warm bath of maple syrup. Dip. Dunk. Repeat. This is breakfast bliss at its finest!
Ingredients
French toast is a beloved classic, surprisingly easy to create with just a few simple ingredients. However, the key to achieving the perfect bite lies in the quality of those ingredients. Each component plays a vital role, so don’t underestimate their impact! Follow my tips and suggested swaps to elevate your French toast game:
- Bread: Opt for thick-cut bread with sturdy crusts. Texas toast is ideal, as the crusts help the sticks maintain their shape. If you don’t have Texas toast, brioche or challah are excellent alternatives. Using day-old bread will allow the custard to soak into the bread better.
- Eggs: The binding agent for the custard, creating a rich and creamy texture that makes French toast so satisfying.
- Heavy cream: While milk is a common choice, heavy cream or whole milk adds a luxurious richness to the batter. Half-and-half also works. I advise against using fat-free or reduced-fat milk, as they lack the necessary fat content for optimal texture.
- Cinnamon: Don’t be shy! A generous sprinkle of cinnamon adds warmth and comforting flavor, making each bite irresistible.
- Sugar: A touch of sweetness balances the flavors in the custard. White, brown, or coconut sugar can be used, each imparting a unique nuance.
- Vanilla extract: A tablespoon of pure or homemade vanilla extract enhances the sweetness and adds depth to the egg mixture, completing the flavor profile.
- Butter: I’m Team Butter when it comes to cooking French toast. It gives the classic rich, golden exterior and a deliciously buttery flavor. You can use oil instead, but be mindful of the flavor it might impart. If using oil, choose a neutral-flavored one with a high smoke point.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Pro Tip: Day-old bread that’s slightly dried out works best for French toast since it will soak up the most custard.
How to Make Cinnamon French Toast Sticks
- Cut the bread. Slice the bread into similar-sized sticks for even cooking.
- Prepare the custard. Whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes to fully infuse the flavors.
- Coat the bread. Dip each bread stick into the custard mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated on all sides. Shake off any excess before placing the sticks on a plate or baking sheet.
- Cook in batches. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even cooking. Cook each side for about 2-3 minutes, until golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy your cinnamon French toast sticks fresh off the griddle with warm maple syrup!
For a complete breakfast spread, I like to serve these alongside a fresh fruit salad and crispy hash browns.
Kelly’s Tips
- Soak the bread sticks. Allow the bread sticks to soak in the custard for a few seconds on each side to ensure a flavorful and moist interior.
- Preheat your pan. Make sure your pan or griddle is hot before adding the French toast sticks to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches to maintain the temperature and ensure each stick cooks evenly.
- Add cinnamon sugar. Give these the churro treatment by gently rolling them in a cinnamon sugar mixture immediately after cooking.
How do you keep French toast warm for a crowd?
Preparing to serve a crowd of hungry holiday guests or hosting a brunch with friends? Here’s how to keep your cinnamon French toast sticks warm:
Preheat your oven to 200°F. As each batch finishes cooking on the stovetop, transfer them to a baking sheet topped with a wire rack (this helps to avoid any sogginess). Arrange the sticks in a single layer and place the baking sheet in the oven for up to 20-30 minutes, ensuring they stay warm and delicious. Be sure to periodically check them to avoid overcooking or drying out.
Storing and Freezing
- Refrigerate: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Layer them between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Freeze: Arrange cooled sticks in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 1-2 months.
- Reheat: For single servings, use a toaster oven or air fryer for best results. A microwave works in a pinch but can make the sticks soggy. For larger portions, bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
Common Questions
To avoid soggy French toast, make sure your pan is at a high enough heat so that you get a quick sear on the outside of the bread. This will guarantee a nice crispness while maintaining a soft (but not soggy!) center.
Yes, you can absolutely use dairy-free milk as a substitute. Just keep in mind that different types of dairy-free milk may have slightly different flavors and consistencies, which can subtly alter the taste and texture of your French toast.
Thick-cut bread like Texas toast or brioche works best for French toast sticks due to their sturdy texture, which holds up well to soaking and frying.
Yes, you can definitely make the custard mixture ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Give it a stir before dipping the bread sticks when you’re ready to cook.
Best French Toast Recipes
For those who share my love for French toast, here are a few more top-rated recipes to explore:
- Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast
- Hot Chocolate French Toast
- Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
- Challah French Toast
- Banana Bread French Toast
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Easy Cinnamon French Toast Sticks
Ingredients 1x2x3x
- 8 slices thick-cut Texas toast (See Kelly’s Notes)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- Unsalted butter, for cooking
- Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- Cut each slice of Texas toast into four sticks. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla. Dip each piece of bread in the egg mixture, turning to coat it on all sides so that it’s well-saturated with the custard.
- Shake off any excess and place the coated bread on a large plate or baking dish. Repeat the dipping process with the remaining pieces of bread.
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted, place several of the coated sticks in a single layer in the pan. (Do not overcrowd the pan.) Cook until golden brown on one side then flip and continue cooking until the sticks are golden brown and slightly crisped on all edges.
- Serve immediately with maple syrup for dipping.
Kelly’s Notes
- Day-old bread that’s slightly dried out works best for French toast since it will soak up the most custard.
- Thick-cut bread with sturdy crusts is essential for this recipe, as the crusts help the sticks hold their shape. If you prefer regular French toast, skip slicing the Texas toast into sticks or use a crusty French baguette sliced into 1-inch-thick rounds.
- Freeze: After cooking and once cooled completely, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the sticks are frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible before sealing. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1-2 months.
- Reheat: For single servings, I recommend using a toaster oven or air fryer for the best results. While a microwave works in a pinch, it can make the sticks soggy. If reheating several at a time, arrange the frozen sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crisp.
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