French Toast Sticks are a fun, dippable breakfast made with thick slices of stale brioche, sourdough, or challah dipped in a sweet vanilla egg mixture. They cook up golden in butter, then get coated in cinnamon sugar for the sweet cinnamon sugar coating!
The entire family loves these for weekend breakfasts, brunch, sleepovers, and breakfast-for-dinner because they feel special but are still easy to make. Serve them warm with Maple Syrup, Buttermilk Syrup, or even Strawberry Sauce for dipping, and they’re always a hit with kids and adults.
If you love this French toast stick recipe, you will love our classic French Toast, Cream Cheese French Toast Bake, and French Toast Bake.
Why You’ll Love Them + Why They Work:
- Crisp on the Outside. Cooking each side until golden gives the French Toast Sticks plenty of crisp edges while keeping the centers soft.
- Easy Breakfast. These French Toast Sticks are ready in about 30 minutes, making them a simple option for weekends or busy mornings.
- Stale Bread Works Best. Thick, slightly stale bread holds its shape and soaks up the egg mixture without becoming too soggy.
- Cinnamon Sugar Sticks Better Warm. Tossing the sticks in cinnamon sugar right after cooking helps the coating cling evenly to every side.
French Toast Sticks Ingredients
- Bread, cut from a stale Brioche, Sourdough or Challah Loaf (6 thick slices): Creates sturdy, fluffy sticks that soak up the egg mixture and hold their shape.
- Eggs (3): Help create the custard coating that gives the French toast structure and richness.
- Milk (1 cup): Thins the egg mixture and helps soak the bread evenly.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warm sweetness and classic French toast flavor.
- Sugar (¼ cup): Sweetens the cinnamon coating and gives the sticks a delicious finish.
- Cinnamon (1 tablespoon): Adds warm spice flavor to the outside of the sticks.
- Butter, divided (4 tablespoons): Adds flavor and helps the sticks cook up golden in the pan.
- Optional toppings: Served with syrup like Cinnamon Buttermilk Syrup, Buttermilk Syrup, or Maple Syrup.
How to Make French Toast Sticks
PREP. Cut off the crust of stale bread. Cut each thick slice into 3 sticks about ¾ inch wide. Set bread sticks aside.
Combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Set the cinnamon sugar mixture aside.
DIP. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla to a shallow dish and mix well. Quickly dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, turning to coat all sides. Let any excess drip off before adding it to the skillet
COOK. Melt butter in a pan on medium-low heat and add bread pieces, cooking in a single layer until golden brown on each side.
COAT THEM WHILE WARM. Use tongs to toss the French Toast Sticks in the cinnamon sugar right after cooking. Coating them while they are still warm helps the sugar stick evenly to the outside.
- Continue cooking bread pieces, adding more butter when needed.
ENJOY. Serve with warm syrup.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Use Stale Bread. Day-old or slightly stale bread holds its shape better and is less likely to turn soggy when dipped in the egg mixture.
- Whisk the Eggs Well. Thoroughly whisk the eggs into the milk so you do not get white egg strands on the cooked sticks. Room temperature eggs blend in more easily than cold eggs.
- Keep the Heat Moderate. Cook over medium-low heat so the French Toast Sticks turn golden on the outside without burning before the centers are heated through.
- Do Not Oversoak. Quickly dip each bread stick just until coated, then let the excess drip off so the centers stay soft instead of mushy.
- Coat Them While Warm. Toss the French Toast Sticks in the cinnamon sugar right after cooking so the sugar sticks evenly to the outside.
- Make a Double Batch. Cook one batch for breakfast and freeze the rest for busy mornings. Let the extra French Toast Sticks cool completely, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag.
- Serve with Something Sweet. Drizzle or dip them in Cinnamon Buttermilk Syrup, Buttermilk Syrup, Maple Syrup, Strawberry Sauce, Nutella Dip, or Yogurt Fruit Dip.
French Toast Sticks Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 thick slices bread, cut from a stale Brioche, Sourdough or Challah Loaf
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
Instructions
- Cut off the crust of stale bread. Cut each thick slice into 3 sticks about ¾ inch wide. Set bread sticks aside.
- Combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow dish. Set aside.
- Add eggs, milk, and vanilla to a shallow dish and mix well. Quickly dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, turning to coat all sides. Let any excess drip off before adding it to the skillet
- Melt butter on LOW-MEDIUM heat and add bread pieces, cooking until golden brown on each side. Use tongs to toss the French Toast Sticks in the cinnamon sugar right after cooking. Coating them while they are still warm helps the sugar stick evenly to the outside.
- Continue cooking bread pieces, adding more butter when needed.
- Serve with warm syrup.
Notes
- Use a sturdy stale bread so that it can absorb all the delicious custard.
- To avoid white egg strands from forming on the sticks, thoroughly whisk the egg into the milk. Room temperature eggs will incorporate better than cold eggs.
- Drizzle or dip the sticks into Cinnamon Buttermilk Syrup, Buttermilk Syrup, Maple Syrup, Strawberry Sauce, Nutella Dip, or Yogurt Fruit Dip.
Nutrition
Recipe FAQ
Use thick, slightly stale bread and dip it quickly rather than letting it sit in the egg mixture. Also make sure the skillet is hot before adding the sticks.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. To freeze, cool completely, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Store in the freezer for 1-2 months.
Reheat single servings in the microwave or use a toaster oven for a crispier texture, or place several on a baking sheet in the oven at 375°F until hot and warmed through.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
1 hr 20 mins
Breakfast Sausage Recipe
15 mins
Scrambled Eggs
9 mins
Yogurt Parfait
5 mins
Drinks
French Toast Recipes
Collections
This recipe was originally published November 2020.
My kids loved these! So much yummier than the ones at Sonic. Will make these all the time.
These take me back to my childhood and I’m so excited to have found the perfect recipe so I can recreate these at home! Plus, a great way to use up leftover sourdough bread!
These adorable French toast sticks are so much fun to eat! Kids never want to miss breakfast again because of these. Such a keeper!