French Toast Sticks are a fun, dippable breakfast made with thick slices of stale brioche, sourdough, or challah soaked in a sweet vanilla egg mixture. They cook up golden in butter, then get coated in cinnamon sugar for the perfect finish!
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 our classic French Toast, Cream Cheese French Toast Bake, and French Toast Bake.
Why you’ll love them + Why they work:
- Plenty of crispy edges. No more soggy French toast! Each piece is crisped to perfection for optimal dipping.
- Quick and easy, ready in no time. Make breakfast a breeze with this easy breakfast recipe, ready in about 30 minutes.
- Stale thick bread holds up best. It absorbs the egg mixture without getting too soggy.
- Cinnamon sugar goes on after cooking. Coating the hot sticks helps the sugar mixture stick 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): Helps create the custard coating that gives the French toast structure and richness.
- Milk (3 cups): 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 into 3 thick pieces, lengthwise. Set bread sticks aside.
- Combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Set the cinnamon sugar mixture aside.
SOAK. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla to a shallow dish and mix well. Soak the sticks in the egg mixture until saturated.
COOK. Melt butter in a pan on LOW-MEDIUM heat and add bread pieces, cooking in a single layer until golden brown on each side.
- Use tongs to dip in the cinnamon and sugar mixture, making sure to coat all sides.
- Continue cooking bread pieces, adding more butter when needed.
ENJOY. Serve with warm syrup.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread so the sticks hold their shape and don’t get soggy.
- 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.
- Cook on medium-low heat to get a golden crust without burning.
- Don’t oversoak the bread; just dip until coated to avoid mushy centers.
- Roll in cinnamon sugar while warm so it sticks perfectly.
- Drizzle or dip the sticks into Cinnamon Buttermilk Syrup, Buttermilk Syrup, Maple Syrup, Strawberry Sauce, Nutella Dip, or Yogurt Fruit Dip.
French Toast Sticks Recipe
Equipment
Video
Ingredients
- 6 thick slices bread, cut from a stale Brioche, Sourdough or Challah Loaf
- 3 eggs
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
Instructions
- Cut off the crust from thick slices of stale bread. Cut into 3 thick pieces, lengthwise. Set aside. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow dish. Set aside.
- Add eggs, milk, and vanilla to a shallow dish and mix well. Soak the sticks in the egg mixture until saturated.
- Melt butter on LOW-MEDIUM heat and add bread pieces, cooking until golden brown on each side. Use tongs to place sticks in the cinnamon and sugar mixture, making sure to coat all sides.
- 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days or store in the freezer for 1-2 months.
Reheat single servings in the microwave or toaster oven, or several on a baking sheet in the oven at 375°F until hot.
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!