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Transform your ordinary morning meal into an exciting finger-food adventure with these tasty Cinnamon French Toast Sticks. Everyone at your table will love the perfect combo of custard-drenched bread with warm cinnamon spice - it's a handy, crowd-pleasing breakfast treat that brings joy to your morning routine.
I whipped up these cinnamon sticks for the first time during a family brunch with my little nieces and nephews. Seeing their faces light up as they dipped those crispy pieces into pools of maple syrup told me right away this would become our go-to family treat. Now whenever we have people staying over, it's the breakfast everyone begs for.
Ingredients
- Texas toast: Eight thick slices work as the sturdy foundation. Grab bread marked "extra thick" if you can't find Texas toast.
- Eggs: Four large ones build the protein-packed base for our soaking mixture.
- Heavy cream: Its richness makes for an incredibly lush coating. Get the freshest you can find.
- Cinnamon: Two and a half teaspoons bring that cozy warmth we all love. Don't use stuff that's been sitting around for ages.
- Sugar: Just a tablespoon adds gentle sweetness without going overboard.
- Vanilla extract: Stick with the real thing for the truest flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Gives you that gorgeous golden outside when cooking.
- Maple syrup: The genuine article makes dipping so much better. Skip the fake stuff with weird ingredients.
How To Make It
- Cut your bread:
- Slice each piece of Texas toast into four even strips. Use firm, straight cuts for the best results. Texas toast stays together nicely during the soaking and cooking because it's so thick.
- Mix your dip:
- In a big bowl, beat eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla until everything's mixed well. You shouldn't see any egg streaks in your smooth mixture. This tasty bath will soak flavor into every bit of bread.
- Dunk your bread:
- Drop each bread strip into the egg mixture, gently flipping to cover all sides. Let it soak about 10 seconds per side. The bread should feel weighty but not mushy. Set soaked pieces on a plate with some space between them.
- Get cooking:
- Warm a big pan over medium heat and drop in 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter. When it's melted and starting to bubble but not browning, add a single layer of soaked sticks. Cook about 2 minutes on each side until they're golden with slightly crunchy edges but still soft inside.
- Dig in right away:
- Put the cooked sticks on a plate and serve with warm maple syrup for dipping. You'll love how the crunchy outside contrasts with the soft, custardy middle.
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The best moment for me is watching someone bite into these sticks for the first time. There's something truly special about seeing their eyes light up when they taste that amazing contrast between the crispy outer layer and the soft, custardy inside. My hubby swears these breakfast sticks rescued our Sunday mornings - the kids stay happily at the table dunking away while we actually get to enjoy hot coffee.
Choose Your Bread Wisely
Your bread choice really makes or breaks these French toast sticks. Slightly stale bread works way better than fresh since it's lost some moisture and can soak up more of that tasty egg mixture without turning to mush. If you've only got fresh bread, leave it out overnight or pop it in a cool oven for a few minutes to dry it slightly. Don't cut off the crusts - they actually help the sticks keep their shape. Can't find Texas toast? Try brioche or challah instead, but handle them more carefully since they're softer.
Keeping For Later
These sticks save beautifully and can sit in your fridge in a sealed container for about 3 days. When you want to eat your refrigerated leftovers, put them on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for roughly 5 minutes until they're hot and crispy again. Don't use the microwave if you can help it - it'll just make them soggy. Want to keep them longer? Cool your cooked sticks completely, freeze them on a tray, then toss them in a freezer bag. They'll stay good for up to two months. You can heat them straight from frozen in a toaster oven, regular oven, or air fryer when you need a quick breakfast fix.
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Tasty Twists
The classic cinnamon version always goes over well, but don't be afraid to play around with flavors. Try throwing in a quarter teaspoon of nutmeg or cardamom to your egg mixture for more interesting spice notes. During the holidays, mix in some orange zest and a tiny bit of cloves. For chocolate lovers, stir two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder into the mixture. After they're cooked, you can roll the warm sticks in cinnamon sugar for extra sweetness and crunch. My family goes crazy when I create a dipping station with options beyond maple syrup - chocolate sauce, fruit compote, or fluffy whipped cream all work great.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What type of bread is best?
Go with Texas toast or any crusty, thick bread that won't turn mushy when soaked in the egg mixture.
- → Can I use another type of milk?
Sure thing, swap the heavy cream for regular milk, almond milk or even coconut milk if you want, just know the richness might change a bit.
- → How do I freeze the toast sticks?
Let them cool down completely, then put them on a baking sheet in the freezer till they're hard. Pack them in a freezer container and they'll stay good for up to 2 months.
- → What's the best way to reheat frozen toast sticks?
Your air fryer or toaster oven will give you the crunchiest results. You can also warm them in your oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes.
- → Can I prepare the batter ahead of time?
Definitely, you can mix up the egg mixture the night before and keep it in the fridge with a cover on top. Just give it a good stir before you use it.