Easy French Toast Sticks

These French Toast Sticks, flavored with vanilla and cinnamon, come together quickly and easily. Lightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these sticks are a fun and delicious breakfast that both kids and adults will love!

overhead of French Toast Sticks with blueberries and cinnamon sugar


 

French toast is a classic weekend breakfast. Slices of bread are soaked in an eggy custard and then placed on a hot, buttery griddle until they are golden brown.

Often it will be dusted with either powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar and then drenched in maple syrup. Or some of our other favorites like:

I have never liked soggy food and as a kid I would cut my French toast into little squares and then dunk them in a dish of syrup that sat beside my plate. In fact, I still do that.

At least I used to do that, until I discovered the perfect breakfast finger food. Homemade French toast sticks!

syrup poured onto french toast sticks

Why You’ll Love These French Toast Sticks

A handheld breakfast treat that you can dip into syrup and tastes exactly like classic french toast- what’s not to love!

  • Simple ingredients – Cinnamon French toast sticks are made with exactly the same ingredients as traditional French toast except the bread is cut into strips, or sticks, before it is soaked in custard and fried.
  • Handheld – The result is slightly crispy sticks that can be picked up with your fingers and dunked in your favorite syrup with no knife or fork required. The fact that they can be eaten with your hands makes them a great grab and go breakfast as well and perfect for kids.
  • Versatile – There are so many ways you can enjoy this favorite breakfast with your favorite toppings or as is!
french toast stick dipped into syrup

French Toast Sticks Ingredients

These easy French toast sticks only require a few simple ingredients.

  • Bread – I use a plain white sandwich bread, but they will work with whatever bread you prefer. Brioche or Texas toast are also great options, and whole wheat bread works well too.
  • Eggs – Forms the base of the custard and creates the crisp toast
  • Heavy Cream – produces a nice thick, rich custard. You can use milk if you prefer.
  • Vanilla – enhances the flavor of the custard. 
  • Powdered sugar – provides a bit of sweetness and helps the toast to crisp
  • Cinnamon – adds a nice aroma and warm flavors to the toast. Nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice work well too.
french toast sticks ingredients

How to Make French Toast Sticks

You are going to love how easy it is to make these delicious french toast sticks. 

  1. Slice bread. Begin by slicing the bread into sticks. Cut the crust off all 4 sides of the bread, then cut the bread into 1 inch sticks. I get 3 sticks per slice using basic sandwich bread.
  2. Whisk eggs, cream and vanilla. Next, break the eggs into a large, shallow bowl and whisk until they are well blended. Add the heavy cream and vanilla and whisk until you have a smooth custard.
  3. Add powdered sugar and cinnamon. Next add the powdered sugar and cinnamon and whisk to combine. Heat a large pan or griddle over medium heat and coat with butter.
  4. Dip bread into custard. Dip each stick into the custard making sure all edges and sides are coated, then place on the griddle. Repeat with remaining sticks, working in batches if necessary.
  5. Cook. Cook until the sticks are golden brown, then flip and cook an additional few minutes to toast the other side. Move the cooked French toast sticks to a plate and serve.

Variations

While we like this quick breakfast exactly as is, there are a few ways you can make it your own.

  • Bread – The best bread for french toast is usually not fresh  bread. I like mine to be stale bread so that it holds up a bit better. A dense bread like sourdough or challah would work great.
  • Toppings – Feel free to add whatever you’d like! Whipped cream, a cinnamon sugar mixture, warm maple syrup, orange zest, fresh fruit or fresh berries would all taste grat.
  • Banana bread – Take this recipe one step further and use banana bread as your bread. The flavor is incredible!
plated French toast sticks

Storage, Make-Ahead and Freezing

These French toast sticks are easy to make ahead and freezer safe. This makes them great for quick weekday breakfasts or even after school snacks.

Once the French toast sticks have cooled, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer. Then place the tray in the freezer.

Wait 2-3 hours for the sticks to freeze, then gather them up and store them in an air tight container or large zip lock bag.

To reheat, simply remove as many as you’d like from the freezer and then place them on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes. 

You can also reheat these in a microwave for about 1 minute, however this method will leave them a bit soft.

close up overhead shot of french toast sticks on plate with blueberries

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you cook French toast sticks?

There are several methods, but we cook this recipe on a griddle. You can also make baked french toast sticks or even make them in the air fryer.

What fast food chains have French toast sticks?

Sonic, Jack in the Box, Burger King and Wendy’s all serve french toast sticks for breakfast.

Can you buy frozen French toast sticks?

Yes, you can buy them frozen and they’re great in a pinch. However, I much prefer this homemade version.

french toast sticks for pinterest

More French Toast Recipes

close up of stuffed french toast slices

Strawberry Stuffed French Toast Recipe

Strawberry Stuffed French Toast is made with mascarpone, vanilla syrup, fresh strawberries, and buttery brioche, for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
See The Recipe!
apple cinnamon french toast on a metal plate

Apple Cinnamon French Toast Recipe

Apple Cinnamon French Toast is the perfect breakfast or brunch recipe for fall! This cinnamon french toast will jump start your fall season, and get you ready all that autumn has to offer!
See The Recipe!
syrup poured onto french toast casserole

Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe

Overnight French toast casserole is the delicious breakfast bake you didn't realize you needed. Sweet and easy, this will make your morning.
See The Recipe!
close up of french toast sticks
plated French toast sticks

French Toast Sticks

5 from 13 votes
Lightly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, French Toast Sticks are a fun & delicious breakfast that both kids and adults will love!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Optional Toppings

Instructions

  • Cut the crust off all 4 sides of the bread, then cut the bread into 1 inch sticks.
  • Break the eggs into a large, shallow bowl and whisk until they are well blended.
  • Add the heavy cream and vanilla and whisk until you have a smooth custard.
  • Add the powdered sugar and cinnamon and whisk to combine.
  • Heat a large pan or griddle over medium heat and coat with butter.
  • Dip each stick into the custard making sure all edges and sides are coated, then place on the griddle. Repeat with remaining sticks, working in batches if necessary.
  • Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sticks are golden brown, then flip and cook an additional 5 minutes to toast the other side.
  • Move the cooked French toast sticks to a plate, dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar and serve.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the ratings or comments!

Nutrition

Calories: 441 kcal, Carbohydrates: 34 g, Protein: 13 g, Fat: 28 g, Saturated Fat: 16 g, Cholesterol: 245 mg, Sodium: 376 mg, Potassium: 207 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 8 g, Vitamin A: 1112 IU, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 141 mg, Iron: 3 mg
Author: Deanna Hill
Calories: 441
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American, French
Keyword: french toast sticks
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
syrup with french toast
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

5 from 13 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    I’m still a kid at heart! I rather have these french toast sticks than pancakes. Love how easy this was to make and was super delish!

  2. 5 stars
    These were perfect! made them for breakfast this morning. My boys said they preferred these French toast sticks to the regular ones.

  3. Looks so tasty and I love the pictures! French Toast sticks are always so convenient and perfect for breakfast, saving to make soon!