Description

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these Cinnamon French Toast Sticks are a grab-and-go breakfast hack perfect for busy school mornings. They are customizable for various diets and can be made ahead and frozen for convenience.

Ingredients

Scale

1 loaf thick-cut white or brioche bread, sliced into 1-inch strips
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
¼ cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for frying)
1 tablespoon cinnamon (for dusting)
½ cup sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

Slice the thick-cut bread into 1-inch strips, keeping the crusts on for structure.
In a shallow baking dish, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar until smooth and frothy.
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add half the butter, letting it melt and shimmer.
Dip each bread strip into the custard mixture for 10-15 seconds per side, allowing excess to drip off.
Place dipped sticks in the hot skillet, cooking in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Transfer cooked sticks to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet to prevent sogginess.
While still warm, toss the sticks in a mixture of 1 tablespoon cinnamon and ½ cup sugar until coated.
Serve immediately with maple syrup, yogurt, or fruit, or cool completely for storage.

Notes

Do not over-soak the bread (10-15 seconds is the sweet spot) to prevent falling apart. Keep heat at medium to ensure the inside cooks through without burning the outside. Use a cooling rack to maintain crispness. These can be frozen for up to 2 months and reheated in a toaster.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 stick
Calories: 110
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 120
Fat: 5
Saturated Fat: 2.5
Carbohydrates: 15
Fiber: 1
Protein: 3

Keywords: back-to-school, breakfast, french toast sticks, cinnamon sugar, grab-and-go, kid-friendly, make-ahead, freezer-friendly