This homemade French toast sticks recipe is one my family asks for on repeat. Thick slices of bread dipped in a cinnamon custard and cooked until golden brown, so much better than the frozen box version and ready in just 15 minutes.

Homemade French toast sticks on plate with maple syrup in a bowl for dipping.

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French Toast Sticks Recipe

This homemade french toast sticks recipe is a fun twist on my classic easy French toast, cut into strips and served as dippers instead. Simple ingredients, ready in 15 minutes, and the whole family will be asking for them on repeat.

Thick slices of day-old bread are cut into handheld strips, dipped in a simple cinnamon egg custard and cooked on the griddle until crispy and golden brown. If you are a French toast lover like us, you have to try my brioche French toast , sourdough French toast and French bread French toast, too!

XO - Jamielyn

Ingredient Notes

Find the full recipe with printable directions below.

  • Bread: Thick sliced bread is key. I love using brioche for its rich, buttery texture, but Texas toast, challah, or even day-old sourdough all work great. Slightly stale bread is best since fresh bread soaks up too much of the egg mixture and turns soggy.
  • Eggs: The base of the custard that gives the sticks their classic eggy coating.
  • Milk: Whole milk works great here. Swap for heavy cream if you want a richer custard.
  • Brown sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the custard.
  • Cinnamon: Gives the custard that warm, cozy flavor. You can also roll the finished sticks in cinnamon sugar while they are still warm for an extra sweet finish.
  • Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor.
  • Butter: For cooking. It gives the homemade French toast sticks their golden, slightly crispy exterior.
Thick sliced French toast sticks piled on a plate showing a dusting of cinnamon-sugar on top.

How to Make French Toast Sticks

Slice the bread into 1-inch wide strips. I like to use 6 thick slices which gives you plenty of sticks for the whole family.

Thick sliced day old bread on cutting board for homemade French toast sticks.

Make the custard by combining all the egg mixture ingredients in a blender and pulsing until smooth. A bowl and whisk works too but the blender gives you a silkier, lump-free custard.

Flour and milk in bowl with cinnamon and sugar to make an easy custard for a French toast sticks recipe.

Preheat your griddle to 350°F or a skillet over medium-high heat. You want it hot before the bread goes in so the custard sets immediately and you get crispy edges instead of soggy ones. Dip each strip into the custard and let the excess drip off before placing on the griddle.

French toast sticks cooking on a buttered griddle.

Cook in butter for 2 minutes per side until deeply golden brown. Do not rush this part! A good sear on each side is what gives you that crispy exterior. Serve immediately with warm maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar.

French Toast Sticks Serving Suggestions

These are best served warm straight off the griddle! Try them with buttermilk syrup, homemade maple syrup, cinnamon pancake syrup, or a dollop of whipped cream on the side for dipping.

Recipe Tips

  • Don’t skip the stale bread step. If you forgot to set it out, pop the slices in a 250°F oven for 10-15 minutes to dry them out before dipping.
  • Whisk the custard thoroughly to avoid egg white strands on the bread. This is actually one of my favorite reasons to use the blender method!
  • Make sure the butter is melted and hot before adding the sticks. This is what gives you that golden crispy exterior and prevents the custard from spreading. Cooking spray works in a pinch but butter adds a richness you can’t replicate.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan. Work in batches so every stick gets even browning on each side.
  • For classic cinnamon French toast sticks, roll them in cinnamon sugar right after cooking while they are still warm so the coating sticks.
  • Keeping warm. Place on a baking sheet in a 175°F oven if your crowd isn’t quite ready to eat yet.
Pouring syrup over homemade French toast sticks dusted with powdered sugar and served with berries.

Make Ahead

These French toast sticks are great for getting ahead on busy mornings. You can prep them two ways:

Soak overnight. Place the bread strips in a baking dish and pour the custard evenly over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning just lift the strips straight onto a hot buttered griddle and cook as directed. Make sure to use thick, day-old bread so they hold up overnight without getting too soggy.

Cook and freeze. Make a big batch on the weekend and you have an easy breakfast ready to go all week. Let the cooked sticks cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the oven at 400°F for 7-10 minutes or in the air fryer at 400°F for 5-6 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.

Dipping a cinnamon sugar coated French toast stick in syrup.

More easy breakfast ideas to try include sheet pan pancakes, cinnamon roll monkey bread, Nutella crepes or Belgian waffles.

More French Toast Recipes

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Homemade French toast sticks on plate with maple syrup in a bowl for dipping.

French Toast Sticks

5 from 7 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
This homemade french toast sticks recipe is thick, crispy and golden brown with a warm cinnamon custard coating. Ready in just 15 minutes and perfect for dipping in warm maple syrup!
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Video

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 6 slices thick bread , I prefer brioche

Optional Toppings: berries, fresh fruit, powdered sugar, nutella, whipped cream, jam, syrup

Instructions

  • Slice 6 pieces bread into 1-inch wide strips.
  • Place 1/2 cup milk, 2 Tablespoons flour, 2 eggs, 2 Tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a blender. Pulse until smooth. Alternatively place in a bowl and whisk until smooth and thoroughly mixed.
  • Preheat a griddle to 350°F or a skillet over medium-high heat. Butter before placing the bread on. Once the grill is hot dip the bread into the egg mixture and flip to evenly coat. Then place the bread on the griddle and cook 2 minutes per side (or until lightly golden brown). Whisk the egg mixture as needed. 
  • Serve immediately and top with your favorite toppings.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

I love to roll the sticks in cinnamon sugar right after removing from the griddle before serving.
Soaking overnight: Place bread strips in a baking dish and pour the custard evenly over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight then cook on a buttered griddle in the morning.
Storage: Store leftover french toast sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes until crispy again.
Freezer: Let cooked sticks cool completely then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven at 400°F for 7-10 minutes or in the air fryer at 400°F for 5-6 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 285kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 133mg, Sodium: 422mg, Potassium: 209mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 305IU, Calcium: 150mg, Iron: 2.8mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.