Are you looking to elevate your breakfast game to new heights? Look no further since we have the perfect Air Fryer French Toast!
Today, we’re diving into the world of perfect air fryer French toast – a delightful twist on a classic breakfast staple. This recipe combines the irresistibly soft and custardy interior of French toast with the irresistible crispness achieved by harnessing the power of the air fryer.
So get ready to experience the ultimate balance of textures and flavors as we guide you through the steps to create a breakfast masterpiece that will surely please you.
Here is a simple and foolproof recipe for air fryer French toast that will leave you wanting more. We’ll cover everything, from selecting the perfect bread to whisking the dreamiest custard mixture.
We’ll also explore tips and tricks to ensure your French toast comes out crispy on the outside yet tender on the inside every single time.
Prepare to savor each golden bite, and impress your friends and family with this delectable breakfast treat. Let’s get cooking!
What you need
- Bread: Choose a sturdy and thick-cut bread, such as brioche bread, thick-cut challah bread, or Texas toast. The bread should be slightly stale or day-old, which helps it hold its shape and absorb the custard mixture better. If you only have fresh bread, leave the bread lightly covered with a paper towel overnight.
- Eggs: Eggs are the heart of the custard mixture that gives French toast its signature texture. Use fresh eggs for the best results.
- Milk: Milk adds richness and creaminess to the custard mixture. Whole milk, 2% milk, or a combination of milk and heavy cream will achieve the desired consistency. For those with lactose intolerance, use non-dairy milk such as oat milk, almond milk, or any other dairy-free milk.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the French toast, providing a subtle hint of sweetness and warmth.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a delightful warmth and aroma to the French toast. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt helps to enhance the flavors and the sweetness of the overall flavor.
- Toppings and Syrup: Classic toppings include powdered sugar, fresh berries, maple syrup, or even a dollop of whipped cream. Get creative and experiment with your favorite toppings!
Remember, these are the foundational ingredients for air fryer French toast. You can customize your recipe by adding nutmeg, a sprinkle of sugar, or even a touch of orange zest to elevate the flavors further. But you’re on your way to creating a mouthwatering breakfast masterpiece with these ingredients.
How to make it
Step One
Add the eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon to a shallow dish.
Step Two
Whisk eggs well. There should be no visible areas of the whites of the egg left.
Step Three
Add the milk or cream.
Step Four
Again, whisk the egg mixture well until no visible white separates from the mixture.
Step Five
Dip the bread into the custard. Let the bread soak up the custard for a minute.
Step Six
Flip the bread and let it soak for a minute.
Use tongs, a fork, or your fingers to flip the bread.
This is where day-old, thick-cut bread comes in. If the bread is too fresh, it tends to fall apart.
Step Seven
Arrange the dipped bread slices on your air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving room between them.
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Spray your basket with cooking spray to avoid sticking. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s directions. Some manufacturers do not recommend the use of cooking sprays. In that case, you can use parchment paper.
Air fry the toast on the first side for about 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip each piece of bread with a spatula or tongs.
Do the toast in multiple batches if you have a larger crowd.
Pro tips for your success
- Use Thicker Slices of Bread: Thick slices of bread, such as brioche or challah, work best for French toast. The thicker pieces absorb the custard mixture without becoming too soggy.
- Dry or Slightly Stale Bread: Leave the bread lightly covered with a paper towel overnight to dry slightly if you only have fresh bread. Drying will help the bread hold its shape and prevents it from becoming too mushy during cooking.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Just like preheating an oven, it’s essential to preheat your air fryer. Preheating ensures even cooking and helps achieve a crispy exterior.
- Coat the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or baste it with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Whisk the Custard Mixture Well: Whisk the ingredients thoroughly. A consistent batter ensures a well-incorporated and flavorful custard mixture.
- Soak the Bread Adequately: Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture, allowing it to soak the bread for a few seconds on each side. Make sure both sides are evenly coated but not overly saturated.
- Shake Off Excess Custard: Before placing the bread slices in the air fryer, gently shake off any excess custard to avoid excessive dripping and potential burning.
- Arrange in a Single Layer: Place the dipped bread slice on your basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding, as it may lead to uneven cooking.
- Flip Midway Through Cooking: Flip the French toast slices halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning on both sides.
- Adjust Cooking Time and Temperature: Every air fryer is different, so you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature slightly based on your specific model. Keep a close eye on the French toast as it cooks to avoid burning.
What to serve with French Toast
- Fresh Fruits: Enhance the freshness and vibrancy of your French toast by serving it with fresh fruits. Sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or even banana slices perfectly complement the toast’s sweetness.
- Whipped Cream: Add a touch of indulgence by serving your French toast with a dollop of homemade whipped cream. Light and fluffy, it provides a delightful contrast to the crispy exterior of the toast.
- Yogurt: For a healthier twist, serve your air fryer French toast with a side of Greek yogurt or flavored yogurt. It adds a creamy element while providing a tangy contrast to the sweetness.
- Bacon or Sausage: If you’re craving a savory component to balance the sweetness of the French toast, crispy bacon or tasty sausage links make excellent accompaniments. The combination of the flavorful meat and the sweet toast is simply irresistible.
- Maple Syrup: The classic choice for French toast, maple syrup drizzled generously over the warm toast adds a rich, sweet, and buttery touch. Ensure you opt for pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
- Nut Butter: Consider serving your French toast with a spread of your favorite nut butter, such as almond or peanut butter. It adds a creamy and nutty element, making each bite even more satisfying.
- Whipped Butter: Another simple yet delicious option is to serve your French toast with a pat of whipped butter. It melts over the warm toast and imparts a rich, creamy taste.
These suggestions are a place to start; you can mix and match to create your preferred combination. Ultimately, the choice of accompaniments depends on your taste preferences and the overall flavor profile you wish to achieve. So get creative and enjoy exploring different flavors and textures alongside your delectable air fryer French toast.
What to do with leftovers
Suppose you have any leftovers from your air fryer French toast. Storing them properly to maintain their texture and flavor is always a good idea.
- Cool the French Toast: Allow the French toast to cool to room temperature before storing. Cooling will help prevent condensation and sogginess when it’s stored.
- Wrap or Containerize: Wrap each slice of French toast individually in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. Sealing helps prevent them from drying out and keeps them fresh.
- Refrigeration: Place the wrapped or containerized French toast in the fridge. Store them refrigerated for up to 2-3 days.
- Freezing (optional): If you want to store French toast longer, you can freeze it. Place the wrapped pieces of toast in a freezer-safe bag or container and store them in the freezer for 2-3 months. Freezing may alter the texture slightly, but it’s still a great way to extend the shelf life.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover French toast, remove it from the refrigerator or freezer and let it thaw if frozen. Reheat it in the air fryer for a few minutes until warm and crispy, or use a toaster or oven. Reheating times may vary, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. You can also microwave the toast to rewarm it. Just microwave for only a minute or a minute and a half so that it doesn’t get too soggy. You can bake the toast for about 5 minutes in a conventional oven.
It’s worth noting that French toast is best when fresh, as it may lose some of its crispiness after being refrigerated or frozen. However, if you store and reheat it properly, you can still enjoy a delicious breakfast treat, even with leftovers.
Helpful tools
More breakfast and brunch dishes
- Caramelized onion quiche
- Chicken quiche
- Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls
- Huevos Rancheros
- Jackie Kennedy’s Fluffy Waffles
- Deep Dish Breakfast Pizza
- Sweet Potato Waffles
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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today!
Enjoy. And have fun cooking!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer French Toast
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread see notes
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup Milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
- Add the eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon to a shallow dish.3 eggs, ¼ teaspoon vanilla, ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Whisk eggs well. There should be no visible areas of the whites of the egg left.
- Add the milk or cream.¼ cup Milk
- Again, whisk the egg mixture well until no visible white separates from the mixture.
- Dip the bread into the custard. Let the bread soak up the custard for a minute.4 slices bread
- Flip the bread and let it soak for a minute. Use tongs, a fork, or your fingers to flip the bread.This is where day-old, thick-cut bread comes in. If the bread is too fresh, it tends to fall apart.
- Arrange the dipped bread slices on your air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving room between them.
- Spray your basket with cooking spray to avoid sticking. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s directions. Some manufacturers do not recommend the use of cooking sprays. In that case, you can use parchment paper.Air fry the toast on the first side for about 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip each piece of bread with a spatula or tongs.Do the toast in multiple batches if you have a larger crowd.
Notes
- Use Thicker Slices of Bread: Thick slices of bread, such as brioche or challah, work best for French toast. The thicker pieces absorb the custard mixture without becoming too soggy.
- Dry or Slightly Stale Bread: Leave the bread lightly covered with a paper towel overnight to dry slightly if you only have fresh bread. Drying will help the bread hold its shape and prevents it from becoming too mushy during cooking.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Just like preheating an oven, it’s essential to preheat your air fryer. Preheating ensures even cooking and helps achieve a crispy exterior.
- Coat the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or baste it with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Whisk the Custard Mixture Well: Whisk the ingredients thoroughly. A consistent batter ensures a well-incorporated and flavorful custard mixture.
- Soak the Bread Adequately: Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture, allowing it to soak the bread for a few seconds on each side. Make sure both sides are evenly coated but not overly saturated.
- Shake Off Excess Custard: Before placing the bread slices in the air fryer, gently shake off any excess custard to avoid excessive dripping and potential burning.
- Arrange in a Single Layer: Place the dipped bread slice on your basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding, as it may lead to uneven cooking.
- Flip Midway Through Cooking: Flip the French toast slices halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning on both sides.
- Adjust Cooking Time and Temperature: Every air fryer is different, so you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature slightly based on your specific model. Keep a close eye on the French toast as it cooks to avoid burning.
Nutrition
Originally published May 18, 2023.
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