Name: French Toast Sticks Recipe
Ingredients: 8 slices of bread, about ½ inch thick – Choose your favorite bread! Brioche, challah, Texas toast, or even day-old white bread work wonderfully. Stale bread soaks up the custard better without becoming soggy.; 4 large eggs – These are the binding agent and provide richness and structure to the French toast sticks. Use fresh, high-quality eggs for the best flavor and texture.; ½ cup milk – Whole milk will give the richest flavor and creamiest texture, but you can also use 2%, skim, or plant-based milk alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk.; ¼ cup granulated sugar – Adds sweetness to the custard and helps create a beautiful golden-brown crust when cooked. Adjust the amount to your preference for sweetness.; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor profile, adding a warm and aromatic note to the French toast sticks. Pure vanilla extract is recommended for the best taste.; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – Provides a classic warm spice flavor that complements the sweetness perfectly. You can adjust the amount or add other spices like nutmeg or cardamom.; ¼ teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in the recipe. Just a pinch is enough to make a difference.; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, or vegetable oil – Used for cooking the French toast sticks. Butter adds a rich, buttery flavor, while oil is a good alternative for a lighter option or for those avoiding dairy.

Ingredients

Scale

8 slices of bread, about ½ inch thick – Choose your favorite bread! Brioche, challah, Texas toast, or even day-old white bread work wonderfully. Stale bread soaks up the custard better without becoming soggy.
4 large eggs – These are the binding agent and provide richness and structure to the French toast sticks. Use fresh, high-quality eggs for the best flavor and texture.
½ cup milk – Whole milk will give the richest flavor and creamiest texture, but you can also use 2%, skim, or plant-based milk alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk.
¼ cup granulated sugar – Adds sweetness to the custard and helps create a beautiful golden-brown crust when cooked. Adjust the amount to your preference for sweetness.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor profile, adding a warm and aromatic note to the French toast sticks. Pure vanilla extract is recommended for the best taste.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – Provides a classic warm spice flavor that complements the sweetness perfectly. You can adjust the amount or add other spices like nutmeg or cardamom.
¼ teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in the recipe. Just a pinch is enough to make a difference.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, or vegetable oil – Used for cooking the French toast sticks. Butter adds a rich, buttery flavor, while oil is a good alternative for a lighter option or for those avoiding dairy.

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Instructions

Prepare the Bread: Begin by slicing your chosen bread into sticks. For each slice of bread, you can typically get 3-4 sticks depending on the size and shape of your loaf. Aim for sticks that are about 1 inch wide and 3-4 inches long. If you are using pre-sliced bread, you can simply cut each slice into strips. Using slightly stale bread is ideal as it will absorb the custard mixture without becoming overly soggy. If your bread is very fresh, you can lightly toast it in a low oven (about 200°F or 95°C) for 5-10 minutes to dry it out slightly. This step is crucial for achieving perfectly textured French toast sticks that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Set the bread sticks aside while you prepare the custard.
Whisk the Custard: In a medium-sized bowl, crack the 4 large eggs. Whisk them well until the yolks and whites are fully combined and the mixture is slightly frothy. This ensures a smooth and even custard. Next, pour in the ½ cup of milk. You can use any type of milk you prefer – whole milk will result in a richer, creamier custard, while lower-fat milk or plant-based milk options like almond milk or oat milk will work perfectly well too, offering a slightly lighter texture. Add the ¼ cup of granulated sugar to the bowl. The sugar adds sweetness to the French toast sticks and also contributes to the golden-brown caramelization during cooking. Follow with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Vanilla extract is a key flavor enhancer, adding warmth and depth to the custard. Pure vanilla extract is recommended for the best flavor, but imitation vanilla will also work in a pinch. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Cinnamon provides that classic French toast spice, and salt is essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the flavors in the mixture. Whisk all the ingredients together thoroughly until they are completely combined and the sugar is dissolved. The custard mixture should be smooth and homogenous.
Soak the Bread Sticks: Now it’s time to soak the bread sticks in the prepared custard. Place the bread sticks in a shallow dish or baking pan. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread sticks, ensuring that each stick is coated. Let the bread sticks soak in the custard for about 10-15 seconds per side. Don’t soak them for too long, as this can make them soggy, especially if you are using very soft bread. The goal is to allow the bread to absorb just enough custard to become moist and flavorful, but not so much that it becomes mushy. If you are using thicker slices of bread or a denser bread like brioche, you might soak them for slightly longer, perhaps 20 seconds per side. Turn the sticks gently to ensure even soaking on all sides.
Cook the French Toast Sticks: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter or vegetable oil to the skillet and let it melt and heat up. Butter will add a richer flavor and help create a golden-brown crust, while oil is a good alternative if you prefer a lighter option or are avoiding dairy. Once the skillet is hot and the butter is melted (or oil is heated), carefully place the soaked bread sticks onto the hot skillet. Do not overcrowd the skillet; work in batches if necessary to ensure that the sticks cook evenly and get nicely browned. Cook the French toast sticks for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Keep an eye on them and adjust the heat if needed. If they are browning too quickly, reduce the heat to medium-low. Flip the sticks gently with a spatula to cook the other side. The French toast sticks are done when they are golden brown on all sides and feel slightly firm to the touch.
Repeat and Serve: Continue cooking the remaining soaked bread sticks in batches, adding more butter or oil to the skillet as needed. Once each batch is cooked, remove the French toast sticks from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess butter or oil. This will help keep them crispy. Repeat the cooking process until all the soaked bread sticks are cooked. Serve the French toast sticks immediately while they are warm and crispy. They are delicious served with a variety of toppings, such as maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, whipped cream, or your favorite dipping sauces. Enjoy your homemade French Toast Sticks!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 350
Sugar: 20 grams
Fat: 15 grams