Air Fryer French Toast
Air fryer French toast is the breakfast fix for mornings when you want something warm and homemade without babysitting a skillet. You dunk thick slices of bread in a quick cinnamon custard, load up the basket, and let the air fryer do the rest. Ten minutes later you have golden, crisp-edged French toast with a soft, custardy center.
Equipment
- Air fryer (basket-style) Basket-style works best for this recipe
- Shallow dish or pie plate For dipping the bread
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Tongs For turning the slices
- Silicone basting brush For the butter or oil
- Air fryer parchment liners For easier cleanup (optional)
- Wire cooling rack For keeping finished slices crisp while you cook the rest
Ingredients
- 8 slices brioche bread or challah about 3/4 inch thick
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk or half-and-half 180ml
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 15ml
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 5ml
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 5ml
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1.25ml
- 1/8 teaspoon salt 0.6ml
- Cooking spray or melted butter For the air fryer basket
- Maple syrup For serving
- Powdered sugar For serving
Instructions
- Crack eggs into a shallow dish. Add milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk thoroughly until smooth with no egg white streaks.
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes. Lightly spray basket with cooking spray or brush with melted butter. Add parchment liner if using.
- Working one slice at a time, dip bread into custard for 10-15 seconds per side. Let excess drip back into the dish. Repeat with as many slices as fit in a single layer.
- Arrange dipped slices in the basket with half an inch space between each. Air fry at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway with tongs, until deep golden brown and springy to the touch.
- Transfer finished slices to a wire rack to keep crisp. If cooking in batches, hold first batch in a 200°F oven. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with maple syrup.
Notes
- Use bread that's a day or two old, or leave fresh slices out on the counter for an hour before cooking, since slightly stale bread soaks up custard without getting mushy.
- Don't oversoak the bread. A quick 10 to 15 second dip per side is plenty for thick slices.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket, since air needs room to circulate around each slice for even crisping.
- Whisk the custard well so the cinnamon doesn't clump on top of one or two slices.
- Check your air fryer a minute or two before the timer ends the first time you make this, since baskets vary in strength.
- Let leftover custard sit for a minute if it separates, then whisk again before dipping the last few slices.
- For French toast sticks, cut bread into thick strips before dipping for easier dunking and quicker cooking.
- For a dairy-free version, use oat milk or almond milk in place of the whole milk with no other changes needed.
- Leftover French toast can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes (refrigerated) or 6-8 minutes (frozen).
- Store leftover French toast in an airtight container. To freeze, arrange in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag.
Nutrition
Serving: 2slicesCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 12gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 320mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 8IUCalcium: 15mgIron: 10mg
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