Nothing quite satisfies breakfast and brunch appetites like a plate of French toast. The toast’s mellow and rich buttery vanilla notes comfort the soul and are dreamy when topped with pats of butter and pure maple syrup. Today we are making this quintessential breakfast dish even better by cooking it in the air fryer!
This recipe is made with just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients and in a few simple steps, and the air fryer creates a French toast that is delightfully crunchy on the exterior while being fluffy and soft on the inside. And, it only takes 15 minutes! Enjoy the satisfaction of this favorite breakfast throughout the work week or make a double batch on the weekends and reheat leftover French toast on busy mornings. For more great brunch recipes, check out my traditional French toast, French toast casserole recipe, and French toast sticks recipe.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Bread Slices – choose thick bread slices, such as brioche, challah, or Texas toast. Challah and brioche bread are my best bread recommendations, as their dense texture and rich flavor make for an exceptional end result. You will need 8 pieces of bread. Use day-old or stale bread if possible, though fresh bread also works.
Milk – opt for whole or 2% milk for a rich and classic flavor. Non-dairy milk, such as oat milk or almond milk, can be substituted in a pinch; however, classic dairy milk does work the best in this recipe.
Vanilla Extract – contributes warm and nutty notes. Choose pure vanilla extract or pure vanilla paste for the best flavor.
How to Make Air Fryer French Toast
1. In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon until well combined.
2. Spray an air fryer basket with cooking spray. Working one at a time, dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, gently turning to coat, until lightly saturated.
3. Add the bread slices to the prepared air fryer basket in a single layer at least ½ inch apart.
4. Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes, flipping once halfway through the cooking time, or until golden brown. Serve hot with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh fruit, if desired.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. This will prevent the bread from sticking to the basket, making flipping the French toast easier and ensuring a crisp exterior.
- Gently turn the slices of bread in the egg mixture. A tender bread like brioche or challah can absorb the egg mixture very quickly, causing the bread to get more delicate. Gently handle the bread slices in the egg mixture so the bread doesn’t fall apart.
- Don’t overlap the bread in the air fryer. Instead, leave at least ½ inch between each piece of bread. This will help the hot air to circulate evenly around the bread, allowing it to cook evenly and crisp up to a nice golden color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leftovers will keep covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It also can be frozen in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Just place small squares of parchment paper between the cooked and cooled toast before freezing to defrost and reheat individual pieces with ease. Reheat the toast from refrigerated or frozen in a toaster oven on low for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through and crisp.
Serve the French toast warm with butter, maple syrup, and optional additional toppings, such as fresh berries or sliced bananas, to pass. Make a complete breakfast spread by serving this dish with scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, bacon, fruit salad, and hot coffee or tea.
The most common reasons why French toast gets soggy is because it was over-soaked in the egg and milk mixture or because it was made with thin-cut bread. To prevent this, always use thick-cut bread and quickly soak the bread in the egg mixture just until the liquid is absorbed before adding it to the air fryer.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this air fryer french toast recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Air Fryer French Toast
Video
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Shallow dish
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- ⅔ cup milk (160ml)
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 8 thick bread slices
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Spray an air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Working with one slice at a time, dip each bread slice into the egg mixture, turning to coat, until lightly saturated, and place in the basket about 1/2 inch apart. (Do not overlap, and cook the slices in batches.)
- Air fry at 350°F flipping once during cooking, about 4 minutes per side, until golden. Serve hot with powdered sugar and maple syrup, if desried.
Notes
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. This will prevent the bread from sticking to the basket, making flipping the French toast easier and ensuring a crisp exterior.
- Gently turn the slices of bread in the egg mixture. A tender bread like brioche or challah can absorb the egg mixture very quickly, causing the bread to get more delicate. Gently handle the bread slices in the egg mixture so the bread doesn’t fall apart.
- Don’t overlap the bread in the air fryer. Instead, leave at least ½ inch between each piece of bread. This will help the hot air to circulate evenly around the bread, allowing it to cook evenly and crisp up to a nice golden color.
