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Make your mornings extra cozy with this easy homemade French toast sticks recipe. Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and perfect for dipping—these golden breakfast treats are a family favorite you can whip up in minutes!

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There’s something so comforting about waking up to the smell of French toast sizzling in the pan. Growing up, I always loved when a weekend morning started with something warm, sweet, and dipped in syrup. I would watch my dad whisk a bowl of eggs, milk, and cinnamon together and dip some bread to fry. It was always delicious!

Now, I’ve found that turning classic French toast into French toast sticks makes breakfast even more fun—especially for kids, but honestly, adults love them just as much. They’re easy to grab, dip, and enjoy with coffee or hot cocoa. Today, I’ll show you step-by-step how to make these golden, cozy treats at home, whether you use regular white bread or one of your favorite homemade bread recipes.

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Image illustrates a Pinterest pin of homemade French toast sticks.

From Toddlers to Teens: A Family Favorite

When my boys were toddlers, French toast sticks were my secret weapon for happy mornings. They loved dipping the little sticks into syrup, giggling with sticky fingers and big smiles. Back then, I’d cut them extra small so little hands could grab them easily. Fast forward to today—my sons are teenagers, and would you believe these cozy little sticks are still a hit?

Now they eat them by the plateful, but the tradition of gathering around the table with French toast sticks has never changed. It’s one of those recipes that has grown right along with our family, and that’s what makes it so special.

On this day of making this recipe, I used 2 loaves of bread for my family’s freezer stock. My teenage sons loves to snack on these!

Image illustrates homemade French toast sticks.

How to Make Homemade French Toast Sticks

Ingredients You’ll Need

Bread: Thick-sliced bread works best. Day-old bread is perfect since it soaks up the custard without falling apart.
Eggs: The base of the custard—give the sticks richness and structure.
Milk or Cream: Adds creaminess to the custard. Whole milk or half-and-half will make them extra indulgent.
Vanilla Extract: A splash for warmth and depth of flavor.
Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Classic spices that bring cozy, aromatic sweetness.
Butter: For frying, it gives the French toast that golden, crispy edge.
Optional Sugar: For those who like a little extra sweetness cooked right in.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Slice the Bread

Cut thick slices of bread into thirds or quarters (depending on how big you want your sticks). This helps them soak up the custard evenly while staying firm enough to pick up with your fingers.

I took the time to slice up two loaves of homemade bread to ensure our freezer is well stocked with these delicous sticks!

I like to have them all sliced and cut before I even start frying any of them.

Step 2: Make the Custard

In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth. This is the base that will coat your bread and give it that signature French toast flavor.

Step 3: Dip the Bread

Dip each stick into the custard, coating all sides but not letting it soak too long, or it may get soggy.

Step 4: Cook Until Golden

Heat a skillet or griddle with a little butter. Cook the sticks on each side until golden brown, about 2–3 minutes per side.

Step 5: Serve and Dip

Serve warm with maple syrup, honey, or even fruit compote for dipping.

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Using Homemade Bread Recipes for French Toast Sticks

For this batch, I used my homemade white bread recipe—it’s soft, fluffy, and holds up beautifully to the custard soak. But don’t be afraid to get creative! Cinnamon raisin bread, swirl bread, or even a slightly sweet challah loaf will take your French toast sticks to the next level. Using homemade bread not only adds heart to the recipe, but it also means you can control the flavor and texture for that extra touch of coziness.

Add a Sweet (or Spiced) Twist

If you want to take your French toast sticks to the next level, try rolling them in a little cinnamon sugar or pumpkin pie spice right after they come out of the pan. The heat helps the sugar and spice stick, giving them a crunchy, sweet coating that tastes like a cozy fall treat. It’s an easy way to dress them up for holidays, weekend brunch, or just when you’re craving something a little extra special.

Freezer-Friendly French Toast Sticks

Over the years, I’ve made big batches of French toast sticks to keep in the freezer—because trust me, they disappear fast in my house! Freezing them makes busy mornings so much easier. To do it, let the cooked sticks cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. This keeps them from sticking together, so you can grab just the amount you need. When it’s time to enjoy, simply pop them in the oven or air fryer until heated through and crispy again. They taste just as delicious as the day you made them!

Conclusion

Homemade French toast sticks are proof that simple ingredients can create something truly special. Whether you’re serving them on a lazy Saturday morning or making a quick school-day breakfast or after school snack, they bring a little joy to the table. Try them with your favorite homemade bread, get creative with coatings and dips, and most importantly—share them with someone you love!

Resources: Here are some helpful resources for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make French toast sticks ahead of time?

Yes! Cook them as usual, let them cool, and freeze in a single layer. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for a quick breakfast.

2. What’s the best bread to use?

Thick-sliced white bread, brioche, or challah work wonderfully. Day-old bread gives the best texture.

3. Can I bake them instead of frying?

Yes—bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’ll be slightly less crispy but still delicious.

4. How do I store leftovers?

Store cooled sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Homemade French Toast Sticks

These cozy French toast sticks are golden and crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and perfect for dipping into warm maple syrup or honey. They’re made with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand and can be cooked up in just minutes. Whether you’re making them for little hands to grab on a busy school morning or serving a stack on a slow weekend brunch, these French toast sticks bring a comforting touch of homemade goodness to the table. Made with thick slices of bread and warm spices, they’re a family-favorite breakfast you’ll want to make again and again!

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

1 mixing bowl
1 frying pan.

Ingredients

8 slices thick white bread (or homemade bread)
3 large eggs
½ cup milk or half-and-half
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp sugar (optional)
2 tbsp butter for frying

Instructions

Slice bread into thirds to form sticks.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar (if using).
Dip bread sticks into custard, coating all sides lightly.
Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook bread sticks for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Serve warm with maple syrup, honey, or fresh fruit.

Notes

Day-old bread works best – it soaks up the custard without getting soggy. If your bread is fresh, leave it out for a few hours to dry slightly.
Make them ahead – cook, cool, and freeze in a single layer. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for a quick, grab-and-go breakfast.
Try different breads – homemade white bread, brioche, challah, cinnamon swirl, or even raisin bread all add a unique flavor twist.
Don’t oversoak – dip the sticks just long enough to coat; leaving them in the custard too long can make them fall apart.
Flavor boosters – a pinch of brown sugar, pumpkin spice, or even a splash of orange zest in the custard can make them extra special.
Serving ideas – pair with maple syrup, fruit compote, whipped cream, or even yogurt for a fun variety of dipping options.