You know those rushed mornings when you want something special for breakfast but don’t have time to stand over a skillet? That’s exactly why I fell in love with these Air Fryer French Toast Sticks with eggnog. One sleepy December morning, I stared at leftover holiday eggnog and thought “Why not?” – and oh wow, was that a delicious accident! The air fryer gives them this magical crispy outside while keeping the centers soft, and that hint of eggnog? Pure holiday cheer in every bite. My kids now beg for these golden sticks year-round, and I love that they’re ready before the morning chaos really kicks in.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer French Toast Sticks (Eggnog)
These aren’t just any French toast sticks – they’re your new breakfast superheroes. First off, the air fryer gives them this incredible crispy-on-the-outside, pillowy-on-the-inside texture that’ll make you swear off the skillet version forever. And talk about fast – we’re talking done in under 10 minutes flat, which is faster than my coffee brews on groggy mornings!
That eggnog twist? Pure magic. It adds this subtle holiday spice that makes every bite feel special, even if it’s just a random Tuesday. Plus, they’re way less messy to eat than regular French toast – no syrup-dripping disasters when you’re rushing out the door. Trust me, one bite and you’ll be hooked!
Ingredients for Air Fryer French Toast Sticks (Eggnog)
Gathering these simple ingredients is half the battle – and I promise, you probably have most of them already! Here’s what you’ll need for that perfect crispy-soft texture with that special eggnog twist:
- 4 slices of bread – cut into 1-inch sticks (I use thick-cut brioche, but any sturdy bread works)
- ½ cup eggnog – store-bought or homemade (the richer, the better!)
- 1 large egg – lightly beaten (this helps bind everything together)
- 1 tsp cinnamon – because what’s French toast without it?
- ½ tsp vanilla extract – the secret flavor booster
- 1 tbsp sugar – just enough to sweeten the deal
- 1 tbsp melted butter – for that golden, crispy finish
Ingredient Substitutions & Notes
No eggnog? No problem! Mix ½ cup almond milk with ¼ tsp nutmeg and ½ tsp vanilla for a similar cozy flavor. Gluten-free bread works great too – just toast it slightly first so it holds up. And whatever you do, avoid super fresh, soft bread (it’ll turn mushy). Stale bread is actually your friend here – it soaks up the custard without falling apart!
How to Make Air Fryer French Toast Sticks (Eggnog)
Alright, let’s turn those simple ingredients into golden, crispy magic! The air fryer does most of the work here, but these little tricks make all the difference between good and “oh-my-goodness” amazing French toast sticks.
Step 1: Prep the Eggnog Mixture
Grab a shallow bowl – I use my favorite pie plate because it’s the perfect size for dipping. Whisk together that rich eggnog, beaten egg, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar until the sugar completely dissolves. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks smooth and all one color – no sugar granules at the bottom! This takes about 30 seconds of vigorous whisking. (Pro tip: Taste it! If you want more cinnamon or nutmeg flavor, add just a pinch more now.)
Step 2: Dip and Arrange
Working with one bread stick at a time, give each piece a quick dunk in the eggnog mixture – about 2-3 seconds per side. You want it coated but not soaked through (or they’ll get soggy). Let any excess drip off back into the bowl. Now, the crucial part: arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket with a little space between each. No overlapping! This ensures that hot air can circulate properly for even crispiness. If they’re too crowded, you’ll end up with steamed toast instead of crispy sticks.
Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection
Brush the tops lightly with melted butter – this gives that gorgeous golden color. Slide the basket into your preheated air fryer (370°F is the sweet spot!) and let them work their magic for 5 minutes. When the timer goes off, use tongs to carefully flip each stick. You’re looking for lightly golden edges at this point. Brush the other sides with more butter and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they’re deep golden brown and crisp all over. That heavenly smell will tell you when they’re done before the timer does!
Tips for the Best Air Fryer French Toast Sticks (Eggnog)
Want restaurant-quality results every time? Here are my hard-earned secrets: First, slightly stale bread is your best friend – it soaks up the custard without turning to mush. Second, check for hot spots in your air fryer – rotate the basket halfway if needed. And most importantly, serve immediately while they’re still crispy! That first bite of warm, golden perfection? Worth waking up early for.
Serving Suggestions
Oh, the fun part—dressing up these golden beauties! A drizzle of warm maple syrup is classic, but for extra holiday magic, dust them with powdered sugar and a pinch of nutmeg. Fresh berries on the side cut through the richness perfectly. My kids love dunking them in whipped cream—who am I to argue?
Storage & Reheating
These French toast sticks taste best fresh, but if you’ve got leftovers (rare in my house!), pop them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. When that craving hits again, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about 2 minutes – they’ll come back to life with that same crispy magic! Just watch them closely – nobody likes overdone toast sticks.
Nutrition Information
Just so you know, these values are estimates – your exact nutrition will vary based on the bread and eggnog you use. But for one serving (about half the recipe), you’re looking at roughly 220 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated), and 30g carbs. Not too shabby for such a delicious treat! Remember, the better quality your ingredients, the better these numbers will be.
FAQs About Air Fryer French Toast Sticks (Eggnog)
Can I freeze these? Absolutely! Freeze them before cooking – arrange the dipped sticks on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to a bag. When cravings strike, pop them straight into the air fryer (no thawing needed) and add 1-2 extra minutes to the cook time.
Can I use non-dairy eggnog? Yes! Almond or oat milk eggnog alternatives work beautifully. Just add an extra pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to amp up the flavor. The texture might be slightly different, but still delicious.
Why are my sticks soggy? Two likely culprits: over-dipping (stick to 2-3 seconds per side!) or overcrowding the air fryer basket. They need breathing room to crisp up properly. Next time, work in batches – it’s worth the wait!
Made these? I’d love to see your golden creations! Tag me @mykitchenadventures so I can cheer you on.
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3-Ingredient Air Fryer French Toast Sticks Eggnog Magic
- Total Time: 13 mins
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy, golden French toast sticks made in the air fryer with a hint of eggnog flavor. Perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of bread, cut into sticks
- 1/2 cup eggnog
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp butter, melted (for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (187°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together eggnog, egg, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar.
- Dip each bread stick into the mixture, coating evenly.
- Place the sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Brush with melted butter.
- Cook for 5 minutes, flip, and cook for another 3-4 minutes until golden.
- Serve warm with syrup or powdered sugar.
Notes
- Use slightly stale bread for better texture.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American