French Toast Sticks

The smell of cinnamon and vanilla filling the kitchen on a weekend morning is pure magic, and these homemade baked French toast sticks make it even better. This recipe has been a go-to in my kitchen for years because it’s simple, comforting, and always a hit with the family. Whether I’m making them for a relaxed Sunday brunch or a breakfast that gets everyone excited to come to the table, these golden sticks never disappoint.

What makes this recipe especially great is that the French toast sticks are baked instead of fried. That means less butter, no babysitting at the stovetop, and perfectly crisp edges with a soft, custardy center every time. Serve them warm from the oven with maple syrup for dipping, and you may never reach for the frozen version again.

If you love easy breakfast recipes like these French toast sticks, you’ll definitely want to check out a couple of my other favorites. My Homemade Yogurt Parfait With Berries is fresh, creamy, and perfect for busy mornings, while Baked Eggs in a Muffin Tin make an easy grab-and-go breakfast that the whole family loves.

(Blue's Best Life is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate Programs.  I earn a small commission if you purchase through those links.  This helps me keep the blog going!)- Bobbie

Why You’ll Love These French Toast Sticks!

These delightful French toast sticks check every box you could want for a breakfast recipe. They are quick and easy to make, crowd pleasers, and very versatile. Whether you’re feeding kids or treating yourself to a cozy morning at home, these sticks deliver that perfect balance of crisp edges, soft centers, and warm cinnamon sweetness in every bite.

• These are truly easy French toast sticks; you’ll need a few pantry staples, and they’re done in half an hour!
• These kid-friendly French toast sticks are perfectly shaped for little hands to pick up and dip.
• The oven does all the work, giving you a perfectly golden crust without a mess and extra grease from frying.
• Made with simple ingredients!
• These are perfect for meal prep. These baked French toast sticks freeze beautifully, making them a lifesaver for a chaotic morning!

Equipment Needed

• Rimmed baking sheet
• Wire cooling rack (to fit over the baking sheet)
• Aluminum foil
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Serrated knife
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Small bowl

Key Ingredients

Heavy, thick-cut bread: This bread will be the foundation of the French toast sticks. Thick-cut bread, brioche, Texas toast, or a healthy country white bread holds up beautifully to the cream soak without falling apart. The extra thickness also gives you that irresistible contrast of crispy edges with a pillowy, custard center.

Heavy cream: Using heavy cream instead of milk is the key to that rich, decadent custard coating. It creates a luxurious, silky dip that bakes into a perfectly golden, slightly crispy shell.

Eggs: Eggs are an important part of this dish, helping the custard coating set beautifully as it bakes. It adds structure and richness that helps each stick develop that perfectly golden color in the oven.

Vanilla extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract takes the flavor to its best. It adds a warm, aromatic sweetness that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon.

Granulated sugar and cinnamon: This duo is what gives these baked French toast sticks their signature sparkle and spice. Sprinkling it on both sides before and after flipping ensures every bite has that beautiful caramelized, cinnamon crust.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Start by preheating the oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set a wire rack on top. Give the rack a generous spray of nonstick cooking spray. The wire rack allows heat to circulate all around the sticks, giving you even browning on all sides without flipping multiple times.

Using a serrated knife, slice each piece of bread vertically into 3 to 4 even strips. Try to make the same width so they cook evenly. A serrated knife is ideal, as it cuts through the bread cleanly without crushing or tearing.

Using a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined. This is your custard dip, the rich base that transforms plain bread into irresistible French toast sticks.

In a small bowl, stir the granulated sugar and cinnamon until evenly combined. Set aside as you’ll be using this in two stages for double the cinnamon sugar goodness.

Dip each bread strip into the cream mixture, coating both sides well. Give each piece a gentle shake to remove any excess, then place them in a single layer on the prepared wire rack. Continue until all snacks are coated. Depending on the size of your baking sheet, you may need to work in batches.

Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the tops of the sticks. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, carefully flip each stick and sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar over the other side. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, until the sticks are perfectly golden, set, and lightly crispy.

Serve immediately with warm made syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Make Ahead

One of the best things about this recipe is how well it lends itself to make-ahead prep. Here are a few options:

• Prep the custard mixture the night before and store it covered in the refrigerator. In the morning, slice your bread and dip.
• Bake a full batch, let them cool completely, and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2-3 months.
• Reheat frozen sticks directly from the freezer in a 350F oven for 8-10 minutes, or pop them in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and crispy again.

Expert Tips

• Use day-old bread. Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard without getting soggy and bakes up crispier.
• Don’t skip the wire rack. It lifts the sticks off the pan, so the hot air circulates all around for even, all-over browning.
• Shake off the excess custard. Too much coating can leave the centers gummy; a gentle shake over the bowl is all it takes.
• Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on both sides. This is what creates that gorgeous caramelized crust.
• Serve immediately as these French Toast Sticks are crispiest right out of the oven.

Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!