French toast is delicious, but let’s be honest: it’s usually a bit… wet. When you make it in a pan, it’s hard to get the center cooked without burning the outside, and it often ends up soggy and limp.
Welcome back to The Crispy Basket. Today, we are fixing breakfast.
We are turning the classic fork-and-knife meal into a crispy, handheld finger food. By using the air fryer, we circulate hot air around every side of the bread strips, creating a structure that holds its shape. And the best part? We toss them in cinnamon sugar after cooking so they taste exactly like fresh churros.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No More Soggy Centers: The hot air cooks the egg custard inside the bread quickly, leaving you with a fluffy interior, not a wet sponge.
- Dunkability: Kids (and adults) love food they can dip. These are designed to be dunked in maple syrup.
- Meal Prep Hero: You can make a huge batch on Sunday, freeze them, and pop them in the toaster or air fryer for a 2-minute weekday breakfast.
“The Crispy Basket” Secret: Thick Bread & The Quick Dip
You cannot use flimsy white sandwich bread for this. It will disintegrate.
Secret 1: Texas Toast. You need thick, sturdy bread. Texas Toast or a thick-cut Brioche is essential. It needs to be sturdy enough to stand up to the dip and the basket flip.
Secret 2: The “Quick Dip.” Do not let the bread soak like you would for a casserole. It’s a dip-and-go situation. We want the coating on the surface to get crispy, not deep inside to make it heavy.
Ingredients Needed
- 4 Slices Thick Bread: Texas Toast, Brioche, or Challah (about 1 inch thick). Stale bread works even better than fresh!
- 2 Large Eggs.
- 1/3 cup Milk: Whole milk or heavy cream makes it richer.
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract.
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon.
- Butter or Oil Spray.
The “Churro” Coating:
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar.
- 1 Tbsp Cinnamon.
- (Mix these two in a shallow bowl).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: The Cut
Slice each piece of thick bread into 3 equal strips (making 12 sticks total). Optional: If you have time, let the sticks sit on a wire rack on the counter for 20 minutes to dry out slightly. This helps with crispiness.
Step 2: The Custard
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and the 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. Whisk until the egg is fully broken down.
Step 3: The Dip
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Dip a bread stick into the egg mixture. Flip quickly to coat all sides. Do not soak. Shake off any excess drip.
- Place onto a plate. Repeat for all sticks.
Step 4: The Air Fry
- Line your basket with parchment paper (optional, but helps with sticking) or spray the basket very well with oil.
- Arrange the sticks in a single layer. Do not let them touch. Cook in batches.
- Spray Generously: Spray the tops of the sticks with butter spray or oil.
- Air fry at 375°F for 6–8 minutes.
- Flip halfway through. They should be golden brown and puffed up slightly.
Step 5: The Churro Toss
While they are still hot (this is key!), toss the cooked sticks into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. The heat will melt the sugar slightly, creating a crunchy crust.
Step 6: Serve
Serve immediately with warm maple syrup, honey, or even chocolate sauce for dipping.
“The Crispy Basket” Pro-Tips
- Stale is Good: If you bought a loaf of brioche and forgot about it for 3 days, it’s perfect for this recipe. Dry bread absorbs the custard better without falling apart.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Sticks that touch will stick together and tear when you try to separate them. Give them room.
- Freezing: To freeze, lay cooked sticks flat on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to a ziplock bag. Reheat at 400°F for 3 minutes.
FAQ
Why did my bread fall apart? You soaked it too long! It really just needs a quick 1-second dunk on each side.
Can I use gluten-free bread? Yes, but GF bread tends to be drier. You might need to let it soak for an extra second to absorb the liquid, but be gentle when flipping.
Enjoy your sweet, crunchy breakfast!
