Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast Sticks

Kick off your morning with Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast Sticks, a delightful breakfast choice capturing the essence of autumn. These charming finger foods boast sweet, fall-inspired flavors, offering a crispy exterior, tender interior, and a level of deliciousness that’s simply unparalleled.

Transform ordinary bread slices into a mouthwatering breakfast treat! With just a handful of basic ingredients, you can whip up the most scrumptious French Toast sticks you’ve ever tasted. This simple air fryer recipe is a hit among pumpkin spice enthusiasts, busy individuals, and anyone who relishes the joy of dipping and dunking their food.

Prepare these when you’re in need of a hassle-free breakfast option. With just a few minutes of prep time, let the air fryer take care of the rest! Top them with your preferred toppings and indulge. You’ll adore the delightful sweetness and richness of these air fryer pumpkin spice French Toast sticks.

Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast Sticks

• They’re incredibly easy to make, requiring only 2-3 minutes of prep time, perfect for busy mornings when you need a quick and delicious breakfast fix.
• The air fryer ensures a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy, creating the perfect texture in every bite.
• With the delightful aroma of pumpkin spice filling your kitchen, these French Toast sticks bring the cozy flavors of autumn straight to your breakfast table.
• They’re versatile, allowing you to customize toppings to your liking—whether it’s a drizzle of maple syrup, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
• These pumpkin French Toast sticks are not only a hit with pumpkin spice enthusiasts but also a delightful treat for anyone looking to elevate their breakfast game with a touch of seasonal flair.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast Sticks

Here are the simple ingredients you will need to make air-fried pumpkin French toast sticks.

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

• Brioche Bread: Or another thick-cut style of bread
• Eggs: Use large room temperature eggs.
• Canned Pumpkin: You can either use homemade or store-bought canned pumpkin.
• Milk: Any milk or even oat milk, lactose-free milk, or even almond milk.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Pumpkin and vanilla extract go well together. You can also use maple extract.
• Spices: I used ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to bring out the pumpkin flavor.

How To Make Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast Sticks

Making Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast Sticks is a breeze! Here’s a simple recipe to follow:

Prepare the Bread: Grease your air fryer tray with cooking spray and set aside. Slice the bread into strips, about four strips per bread slice.

Make the Batter: Mix the cinnamon and sugar and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, egg, milk, sugar, and spices until well combined.

Coat the Bread Sticks: Dip the bread strips into the egg mixture and shake off any excess. Sprinkle the dipped strips with the cinnamon sugar.

Air Fry: Working in batches, place the bread strips into the air fryer basket and cook on the air fry setting at 325F for 4-6 minutes, turning halfway through. Repeat until all French toast sticks are cooked.

Equipment Needed

• Air Fryer
• Knife
• Shallow Dish or Shallow Bowl
• Whisk
• Cooking Spray or Brush
• Tongs
• Plate or Serving Dish

What To Serve With Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast Sticks

Serve this with a complete meal, including Air Fryer Scrambled Eggs, Air Fryer Sausage Patties, Air Fryer Candied Bacon, and even some Air Fryer Hashbrowns!

Variations and Substitutions

• Bread: Use any type of bread you prefer, such as white, whole wheat, brioche, or cinnamon swirl bread. You can also use gluten-free bread if needed.
• Spices: Experiment with different spices to customize the flavor. Instead of pumpkin pie spice, try cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or a combination of these spices.
• Sweeteners: Feel free to use maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in the batter for added sweetness.
• Pumpkin Puree: If you don’t have pumpkin puree on hand, you can substitute it with mashed sweet potato or butternut squash puree for a similar flavor.
• Dairy-free Option: Use dairy-free milk (such as almond, soy, or coconut milk) and vegan butter or cooking spray to make the recipe dairy-free.
• Egg Replacement: If you’re vegan or allergic to eggs, you can use a commercial egg replacer or make a flaxseed or chia seed “egg” by mixing 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and letting it sit for a few minutes until it thickens.
• Toppings: Get creative with toppings! Besides traditional maple syrup, try toppings like whipped cream, yogurt, fresh berries, sliced bananas, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.
• Protein Boost: Add some protein to your French toast sticks by incorporating protein powder or Greek yogurt into the batter.

Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast Sticks Tips and Tricks

• Stale Bread: For best results, use slightly stale bread. Fresh bread tends to soak up too much of the batter and can become soggy. If your bread is fresh, you can lightly toast it before making the French toast sticks.
• Uniform Slices: Cut the bread into uniform sticks to ensure even cooking. Aim for sticks that are about 1-inch wide and 3-4 inches long.
• Grease the Basket: Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with melted butter to prevent sticking.
• Shake Off Excess Batter: After dipping the bread sticks into the pumpkin batter, shake off any excess batter before placing them in the air fryer basket. This helps prevent drips and ensures a more even coating.
• Single Layer: Arrange the French toast sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each stick to allow for proper air circulation.
• Flip Halfway Through: Flip the French toast sticks halfway through the cooking time to ensure that they cook evenly on all sides and get crispy on both sides.
• Monitor Closely: Keep an eye on the French toast sticks towards the end of the cooking time to prevent them from burning. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your bread sticks and the temperature of your air fryer.
• Serve Immediately: Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast Sticks are best served hot and crispy. Enjoy them immediately with your favorite toppings and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate for a delicious breakfast or snack.

Faq

Can I use fresh bread for this recipe? While slightly stale bread is recommended for French toast to prevent it from becoming too soggy, you can still use fresh bread. Just be mindful that fresh bread may absorb more of the batter, so you might need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How do I prevent the French toast sticks from sticking to the air fryer basket? Make sure to lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with melted butter before adding the French toast sticks. This helps prevent sticking and ensures easy removal after cooking.

Can I make these ahead of time and reheat them? While Air Fryer Pumpkin French Toast Sticks are best enjoyed fresh, you can make them ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at a lower temperature for a few minutes until warmed through.

Can I freeze the French toast sticks? Yes, you can freeze cooked French toast sticks for longer storage. Allow them to cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen French toast sticks to a freezer-safe bag or container and store them for up to 1-2 months. To reheat, place them directly in the air fryer from frozen and cook at a lower temperature until warmed through and crispy.

Can I use a different flavor of bread or add-ins? Absolutely! Feel free to use different types of bread such as whole wheat, brioche, or cinnamon swirl bread for added flavor. You can also add ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the batter for extra texture and flavor.

How do I know when the French toast sticks are done? The French toast sticks are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. You can also check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a stick – if it comes out clean, they’re ready!

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER LOW CARB BREAKFAST CASSEROLE WITH BACON BROCCOLI AND CHEDDAR
• AIR FRYER BANANAS FOSTER
• MCDONALD’S COPYCAT AIR FRYER RECIPES TO MAKE AT HOME
• EASY AIR FRYER EVERYTHING BAGELS
• AIR FRYER FRENCH TOAST STICKS

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