If you’re craving a bite-sized breakfast treat that’s crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and brimming with cozy cinnamon flavor, you’re in for a real delight with this Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe. These little morsels are simple to whip up, perfect for sharing (or not!), and ready in under 20 minutes. Using the air fryer means you get that perfect crisp without extra grease, making them an irresistible way to start your day or enjoy a quick snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is like assembling a dream team for flavor, texture, and just the right hint of sweetness. Each item plays its part to make these French toast bites utterly delicious and effortlessly impressive.
- 4 slices of thick bread (brioche or challah recommended): Their rich texture holds up beautifully and soaks up the custard just right.
- 2 large eggs: The eggs create the custardy coating that makes these bites soft inside with a golden crust on the outside.
- 1/3 cup milk (dairy or plant-based): This helps thin the egg mixture and adds creaminess without overpowering.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Vanilla brings warmth and a touch of sweetness that complements the cinnamon.
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon: Essential for that classic French toast flavor that makes your mouth water.
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional): Adds a delicate sweetness if you prefer your bites a tad sweeter.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all other flavors.
- Nonstick cooking spray or melted butter: Helps achieve a crispy, golden finish in the air fryer without sticking.
- Powdered sugar or syrup for serving: The finishing touch that elevates your French toast bites into a treat.
How to Make Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This step ensures that once your French toast bites are ready, they go into a hot, ready-to-cook environment that locks in crispness right from the start.
Step 2: Prepare Your Bread
Cut your thick bread slices into 1-inch cubes. Brioche or challah works best here for that soft yet sturdy texture. Having uniform cubes helps them cook evenly, so take your time cutting carefully.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Custard Mixture
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar, and salt until everything is smooth and well combined. This mixture is the heart of your Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe, infusing each bite with rich flavor and just the right custard softness.
Step 4: Dip the Bread Cubes
Submerge each bread cube fully in the custard, making sure it’s thoroughly coated but not soaked to the point of falling apart. A gentle shake helps remove any excess liquid ensuring a nice crust forms in the air fryer.
Step 5: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket
Lightly grease your air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray or melted butter. This little step prevents sticking and helps the bites turn out golden and crisp. Arrange the coated bread cubes in a single layer, leaving a bit of space between each so the hot air can circulate evenly.
Step 6: Air Fry to Perfection
Cook the bites for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. This ensures even browning on all sides. Keep an eye on them as cooking times can vary between different air fryer models, but you’re looking for a beautifully golden, slightly crispy exterior.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Once golden and perfectly crisp, serve your Air Fryer French Toast Bites warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of syrup. Either way, you are in for a comforting, crowd-pleasing treat that comes together so quickly.
How to Serve Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little powdered sugar for a snowy, elegant touch or drizzle maple syrup to amp up the sweetness and add that classic French toast vibe. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream can also bring a lovely pop of color and brightness to every bite.
Side Dishes
These bites pair wonderfully with crispy bacon or sausages for a savory balance, or fresh fruit salad to lighten the meal. A mug of hot coffee or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice completes the perfect morning feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe on a wooden board or a vibrant plate next to little bowls of different dipping sauces like chocolate or caramel to impress at brunch. You can also thread these bites onto skewers for a fun finger-food twist that’s great for gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got extra bites? Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This keeps them fresh and ready to reheat quickly for an easy breakfast or snack.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover French toast bites by first flash freezing them on a baking sheet for a couple of hours, then transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 1 month, making a great make-ahead option that’s always on standby.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or refrigerated bites in your air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 5 minutes to regain that crispy exterior without drying them out, or pop them in the oven if you prefer. Avoid microwaving for best texture.
FAQs
Can I use regular sandwich bread instead of brioche or challah?
Yes, you can, but thick, rich breads like brioche or challah really take the Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe to the next level with their soft crumb and buttery flavor. Sandwich bread might be less sturdy and won’t soak up the custard as well.
Is it necessary to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating helps ensure the French toast bites cook evenly and develop that crispy, golden crust quickly. Skipping this step might result in less crispiness and longer cook time.
Can I use plant-based milk in this recipe?
Absolutely! Almond, oat, soy, or any plant-based milk works perfectly. It keeps the recipe versatile for dairy-free diets without compromising flavor or texture.
How do I prevent the bites from sticking to the air fryer basket?
Lightly greasing the basket with nonstick spray or melted butter before placing the bites is key to preventing sticking and achieving a golden crust. You can also use parchment paper liners made for air fryers if you prefer.
Can I make a larger batch of Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe?
Yes, you can double or triple the ingredients, but be sure to cook in batches, arranging the bites in a single layer to allow hot air circulation for even cooking. Overcrowding leads to soggy pieces.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly joyful about making and sharing the Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe. It’s quick, simple, and just bursting with comforting flavors that feel like a warm hug any time of day. Give this recipe a try and watch it become a beloved staple in your kitchen – your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Air Fryer French Toast Bites are a quick, delicious breakfast treat featuring fluffy brioche or challah bread cubes dipped in a cinnamon-vanilla egg mixture and air fried to golden perfection. Perfect for a cozy morning or a fun snack, they come out crispy on the outside and tender inside, served with powdered sugar or syrup for extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 slices of thick bread (brioche or challah recommended)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
- Pinch of salt
For Cooking
- Nonstick cooking spray or melted butter
- Powdered sugar or syrup for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to get it hot and ready for cooking the French toast bites evenly.
- Prepare Bread Cubes: Cut the thick slices of bread into 1-inch cubes and set them aside, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- Mix Egg Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, sugar, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Coat Bread Cubes: Dip each bread cube into the egg mixture, making sure it gets fully coated, then gently shake off any excess batter.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Lightly grease the air fryer basket with nonstick spray or melted butter to prevent sticking. Place the coated bread cubes in a single layer with space between them for proper air circulation.
- Cook the French Toast Bites: Air fry the bread cubes for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure all sides become golden and crispy.
- Serve: Serve the French toast bites warm, sprinkled with powdered sugar or accompanied by syrup for dipping.
Notes
- Use thick slices of bread like brioche or challah for the best texture.
- For a dairy-free version, choose plant-based milk alternatives.
- Adjust sugar amount as desired or omit for less sweetness.
- Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to promote even crisping.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
