🍓 Crispy Air-Fried French Toast Sticks 🍞

A spectacular morning favorite that delivers a flawless textural contrast! Thick brioche bread slices are cut into sturdy sticks, submerge-dipped in a rich, vanilla-cinnamon egg custard, and insulated in a rustic coating of crunchy crushed cornflakes. Air-fried at high heat, the outer shell transforms into a rigid, golden armor that snaps loudly before yielding to a mind-blowingly soft, pillowy, custard-like center. 😋✨

• ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes

• 🍳 Cook Time: 8 minutes

• 🍽️ Servings: 3 servings (makes 9-12 sticks)

🛒 Ingredients

• 4 thick slices of brioche or Texas toast bread 🍞

• 2 large eggs 🥚

• 1/4 cup whole milk or heavy cream 🥛

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 🍦

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 🌿

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar ⚪

• 1.5 cups cornflakes cereal (finely crushed) 🥣

• Maple syrup and fresh berries (for serving) 🍓

• Cooking oil spray (butter flavor or coconut oil) 🛢️

👩‍🍳 Detailed Instructions

1. The Sturdy Stick Architecture: 🔪 Cut each thick slice of bread into three uniform, finger-sized sticks. Using slightly stale or dense bread like brioche ensures the sticks maintain their structural integrity and don’t turn into mush when dipped.

2. The Vanilla Custard Bath: 🥣 In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar until completely smooth and emulsified.

3. The Crunchy Cornflake Matrix: 📐 Place the finely crushed cornflakes into a separate shallow dish.

4. Dip and Pack: 🍞 Take a bread stick and quickly dip it into the egg custard, turning it to coat all four sides. Do not let it soak for more than 2 seconds. Immediately drop the wet stick into the crushed cornflakes. Press firmly with your fingers to pack the craggy crumbs tightly onto the bread, creating a heavy, seamless insulation jacket.

5. The Flash Air Fry: 💨 Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F). Arrange the coated sticks in a single, uncrowded layer inside the basket. Spray them generously with cooking oil spray. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, flipping carefully halfway through, until the outer crust is deeply bronzed, rigid, and crackling. Serve instantly with a heavy drizzle of warm maple syrup!