If you love the cozy, nostalgic flavors of classic French toast but want a fun, bite-sized twist that’s quick and easy, then you have to try this Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe. These little morsels deliver golden, crispy edges with a tender, custardy center, all made effortlessly in the air fryer. They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a sweet snack, making mornings (or anytime) feel just a bit more special without hanging around the stove for ages.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe, you only need a handful of simple ingredients. Each one plays a key role in building the familiar flavor and texture: creamy eggs for richness, fragrant vanilla and cinnamon for that warm, inviting aroma, and fluffy bread that crisps up perfectly in the air fryer.
- Thick bread (brioche or challah): Choose sturdy bread to hold the custard well without getting soggy.
- Large eggs: The base for the custard coating that makes every bite tender.
- Milk (dairy or plant-based): Adds creaminess and lightness to the mixture.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a sweet, floral note that complements the cinnamon.
- Ground cinnamon: Provides warmth and just a touch of spice that feels like a hug.
- Sugar (optional): Adds a hint of sweetness for those who like it a little sweeter.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the flavors and brings out the depth.
- Nonstick cooking spray or melted butter: Essential for crisping the outsides without sticking.
- Powdered sugar or syrup: For finishing touches that elevate every bite.
How to Make Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Bread
First things first, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, cut your thick slices of bread into 1-inch cubes. This size is perfect to get crispy exteriors and fluffy insides that make every bite irresistible.
Step 2: Mix the Custard
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar, and a pinch of salt until you get a smooth, fragrant custard. This flavorful mixture is the heart and soul of your Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe, giving them a rich and aromatic coating.
Step 3: Coat the Bread Cubes
Dip each bread cube into the egg mixture, making sure every side is well coated. Give each piece a gentle shake to discard any excess custard to avoid sogginess, ensuring each bite crisps up beautifully in the air fryer.
Step 4: Arrange and Air Fry
Lightly grease your air fryer basket with nonstick spray or melted butter to prevent sticking. Lay out the coated bread cubes in a single layer, leaving space between each so the hot air circulates evenly. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to cook them evenly until golden brown and perfectly crispy.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once cooked, serve your Air Fryer French Toast Bites warm, dusted generously with powdered sugar or drizzled with syrup. The contrast of crisp on the outside and tender on the inside creates a delightful texture that’s sure to become a family favorite.
How to Serve Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy sweetness that’s classic and beautiful, while a drizzle of pure maple syrup brings out the rich cinnamon and vanilla notes. Fresh berries or a sprinkle of chopped nuts can add color and crunch, taking this simple dish up a notch.
Side Dishes
Pair these French toast bites with fresh fruit salads, crispy bacon strips, or a dollop of whipped cream for a balanced, indulgent breakfast spread. Their bite-sized portion makes them a perfect complement rather than the main event, so feel free to customize your plate with savory or sweet sides.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the bites in mini mason jars layered with yogurt and fruit for breakfast parfaits. Or put them on skewers for a playful, party-ready dish. These versatile bites shine in both casual and elegant settings, making them an all-around crowd-pleaser.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers from your Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep them dry and cool to maintain their texture and flavor without becoming soggy.
Freezing
To freeze, lay the cooled French toast bites on a baking sheet, freezing them individually before transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. This prevents them from sticking together, making it easy to reheat as many as you like later on.
Reheating
The best way to reheat leftover or frozen French toast bites is back in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-5 minutes. This brings back their crispy edges and warm, soft centers, almost as good as freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use regular sandwich bread instead of brioche or challah?
While brioche or challah give the best texture and flavor, you can use regular bread if that’s what you have—just choose thicker slices to avoid sogginess and achieve the perfect custard soak.
Is this recipe suitable for dairy-free diets?
Absolutely! You can swap regular milk for any plant-based milk alternative such as almond or oat milk, and use dairy-free butter or spray for greasing the air fryer basket.
Can I add flavors like nutmeg or orange zest?
Definitely! Feel free to experiment with a pinch of nutmeg or some fresh orange zest to enhance the flavor complexity of your Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake these bites in the oven at 375°F on a parchment-lined baking sheet for about 12-15 minutes, turning halfway to promote even crisping, though the air fryer will give the best texture.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe yields about 4 servings, making it perfect for a small family breakfast or brunch. You can easily scale up the ingredients if needed.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe is an absolute game-changer for busy mornings or whenever you want a tasty treat without fuss. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with familiar, comforting flavors, these bites will quickly become your go-to for sweet breakfasts. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed French toast any other way!
Print
Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these crispy and fluffy Air Fryer French Toast Bites, a perfect bite-sized breakfast or snack. Using thick brioche or challah bread cubes coated in a spiced egg mixture, these golden-brown morsels cook quickly in the air fryer for a deliciously easy treat. Serve them warm with powdered sugar or syrup for an irresistible way to start your day or satisfy your sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Bread
- 4 slices of thick bread (brioche or challah recommended)
Egg Mixture
- 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
For Serving
- Powdered sugar or syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the bread. Preheating ensures the French toast bites cook evenly and become perfectly crispy.
- Prepare Bread Cubes: Cut the thick bread slices into 1-inch cubes. Using thicker bread like brioche or challah helps the bites stay soft inside while crisping on the outside.
- Mix the Egg Mixture: 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 well combined, infusing the custard with warmth and sweetness.
- Coat the Bread Cubes: Dip each bread cube into the egg mixture, making sure it is fully coated. Shake off any excess custard to prevent sogginess during cooking.
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray or brush with melted butter to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated bread cubes in a single layer, spacing them apart to allow air circulation for even crisping.
- Air Fry the Bites: Cook the bread cubes in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure all sides become golden brown and crispy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, serve the French toast bites warm, dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with syrup for a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread for best results as it absorbs the egg mixture better without becoming mushy.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, these can be baked in an oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute milk with almond, oat, or soy milk.
- The sugar in the egg mixture is optional; you can adjust sweetness to your preference or omit it for a less sweet version.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even cooking and crispness.
