Best Air Fryer French Toast Recipe
My mom makes the world's best French toast, bursting with flavor and unbelievably moist – every single time! Her secret weapon? No milk or cream! You read that right, it achieves its incredible texture thanks to a surprising ingredient: orange juice! And the best part? No hint of citrus in the final product, just pure perfection.
Speaking of perfection, our golf club throws amazing events. This year's Easter brunch was no exception, with countless delicious food stations. One, in particular, had a line that snaked for miles – the French toast station. They were using decadent brioche bread, topped with fluffy whipped cream and fresh berries. Troy and I, who usually share a sweet treat, couldn't resist going back for seconds, then thirds. It was, hands down, the best French toast we'd ever had.
Inspired by both my mom and the amazing brunch experience, I decided to marry these two recipes and create my own air-fryer twist on French toast. Enjoy!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Quick! This recipe requires minimal prep time and cooking time, making it perfect for busy mornings or whenever you're craving a delicious breakfast without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Healthy! Using an air fryer eliminates the need for frying the French toast in oil or butter, resulting in a lighter and healthier version of this classic breakfast dish.
Crispy Exterior! The air fryer creates a crispy exterior on the French toast while keeping the inside soft and fluffy, giving you the perfect texture with every bite.
Customizable! While this recipe uses eggs, orange juice, vanilla, and cinnamon as the batter, you can easily customize it by adding your favorite spices or extracts, such as nutmeg or almond extract, to suit your taste preferences.
Portion Control: Cooking in the air fryer allows you to control portion sizes and cook each slice evenly, ensuring perfect french toast every time.
Ingredients
Brioche Bread: This is my go-to choice for air fryer french toast. Its soft, pillowy texture absorbs the egg mixture beautifully, resulting in a moist and flavorful french toast. However, feel free to experiment! Texas toast or thick white bread slices can also work well.
Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice is ideal, but store-bought works in a pinch. The orange flavor is subtle and complements the other ingredients beautifully.
Eggs: The base of our french toast batter, binding everything together.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of warm sweetness and depth of flavor.
Recommended Products:
Wonder Oven Air Fryer - Beautiful 6-in-1 air fryer and toaster oven with steam infusion!
Instructions:
1. In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, orange juice, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until well combined. This will be your batter.
2. Dip each slice of brioche bread into the batter, ensuring both sides are coated evenly.
3. Lightly grease your air fryer basket with cooking spray or butter.
4. Place the coated brioche slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each slice.
5. Air fry the French toast at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
6. Once done, remove the French toast from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or whipped cream.
Tips for Success!
Choose the Right Bread! Opt for thick slices of bread like brioche, challah, or Texas toast. These breads soak up the egg mixture without becoming soggy.
Soak the Bread! Dip each slice of bread long enough to absorb the batter, but avoid over-soaking, which can make the french toast mushy. A quick dip on each side should be sufficient to ensure even absorption of the batter.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Avoid using stale bread or expired ingredients. Freshness is key for achieving the best texture and flavor.
Don't skimp on the batter: Don't be shy with the batter! A good coating ensures a moist and flavorful french toast.
Serve Immediately: Freshly cooked french toast is the best! Enjoy it right away to savor its perfect texture and moisture.
Bonus Tip: Lightly grease your air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Check out this post all about which cooking sprays are best for the air fryer!
Can I Make This in a Pan?
Absolutely! If you don't have an air fryer, or simply prefer the traditional pan method, here's how to do it:
Whisk together eggs, milk (whole milk, oat milk, or your favorite non-dairy milk will work!), vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt a tablespoon of butter.
Dip each slice of bread into the batter, ensuring even coating.
Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Add more butter if needed for subsequent batches.
Once all the French toast slices are cooked, transfer them to a plate and serve immediately with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or whipped cream for a classic french toast recipe.
Looking for a skillet? Check out my favorite skillet here!
Which Air Fryer Should I Use?
While I love any air fryer that gets the job done, the Wonder Oven by Our Place is a personal favorite. It's versatile, easy to clean, and cooks food evenly.
Read all about it here!
What are the Perfect Toppings?
The possibilities are endless! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Coconut Whipped Cream: Light and fluffy, with a hint of tropical flavor. Link to my recipe here!
Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream (for Fall): A delightful seasonal twist, perfect for cozy mornings. Find my recipe here!
Classic Maple Syrup: A timeless pairing that never disappoints.
Fresh Berries: A burst of sweetness and antioxidants.
Powdered Sugar: A simple yet elegant touch.
These are just a few ideas to inspire you. Feel free to get creative and explore your own flavor preferences.
More Breakfast Recipes!
Here are a few of my favorite recipes that are perfect for busy mornings:
Grab and Go Veggie Egg Bites: A healthy and protein-packed option you can prepare ahead of time.
Healthy Chocolate Frosty Smoothie Bowl: A delicious and satisfying way to start your day with a chocolaty twist.
15-Minute Air Fryer Bagels: Warm, crispy bagels in just minutes? Yes, please!
Overnight Apple Cinnamon Chia Pudding: A make-ahead breakfast that's perfect for meal prepping.
Air Fryer French Toast Sticks: Fun for kids and adults alike! They cook up quickly and perfectly in the air fryer.
FAQ
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Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or toaster oven for a quick snack.
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Sure! While orange juice is what makes this recipe unique, you can use cow's milk. It’s more traditional, and you can experiment with unsweetened almond milk or even coconut milk depending on your dietary needs or preferences.
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Soaking the bread helps it absorb the custard mixture and results in a richer and more flavorful french toast. However, you can skip this step if you're short on time. Just expect a slightly drier texture.
Here's a quick recap of why this recipe tis a must try!
Minimal prep and cook time for mornings on the go.
Healthier alternative to traditional french toast thanks to air frying.
Perfectly crisp and fluffy texture in every single bite.
Endless customization options to suit your taste preferences.
Easy portion control for mindful eating.
I hope you enjoy this recipe! As always, feel free to leave a comment below and let me know how your french toast turns out. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Best Air Fryer French Toast Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 slices of brioche bread
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Cooking spray for greasing air fryer
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, orange juice, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until well combined. This will be your batter.
- Dip each slice of brioche bread into the batter, ensuring both sides are coated evenly.
- Lightly grease your air fryer basket with cooking spray or butter.
- Place the coated brioche slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each slice.
- Air fry the French toast at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Once done, remove the French toast from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or whipped cream.
