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Air Fryer French Toast Recipe

Air Fryer French Toast Recipe

By What’s Baking

Perfectly crisp on the outside, custard-soft on the inside french toast with a rich vanilla-cinnamon flavor, made effortlessly in your air fryer for a quick yet indulgent breakfast treat.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
8 mins
Serves:
8 slices
An overhead shot of golden-brown Air Fryer French Toast stacked in layers on a rustic ceramic plate, with soft natural morning light highlighting the crisp, caramelized edges. A cross-section view reveals the custard-like center while maple syrup drizzles slowly down the sides, creating glistening pools on the plate. Scattered fresh berries add vibrant color contrast, while a light dusting of powdered sugar resembles morning frost. A small copper pot of warm maple syrup and a vintage fork rest beside the toast, with cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean pods artfully arranged to hint at the aromatic flavors. Steam rises gently from the freshly cooked toast, suggesting warmth and comfort.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">8 slices day-old bread (brioche or challah work best)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 large eggs</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">180ml milk</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp ground cinnamon</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">¼ tsp ground nutmeg</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">¼ tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Cooking spray or 1 tbsp melted butter</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For serving: maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Air fryer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Shallow dish for egg mixture</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Tongs</li></ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until completely combined. The mixture should be smooth with no streaks of egg white visible – this ensures even flavor distribution and proper soaking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Preheat your air fryer to 180°C for about 3 minutes. This preheating step is crucial for achieving that perfect golden exterior on your French toast.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Working with one slice at a time, dip the bread into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for about 10 seconds on each side. Don't rush this step – the bread needs to absorb the custard mixture, but be careful not to oversoak or it will become too soggy to handle. Day-old bread works best as it has less moisture and can absorb more of the egg mixture without falling apart.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Lightly spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with melted butter. This prevents sticking and helps create that beautiful golden crust.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Place 2-3 slices of soaked bread in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Overcrowding will prevent proper air circulation and result in uneven cooking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Air fry for 4 minutes, then flip the slices and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until both sides are golden brown and the center is set. The edges should be crisp while the inside remains soft and custardy. You'll notice the toast puffing up slightly as it cooks – this is a good sign!</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Carefully remove the French toast from the air fryer (it will be hot!) and repeat with remaining bread slices. You can keep the first batch warm in an oven set to 100°C while you finish cooking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Serve immediately while hot, dusted with powdered sugar if desired and accompanied by maple syrup and fresh berries. The contrast between the warm, crisp toast and cold, juicy berries makes for a truly delightful breakfast experience.</li></ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 serving
🔥 Calories: 195 calories
🥑 Fat: 7 g
🧈 Saturated Fat: 3 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 24 g
🍭 Sugar: 8 g
🍗 Protein: 8 g
🫀 Cholesterol: 85 mg
🧂 Sodium: 220 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Why is day-old bread better for French toast?

Day-old bread has less moisture, allowing it to absorb more of the egg custard mixture without falling apart. Fresh bread tends to become soggy and may break when soaked. The slightly dried texture of day-old bread creates the perfect balance of crisp exterior and custardy interior.

What's the ideal soaking time for perfectly balanced French toast?

The ideal soaking time is about 10 seconds per side. Too short and the bread won't absorb enough custard mixture, resulting in dry spots. Too long and the bread becomes overly saturated and may fall apart during cooking. This timing creates the perfect custardy interior.

Can you make French toast in an air fryer without preheating?

While possible, preheating your air fryer for 3 minutes is crucial for achieving that perfect golden exterior. Without preheating, the cooking will be less even, the exterior won't crisp up as nicely, and you may need to adjust cooking times for proper results.

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From above, four perfectly browned toast slices arranged on a rustic wooden serving board bathed in warm morning light. A cross-section shot reveals the contrasting textures - crisp golden-brown exterior giving way to a tender, soft center. Close-up details capture the fine, caramelized ridges along the surface where butter has melted and begun to absorb. Scattered nearby are small ramekins of various spreads - honey, jam, avocado mash - along with a butter knife with a curl of soft butter. Steam rises gently from the freshly air-fried toast, suggesting immediate warmth against the natural linen napkin placed alongside the board.
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