Making French toast in an air fryer is a breeze with staple kitchen ingredients. All you need is bread, milk, butter, eggs, and a little sugar or vanilla sugar if you have it on hand.
This recipe offers a quick, simple, and inexpensive yet heavenly warm breakfast option perfect for everyday enjoyment or as a special Sunday morning treat for your loved ones.
In many places, French toast is known for its sweet profile, unlike our savory local version. There are many variations that can be made from this basic setup, but ingredients like sugar, vanilla sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and butter can transform simple components into a decadent breakfast treat.
Traditionally, French toast is pan-fried in butter for that authentic taste, which is why we’ve included a bit of butter in this air fryer recipe to capture that truly delicious flavor.
Best served immediately, this French toast is most delightful when warm. Top it with whipped cream and Canadian maple syrup for a truly indulgent treat.
If you’re a fan of spices, consider adding a pinch of grated nutmeg, tonka bean, or ground cardamom to the eggs.
Not just for breakfast, this dish also serves as a quick and homemade treat perfect for an afternoon snack, a tea-time treat, or casual gatherings.
2 Tips to Avoid When Making French Toast in an Air Fryer
- Avoid using too much milk; it can make the bread bland and too mushy.
- Thin slices of bread may also fall apart when trying to re-dip them in the egg mixture after the initial round in the air fryer.
Dairy-Free French Toast
- For a dairy-free version, just skip the milk and use melted coconut oil instead of butter.
- You don’t need to replace the milk with a plant-based alternative; the dish remains delicious with a more pronounced egg flavor. However, if you enjoy coconut, consider adding a spoonful of coconut milk.
What Bread to Use?
Nowadays, French toast is made from a variety of bread products worldwide, not just bread but also sweet rolls and even croissants in different recipes.
Given its sweet nature, it’s best made with white bread or leftover sweet bread. Thick toast bread also works well.
Older bread from a day or two before is easier to use than fresh bread as it holds together better.
Origin of French Toast
Despite its name, French toast likely isn’t a French invention. Historically, it’s been said to date back to the Roman Empire, where stale bread was soaked in milk to prevent waste and eggs were added for protein and nourishment.
During the Middle Ages, it was a widespread dish across Europe, and each region had its own take, which persists to this day. You can also find variations across the globe.
An Interesting Fact About French Toast
In the U.S., French toast is so beloved that November 28th is celebrated as National French Toast Day.
French Toast in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 2 slices bread or bread rolls
- 2 tbsp milk
- 4 tbsp butter
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract or 10 g vanilla sugar
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients. Cut the bread into two slices; you can halve them or leave them whole.
- Crack the eggs into a bowl, add the remaining ingredients, and mix well.
- Preheat the air fryer. Meanwhile, dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, ensuring they're thoroughly coated.
- Lay the slices on the air fryer tray and insert them into the air fryer.
- Set the air fryer to 400 F (200-205 C) and cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove the slices, dip them back into the egg mixture, then place them back in the air fryer at 400 F (200-205 C) for another 3 minutes.
- After 3 minutes, check the bread. Depending on the thickness and type, it might be ready, but sometimes I prefer it a bit more done and return it for an additional 2 minutes.
- This is how they turn out after flipping and an extra 5 minutes in the air fryer. Try it out and see which version you like best.