French toast sticks are a delicious and easy breakfast or snack option that both kids and adults love. While traditionally cooked on the stovetop, baking them in the oven is a healthier alternative that still results in the perfect combination of crispy and soft textures.
To make French toast sticks in the oven, you only need a few simple ingredients including bread, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and butter. These pantry staples can be easily found in most kitchens, making this recipe convenient and budget-friendly.
By baking the French toast sticks, you can avoid the need for excessive oil or butter, reducing the overall calorie and fat content. This method also allows for easy preparation and clean-up, as the ingredients are combined in one bowl and then simply baked in the oven.
Follow these simple instructions to make perfectly cooked French toast sticks in the oven that the whole family will enjoy.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating up, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or greasing it with butter to prevent the toast sticks from sticking.
Step 2: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together 3 large eggs, ¾ cup of milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon. This mixture will be the dipping liquid for the bread.
Step 3: Cut your bread into sticks. Sliced bread or baguette works best for this recipe. Cut each slice into 4 or 5 long sticks, approximately 1 inch wide. The exact size will depend on your preference.
Step 4: Dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, making sure to coat all sides evenly. Allow any excess liquid to drip off before placing the sticks onto the prepared baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake the French toast sticks in the preheated oven for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip the sticks halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.
Serve your delicious homemade French toast sticks with maple syrup or your favorite dipping sauce for a delightful breakfast or snack that will satisfy your cravings.
Steps to make delicious french toast sticks in the oven
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Slice the bread into sticks, about 1-inch thick.
- Dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for a few seconds on each side.
- Place the coated bread sticks on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each stick.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the toast sticks are golden brown and crispy.
- Flip the sticks halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
- Remove from the oven and allow the french toast sticks to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
These oven-baked french toast sticks are a delicious and convenient alternative to traditional stovetop cooking. They make for a great breakfast or snack option that the whole family will love.
Gather the ingredients
Before you start making french toast sticks in the oven, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients:
- Bread: Use thick slices of bread, such as brioche or Texas toast, for best results.
- Eggs: You will need about 3-4 large eggs for this recipe.
- Milk: Use whole milk for a richer flavor or any milk of your preference.
- Butter: You’ll need melted butter to coat the baking sheet or to brush the bread.
- Vanilla extract: This adds a nice flavor to the french toast sticks.
- Cinnamon: Sprinkle cinnamon over the egg mixture to give the sticks a delicious aroma.
- Sugar: Sweeten the mixture with some sugar, if desired.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors.
- Maple syrup: Serve with maple syrup for dipping.
Note: You can also add other ingredients like nutmeg or orange zest to customize the flavor of your french toast sticks.
Preheat the oven
Before you can start cooking your French toast sticks in the oven, you’ll need to preheat it to the correct temperature. This will ensure that your toast sticks cook evenly and to perfection.
To preheat your oven, follow these steps:
- Turn on the oven by selecting the desired temperature.
- Set the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) for best results.
- Allow the oven to preheat for at least 10 minutes to ensure it reaches the desired temperature.
It’s important to preheat the oven before cooking the French toast sticks to ensure they bake properly and have that crispy exterior.
Why is preheating the oven important?
Preheating the oven is crucial because it allows the oven to reach the desired temperature called for in the recipe. When you place the French toast sticks in a preheated oven, the sticks will begin cooking immediately and will bake evenly. If you were to place the toast sticks in a cold oven, they would take longer to cook and might not have the same texture and taste as they would when cooked in a properly preheated oven.
Using a table to preheat the oven
Here is a table that shows the steps to preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), as mentioned earlier:
Steps to Preheat Oven | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
1 | Select desired temperature | – |
2 | Set oven to 375°F (190°C) | – |
3 | Allow oven to preheat | at least 10 minutes |
By following these steps and preheating your oven properly, you’ll be well on your way to cooking delicious French toast sticks in the oven!
Prepare the bread
Before you can make French toast sticks in the oven, you need to prepare the bread. Start by choosing a loaf of bread that is slightly stale, as it will absorb the egg mixture better. You can use a variety of breads, such as white, whole wheat, or even cinnamon raisin.
Next, cut the bread into sticks or strips. Aim for each stick to be around 1 inch wide and 3 to 4 inches long. This size is perfect for dipping and also for baking in the oven.
Once you have cut the bread into sticks, set them aside and prepare the egg mixture. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. The milk and eggs will help create a custard-like coating on the bread, while the vanilla extract adds a delicious flavor.
If you want to add some extra flavor to your French toast sticks, you can also add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a sprinkle of nutmeg to the egg mixture. This will give your sticks a warm and aromatic taste.
Now that you have prepared the bread and the egg mixture, it’s time to move on to the next step: dipping the bread sticks into the egg mixture. Make sure each stick is fully coated with the mixture, allowing it to soak in for a moment before moving on to the baking process.
Prepare the egg mixture
Before you start cooking the French toast sticks, you’ll need to prepare the egg mixture. This mixture will help give the French toast a rich flavor and a golden-brown color when cooked in the oven.
Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them until the yolks and whites are fully combined.
- Add the milk to the bowl and whisk it together with the eggs until well blended.
- Next, add the granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon to the bowl. Whisk everything together until the sugar has dissolved and the ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Your egg mixture is now ready to be used to coat the French toast sticks.
By preparing the egg mixture before starting the cooking process, you’ll ensure that all the flavors are well incorporated and the French toast sticks turn out delicious and perfectly cooked in the oven!
Dip the bread in the egg mixture
Once you have sliced your bread into sticks, it’s time to dip them into the egg mixture. The egg mixture will give the French toast sticks their tasty and custardy texture.
In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. The milk will help to thin out the egg mixture and create a delicious custard coating on the bread. The vanilla extract adds a hint of sweetness and flavor.
Take one bread stick and fully dip it into the egg mixture, making sure to coat both sides evenly. Gently shake off any excess mixture and place the coated bread stick on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a greased baking dish.
Tip:
If you prefer a more indulgent and flavorful French toast, you can add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of nutmeg to the egg mixture. These spices will give your French toast sticks a warm and aromatic taste.
Bake the french toast sticks
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is preheating, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it with cooking spray.
Ingredients:
- French toast sticks
Instructions:
- Place the french toast sticks in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.
- Bake the french toast sticks for about 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, flip the french toast sticks over using tongs or a spatula.
- Bake for another 10 minutes, or until the sticks are crispy and golden brown.
- Once done, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the french toast sticks cool for a few minutes.
Your baked french toast sticks are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or enjoy them as is.
FAQ
How do I prepare the bread for french toast sticks in the oven?
To prepare the bread for french toast sticks in the oven, start by cutting the slices of bread into stick shapes. You can cut them into strips or any shape you prefer. This will make it easier to eat and hold.
What is the best way to make the egg mixture for french toast sticks in the oven?
To make the egg mixture for french toast sticks in the oven, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sugar in a bowl. Make sure all the ingredients are well combined. This mixture will give your french toast sticks a delicious and sweet flavor.
How do I cook french toast sticks in the oven?
To cook french toast sticks in the oven, preheat your oven to 200°C. Dip the prepared bread sticks into the egg mixture, making sure each one is fully coated. Place the coated sticks onto a greased baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
What can I serve with french toast sticks in the oven?
You can serve french toast sticks in the oven with a variety of toppings and sides. Some popular options include maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruits like strawberries or bananas, whipped cream, or even a side of bacon or sausage for a savory twist.