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If you’re craving a fun, bite-sized twist on a classic breakfast favorite, this Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe is absolute magic. Imagine perfectly golden, crispy little cubes of brioche, soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla egg batter, air fried to perfection, and then dusted with cinnamon sugar — bliss in every bite. These delightful morsels come together quickly, making them the perfect excuse for breakfast, brunch, or even a sweet snack that feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy to whip up.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is wonderfully simple, relying on a handful of everyday ingredients that each play a special role in creating those irresistible Air Fryer French Toast Bites. From the rich brioche bread providing a soft, buttery base to the warm spices that bring all the cozy flavors to life, every component matters.
- Brioche bread: The soft, buttery texture makes for the perfect French toast foundation that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer.
- Large eggs: Acts as the binding agent and adding richness to each bite.
- Milk: Lightens the egg mixture and helps the coating achieve that custardy, luscious texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance and balance the sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, aromatic depth to the batter.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds that classic, comforting spice French toast is known for.
- Granulated sugar: Gives a sparkling, sweet finish when mixed with cinnamon.
- Cooking spray: Keeps the air fryer basket non-stick and helps the bites crisp evenly.
How to Make Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe
Step 1: Cut the Brioche into Bites
Start by slicing each piece of brioche bread into 9 small squares. This bite-sized approach is what makes the recipe so fun and perfect for sharing or snacking.
Step 2: Prepare the Egg Mixture
In a shallow bowl, whisk your eggs until they’re lightly beaten and smooth. Then add the milk, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and half of the cinnamon. Whisk everything together until you have a silky custard base ready to coat those bread bites.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 350°F and generously spray the basket with cooking oil. This little step ensures your French toast bites cook up crispy without sticking to the basket.
Step 4: Dip and Coat the Bread Squares
Dip each brioche square into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for about 5 seconds on each side. Just be sure to dip only as many pieces as will fit comfortably in a single layer in your air fryer basket to avoid crowding.
Step 5: Air Fry to Golden Perfection
Arrange the coated bread cubes in the basket in a single layer and cook them for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until each bite turns a gorgeous golden brown and gets that delicious crisp on the outside.
Step 6: Make the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
While your little bites cook, mix together the remaining cinnamon with granulated sugar in a small bowl. This sweet spice blend will add that unmistakable finishing touch.
Step 7: Toss in Cinnamon Sugar
As soon as the French toast bites are out of the air fryer and still warm, toss them gently in the cinnamon and sugar mixture, coating every piece so it sticks beautifully.
Step 8: Repeat the Process
Continue dipping, frying, and tossing the remaining brioche squares until you’ve transformed them all into golden, cinnamon-sugary bites of joy.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your Air Fryer French Toast Bites warm with powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, fresh fruit, or all three if you’re feeling decadent.
How to Serve Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe
Garnishes
For the perfect finishing touches, sprinkle powdered sugar over your French toast bites for a snow-dusted look or add a dusting of extra cinnamon for deeper spice. Fresh berries or banana slices not only add color but provide refreshing bursts of natural sweetness.
Side Dishes
Pair these bites with crispy bacon or savory breakfast sausage if you want a contrast of flavors. For a lighter touch, a side of Greek yogurt or a simple fruit salad makes for a balanced and colorful breakfast plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the Air Fryer French Toast Bites in a cute little bowl with mini skewers for dipping into maple syrup or chocolate sauce. You can even arrange them in a parfait glass, layering with whipped cream and berries for an impressive brunch treat that looks as fantastic as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover French toast bites, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They make a great quick breakfast or snack the next day without any fuss.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the cooked bites on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for up to 1 month and can be reheated without losing their crispiness.
Reheating
Reheat your Air Fryer French Toast Bites in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes to bring back their crispy exterior and warm, fluffy inside. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that perfect texture.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread?
Absolutely! While brioche is perfect for its richness and softness, challah or thick-cut white bread works beautifully as alternatives for Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe.
Do I really need to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating helps achieve even cooking and crispy edges faster. It’s a small but helpful step to ensure your French toast bites come out perfectly golden every time.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the milk for your favorite plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, and use dairy-free vanilla extract to keep the flavors intact.
How long can I keep the cinnamon sugar mixture?
You can mix cinnamon and sugar in advance and store it in an airtight container for weeks. It’s a handy sprinkle to keep on hand for quick sweet additions to many breakfast treats.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Definitely. These bite-sized French toast treats are fun and easy for kids to eat, and they’re usually a big hit with little ones thanks to their sweet, cinnamon-sugary coating.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to impress guests at brunch or just want a cozy morning treat for yourself, the Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe is a total winner. Easy to make, quick to cook, and utterly delicious, these bites put a new spin on a beloved classic. Give them a try and watch everyone’s faces light up with every cinnamon-kissed, golden bite!
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Air Fryer French Toast Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-8 minutes
- Total Time: 20-23 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy and delicious Air Fryer French Toast Bites made with brioche bread, perfectly coated in a cinnamon-vanilla egg mixture and finished with a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. These bite-sized treats are easy to prepare, cook quickly in the air fryer, and make a delightful breakfast or snack for two.
Ingredients
Bread
- 4 slices brioche
Egg Mixture
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- Pinch of salt
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon (divided: ¼ tsp for egg mixture, ½ tsp for coating)
Coating
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Optional Toppings
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Fresh fruit
Instructions
- Cut the bread: Cut each brioche slice into 9 little squares, making bite-sized pieces for easy cooking and serving.
- Prepare the egg mixture: In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until lightly beaten. Add the milk, vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and generously spray the basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Dip the bread pieces: Dip each bread square into the egg mixture, soaking about 5 seconds per side. Only dip as many squares as will fit comfortably in the air fryer basket without crowding to ensure even cooking.
- Air fry the bites: Arrange the coated bread squares in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Mix cinnamon sugar: While the bites are cooking, combine the remaining ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon with the granulated sugar in a small bowl. This will be used to coat the cooked French toast bites.
- Coat the bites: When the French toast bites are done, immediately toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to evenly coat and add sweetness.
- Repeat and cook remaining pieces: Continue dipping, air frying, and coating the remaining bread squares until all are cooked.
- Serve: Serve the French toast bites warm with optional toppings such as powdered sugar, maple syrup, fresh fruit, or all three for a delicious breakfast treat.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even crisping.
- Use brioche or another soft, thick bread for best texture and flavor.
- You can substitute milk with any milk alternative if desired.
- Customize toppings based on preference — nuts, whipped cream, or chocolate chips work well.
- These bites are best eaten fresh but can be stored refrigerated for up to two days and reheated.
