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The Best Air Fryer French Toast

This delicious air fryer French toast cooks in 10 minutes and has the same sweet flavors as traditional French toast but you can make a whole batch at once without standing over the hot stove! The best part is that it’s extra crispy on the outside but still tender on the inside. It’s perfect for an indulgent breakfast or after-school snack!

White plate stacked with 4 slices of French toasted topped with berries and cream.


 

This post was sponsored by Lifeway Foods. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

You Will Love This

  • It’s a family favorite, made easier in the air fryer! Instead of standing over a hot stove, flipping slice after slice of French toast, you can make up to 4 slices at once and let the air fryer do all the work! This frees up some extra time for you to scramble a few eggs or throw on a pot of coffee! This recipe makes French toast extra easy while maintaining all the traditional flavors of this classic comfort food.
  • If you loved this easy breakfast recipe, be sure to check out my Giant Homemade Pop Tart, Pizza Dough Cinnamon Rolls, and Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole.
A white marble countertop with bowls of ingredients to make air fryer French toast.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Eggs – The eggs add richness to the French toast batter and help create that signature crust.
  • Whole Milk – I prefer whole milk for its rich flavor and smooth texture. You can use half and half or 2% milk instead and the result will still be delicious! Almond milk or other plant-based milk will work as well but will make the batter a bit thinner.
  • Vanilla Extract – Vanilla extract adds a delicious layer of flavor. Try to find real vanilla extract (not imitation) for the best flavor.
  • Cinnamon – Cinnamon is a must for all French toast recipes. Use whatever brand is your favorite.
  • Texas Toast – I find Texas toast to be the best bread for this air fryer French toast recipe because the thick-cut allows the bread to soak up the egg mixture well without breaking down. You can use any thick-sliced bread, including sourdough, challah bread, brioche bread, or French bread.
  • Lifeway Farmer Cheese – Lifeway Farmer Cheese is my secret weapon for a lot of recipes that need a thick and creamy topping. Similar to ricotta cheese, Lifeway Farmer Cheese can be a part of both sweet and savory recipes and perfectly complements the maple syrup it’s mixed with in this French toast recipe. If you don’t have farmer cheese on hand, you can sub with ricotta cheese or goat cheese instead.
  • Maple Syrup – I recommend using real maple syrup – check the ingredient list, it should only include pure maple syrup. 

Instructions

Add eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to a shallow bowl.

White bowl filled with ingredients for French toast batter.

Whisk custard mixture until smooth and well combined.

White bowl filled with ingredients for French toast batter.

Dip slices of bread into the mixture and flip to coat the other side.

Thick slice of bread dipping in French toast batter in a white bowl.

Transfer to the air fryer basket or tray.

Black air fryer tray with two slices of battered French toast on it.

Cook for 3-5 minutes. Flip French toast over and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Black air fryer tray with two slices of crispy French toast on it.

While the French toast is cooking, add farmer cheese (or ricotta) and syrup to a small bowl.

White bowl filled with farmer cheese and maple syrup.

Mix until well combined. If you want it to be extra smooth and creamy, process the ingredients together in a food processor.

White bowl filled with farmer cheese and maple syrup mixed together.

Assemble French toast by topping the slices with the maple cheese mixture, mixed fruit – I like blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries – and maple syrup. Enjoy!

White plate stacked with 4 slices of French toasted topped with berries and cream.

Tips

  • Slightly stale bread works best for French toast. If you’re using fresh bread, I recommend placing the slices in a single layer on a clean surface and letting them sit out for 15-30 minutes so they can get a little stale. If the bread is too fresh, when it’s dipped in the batter it will fall apart or get mushy.
  • Don’t crowd the air fryer with too many slices of French toast! Make sure each piece of French toast is flat in the air fryer and that there’s a bit of space between all the slices. This will ensure that they get super crispy on the outside and cook evenly.
  • Top this air fryer French toast with anything you like! Add your favorite toppings to this air fryer French toast. Mixed berries, a pat of butter, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, sliced banana, and more can top this versatile recipe.
  • If you have little ones, try slicing the bread into 2-inch wide strips before dipping it in the batter to make homemade air fryer French toast sticks! You can also just cut the large slices of French toast into strips after air frying.
  • I use the Instant Vortex and my air fryer trays are pretty non-stick, but if you’re having trouble with the French toast sticking, feel free to spray the tray/basket with cooking spray or add a layer of parchment paper.

What is Lifeway Farmer Cheese?

  • Lifeway Farmer Cheese is a delicious soft cheese that pairs nicely with sweet or savory meals!
  • The texture is similar to ricotta but it’s a bit thicker and has more of a tang, like a cottage cheese.
  • It’s filled with protein and probiotics so it’s not only delicious but extra nutritious.
Box of Lifeway farmer cheese with some mixed berries laying around it.

FAQ

Is an air fryer good for making French toast?

Yes! Honestly, this is the only way that our family makes French toast anymore! It’s SO quick and easy, you can make a whole batch at one time, and it comes out perfectly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.

Why is my french toast not crispy?

French toast can have trouble getting crispy if the bread is too thin, if you’ve soaked the bread too long in the batter, or if the bread is too soft, to begin with. That’s where stale bread is key because it can stand up well to the batter! The air fryer is also a great tool to ensure your French toast never gets soggy because it starts to crisp up right away as soon as it’s added to the air fryer.

How long does it take to cook French toast in the air fryer?

French toast can be cooked in the air fryer in just 10 minutes! Honestly, you will never cook French toast on the stove or on a griddle again. It’s just SO much quicker and easier and in the air fryer.

4 triangles of French toast on a white plate with berries and cream.

Storage and Reheating

  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
  • Reheating: Reheat French toast in a preheated 350-degree air fryer for about 3 minutes or until warmed through. You can also pop it in the toaster for a minute or two, or heat it in a frying pan over medium heat until warmed through.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

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Air Fryer French Toast

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This delicious air fryer French toast cooks in 10 minutes and has the same sweet flavors of traditional French toast but you can make a whole batch at once without standing over the hot stove! The best part is that it’s extra crispy on the outside but still tender on the inside. It’s perfect for an indulgent breakfast or after school snack!

  • Author: Kylie
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 slices French toast 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Air Fryer
  • Cuisine: French
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 eggs
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Kosher salt
  • 4–6 slices Texas toast or thick sliced bread
  • 1/2 cup Lifeway Farmer Cheese (or ricotta cheese)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Serve With

  • mixed fresh berries
  • maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Heat air fryer to 350 degrees.
  2. In a shallow dish combine eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
  3. Dip a slice of bread into the mixture and flip to coat the other side.
  4. Transfer to the air fryer basket or tray.
  5. Repeat with remaining slices of bread.
  6. Cook for 3-5 minutes. Flip French toast over and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
  7. While the French toast is cooking, combine farmer cheese (or ricotta) with the syrup.
  8. Assemble French toast by topping the slices with the maple cheese mixture, mixed fruit, and maple syrup. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Slightly stale bread works best for French toast. If you’re using fresh bread, I recommend placing the slices in a single layer on a clean surface and letting them sit out for 15-30 minutes so they can get a little stale. If the bread is too fresh, when it’s dipped in the batter it will fall apart or get mushy.
  • Don’t crowd the air fryer with too many slices of French toast! Make sure each piece of French toast is flat in the air fryer and that there’s a bit of space between all the slices. This will ensure that they get super crispy on the outside and cook evenly.
  • Top this air fryer French toast with anything you like! Add your favorite toppings to this air fryer French toast. Mixed berries, a pat of butter, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, sliced banana, and more can top this versatile recipe.
  • If you have little ones, try slicing the bread into 2 inch wide strips before dipping it in the batter to make homemade air fryer French toast sticks! You can also just cut the large slices of French toast into strips after air frying.
  • I use the Instant Vortex and my air fryer trays are pretty non-stick, but if you’re having trouble with the French toast sticking, feel free to spray the tray/basket with cooking spray or add a layer of parchment paper.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 172
  • Sugar: 5.4 g
  • Sodium: 413.6 mg
  • Fat: 6.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19.3 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 104.1 mg

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