There’s something especially fun about breakfast served in snackable pieces, right? With this Homemade French Toast Sticks with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe, you get that perfect combo of crispy, sweet coating and soft, fluffy inside that’s ideal for dipping or nibbling. Let me walk you through how to make these irresistible sticks that brighten any morning.

The image shows a stack of thick, golden-brown sticks of cinnamon sugar toast on a white plate. The toast sticks are arranged in three layers, sprinkled with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar that adds texture and a warm color contrast. Around the plate, there are fresh sliced strawberries and whole blueberries adding bright reds and deep blues to the scene. A fork with a wooden handle rests on the right side of the plate. The background is a white marbled surface with some blurred fresh fruits and a bottle of syrup visible in soft focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade French Toast Sticks with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade French Toast Sticks with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade French Toast Sticks with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m honestly hooked on this Homemade French Toast Sticks with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe because it turns a classic breakfast into bite-sized joy. It’s super easy to make, fun for all ages, and perfect for sharing at the table—or sneaking a few before anyone notices!

Family-Friendly: Everyone from kids to adults will love how easy these sticks are to handle and dunk in syrup or cream cheese.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your kitchen, so no surprise trips to the store.
Quick and Satisfying: Ready in about 20 minutes, making it a great weekday or weekend treat.
Customizable: You can easily switch up the bread or add flavors like nutmeg or orange zest for your own twist.

A white plate holds a stack of six rectangular golden-brown French toast sticks with a crispy texture and a light dusting of cinnamon sugar on top. The sticks are arranged in two layers, with four sticks on the bottom and two on top, some tilted to show their fluffy inside. Maple syrup is being poured over the top sticks, creating a glossy stream. Around the toast sticks, there are fresh, sliced red strawberries and whole blue blueberries adding bright color. A copper spoon rests on the edge of the plate. The setting is on a white marbled surface with a blurred bowl of blueberries and a blurred plate of more toast sticks in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Homemade French Toast Sticks with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe plays its part perfectly—from the custard-like egg mixture to the cinnamon-sugar coating that gives that wonderful crunch and sweetness. The bread you pick can also change the texture and richness.

Flat lay of thick slices of fresh French bread cut into sticks, four whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl with creamy half and half, a small white bowl filled with fine white sugar, a small white bowl with light golden vanilla extract liquid, a small white bowl containing fine white salt, a few cubes of fresh pale yellow butter, a small white bowl with a mix of brown cinnamon powder and granulated sugar, and a small white bowl holding amber maple syrup, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Texas toast or French bread: Thick slices hold up well when cut into sticks, soaking in custard without falling apart.
Eggs: They create a rich custard base that makes the French toast tender and flavorful.
Half and half: Adds just the right creaminess without being too heavy.
Sugar: A touch of sweetness in the custard helps balance the richness.
Vanilla: Brings warmth and depth to the batter’s flavor.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors beautifully.
Butter: Needed for cooking to achieve a golden, crisp exterior—plus, the flavor is unbeatable.
Cinnamon sugar: This classic coating adds texture and that cozy cinnamon spice everyone loves.
Maple syrup (optional): For drizzling or dunking, elevating the sweetness and bringing it all together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Homemade French Toast Sticks with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe is so versatile—I love to change it up based on my mood or what’s in the pantry. Sometimes, I swap half and half for almond milk to lighten it or add a splash of orange extract for a citrusy twist.

Variation: One of my favorite tweaks is adding a pinch of nutmeg and substituting brioche bread for an extra buttery touch—super indulgent and worth the splurge.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade French Toast Sticks with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Bread Sticks

First, cut each thick slice of Texas toast or French bread into 4 equal sticks. This size is perfect for dipping and gives you those cute, uniform pieces that cook evenly. I like to do this ahead to keep things moving smoothly.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Custard

Grab a shallow bowl and whisk eggs, half and half, sugar, vanilla, and salt until well combined. This mix is your golden ticket to soft, flavorful French toast sticks that soak up just enough custard without being soggy.

Step 3: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

In a separate bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon for that classic sweet-spicy coating. Set this aside because once your sticks are cooked, you’ll want to roll them immediately for maximum crunch and flavor.

Step 4: Cook Your French Toast Sticks

Heat a skillet over medium and melt about half a tablespoon of butter. Dip each bread stick in the custard, letting excess drip off, then place it in the hot skillet. I usually cook 6-8 sticks at once, making sure they have plenty of space so they brown evenly. Cook each side for about 1-2 minutes until golden brown.

Step 5: Coat and Serve

Right after flipping them out of the skillet, toss your sticks in the cinnamon sugar bowl until well coated. This step is key for that delightful crunch and sweet flavor on every bite. Repeat until all sticks are done, adding more butter if needed.

Top Tip

From my many breakfasts testing this recipe, these tips have saved me time and ensured perfectly crispy, delicious sticks every time.

Use thick bread: Thin bread gets mushy and falls apart, so choose hearty Texas toast or day-old French bread for best texture.
Don’t soak too long: Just a quick dip is enough; soaking longer can make the sticks soggy and difficult to cook evenly.
Work in batches: Avoid crowding the pan so the heat stays consistent and the sticks get a beautiful golden crust.
Roll while warm: Coating the sticks directly after frying ensures the cinnamon sugar sticks well and stays crunchy.

How to Serve Homemade French Toast Sticks with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe

French toast sticks - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar if I’m feeling fancy, and a little side of fresh berries for brightness. Sometimes, I’ll add a dollop of whipped cream or a ricotta spread—it’s like dessert disguised as breakfast!

Side Dishes

These sticks are great with crispy bacon or savory sausage to balance the sweetness. For a lighter touch, I pair them with a tangy fruit salad or a small yogurt parfait when hosting brunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged the sticks standing up in a mason jar with extra cinnamon sugar in a ramekin for dipping—looks cute and inviting on the table. Kids love having their own little dipping station with maple syrup and berry compote on the side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover French toast sticks are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I find they keep well for up to 2 days but start to lose their crispiness after that.

Freezing

I freeze extras by first laying the sticks out on a baking sheet to flash freeze them individually, then transfer them to a freezer bag. This stops them from sticking together and means you can reheat only what you need.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the frozen or refrigerated sticks in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. This revives their crispiness much better than microwaving, which makes them soft.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these French toast sticks gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use your favorite gluten-free bread that’s thick enough to soak the custard without falling apart. Just keep an eye on cooking times since some gluten-free breads brown faster.

What’s the best bread to use for French toast sticks?

I recommend thick slices of Texas toast, brioche, or French bread. They hold up nicely when cut into sticks and soak up the custard without becoming overly soggy or falling apart.

Can I prepare the cinnamon sugar coating ahead of time?

Yes, the cinnamon sugar mixture keeps well in an airtight container for weeks. It’s convenient to have ready so you can roll your warm French toast sticks immediately after cooking.

What’s the best way to keep these French toast sticks crispy?

Cooking in butter over medium heat and coating right after frying really helps. When storing leftovers, reheating in the oven or toaster oven maintains crispiness better than microwaving.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade French Toast Sticks with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe is one of those comforting classics that never gets old around here. It’s quick, crowd-pleasing, and downright tasty every single time. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these sticks as much as I do—after all, who can resist that sweet cinnamon crunch with warm, tender bread? Grab your skillet and give it a try—you won’t regret it!