Air Fryer French Toast Recipe – Crispy, Not Soggy

If you’re like me, French toast has to be golden and crispy on the outside with a soft, custardy middle. This air fryer French toast does exactly that, and it only takes about 8 minutes to cook. Let me show you how to make French toast crispy, not soggy, without making breakfast complicated.

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Check out my Air Fryer French Toast video below and see just how easy it is to get those golden, crispy slices. If you enjoy it, give the video a like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy breakfast and air fryer recipes.

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Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer French Toast

This air fryer French toast is one of those breakfasts that feels like a proper treat, but it’s actually really simple to make.

You only need a few basic ingredients, there’s no frying pan to stand over, and the air fryer does such a great job of getting the outside golden while the middle stays soft.

I also love that you can make as much or as little as you need. The full recipe gives you about 8 slices, but if you’re only cooking for yourself, it’s easy to scale down.

Let’s be honest… French toast with maple syrup on top is already hard to resist. Making it crispy too just makes it even better.

Texture + Flavor

The outside gets lightly crisp and golden, especially around the edges, while the middle stays soft and custardy.

Then you’ve got cinnamon and vanilla running through every bite. That combination smells amazing while the French toast cooks and gives it that classic warm breakfast flavor I absolutely love.

It’s sweet without actually adding sugar to the egg mixture, so you can decide how sweet you want it once you add your toppings.

Air Fryer French Toast Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients for this recipe:

• 4 large eggs
• ⅔ cup whole milk (160 ml)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 8 slices of bread
• Cooking oil spray

For Serving

These are completely optional, so add whatever sounds good to you:

• Maple syrup
• Honey
• Butter
• Powdered sugar
• Fresh berries

This recipe makes about 4 servings, with 2 slices per serving.

What Bread Works Best?

You can make this with regular sliced bread, so there’s no need to buy anything special.

Brioche is delicious if you want something richer, and challah works really well too. Texas toast is another good choice if you like thicker French toast.

Sourdough is also surprisingly good here. You get that little bit of tang underneath the cinnamon and vanilla, which I really like.

Slightly stale bread is handy because it holds its shape well when dipped, but fresh bread works too.

Equipment

You don’t need much:

• Air fryer
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Tongs or spatula
• Wire rack, optional

How to Make Air Fryer French Toast

Step 1: Start With the Eggs

Step 1: Crack 4 large eggs into a bowl.

This egg mixture is enough for about 8 slices of French toast, which gives you 4 servings with 2 slices each. If you’re making a smaller batch, an easy ratio to remember is about 1 large egg for every 2 slices of bread.

Give the eggs a quick whisk just to break them up.

Step 2: Add the Milk

Step 2: Add ⅔ cup, or 160 ml, of whole milk.

I’m using whole milk here, but if you like your French toast a little richer, you can replace a small amount of the milk with whipping cream or heavy cream.

Give the eggs and milk a quick whisk together.

Step 3: Add Cinnamon and Vanilla

Step 3: Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

I love cinnamon and vanilla together in French toast because both smell amazing, and together they give it that warm, familiar flavor you expect from a really good breakfast.

Give the mixture a good whisk. You’ll still see little bits of cinnamon in there, and that’s fine. Just make sure there aren’t any big clumps.

Step 4: Spray the Air Fryer Basket

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.

You only need a light coating. This helps keep the bread from sticking when you flip it halfway through cooking.

Step 5: Dip the Bread

Step 5: Take one slice of bread and dip it into the egg mixture so both sides are coated.

Because I like my French toast quite crispy, I don’t leave the bread sitting in the mixture for long. Lift it out, let the extra mixture drip back into the bowl, then repeat with the remaining slices.

Top Tip: Keep the dip quick, especially if you’re using soft sandwich bread. You want it coated, not completely soaked.

Step 6: Fill the Basket

Step 6: Place the dipped bread in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

If the slices fit snugly, that’s fine. Just make sure they’re not overlapping.

Lightly spray the tops with cooking oil too. I like doing this because it gives the French toast a little extra help getting golden and crisp.

Note: If your air fryer basket is smaller, cook the French toast in batches rather than stacking the slices.

Step 7: Air Fry Until Golden

Step 7: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 4 minutes.

Flip each slice over, then cook for another 4 minutes.

Start checking at the 8-minute mark. I like mine quite golden and crispy, so if yours still looks a little pale, give it another minute or two.

Air fryers can cook differently, and thicker bread may need slightly more time, so use the color as your final guide.

Top Tip: If you’re cooking a second batch, check it a little earlier. The air fryer will already be hot, so later batches can brown faster.

Step 8: Keep It Crispy

Step 8: Look how nice this air fryer French toast turned out… golden around the edges, crisp on the outside, and still soft in the middle.

If you’re cooking several batches, put the finished slices on a wire rack instead of stacking them on a plate. The steam can escape underneath, which helps keep that crispy outside while the rest finishes cooking.

Related Recipe: If you want to try something a little different next, then check out my No-Bread French Toast recipes too, it is made without any bread at all. A fun breakfast ideas if you love French toast but want a healthier twist.

How to Make French Toast Crispy, Not Soggy

This is really what makes the air fryer so useful here.

First, don’t leave the bread soaking in the egg mixture. I give each slice a quick dip, coat both sides, and lift it straight back out.

A light spray of oil on top also helps with browning.

And once the French toast is cooked, don’t pile hot slices on top of one another if you want them to stay crisp. That trapped steam can soften them surprisingly quickly.

If your French toast still looks pale after 8 minutes, just add another minute or two. I’d much rather check it and add a little time than cook it too dark from the start.

What to Serve With French Toast

• Maple syrup is always my first choice… how can you not?!
• You can also drizzle over honey, add a little butter while the French toast is still hot, or pile on some fresh berries.
• Powdered sugar looks really pretty too, especially if you’re making this for brunch.
• You could also add sliced bananas, strawberries, blueberries, chopped nuts, or a spoonful of yogurt.
• Personally, give me a warm stack with butter melting into the top and plenty of maple syrup and I’m very happy.

How to Store Leftovers

If you happen to have any left, let the French toast cool and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

If you’re stacking the slices, a little parchment paper between them helps stop them from sticking together.

That’s really all you need to know. This is French toast, not a weekend meal-prep project!

Try More Easy Breakfast Recipes

If you enjoyed this air fryer French toast, have a look at more of my easy breakfast recipes below. I love anything that makes breakfast feel a little special without turning the kitchen into chaos first thing in the morning.

• Quick Air Fryer Poached Egg on Toast – This quick air fryer breakfast combines a perfectly poached egg with crispy toast. It’s simple, satisfying, and great for busy mornings.
• 3 Ingredient Low Carb Pancakes – These easy pancakes need just three ingredients and are a great low-carb option when you want something warm and filling for breakfast.
• How To Make French Toast Without Eggs – No eggs? No problem! This easy eggless French toast is golden, delicious, and perfect when you want a simple twist on the classic breakfast.

And if you make this air fryer French toast, leave me a comment and tell me how it turned out! If you have any questions about the recipe, leave them in the comments below or in the YouTube video comments. I try to reply to all your comments and questions, and I always love hearing what you made.