Amazing 15 Minute Baked French Toast Sticks

Honestly, the greasiest part of making French toast used to be the cleanup! I love that classic, fluffy inside and perfectly crisp outside texture, but standing over the skillet flipping endless batches? No thank you, especially on a week morning. That’s why I absolutely depend on these **Baked French Toast Sticks

This method is revolutionary for **Quick Meal Preparation**. We’re talking about serving up a fantastic, simple family meal without a mountain of dishes waiting for you later. Seriously, once you bake them, you’ll never go back to the stove. They come out golden, perfectly portioned, and ready for dipping. This recipe has completely rescued my hectic mornings, making them the ultimate go-to. If you’re looking for more speed in the kitchen, check out my tips for easy healthy dinner recipes for busy nights!

Why You Will Love These Baked French Toast Sticks

I cannot stress enough how much easier life gets using this baking method. You get all the decadent flavor without the messy clean-up! Keep them handy for those mornings when you need something fast but satisfying.

• They are incredibly fast—just 10 minutes of prep time!
• Perfect for making a big batch for **Simple Family Meals**.
• The cinnamon sugar coating makes them taste like a treat, not just breakfast.
• It’s an amazing **Time-Saving Cooking Tip** we all need.

If you need more quick ideas for busy days, you’ve got to check out my favorites for quick healthy dinner recipes for busy weeknights!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Baked French Toast Sticks

Okay, the secret to making these **Baked French Toast Sticks** taste gourmet, even though they are fast, is paying attention to the details in the ingredients. We aren’t skimping on flavor just because this is a **Nutritious Homemade Meal** solution!

We split the ingredients into two main components: the custard that soaks the bread and the glorious topping we brush on at the end. If you want a little extra goodness in your sticks, feel free to grab that thick-cut whole grain bread—it holds up better than standard white bread and sneaks in some fiber for your **Simple Family Meals**!

Don’t forget to check out nutritious homemade meals for everyday energy for more great ingredient swaps!

For the Custard Soak

This mixture is what guarantees a fluffy interior rather than a dry brick! Make sure all the wet elements are well combined.

• 12 slices of thick cut, soft whole grain bread or brioche bread
• 1 1/2 cups Whole milk or nut/seed based milk
• 4 large Eggs
• 1 tablespoon Vanilla
• 1 tablespoon Maple syrup, plus more for serving
• 1/4 teaspoon Freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon Salted butter, melted, for the custard

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

This coating is pure magic, especially once we brown the butter for it. That toasted, nutty scent filling your kitchen? That’s the sign of a winner right there!

• 5 tablespoons Salted butter, remaining (this is for browning!)
• 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon Cinnamon

Expert Tips for Making Fluffy Baked French Toast Sticks

If you want these **Baked French Toast Sticks** to truly sing—especially if you are counting on them as a **Simple Family Meal**—the bread choice is huge. I really prefer a thick-cut bread, like brioche or even a slightly stale whole grain loaf. Why slightly old? Because dry bread soaks up the creamy custard mixture without immediately falling apart!

Don’t rush the dipping step. You want enough time for the bread to fully absorb the egg and milk mixture—I usually give it a good 30 seconds on each side. This is key for that fluffy, tender center! For an extra layer of moistness and incredible flavor, make sure you brown every bit of that leftover butter for the coating. Trust me, melted butter is fine, but browned butter adds depth.

If you’re interested in more ways to use everyday ingredients, check out my guide on simple healthy meals with everyday ingredients!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Baked French Toast Sticks

This is where the **Quick Meal Preparation** magic happens! You’ll see how simple it is to turn a skillet mess into a perfect sheet pan bake. We start by getting the oven hot and prepping our dipping station. If you’re looking for ways to keep things tidy while cooking, check out my guide on healthy one-pan recipes for simple clean eating—this recipe is kind of a one-pan wonder!

Preparation and Custard Dipping

First things first, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a good baking sheet with parchment paper—this makes cleanup a dream! Next, take those 12 bread slices and carefully cut them into nice, uniform 1-inch wide sticks. Now for the custard: whisk together your milk, eggs, vanilla, maple syrup, nutmeg, salt, and that tablespoon of melted butter in a medium bowl. You want it really smooth!

Take your bread sticks and dip them into that mixture. Toss them around gently so they get fully coated, but make sure you lift them out and let any extra liquid drip right back into the bowl. Plop them onto your prepared baking sheet in a single layer. We don’t want them overlapping!

Baking and Browning the Butter

Pop those sticks into the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Just 10 minutes on the first side! After that, pull the tray out, quickly flip every stick over—use tongs so you don’t burn your fingers—and bake them for another 10 to 15 minutes until they look lovely and golden brown.

While they are baking and getting beautiful, let’s make the flavor bomb! Melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Keep a close eye on it! You are waiting for it to stop foaming and start smelling nutty and toasted—that’s the browning trick. This only takes about 2 or 3 minutes, so don’t walk away! Once it smells amazing, take it right off the heat.

The Final Coating

In that small bowl, mix your sugar and cinnamon together until it’s perfectly blended. Once the **Baked French Toast Sticks** come out of the oven and are cool enough to handle, brush every side with that gorgeous, nutty browned butter. Seriously, every corner!

Right after the butter bath, toss or sprinkle them generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture. They will soak up all that sweetness and smell incredible. Serve them right away while they’re warm with extra maple syrup for dipping. Perfection!

Making Baked French Toast Sticks Ahead of Time

This is my favorite part for truly hitting that **Time-Saving Cooking Tips** goal! If I make a big batch of these **Baked French Toast Sticks**, I know I have breakfast totally handled for the next few days or even weeks. It’s such a relief on a hectic weekday morning to just grab something ready to go.

The key to freezing them successfully is that middle step after they bake but before they get coated in sugar. Once they are done baking and look golden, let them cool down completely. Then, give them that coat of browned butter and cinnamon sugar mixture, just like you would if you were serving them right away.

Next, you must arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Don’t let them touch! Pop that tray into the freezer until they are completely solid, maybe an hour or two—we call this ‘flash freezing.’ Once they are firm little sticks, you can transfer them into a freezer-safe container or bag. They last beautifully for three to four months. Reheating them in the microwave for about a minute per side warms them right up! For more ideas on prepping ahead, you absolutely have to check out my make-ahead healthy lunch and dinner ideas!

Serving Suggestions for Your Baked French Toast Sticks

Even though these **Baked French Toast Sticks** are fantastic plain, serving them up right is what makes them special for **Simple Family Meals**. Of course, you absolutely need good quality maple syrup for dipping. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

For a more balanced start, I love loading up the platter with fresh fruit. Berries are always a huge hit—strawberries or blueberries really cut through the sweetness. If you want to nudge this into **Nutritious Dinner Ideas** territory, a small side of scrambled eggs or maybe some sliced turkey sausage makes it a complete plate. It keeps everyone happy!

If you want to see other crowd-pleasing family meals, take a look at my favorites here: healthy family dinners that kids enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Baked French Toast Sticks

I get so many questions about these sticks because everyone wants to make sure they freeze well or work for dinner! I wish I could answer every email immediately, but I try to tackle the big ones right here. These answers should help you nail the **Quick Meal Preparation** aspect!

I covered the freezing in detail above, but feel free to ask more in the comments if you have them. If you’re trying to keep things lighter, I have some great ideas for simple low-calorie dinner ideas that taste amazing!

What is the best bread to use for Baked French Toast Sticks?

Oh, this is crucial! You really want to avoid soft, squishy white bread straight from the bag. That bread just dissolves under the egg custard. My absolute favorite choice for these **Baked French Toast Sticks** is a thick-cut loaf—brioche is decadent—but honestly, bread that’s a day or two old works wonders. Slightly stale bread soaks up the flavorful custard without getting overly soggy, ensuring you get a beautifully structured stick.

Can I make these a Nutritious Dinner Idea?

Yes, you totally can! While they are technically breakfast, they make a fantastic, quick dinner when paired right. For a truly balanced meal that fits the **Nutritious Dinner Ideas** category, skip the heavy drizzle of syrup and load up the plate with protein and fiber. Think about serving them alongside a big bowl of mixed berries, or maybe even a side of scrambled eggs or a couple of small turkey sausage patties. It feels indulgent but keeps things balanced!

Storage and Reheating Baked French Toast Sticks

Since these **Baked French Toast Sticks** are so great for **Quick Meal Preparation**, you’ll definitely want to know how to store and reheat them! If you have any leftovers, just pop them into an airtight container in the fridge. They’re usually good for about three to four days there.

When you’re ready to eat them again, don’t even think about using the microwave if you can help it—it makes them soggy! The best way to reheat them and bring back that lovely crispness is to toss them straight into the toaster oven or a regular oven set around 350 degrees F for about 5 minutes. They warm up perfectly and get just slightly crisp again. If you’re doing serious meal prep, remember the freezing instructions from earlier for longer storage! Check out my easy meal prep recipes for a healthy week for more make-ahead inspiration!

Estimated Nutritional Data for Baked French Toast Sticks

Now, I always preach about using fresh ingredients to make **Nutritious Dinner Ideas** out of easy breakfasts, but I’m not a nutritionist, so take these numbers with a grain of salt!

This estimation is based on using standard whole grain bread (not brioche, which would bump up the sugar and fat!) and whole milk. Since we are baking them, we are skipping a ton of the oil you’d use frying, which is great for keeping the calories down for your **Simple Family Meals**.

This is just an estimate per stick, assuming you get 12 sticks out of the batch. For more structure on making sure your meals are balanced overall, take a peek at my guide on balanced meals for a healthy lifestyle!

• Approximate Calories: 180-210 per stick
• Approximate Fat: 8g – 10g (Watch that browned butter!)
• Approximate Protein: 7g
• Approximate Carbs: 21g

Remember, if you use sweeter brioche bread or use a lot of extra syrup for dipping, those numbers are going to climb up! But as a fast, ready-to-go meal, I think these **Baked French Toast Sticks** are a winner!