Healthy Air Fryer French Toast Sticks (Gluten-Free, Vegan Option)

Make breakfast extra special with Healthy Air Fryer French Toast Sticks! These delightful morsels only take a few minutes of prep time and are sweetened with our favorite low glycemic sweetener- dates! This recipe is made with a gluten-free, vegan sourdough bread, allowing those with dietary restrictions to enjoy as well!

cinnamon raisin french toast sticks

With a little help from a trusty air fryer, you can make a memorable first day meal without setting off the smoke alarm. No air fryer? No problem! This recipe can easily be made in a greased skillet. 

Using an Air Fryer Instead of a Greased Skillet

If you want to cut out fat and/or calories from a french toast sticks recipe but still want to preserve a crispy exterior texture, using an air fryer is the way to go. An air fryer works by evaporating surface moisture, creating a crust on the bread with circulating air placing even heat on all sides. 

The air-fryer method allows for hands-off cooking and batch prepping rather than watching over a hot skillet. Plus, with minimal flipping required, it's simpler to keep gluten-free bread from falling apart (for some GF breads!)

Why Date Sugar?

Unlike refined sugar, date sugar retains fiber (1 gram per tablespoon). This is a healthier sugar substitute for those looking to make a lower-glycemic recipe. Not only that, but you'll find it creates a more caramelized flavor than white sugar, which is perfect if you're using our Cinnamon Raisin Gluten-Free Sourdough. 

Choose a Good Gluten-Free Sourdough To Make Your Gut & Tastebuds Happy!

Gluten-free, vegan, and supportive of a low-glycemic diet, Bread SRSLY's Cinnamon Raisin Gluten-Free Sourdough contains 2 grams of fiber and only 2 grams of sugar with date syrup. 

We like to use a sourdough for french toast recipes because it's made from a slow and traditional fermentation process. The fermentation breaks down starches, contributing to a lower glycemic index. Bread SRSLY uses unrefined gluten-free flours like buckwheat flour and psyllium husk which help slow the digestion of starches.

Regarding taste, sourdough is great because it adds tanginess and tons of flavor.

Longer Soak Time for GF Bread

We recommend soaking your gluten-free bread for a longer time than wheat bread so that the vegan custard can penetrate through. If you want a gooey, soft toast that's flavorful both on the inside and out, this method is preferred.

 

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free option, Vegan option
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Idle Time: 10-20 minutes (longer the better!)
Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
Photos by @baydish

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Per 1/6 serving

Calories: 237 kcal
Carbohydrates: 44 g
Protein: 4 g
Fat: 4 g
Fiber: 5 g
Sugar: 16 g
Sodium: 340 mg

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 loaf Cinnamon Raisin Gluten-Free Sourdough, cut into small sticks about 4 inches long.
  • 1/2 cup egg substitute (like Just Egg) - two eggs if not vegan
  • 1/2 cup plant milk of your choice (we like oat best for creaminess)
  • 1/3 cup date sugar (we like the Organic Date Sugar from Just Date) or coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Pinch of salt

Serving Options:

  • Cinnamon Sugar (1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 cup date sugar)
  • Maple syrup or date syrup
  • Powdered sugar 

DIRECTIONS

  1. Whisk all ingredients together except the bread sticks in a large bowl.
  2. Add the bread sticks to the bowl and make sure each piece is thoroughly coated in the mixture. Soak the French Toast sticks for 10-20 minutes to absorb as much of the mixture as possible.
  3. Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper, foil, or use nonstick spray to coat the bottom. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees for two minutes.
  4. (If not using an air fryer, heat a skillet over medium heat on the stove and add about a tsp of butter/oil to the pan. Fry sticks until crispy, turning every few minutes.)
  5. Turn your air fryer temperature down to 370/375 degrees and add the French Toast sticks in a single layer.
  6. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until the French Toast sticks are crispy on the outside (turning the sticks once or twice during the cooking process is recommended). 
  7. Toss sticks in cinnamon sugar, serve with your syrup of choice, or sprinkle powdered sugar on top and enjoy!
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