Oh my gosh, you have to try this Air Fryer Churro French Toast – it’s like someone took Sunday brunch and cranked it up to eleven! I stumbled onto this recipe one groggy morning when my kids were begging for something sweet but I couldn’t face the mess of traditional French toast. That little air fryer magic box saved the day, turning basic bread into crispy-on-the-outside, custardy-on-the-insight bites of heaven in minutes. The cinnamon sugar coating? Absolute game-changer – it gives you that churro crunch without deep-frying. Trust me, once you’ve had French toast that’s perfectly golden all over (no soggy spots!) thanks to the air fryer’s even heat, you’ll never go back to the skillet method. My family now demands this at least twice a week – and I don’t mind one bit because cleanup is just a quick basket rinse. Pro tip: Make extra. There will be plate-snatching.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Churro French Toast
Let me count the ways this recipe will become your new breakfast obsession! First off, it’s crazy fast – we’re talking less than 15 minutes from fridge to plate. That crispy golden exterior? Pure air fryer magic. Unlike soggy skillet versions, every bite stays perfectly crisp thanks to that hot circulating air.
Here’s what makes it special:
- Minimal mess – just one bowl and the air fryer basket to clean (goodbye, greasy stovetop splatters!)
- Kid-approved magic – my littles think they’re getting dessert for breakfast
- Customizable – swap bread types or add extras like nutmeg or orange zest
- Leftover hero – day-old bread works even better than fresh
Seriously, it’s like having a churro stand in your kitchen – minus the deep fryer guilt!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Churro French Toast
Here’s everything you’ll need to create this magical breakfast – and trust me, every ingredient plays a starring role! The secret to that perfect churro-like texture starts with thick-cut bread (1-inch slices) – I use brioche or challah when I’m feeling fancy, but plain sandwich bread works in a pinch. You’ll want large eggs (none of that medium business!) and whole milk for maximum richness – though I’ve used half-and-half when feeling extra indulgent.
The magic happens with:
- 2 tbsp sugar (loose, not packed – we’re coating, not baking)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (plus extra for dusting – I always add a pinch more!)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (imitation just won’t give you that warm depth)
- 1 tbsp melted butter (for that glorious final glaze)
Pro tip: Measure your cinnamon sugar mix into a shallow bowl before cooking – you’ll want to coat the toast while it’s piping hot!
Equipment You’ll Need
Okay, let’s talk tools – and don’t worry, this recipe keeps it simple! The air fryer is obviously the star here (mine’s a basic 5-quart model that works like a charm). You’ll need a mixing bowl for the custard and a whisk – though honestly, I’ve used a fork in a pinch when my whisk went missing. A shallow dish for the cinnamon sugar coating is a must – I use pie plates because they’re wide enough to fit whole bread slices.
Nice-to-haves: A pastry brush makes buttering the toast easier, but spooning it on works just fine. That’s it! No fancy gadgets needed – just grab what you’ve got and let’s make some magic!
How to Make Air Fryer Churro French Toast
Alright, let’s get cooking! This recipe comes together so fast you’ll barely have time to pour your coffee. Just follow these simple steps for that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, custardy-on-the-inside magic.
Step 1: Prep the Egg Mixture
First things first – grab your favorite mixing bowl (I use my grandma’s old yellow Pyrex) and crack in those two large eggs. Whisk ’em up good until they’re nice and smooth – no streaks of white! Then pour in the 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Keep whisking until everything’s completely combined and you don’t see any lumps. The mixture should look like creamy, spiced liquid gold!
Step 2: Coat and Cook the Bread
While your air fryer’s preheating to 350°F, dunk each bread slice in the egg mixture. Count to three on each side – you want them fully coated but not falling apart! Arrange them in a single layer in the basket (no overlapping or you’ll get soggy spots). Cook for 5 minutes until the bottoms turn golden brown, then flip carefully with tongs. Another 3 minutes and boom – perfectly crisp French toast!
Step 3: Add the Churro Finish
Here’s where the magic happens! Brush the hot toast with melted butter (it’ll sizzle a little – that’s good!). Then immediately press both sides into your waiting cinnamon sugar mixture. The heat helps the coating stick like a dream. Pro tip: Do this while the toast’s piping hot for maximum crunch factor!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Churro French Toast
After making this recipe more times than I can count (seriously, my kids won’t let me stop), I’ve learned all the tricks for churro French toast perfection! First – stale bread is your friend. Day-old brioche absorbs the custard without turning mushy. If your slices are extra thick, add another minute per side – you’ll know it’s done when the edges get that gorgeous caramel color.
Here’s my golden rules:
- Serve immediately! That cinnamon sugar coating stays crispest right out of the air fryer
- Don’t overcrowd – leave space between slices for even crisping
- Double dip thinner bread for extra custardy goodness
- Watch closely at the end – sugar can go from golden to burnt fast!
Oh, and keep napkins handy – this is gloriously messy finger food at its best!
Variations and Substitutions
Want to mix things up? This recipe is amazingly flexible! For dairy-free, I’ve used almond milk with fantastic results – just add an extra egg yolk for richness. Gluten-free friends, swap in your favorite GF bread (the air fryer makes it wonderfully crisp!). Feeling adventurous? Toss in a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar. Once I even added orange zest to the egg mix – tasted like Christmas morning! The beauty? You really can’t mess it up.
Serving Suggestions
Oh, the possibilities! My family goes wild when I serve this churro French toast with fresh berries and a drizzle of warm maple syrup. For special mornings, add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream (trust me, it’s breakfast-worthy!). Little ones love it with banana slices for dipping!
Storage and Reheating
Okay, confession time – this churro French toast rarely lasts long enough to store at my house! But if you’ve got leftovers (lucky you), pop them in an airtight container – they’ll keep for about 2 days in the fridge. When you’re ready for round two, skip the microwave (it’ll make them soggy!) and instead reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 2 minutes. The sugar coating gets crispy again, almost like fresh-made! Pro tip: Add a quick fresh butter brush before reheating for extra magic.
Air Fryer Churro French Toast FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers from all my trial-and-error mornings making this recipe!
Can I use frozen bread?
Absolutely! Just thaw it first – frozen bread won’t soak up that delicious custard mixture properly. I sometimes keep a stash of sliced brioche in the freezer for emergency French toast mornings.
How do I prevent sogginess?
Two words: single layer! Overcrowding your air fryer basket creates steam that makes the toast mushy. Also, don’t oversoak the bread – a quick 3-second dip per side is perfect.
Can I make this ahead?
You can prep the egg mixture the night before (store covered in the fridge), but cook fresh for best texture. The cinnamon sugar coating loses its crunch if applied too early.
Why isn’t my coating sticking?
Timing is everything! Brush with butter and dredge in sugar while the toast is piping hot from the air fryer. If it cools first, the sugar won’t adhere properly.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Just work in batches – most air fryers can’t handle more than 2-3 slices at once without compromising crispiness. Keep cooked slices warm in a 200°F oven while you finish the rest.
Nutritional Information
Just so you know what you’re biting into, here’s the scoop on this Air Fryer Churro French Toast’s nutrition (but remember – estimates vary based on ingredients and brands!). For two slices, you’re looking at about 280 calories, with 8g fat (4g saturated) and 40g carbs. It’s got 2g fiber and 10g protein to help fuel your morning. The sugar comes in at 12g – hey, it’s a treat breakfast after all! Compared to deep-fried churros though, this air-fried version saves you at least half the calories and fat. Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent!
Did you try this Air Fryer Churro French Toast? I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Drop a comment below with your rating – did it earn 5 stars from your family like it does from mine?
Print
Irresistible Air Fryer Churro French Toast in 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy breakfast that combines the flavors of churros and French toast, made in the air fryer for a crispy finish.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of thick bread
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Dip bread slices into the egg mixture, coating both sides.
- Place bread in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 5 minutes, flip, then cook another 3 minutes.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Brush cooked French toast with melted butter.
- Dredge in cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for better texture.
- Adjust cooking time based on bread thickness.
- Serve with syrup or whipped cream if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: air fryer, churro, French toast, breakfast, easy recipe