✔ Updated · clearer batter ratio, crispier bake + air fryer and pan-fry options
My Burger King French toast sticks are a copycat-style take on the drive-thru breakfast favorite: thick sticks of bread that are golden and lightly crisp outside, soft and custardy inside, and made for dunking in maple syrup. Make it a full drive-thru-style breakfast with our copycat Burger King Croissan’wich.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Use day-old Texas toast and dip each stick for only 2 to 3 seconds per side. Thick, slightly dry bread soaks up just enough custard to stay soft inside without going soggy.
This homemade version uses thick-cut Texas toast, a simple cinnamon-vanilla egg custard and a hot 375°F (190°C) oven, so there's no deep fryer and no greasy stovetop. A quick dip, a flip halfway through and about 30 minutes later you have 12 sticks ready for the table. Air fryer and pan-fried options are below too. Add a side of crispy copycat Burger King hash browns for the full drive-thru breakfast.
Why You'll Love These French Toast Sticks
- Dunkable, with crisp golden edges and a soft custardy middle that holds up in maple syrup.
- Baked, not fried: no oil to heat or strain, and the whole tray cooks at once.
- Kid- and freezer-friendly, so you can bake a big batch and reheat sticks straight from the freezer on busy mornings.
What Are Burger King-Style French Toast Sticks?
French toast sticks are French toast cut into finger-sized pieces, so they cook quickly, crisp up on every side and can be eaten by hand. The fast-food version is known for its golden, slightly crunchy outside, soft inside and a cup of syrup for dunking, which makes it as popular with kids as it is on a busy commute. For another bite-size drive-thru treat, bake our copycat Burger King Cini Minis.
French toast itself is old: the French call it pain perdu, or lost bread, because it was a way to use up stale loaves. That is still the secret here. Slightly dry, thick bread absorbs just enough custard without falling apart. If you love the dish, try our grown-up Baileys French toast too.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Use thick, day-old bread. Texas toast or thick-sliced brioche holds its shape. I leave the slices out on the counter the night before. Fresh, thin sandwich bread soaks up too much custard and goes limp, so dry fresh sticks in the oven for 5 minutes first.
- Dip quickly. 2 to 3 seconds per side is plenty. A long soak makes the centers soggy and the sticks hard to flip.
- Grease the sheet well. The sugar in the custard can stick to the pan, so spray the parchment generously and spray the tops again when you flip.
- Check the middle. Break one stick open before serving. The center should be soft and set, with no wet, runny egg.
- Want more crunch? Add 1 tablespoon of flour to the custard for a slightly crisper crust, or roll the baked sticks in cinnamon sugar while they're still warm.
Burger King French Toast Sticks (Copycat)
4
servings10
minutes18
minutes250
kcal28
minutesCopycat-style Burger King French toast sticks: thick Texas toast cut into sticks, dipped in a cinnamon-vanilla egg custard and baked at 375°F until golden and crisp outside and soft inside. Serve warm with maple syrup for dipping.
Ingredients
- French Toast Sticks
4 slices thick-cut Texas toast bread, preferably a day old
3 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch fine salt
cooking spray or melted butter
- To Serve
1/2 cup maple syrup, for dipping
1 cup fresh berries (optional)
powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar, for dusting (optional)
Directions
- Prep
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat it well with cooking spray.
- Cut each slice of Texas toast into 3 even sticks, for 12 sticks in total. If the bread is very fresh and soft, spread the sticks on the sheet and dry them in the heating oven for 5 minutes, then let them cool slightly.
- In a shallow dish, whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and salt until completely smooth, with no streaks of egg white.
- Dip and Bake
- Dip each stick into the custard for 2 to 3 seconds per side, so it’s coated but not soggy. Let the excess drip off and set the sticks on the prepared sheet about 1 inch apart.
- Spray the tops of the sticks lightly with cooking spray or brush with melted butter. Bake for 10 minutes.
- Flip each stick, spray again and bake for 6 to 8 minutes more, until both sides are golden brown and the centers are set, with no wet egg when you break one open.
- Dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar if you like, and serve warm with maple syrup for dipping and fresh berries on the side.
Notes
- Maple syrup or honey goes extremely well with this copycat recipe.
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Air Fryer and Pan-Fried French Toast Sticks
The oven is easiest for a full batch, but you can get an even crunchier stick with a little more hands-on time.
- Air fryer: spray the basket, cook the dipped sticks in a single layer at 370°F (188°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and set.
- Pan-fried: heat 1/4 inch of neutral oil or a mix of oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the sticks in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deep golden, then drain on a rack.
- Cinnamon-sugar coating: mix 1/4 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and roll the hot sticks in it straight from the oven, pan or air fryer.
- Serve with: maple syrup, warm berry sauce, yogurt or a side of crispy Burger King-style onion rings for a sweet-and-salty brunch spread.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
- Fridge: cool the sticks completely and keep them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: freeze in a single layer on a tray until firm, then bag them for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: bake at 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes from the fridge or 8 to 10 minutes from frozen, or air fry at 370°F for 3 to 6 minutes. The microwave works but softens the crust.
- Prep the night before: cut the bread and leave it uncovered overnight to dry slightly, and whisk the custard and keep it covered in the fridge. In the morning, just dip and bake.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make Burger King-style French toast sticks at home?
Cut thick Texas toast into sticks, dip them briefly in an egg, milk, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla custard, then bake on a greased sheet at 375°F for about 10 minutes, flip and bake 6 to 8 minutes more. Serve with maple syrup for dipping.
What bread is best for French toast sticks?
Thick-cut Texas toast is the closest match because it's soft but sturdy. Day-old brioche, challah or a thick-sliced white sandwich loaf also work. Avoid thin bread, which goes soggy.
Can I make these in the air fryer?
Yes. Dip the sticks as usual, spray the air fryer basket and the sticks, and cook them in a single layer at 370°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and set in the middle.
Are these French toast sticks vegan?
No, this homemade version uses eggs and milk. For a vegan batch, whisk 1 cup of plant milk with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, the cinnamon and vanilla, and use vegan bread and oil spray. They bake up a little softer.
Can I freeze French toast sticks?
Yes, and a bag in my freezer saves busy weekday mornings. Cool the baked sticks completely, freeze them on a tray until firm, then store them in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes or in the air fryer for 5 to 6 minutes.
Hungry for more? Browse all our Burger King copycat recipes.
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