There’s something utterly comforting about warm, cinnamon-spiced breakfast treats, and this Homemade Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Recipe is exactly that—soft and golden on the inside, with a sweet crunch on the outside. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll quickly become your go-to weekend morning delight.

The image shows a stack of thick, golden-brown sticks of cinnamon sugar toast on a white plate. The toast sticks are arranged in three layers, sprinkled with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar that adds texture and a warm color contrast. Around the plate, there are fresh sliced strawberries and whole blueberries adding bright reds and deep blues to the scene. A fork with a wooden handle rests on the right side of the plate. The background is a white marbled surface with some blurred fresh fruits and a bottle of syrup visible in soft focus. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I adore this recipe not just because it’s delicious but because it’s super easy and perfect for feeding both kids and adults alike. Making cinnamon French toast sticks from scratch feels a little indulgent, yet it takes just minutes to prep—and that cinnamon sugar coating? Pure magic.

Quick and Fun to Make: The sticks-style is perfect for dipping, making breakfast feel playful and casual.
Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Crunch: The homemade coating adds a sweet and slightly crispy texture that’s totally addictive.
Versatile and Customizable: You can tweak the cinnamon sugar mix or serve it with your favorite toppings to keep it fresh every time.
Great for Kids and Adults: These sticks are easy to hold and eat, making them a winner for family breakfasts or brunches with friends.

A white plate holds a stack of six rectangular golden-brown French toast sticks with a crispy texture and a light dusting of cinnamon sugar on top. The sticks are arranged in two layers, with four sticks on the bottom and two on top, some tilted to show their fluffy inside. Maple syrup is being poured over the top sticks, creating a glossy stream. Around the toast sticks, there are fresh, sliced red strawberries and whole blue blueberries adding bright color. A copper spoon rests on the edge of the plate. The setting is on a white marbled surface with a blurred bowl of blueberries and a blurred plate of more toast sticks in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Homemade Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Recipe plays a key role in delivering that perfect balance of texture and warmth. Nothing fancy here, but the combo is spot on for that classic French toast flavor with a cinnamon twist.

Flat lay of thick slices of fresh French bread cut into sticks, four whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl with creamy half and half, a small white bowl filled with fine white sugar, a small white bowl with light golden vanilla extract liquid, a small white bowl containing fine white salt, a few cubes of fresh pale yellow butter, a small white bowl with a mix of brown cinnamon powder and granulated sugar, and a small white bowl holding amber maple syrup, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Texas Toast or French Bread: Thick slices soak up the custard beautifully without falling apart; Texas toast works great for sturdy sticks.
Eggs: The binding agent that helps create that rich custard base for soaking your bread.
Half and Half: Adds creaminess without being too heavy, giving the custard a lovely smoothness.
Sugar: Just a touch sweetens the custard and also combines with cinnamon for the perfect coating.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a depth of flavor that makes the cinnamon pop in a cozy way.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and rounds out the flavors.
Butter: For frying, it creates a golden crust that's rich and slightly nutty.
Cinnamon: The star spice in the sugar coating that gives these sticks their signature warmth and aroma.
Maple Syrup (optional): For that classic drizzle on top—because everything’s better with a little syrup, right?

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love switching up the ratio of cinnamon to sugar in the coating depending on my mood—sometimes more sugar for crunch, other times extra cinnamon for that spicy kick. Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or use almond milk instead of half and half if you prefer a lighter custard.

Variation: I once added a dash of pumpkin pie spice for a fall twist, and it was a total hit with my family.
Dietary Modifications: Swap half and half for a dairy-free alternative like coconut milk for a vegan-friendly version.
Make It Gluten-Free: Use thick slices of gluten-free bread, but keep an eye on soaking time—it might vary slightly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Recipe

Step 1: Cut and Prep Your Bread

Start by slicing your thick Texas toast or French bread into four long sticks each—this size is perfect for dipping. I recommend using slightly stale bread—it soaks up the custard better without turning mushy. Once cut, set them aside while you prepare the custard and cinnamon sugar.

Step 2: Whisk the Custard

In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, sugar, vanilla, and salt until fully combined. This mixture has just the right sweetness and richness that’ll soak into your bread perfectly. Trust me, taking the time to mix this well pays off in flavor.

Step 3: Prepare Your Cinnamon Sugar Coating

In a small separate bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon that you’ll use for rolling the cooked sticks. I like to keep the ratio balanced so you get that satisfying cinnamon flavor without it being overpowering.

Step 4: Cook the Sticks to Golden Perfection

Heat ½ tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat and melt until it coats the pan. Dunk each bread stick into your custard, letting the excess drip off so it’s not soggy, and place them in the hot skillet. I usually cook 6-8 sticks at a time, making sure they have space to get crispy edges. Cook for about 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Step 5: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

Immediately after cooking, roll each warm French toast stick in the cinnamon sugar until fully coated—this step seals in the flavor and adds that irresistible sugary crunch. Transfer them to a serving tray and keep warm while you finish the batch, adding butter to the skillet as needed.

Step 6: Serve Warm with Your Favorite Syrup

Serve your homemade cinnamon French toast sticks warm with a drizzle of maple syrup or your favorite dipping sauce. They’re best enjoyed fresh but make excellent leftovers too!

Top Tip

From my experience making this Homemade Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Recipe multiple times, these tips helped me get the perfect texture and flavor every time.

Use Thick, Slightly Stale Bread: Fresh bread can be too soft and lead to soggy sticks; day-old Texas toast or French bread holds up beautifully.
Don’t Over-soak: Quickly dunk the bread sticks to avoid a mushy center; you want them saturated but still sturdy.
Butter Your Pan Well: The butter not only prevents sticking but adds a nutty flavor and helps form that golden crust.
Coat While Warm: Rolling the sticks in cinnamon sugar right out of the skillet ensures the coating sticks and gets a slight melt effect that’s heavenly.

How to Serve Homemade Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Recipe

cinnamon french toast sticks - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

My favorite garnishes include a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of chopped nuts like pecans for extra crunch. Fresh berries work wonderfully too, adding a burst of tartness that balances the cinnamon sugar sweetness.

Side Dishes

I love pairing these sticks with crispy bacon or sausage links for a savory contrast. A simple fruit salad or Greek yogurt on the side also complements the richness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun brunch, I’ve arranged these sticks upright in little mason jars with a ramekin of syrup on the side—that presentation always gets compliments. You can also thread the sticks onto skewers for easy dipping at parties or family gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cinnamon French toast sticks store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. I recommend placing parchment paper between layers to keep that coating from getting soggy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these sticks by first flash-freezing them on a baking sheet, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag. They keep great for about a month, which is perfect for busy mornings when you want a quick breakfast fix.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes or use a toaster oven to restore crispness without drying them out. Avoid microwaving when possible; it tends to ruin that crisp cinnamon coating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular sliced bread instead of Texas toast or French bread?

You can use regular sliced bread, but I recommend choosing a thicker slice for best results. Thin, flimsy bread tends to soak up too much custard and can fall apart when cooking. If you use thinner bread, reduce soaking time and handle carefully.

How do I prevent the French toast sticks from getting soggy?

The key is not to over-soak the bread in the custard mixture. Quickly dip each stick and let the excess drip off before cooking. Also, make sure your skillet is hot and well-buttered to quickly sear the outside, locking in moisture but keeping the interior soft.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the batter and cinnamon sugar in advance. Cook the French toast sticks fresh, or make them ahead and store them in the fridge or freezer. Reheat in a toaster oven or oven for best texture.

What’s the best syrup to serve with these French toast sticks?

Classic maple syrup is always my go-to because it pairs so nicely with the cinnamon sugar coating. However, you can experiment with fruit syrups like blueberry or apple cinnamon to add a fun twist.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Recipe has become a little weekend ritual in my house—cozy, quick, and endlessly satisfying. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings a bit of warmth and happiness to your mornings. Give it a try and watch your breakfast routine get a sweet, cinnamon-spiced upgrade!