This french toast sticks recipe is the perfect way to get “hands on” with your french toast!
I don’t know about you, but french toast was a staple growing up. As soon as I learned to make it, I made it all the time. It’s fabulous stuff. I always looked forward to weekends because Saturday or Sunday was always the day I had time to make french toast and that hasn’t really changed much over the years. I still make it at home for Mini Chef and I at least a couple of times a month. Nothing beats homemade french toast!
I remember the first time I ordered it in a restaurant. I was about 12 or 13 years old. I got a plate of bread that looked pretty good, but when I bit into it, well……… let’s just say I didn’t enjoy my meal that morning. Know why? Because it was made with white bread, and I had always had it with whole grain bread. It’s all about what you’re used to I guess.
But I will say this, whole grain bread definitely gives this recipe its full, robust flavor. And the “sticks” will make this dish really kid friendly. I mean, what kid doesn’t like to eat with their fingers???! I’m 35 and I still enjoy it!
If you have trouble getting your kids to eat whole grain bread, this recipe will help them learn to love it!
NATURAL SWEETENERS
I can’t say enough about using better quality sweeteners. Things like real honey or real maple syrup. It makes such a major difference! Both in flavor and nutrition. Grant it, sugar is sugar once it’s in your body. But the quality of our food matters. When I improved the quality of the food I ate, I noticed an almost immediate improvement in my health as well. Chemical sweeteners and highly processed sweeteners are terrible for good health. So spend a little extra money in this department if you can. Pure maple syrup is amazing with this french toast.
FRENCH TOAST STICKS RECIPE:
An easy way for the littles to enjoy french toast! (Pssst... it's not so bad for the grownups either!)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk (any type)
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 4 slices whole grain bread
Crack your egg into a large bowl.
Add milk and vanilla.
Mix well with a whisk.
This is the critical part. So read carefully. When you dip your bread into the mix, do it quickly. Drop it in, flip it over, and take it out again immediately. This (in my humble opinion) is the key to really great french toast. If you allow the bread to really soak up the liquid, you will have to cook it forever in order to avoid eating raw egg. And at that point, it doesn't taste very good any longer. You just want to coat the bread. Not soak it.
Using a non-stick pan and a very light coat of olive oil to cook the bread on both sides. Cook till golden brown.
When the toast has cooled slightly, cut it into strips (about 4 strips per slice), and serve with a bit of honey or maple syrup for dipping.
Please note that the nutrition data below is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.
carolyn says
This sounds amazing! I would maybe sprinkle cinnamon on top to cut the calories of the agave or maple syrup. I may make this for dinner:)
The Gracious Pantry says
Carolyn – Excellent dinner selection!! Enjoy!
Sam says
I love making french toast but never thought to cut it into strips. Makes me reminiscent of my childhood. Love it!
The Gracious Pantry says
Sam – Ya, me too! I do it more for myself then for Mini Chef! lol 😉
graciouspantry says
Sure!
TriciaM says
This was so delicious, and hubster approved! (he didn’t even know it was a “clean” recipe) 🙂
graciouspantry says
Haha!! Glad to hear it!
Carolin says
Sounds yummy! I need to make this for my kids. They eat (and LOVE) the store bought french toast sticks, but I am working on trying to get all highly processed stuff out of my house! Have you ever made large batches of these and frozen them?
The Gracious Pantry says
No. I think the bread would get overcooked when you go to re-warm them. But you could certainly try it with a single piece of toast and see how it turns out.
Kristi says
What’s the calorie count on this?
The Gracious Pantry says
Depends on the bread you use.
Kellie says
Is there a particular store-bought bread you like to use for these?
The Gracious Pantry says
I usually buy my bread at Trader Joe’s. But Whole Foods also has the Alvarado Street Bakery line of breads. They are clean, tasty and GMO free.
Julie says
I made it this morning, but did not try it. Lol the bread just kind of fell apart 🙁 my husband said it was really good though, so that is a plus! I did try your tip out and dipped the bread quickly, but I think my bread was too soft to begin with if that makes sense. I did not have any clean eating bread on hand 🙁 I will try and find the Alvarado street bread that you recommended above around somewhere maybe, we have Fresh Market, perhaps they would have it. I would love to try this again!
The Gracious Pantry says
Julie – Ya, a regular bread would most likely fall apart easily. You need a sturdier whole grain bread. But I’m glad it tasted good!
Aggie says
My daughter has been asking for french toast, I am going to make it this way for her! (I hate when the bread gets so soggy, thanks for the tip)
The Gracious Pantry says
Aggie – My pleasure! 😀
Emily says
My bf loves French toast! He’s suffering now that we have started p90x3 but I’m working to adapt my baked French toast recipe to something he can have once a week. I’m with Caroline on freezing and reheating and I used white Texas toast normally and use the same “dip, don’t soak” method. Bc I have a toddler I can’t stand over the stove to make a massive amount in a skillet so I dip and toss them on a coated baking sheet, bake at 425 for 12 minutes, ***spray the tops with cooking spray or spritz with evoo/melted butter mixture*** flip them and put them back in for 12 minutes. I have used whole grain bread before and it baked and freezes well too! Just let the strips cool (I cut each whole slice into 3 strips) and play them in a quart freezer bag. I make two loaves at a time and put 6-8 strips per bag. It will keep in the freezer for 6 months…but rarely sits in ours for more than a few weeks!
The Gracious Pantry says
Emily – Fabulous! Thanks for sharing! 😀
Marie says
Any recommendations on a clean whole grain bread? Having trouble finding one!
The Gracious Pantry says
Marie – Yup! Trader Joe’s carries some, as does Whole Foods. One brand I really like is Berlin Naturals. You find them in the freezer section.
Marhia says
Wanting to try these soon. Could I use coconut oil instead of olive oil to cook the bread?
The Gracious Pantry says
Marhia – Sure!
Jeri says
I’m new to this. What’re your recommendations for clean whole grain bread? Especially for this recipe and especially if it is store bought?
The Gracious Pantry says
Jeri – Here are the ones that I know of: https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-bread/
Jeri says
Disregard! I see the kind you use now!!! 😉
The Gracious Pantry says
Jeri – Okay, great! Hope you enjoy it!
Jamie Sawyer says
Is maple syrup pretty good for clean eating or is there another option (I really hate honey unfortunately). Thanks!
The Gracious Pantry says
Jamie – Absolutely! The real stuff though. Not the fake stuff they sell for pancakes at most mainstream grocery stores.