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Oven-baked Apple Butter Cinnamon French Toast Sticks. Soft bread cut into sticks, dipped in French toast batter, swirled with apple butter and brown butter, then baked in the oven until golden and toasted. Each French toast stick gets a coating of cinnamon sugar just before baking. These are just like the frozen French toast sticks we loved as kids, but so much better than what mom found in the freezer aisle. Make a big batch and freeze to reheat on busy mornings. Perfect for back to school, busy work days, and the hustle of the autumn season.
When I can get really excited about a recipe, it’s a GOOD day. Some recipes are more special than others and these feel the most special. Like so many of us, I grew up eating the frozen French toast sticks mom brought home from the store. Of course, my brothers and I loved them. All we did was pop them in the microwave and eat them with a small side of maple syrup. Well, we probably should’ve just called it sugar syrup since Aunt Jemima (our brand of choice) has 8 teaspoons of sugar per serving – wow!
Back then we thought they were delicious. But now, in comparison, to these homemade French toast sticks, I think they were more like soft cardboard dipped in sugar.
But I love my memories! I vividly remember loving French toast stick mornings. We even did them as the occasional afternoon snack as well.
We all know I love to take something retro and make it homemade.
French toast sticks have been top of my list for a while. And now that it’s fall, I had to give them a fall twist. Apple butter is the most perfect sweet way to flavor these. I’m so excited to bring this recipe to your kitchens this weekend!
Here are details
Step 1: the bread
I used two loaves of brioche bread, but honestly, any bread will work. I do recommend something softer though.
Slice each piece of bread into 1-inch thick bread sticks.
Step 2: brown the butter and make the batter
For even more flavor, I brown the butter to give it a really nutty, toasted flavor. Adding in even more fall-like, cozy, deliciousness.
Mix the brown butter with milk, eggs, apple butter, and vanilla. I love to use my homemade apple butter, but of course, store-bought works too.
Step 3: dip, dunk, and coat in batter
Take each breadstick and dredge it through the egg batter, then place it on a baking sheet. Try to use most of the egg batter as this contains ALL of the yummy flavors.
Now, mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle it over the sticks. If you prefer less sweet sticks, simply omit this step.
Step 4: bake and eat
Bake these up, then you must serve them warm with a side of real maple syrup. I recommend skipping the Aunt Jemima this time around, we know better.
There’s nothing better than warm French toast with a smear of salty butter and a pour of maple syrup.
“Ummmy”, said in my very best Oslo voice!
Looking for other fall recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Fluffy Pumpkin Butter Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Cream Cheese Swirled Cinnamon Pumpkin Butter Bread
6 Ingredient Spiced Pumpkin Butter
Cream Cheese Swirled Brown Sugar Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Chai Pumpkin Cake with Maple Browned Butter Frosting
Pumpkin Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cinnamon Swirl Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Butter Bread
Lastly, if you make these Apple Butter Cinnamon French Toast Sticks, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Apple Butter Cinnamon French Toast Sticks
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 454 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 16 slices thick cut, whole grain bread/brioche bread
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 cup milk
- 4 eggs
- 1/3 cup apple butter (or try pumpkin butter)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. Cut each slice of bread into 1-inch wide "sticks". 3. Add the butter to a skillet set over medium heat. Cook until the butter begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a heatproof bowl. Whisk in the milk, eggs, apple butter, and vanilla. Dunk each breadstick into the batter. Remove, allowing any excess to drip off back into the bowl. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining bread, try to use most of the batter.4. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar over the sticks. Bake for 10 minutes, flip, and sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Bake 10-15 minutes more, or until lightly golden. This step is optional if you'd prefer a less sweet option. 5. Serve warm with maple syrup for dipping and dunking.
Notes
To Freeze: Bake the French toast sticks as directed and coat in cinnamon sugar (optional). Arrange the French toast sticks in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours, until firm. Transfer the French toast sticks to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 3-4 months. To warm, microwave for 1 minute, flip, and microwave for one minute more. Times will vary depending on your microwave.
Optional Cinnamon Sugar: mix 1/2 cup sugar with 1 tablespoon cinnamon.
they look super good. I cant wait to try it
Thank you so much Clare! xTieghan
These were delicious and easy to make with a toddler hanging off my legs! I subbed cinnamon apple sauce for apple butter and almond milk for whole mile, so I may have missed out on some of the decadence. Oven baking is a life saver with a 14 month old! I can’t wait to make these with her ‘help’ when she’s a bit older
Haha I am glad this turned out so well for you!! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Your sister is so cute! I love your recipes as they use such fresh simple ingredients usually. I’m 70 so the simpler the better 🙂 Keep up the great work..
Thank you so much Laura!
Thank you for this recipe! It is a keeper! I used multigrain sandwich bread and it turned out great, but it did need an extra 10 minutes in the oven cause it was a bit soggy still. I also baked apples to go with it. The tart flavor was a nice touch with the sweet sticks. I just sliced them and threw them in the oven while prepping and then kept them in while baking the sticks. No need for syrup!! They were perfect as is.
That is amazing! I am so glad you loved this Bekki! Thank you!
Can I use crusty white spelt bread?
Yes, that will be great! Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love the this. thanks! 🙂
So I made them and I fell in love with them! They were very testy! Thanks a lot for another great recipe.?
That is so great! Thank you Ola!
Saw this morning on my feed and made it for the family. Delicious!! I didn’t have apple butter so used a bit of applesauce. I also sprinkled the fresh fruit topping with the extra cinnamon sugar I had. It is kid and hubby approved!!
That is so great! So glad you and your family loved this Karen!
Hello! I just made these and they were amazing, I did wonder though how much cinnamon to use. In the video you said 2 tsp, in the written recipe just 1. I only did one, but I thought the extra cinnamon would be nice. So basically I just wondered what you usually do. Thanks!
Hi! You can use either or, but I have found 2 teaspoons to be extra delicious. Thrilled you enjoyed the french toast sticks. Thank you!!
OMG! Super easy, Super delicious! Family loved.
Thank you!
Thanks Karen (:
This looks so great. I’ve never tried French toast sticks before, and I love that they are baked. I generally only cook for myself or one other person, but this seems more like a family serving size. If I wanted to make a smaller portion, is it as simple as just halving all of the ingredients?
Thanks!
Hi, any takers on the above question about halving the ingredients for a smaller portion? Really keen to try this recipe.
Thanks!!
I made it as a half recipe and it turned out great!
That is so awesome! Thanks Bekki!
Hehe, I’ve always adored French toast, and I used to LOVE those frozen French toast sticks that you’d find at the grocery store! DELICIOUS with maple syrup. I do believe that freshly made French toast sticks would taste much better though, just like these! Apple butter and cinnamon too? FANTASTIC!
Hi! Could you sub almond milk? And could you prep the night before?!
Yes and yes! Almond milk will be great and to make the night before just dip on the eggs and keep on a baking sheet. Let me know if you have questions.
This is one killer looking stack! Such a great breakfast idea!
Yes! Perfect for breakfast! Thanks Laura!
quick question about brushing with butter before baking, didn’t see that step in the video. if you brush them after you’ve dipped them in the French toast batter, aren’t you just brushing off the batter? I’m slightly confused by this step. or is it easier to put pats of butter on the pan? inbetween each stick? only on the edges? sorry to overthink this, want to make these this weekend. thanks.
Hi el tigre!! No you will not brush off the butter, but using pats works great too! Whatever you feel like really, I use pats of butter. Let me know if you have questions. Thank you!
Yup! Sounds like a plan for sure! This would be perfect for my little one because she can just hold it in her hand and eat it! Like how she ate some apple cinnamon fritters that I made today! And since you mentioned it, I also made apple butter today so these french toast sticks is perfect! btw, hope you had a great bday! 😉
Oh my gosh! So perfect!! That is so cute!!
YES!! Making them all, I love it Sheila!! Thanks so much, hope you have a good day too!!
I realy love your cooking!! And this toast stick are looking so delcius could make them right now, but how could I make the apple or even pumpkin butter myself…. Can”‘t by this in germany….
HI!! Here is a great apple butter recipe. Let me know if you have questions! Thanks!
http://www.skinnytaste.com/slow-cooked-apple-butter/