Healthy Baked French Toast Sticks
Nov 29, 2023, Updated Oct 18, 2024
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French toast is a favorite breakfast in my house, and it can be a surprisingly healthy choice! You’ve gotta try it how we make it!
Why I love this healthy French toast recipe
Bread is something I don’t have to ask my kids twice to eat. I’m sure you understand. Plain toast with butter is good, but French toast feels special! It doesn’t take a ton of effort and I love that I can pack some more nutrition in.
You can make a big batch at once to pop in the oven for a crowd-pleasing breakfast that packs a protein punch. Even kids who don’t love eggs will love this French toast!
See related- Eggs for Toddlers
You can top it with whatever your kids like. A sprinkle of chopped nuts, hemp seeds, or some fresh berries! Or nothing, if they are picky about that kind of thing, which I completely understand.
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Baked French Toast Sticks
If you’ve got some bread and some eggs on hand, you’re pretty much halfway to this delicious breakfast. I love that it is made with ingredients that you’re likely to have laying around. I actually make this for dinner at least once or twice a month, too! Popping it in the oven means no standing over a stove flipping slices one by one. I hope you enjoy one of my favorite go-to breakfast recipes!
What makes this a healthy recipe?
Typical store bought frozen French toast sticks have about 15 to 20 grams of added sugar per serving. That’s the same amount as a serving of ice cream! This recipe only contains a small amount of added sugar, and most of it is naturally occurring from the milk.
This recipe also has about twice as much protein as the store bought French toast sticks!
Ingredients Needed
All you need is:
- 6 thick slices of bread (if you’re cutting the crust off; 5 if you’re leaving it on!)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- cinnamon
- 1-2 tsp white sugar
- Optional: 1 tbsp hemp hearts
Nature’s Own brand has a multigrain labeled “thick slice” that I like. I also frequently use Dave’s Killer Bread since their slices are pretty hearty. Just don’t pick anything that says thin sliced.
I used 2% ultra filtered milk (like Fairlife brand). That’s the milk I always keep on hand because I’m lactose intolerant, but it’s also higher in protein which is a nice bonus!
If you have any questions about milk for toddlers or kids, read:
Milk for Toddlers: Answering All Your Questions on Cow’s Milk, Non-Dairy Alternatives & Hormones
How to make baked French toast sticks
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet. (Or spray with cooking spray)
- Slice bread into 3-4 sticks per slice (cutting off the crust, if preferred).
- Into a shallow dish (I used a 9×9 baking dish), add eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk together.
- Dip each breadstick into the egg mixture, and flip over to coat on both sides. Don’t let the bread sticks sit in the egg mixture because they will get too soggy.
- Let any excess liquid drip off and add the bread sticks onto the baking sheet. Spread them out so they’re not touching each other. Repeat with all remaining bread sticks.
- Sprinkle the tops of the bread sticks lightly with cinnamon and hemp hearts (if using).
- Drizzle melted butter evenly over the bread sticks.
- Bake the French toast sticks in the preheated oven for 13 minutes, remove the tray from the oven, turn them over and sprinkle the tops with cinnamon and sugar. Add more hemp hearts if desired.
- Bake for an additional 13 to 15 minutes until the tops are golden and the middles are cooked through.
- Serve, and drizzle with maple syrup if desired!
Recipe FAQs
What should I put on top?
You can of course drizzle a little maple syrup. I also like them with sliced bananas or berries and some peanut butter. If you want to do a berry compote type topping, heat frozen berries in a saucepan with a drizzle of honey and mash while cooking.
Is this a complete breakfast?
Pretty much! You’ve covered most of your bases in this breakfast- carbohydrates from the bread, and protein and fat from the milk and eggs. Just serve with fruit to round it out. That’s one of the things I love about this recipe- simple and complete nutrition!
Can I use non-dairy milk?
I haven’t tried this recipe with an alternative milk, but I assume you can. It will change the nutrition facts some, but it should work in the recipe. If you do need a non-dairy milk, I would opt for an unsweetened soy milk instead of almond or coconut, because those tend to be a little thinner/waterier.
Expert Tips
Double this recipe if you’re cooking for a crowd, a sleepover, or want to save some for tomorrow! I find that French toast actually saves pretty well in these Stasher bags. I like to reheat it for breakfast or snacking on day two!
Other recipes you might like
Easy and Delicious Sheet Pan Pancake Recipe
Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Oats
For you
Breakfast Menu Choice Cards for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Baked French Toast Sticks Recipe
Healthy Baked French Toast Sticks
Ingredients
- 5 slices bread, thick sliced, can also use gluten-free bread if making GF
- 2 eggs, large
- 1/2 cup milk, I used 2%, ultra-filtered, can also use an alt milk if making dairy-free
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp butter, unsalted, melted
- 1-2 tsp white sugar
- cinnamon, to taste
- 1 tsbp hemp hearts, optional
- fruit for topping, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet.
- Slice bread into 3-4 sticks per slice.
- Into a shallow dish (I used a 9×9 baking dish), add eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk together.
- Dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, and flip over to coat on both sides. Don’t let the bread sticks sit in the egg mixture because they will get too soggy.
- Let any excess liquid drip off and add the bread sticks onto the baking sheet. Spread them out so they're not touching. Repeat with all remaining bread sticks.
- Sprinkle the tops of the bread sticks lightly with cinnamon and hemp hearts (if using).
- Drizzle melted butter evenly over the bread sticks.
- Bake the French toast sticks in the preheated oven for 13 minutes, remove the tray from the oven, turn them over and sprinkle the tops with cinnamon and sugar. Add more hemp hearts if desired.
- Bake for an additional 13 to 15 minutes until the tops are golden and the middles are cooked through.
- Serve, and drizzle with maple syrup if desired!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is calculated by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. All nutrient values are approximations, as there are natural variations in ingredients and measurements.
