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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.
Totally yummy! One loaf of brioche makes a lot!!
Thanks – definitely will make often and freeze!
Hey there,
Awesome! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Have a great weekend! xT
Good taste but mine stuck to the parchment
So delicious ! Huge hit with my family ! Thank you so much Tieghan !
Hey Shannon,
Happy Sunday!!🍂 Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and your review, so glad it was enjoyed:) xx
Oh man these were so good!
Thank you so much Jennifer! xT
These are just okay. The apple butter did not come through. Easy to make for a large crowd. My child like them.
Hey Brynne, thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it! xT
OMG!!! These are amazing! I can’t wait to try them again with pumpkin butter and I want to figure out a way to do some gingerbread ones for December.
Thank you for taking the time to try out this recipe! So glad to hear you enjoyed it! xT
Made these for Sunday breakfast (with leftovers for the week ahead). They were a hit, and the husband had zero complaints. Will definitely make again.
Thank you so much Amy! xT
Such a hit for the kids and adults! Another keeper….thank
you Tieghan!
Thank you so much Sarah! xT
I made these two days in a row, as I forgot to add the butter yesterday. They were delicious though. I used brioche and cut them into sticks and I added a little cinnamon sugar to them. Yum-a-licious.
Thank you so much for trying out this recipe! Hope you enjoyed it 🙂 xT
Where do I use the salt? I don’t see it in the instructions thx!
Salt would go in the egg batter.
Hi! I was thinking of making these thanksgiving morning. Do I have to bake or can I put them on the griddle to free up my oven for other things?
Hey Rachelle,
Sure, the griddle would be great to use! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
Tieghan, I made this for our family beach vacation. Sooooo good! Everyone loved the French Toast and the apple butter. Thank you for your yummy, creative and delicious recipes. My daughters and I all say, “Oh, its half baked harvest!” We know it’s going to be delicious!!
Hey Claudia,
Happy Sunday!!🎃 I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!
So excited to make this recipe! Can I make it ahead and freeze it? If so, would I microwave it or heat it in the oven frozen?
Hi Claudia,
If you want to freeze a recipe, I would do this one:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/baked-butter-pecan-french-toast/
Then you can just reheat in the oven:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT