Apple Cider Donut French Toast Sticks

Apple cider donut French toast sticks put a new twist on a classic fall treat. Thick slices of brioche are dipped in an apple cider-infused custard, cooked until golden brown, then tossed in cinnamon sugar for that classic cider donut finish.

A stack of cider donut french toast sticks on a slate board.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

Real apple flavor: Reducing the cider concentrates the apple flavor so it doesn’t disappear when you add the other ingredients
Great for meal prep: Make a batch ahead of time, then reheat the French toast sticks in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back that crisp cinnamon-sugar coating.
No syrup necessary: The cinnamon-sugar coating adds the perfect sweetness to this breakfast treat, so you don’t need syrup. That means they’re great for taking on the go! (of course they are delicious with a little syrup, too!)

Apple Cider Donut French Toast Sticks

Nothing says Fall in Upstate NY quite like cider donuts, but even the biggest donut lovers among us can only eat so many. These cider donut French toast sticks take everything I love about that classic fall treat and turn it into an easy, make-ahead breakfast.

As tempting as it was to start with actual donuts, I opted for thick pieces of brioche. It has a fluffy texture that’s ideal for homemade French toast but is richer than white bread, so it has more of a donut feel. The bread sticks get dipped into an apple cider custard, cooked until golden brown, then tossed in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm.

The secret is reducing the apple cider before adding it to the custard. It gives the French toast sticks a much stronger apple flavor without making the custard too wet. I always make a big batch of boiled cider as soon as cider season starts, but you can also take a few minutes to reduce a smaller amount just for this recipe.

Serve these homemade French toast sticks with real maple syrup for dipping and a hot cup of coffee, and you pretty much have the Upstate New York fall breakfast of my dreams.

Close up view of apple cider french toast sticks.

Ingredients you’ll need

Apple Cider. Use fresh refrigerated apple cider, not apple juice. Cider is less filtered than juice, giving it a deeper apple flavor that works especially well with the warm spices in this recipe.

Sliced Brioche. Brioche makes especially rich, custardy French toast and thick-sliced loaves are easy to find in the bread aisle of any grocery store, including Aldi and Trader Joe’s. Day-old bread is ideal because it absorbs the custard without falling apart ,but if your bread is very fresh, you can dry the pieces in a low oven for a few minutes before dipping them.

Brown sugar. I add just a touch to the custard for the flavor, but most of the sweetness in this recipe comes from the coating.

Pie spice. For that classic fall baked treat flavor.

Eggs, milk, and vanilla. French toast essentials!

Cinnamon-Sugar. You can’t call something “cider donut” without it!!

Tips for the Best Cider Donut French Toast Sticks

Don’t skip reducing the cider. This keeps the apple flavor intense and prevents the custard from being too thin, so your french toast isn’t soggy.

Use thick, slightly stale bread. Thin sandwich bread gets soggy quickly and won’t give you that nice contrast between the golden outside and custardy center. Using old bread that’s slightly dried out also prevents it from getting too soggy.

Don’t oversoak the bread. A quick dip into the custard is plenty.

Coat them while they’re hot. The cinnamon sugar sticks best immediately after the French toast comes out of the skillet.

Cook over medium heat. If the skillet is too hot, the outside will brown before the egg mixture in the center has time to cook.

Dipping a french. toast stick into maple syrup.

Frequently asked questions

How do I reheat leftover French toast sticks?

An air fryer or toaster oven works best because it helps restore some of the crispness on the outside of the sticks. Reheat at about 350°F until warmed through.
A microwave will work in a pinch, but the cinnamon-sugar coating will become softer.

Can I freeze them?

Yes! That’s part of the beauty of this recipe. Freeze the cooked French toast sticks in a single layer so they don’t stick together, then transfer them to a freezer bag once they’re frozen solid. Pop the frozen sticks right into your air fryer for 6-8 minutes at 350°F until they’re heated through.

What can I use besides brioche?

Challah and Texas toast also work well.

Can I make this in my air fryer?

Yes. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
After dipping the bread in the custard, lightly brush or spray the pieces with melted butter and arrange them in a single layer. Air fry for about 6 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through, or until golden and cooked through. Brush lightly with melted butter while they’re hot, then roll them in cinnamon sugar.

Can I bake them?

Yes. Arrange the dipped French toast sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush them lightly with melted butter. Bake at 425°F for about 8 minutes, flip, and cook another 5 to 7 minutes or until golden. Coat them in cinnamon sugar while they’re still hot.