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French toast, but make it bite-sized and super easy! The air fryer makes the whole process quick, simple, and mess-free. Little brioche cubes get dipped in a simple cinnamon-vanilla custard, air fried until golden and crisp on the outside, then tossed in warm cinnamon sugar so every bite is perfectly coated. It’s the kind of breakfast (or brunch, or snack, or even dessert) that feels special without taking much effort at all.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Quick cook time — the air fryer makes them fast and perfectly golden.
Bite-sized and fun for kids, brunch boards, or snacking.
Uses simple ingredients you probably already have.
Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. The dream combo.
Easy to customize with different flavors, toppings, or dips (I’ll give you plenty of ideas here).

If you like this recipe, I think you’ll also enjoy my air fryer apple cider donuts, air fryer egg and cheese toast, air fryer twisted bacon, and air fryer banana donut holes!

Ingredients

Looking for the printable recipe card? It’s waiting for you at the bottom of this post!

Brioche bread: Soft, buttery, and perfect for French toast bites. Any thick-cut bread works, but brioche gives the best texture.
Eggs: They help create that classic custardy coating.
Milk: Adds richness and helps thin out the egg mixture just enough.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
Vanilla extract: A little splash goes a long way for that classic French toast flavor.
Ground cinnamon: Warm, cozy, and perfect for tossing or mixing into the custard.
Granulated sugar: Mix with cinnamon to make the coating that sticks to the hot French toast bites.

How To Make Air Fryer French Toast Bites

Cut each brioche slice into 9 little squares.

In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until lightly beaten. Add the milk, vanilla, ¼ teaspoon of the cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, then whisk until everything’s smooth.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and generously spray the basket with cooking oil.
Dip each bread square into the egg mixture for about 5 seconds per side. Only dip as many as will fit in the basket without crowding.

Arrange the coated pieces in a single layer and air fry for 5–8 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

While they cook, stir together the remaining cinnamon and the granulated sugar in a small bowl.
As soon as the French toast bites come out, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture so it sticks beautifully.
Repeat with the remaining bread squares.
Serve warm with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh fruit — or all three.

Recipe Notes

Toss the French toast bites in the cinnamon-sugar mixture right away while they’re still hot. That’s the secret to getting the coating to stick perfectly!
Brioche works best because it’s soft and buttery, but challah or thick-cut white bread are great backups if that’s what you have.
Don’t soak the bread too long in the custard mixture. A quick dip on each side keeps the bites fluffy instead of soggy.
Every air fryer runs a little differently, so check them around the 5-minute mark to avoid over-browning.
If you’re making a big batch, keep finished bites warm in a low oven (around 200°F) while you cook the rest.

Variations

Brown Sugar Cinnamon: Swap the granulated sugar for brown sugar in the coating for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.
Vanilla Bean: Add a little vanilla bean paste to the custard for richer, bakery-style flavor.
Maple Custard: Replace some of the milk with a splash of maple syrup for a lightly sweet, maple-forward bite.
Cocoa Cinnamon: Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder to the cinnamon-sugar coating for a subtle chocolate twist.
Almond: Add a few drops of almond extract to the custard for a warm, nutty flavor.
Pumpkin Spice: Swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice to give the bites a cozy fall feel.
Nutmeg Blend: Add a pinch of nutmeg to the custard for a classic French toast depth of flavor.

Serving Ideas

Maple syrup — the classic drizzle!
Powdered sugar — a quick dusting makes them look bakery-perfect.
Fresh fruit — strawberries, blueberries, or sliced bananas add brightness.
Whipped cream — especially good for brunch or special mornings.
Yogurt — for a lighter, breakfast-friendly option.
Nutella or chocolate sauce — if you’re leaning dessert.
Honey butter — melts beautifully over the warm bites.

Troubleshooting

Even though this recipe is quick and reliable, here are a few simple fixes if anything feels off:

Bites getting too dark too fast?
Your air fryer might run hot. Lower the temperature by 15–20°F or shorten the cook time.
Bites turning out soggy?
They likely soaked too long. Give each piece just a quick dip next time so the brioche stays fluffy.
Cinnamon-sugar not sticking?
Toss the bites in the coating immediately while they’re hot so it grabs on!
Not crispy enough?
Add 1–2 extra minutes in the air fryer, or lightly spritz the tops with cooking spray before cooking.
Dry or tough?
They probably overcooked. Check them a little earlier — brioche cooks fast.
Uneven browning?
Make sure the pieces are in a single layer with a little space between them.

Print Recipe

Air Fryer French Toast Bites

These air fryer French toast bites are warm, fluffy, and coated in cinnamon sugar — all made in just a few minutes. They’re perfect for quick breakfasts, fun brunches, or anytime you want a bite-sized treat without the fuss.

Prep Time15

Cook Time5

Total Time20

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Servings:

Ingredients

4 slices brioche
2 large eggs
¼ cup milk
Pinch of salt
½ tsp vanilla extract
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ cup granulated sugar

Instructions

Cut each brioche slice into 9 little squares.
In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until lightly beaten. Add the milk, vanilla, ¼ teaspoon of the cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, then whisk until everything’s smooth.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and generously spray the basket with cooking oil.
Dip each bread square into the egg mixture for about 5 seconds per side. Only dip as many as will fit in the basket without crowding.
Arrange the coated pieces in a single layer and air fry for 5–8 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
While they cook, stir together the remaining cinnamon and the granulated sugar in a small bowl.
As soon as the French toast bites come out, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture so it sticks beautifully.
Repeat with the remaining bread squares.
Serve warm with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh fruit — or all three.

Bite-sized, quick, and honestly a little irresistible! These air fryer French toast bites are the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep in your back pocket. They’re perfect for cozy weekends, holiday mornings, or whenever you need something fun without a lot of effort.

If you whip up a batch, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment so other readers can find this recipe too.

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