Brioche French Toast Sticks (Churro-Style with Cinnamon Sugar) are a fun, kid-friendly breakfast, ready in under 30 minutes, with a soft center and crispy sweet coating. Thick brioche slices are dipped in a simple custard, pan-fried until golden, and rolled in cinnamon sugar for the ultimate churro-style French toast.
If you love this breakfast idea, be sure to try our Brioche French Toast Bake or our Sourdough French Toast Recipe.
Brioche French Toast Sticks at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 15 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 🔥 Cook Method: Stovetop skillet
- 🍽️ Cuisine: American breakfast or brunch recipe
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Hot chocolate, fresh fruit, maple syrup
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
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Our family asks for these every holiday morning. We love serving them with hot chocolate and fresh fruit to make everyone feel extra special.~Jami
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Fun to Eat: Bite-sized sticks are perfect for dipping and sharing.
- Brioche Upgrade: Buttery brioche stays tender inside while crisping beautifully outside.
- Churro Twist: Cinnamon sugar coating adds carnival-style sweetness. Be sure to try our Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips, too!
- Quick & Flexible: Ready in under 30 minutes with skillet, oven, or air fryer options.
Churro French Toast Stick Ingredients
Here's what we'll need for these brioche French toast sticks:
- Brioche Bread: Buttery and sturdy, perfect for soaking in custard without falling apart. Day-old brioche works best for texture.
- Eggs: Create the custard base and help the coating cling.
- Milk: Keeps the custard light and creamy.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and sweetness.
- Cinnamon: We use this in both the custard and coating for that churro-style flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the custard and forms the base of the cinnamon sugar mix.
- Butter: Essential for frying and giving golden, crisp edges.
- Cinnamon Sugar Mix: The churro-style finish that makes these irresistible.
- Maple Syrup (optional): For dipping or drizzling.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Brioche: Try Sourdough, Challah, or French Bread
- Half and Half: Use regular milk or heavy cream. For a dairy free version, try almond milk.
- Flavor: Add a little orange zest, pumpkin pie spice, or nutmeg for a holiday feel.
How To Make Brioche French Toast Sticks (Churro-Style)
STEP ONE: Slice the Bread and Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Mixture
Cut the brioche loaf into thick sticks, about 1-inch wide.
Mix together the cinnamon sugar mixture.
STEP TWO: Make the Custard
Whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
STEP THREE: Pan Fry the Sticks
Dip brioche sticks into custard (don't soak), then pan-fry in melted butter until golden brown on all sides.
STEP FOUR: Roll in Cinnamon Sugar and Serve
Immediately coat warm sticks in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Serve with a side of maple syrup or chocolate sauce for dipping.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Use day-old brioche for best texture.
✔️ DO Keep skillet at a low-medium heat to avoid burning the butter.
❌ DO NOT Oversoak bread or it will get soggy.
❌ DO NOT Wait too long before rolling the French toast in sugar or it won't stick.
Storage
Keep leftover brioche French toast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze cooked sticks on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through with crisp edges.
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Recipe FAQs
Brioche bread is the best choice for French toast sticks because it's rich, buttery, and slightly sweet. Unlike thin sandwich bread, brioche holds its shape after dipping and frying, giving you a soft interior with crisp golden edges.
The key to preventing soggy French toast sticks is using sturdy bread and letting excess custard drip off before cooking. Don't over-soak the bread. Cooking on a low-medium heat in butter ensures the outside caramelizes while the inside stays tender.
Yes, French toast sticks can be made ahead and stored for easy breakfasts. Once cooked, let them cool and refrigerate in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
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📖 Recipe
Brioche French Toast Sticks (Churro-Style with Cinnamon Sugar)
Equipment
- Large skillet or griddle
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Dish for dipping
- Tongs or Spatula
Ingredients
Brioche French Toast Sticks
- 14 ounces brioche bread (one loaf) cut into 1 - 1½ inch thick strips
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- pinch kosher salt
Cinnamon Sugar Coating (Note: Makes more than needed for easy dredging)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- Maple syrup optional for serving
Instructions
- Cut brioche bread into thick sticks, about 1 to 1 ½ inches wide.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, half and half, vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Dip each stick in the egg mixture, coating all sides but not soaking. Cook sticks on low-medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Roll warm sticks in cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Repeat with remaining sticks, adding more butter as needed.
- Serve warm with maple syrup or chocolate sauce if desired.
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Video
Notes
- Brioche: Try Sourdough, Challah, or French Bread
- Half and Half: Use regular milk or heavy cream. For a dairy free version, try almond milk.
Jami Powell says
These are such a special treat to serve on holidays for our family and their guests!