Gluten-Free French Toast Sticks (Dairy-Free)

What is French Toast?

French toast is basically a dish made with sliced bread that has been dipped in a mixture of beaten eggs, sugar and milk or cream, and then pan-fried until golden brown and crispy on both sides.

It is often served as a sweet dish, and is often accompanied with a drizzle of maple syrup for extra sweetness.

French Toast Sticks for Breakfast or Brunch

I personally enjoy French toast as a luxury breakfast, and have also made French toast casserole before.

Today I wanted to make a version of French toast sticks.

Cutting the bread into sticks makes it more fun and light-hearted, and you can also eat it with your fingers instead of a fork and knife.

Try dipping the sticks in maple syrup for a lovely sweet treat your whole family will love!

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The minimal ingredients required for these gluten free French toast sticks are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required)!
• Super Easy to Make: All you need to do is cut the gluten free bread slices into sticks, dip them in an egg mixture, and then pan fry them until golden! Very simple.
• Totally Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: The best part is that this recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or dairy intolerances can enjoy it without issues!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this gluten-free French toast sticks recipe.

(For exact quantities, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Bread: I used gluten-free bread to keep this recipe gluten-free. You can either make your own gluten-free bread or buy your favorite gluten-free bread. Alternatively, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, feel free to use normal bread instead.
• Eggs: Eggs are an essential ingredient in this recipe for French toast sticks. I do NOT recommend substituting the eggs in this recipe.
• Milk: I like using an unsweetened version of my homemade almond milk. You may also use another non-dairy milk (such as cashew milk, rice milk, tigernut milk, coconut milk etc). Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use normal milk instead.
• Cinnamon: I like adding a pinch of ground cinnamon for extra flavor.
• Sugar: I used granulated white sugar, but you can also use cane sugar, light brown sugar or dark brown sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
• Vanilla Extract: I like adding vanilla extract for extra flavor. Alternatively, you may also use almond extract if you prefer.
• Butter: I used dairy-free butter to keep the recipe dairy-free. You can also use coconut oil or another vegetable oil if you like. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use normal butter or ghee instead.
• Maple Syrup: I really like drizzling the French toast sticks in maple syrup or honey for a little extra sweetness and extravagance. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I recommend using maple-flavored monkfruit sweetener (a substitute for maple syrup that is low glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar that much).
• Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar (also known as icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar) is the perfect finishing touch to make these French toast sticks look extra fancy. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using powdered monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 powdered sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
• Berries: I like adding fresh berries (strawberries and blueberries in this case) to these gluten-free dairy-free French toast sticks for a pop of color and extra flavor. Feel free to leave the berries out, or swap them for other fresh fruit if you like.

How to Make Gluten-Free French Toast Sticks (Step by Step):

1. Cut Bread into Sticks

Cut each thick slice of gluten-free bread into 4 equal sticks and then set them aside.

2. Whisk Eggs, Milk, Cinnamon, Sugar and Vanilla

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, ground cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla extract until combined.

3. Dip Bread Sticks into Egg Mixture

Dip each piece of bread into the beaten egg mixture, letting it soak well so that it is coating evenly on all sides.

Let any excess egg mixture drip off and then place the coated piece of bread on a large plate. Repeat until all the bread sticks have been coated.

4. Cook Bread Sticks

Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat and melt 1 or 2 tablespoons of dairy-free butter. Place several bread sticks in a single layer over the melted butter in the skillet (making sure not to overcrowd).

Cook the bread until golden brown on one side before using chopsticks or kitchen tongs to flip and continue cooking until the sticks are golden brown on all sides (probably 5-6 minutes per batch).

5. Garnish and Serve

Serve the homemade French toast sticks drizzled with maple syrup and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Recipe FAQs:

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