Start your day with a burst of flavor and fun with this Pioneer Woman French Toast Recipe! Inspired by the culinary genius of the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, these aren’t just your average French toast sticks. They’re crunchy, they’re freezer-friendly, and they’re guaranteed to become a family favorite. Perfect for a quick breakfast, a delightful brunch, or even a sweet late-night treat, this recipe from her cookbook, “Come and Get It,” is a game-changer. Get ready to experience French toast in a whole new, incredibly delicious way!
What sets this Pioneer Woman French Toast Recipe apart? It’s all about the crunch! Ree Drummond’s secret weapon? Cap’n Crunch cereal! Yes, you read that right. This recipe incorporates crushed Cap’n Crunch to create an irresistibly crispy coating that will have everyone reaching for seconds. We’re taking the humble French toast stick and elevating it to a whole new level of texture and taste. Forget soggy French toast – this recipe delivers a satisfying crunch in every bite.
Close-up of crunchy french toast sticks, showcasing the textured cereal coating
Let’s talk bread. For this recipe, a sturdy bread is key. Bakerella, who originally shared this recipe, recommends thick-sliced Sara Lee Artesan bread, praising its texture for both toast and these French toast sticks. Texas toast or any thick-cut bread will work beautifully. The thickness helps the sticks hold their shape and stand up to the egg mixture and crunchy coating. When slicing, use a serrated knife with a gentle sawing motion to maintain those perfect squared edges – though as Bakerella points out, this is purely for aesthetics!
Now, for the magic. The custard base is a classic blend of eggs, half-and-half, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Whisk these ingredients together in a shallow dish, creating a flavorful bath for our bread sticks. This mixture soaks into the bread, providing moisture and a hint of sweetness that perfectly complements the crunchy coating.
Whisking eggs, half-and-half, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a shallow dish for the french toast batter
The real star of the show is the double-crunch coating. In a separate dish, combine crushed Cap’n Crunch cereal with panko bread crumbs. This dynamic duo creates an unparalleled crispy texture. Adding sugar and cinnamon to the crumb mixture enhances the sweetness and adds a warm spice note that ties everything together. This isn’t just a coating; it’s a flavor and texture powerhouse!
Mixing crushed Cap'n Crunch cereal and panko breadcrumbs with sugar and cinnamon in a pie plate for the crunchy coating
Setting up your workstation is crucial for efficient and less messy breading. Have your sliced bread, egg mixture, and crunchy coating ready to go. A wire rack placed on a baking sheet is essential for allowing air to circulate and ensure even crisping. Bakerella suggests a helper for dipping and coating – a great tip if you want to minimize sticky fingers!
Arranging bread slices, egg mixture, and crunchy coating with a wire rack and baking sheet for an efficient french toast stick preparation
The process is simple: dunk each bread stick in the egg mixture, ensuring all sides are coated, then dredge it in the crumb coating, pressing gently to make sure the crunchy mixture adheres. The combination of the wet egg mixture and the dry crumb coating is what creates that signature crispy exterior when baked.
Coating bread sticks in egg mixture and then pressing them into the crunchy cereal and breadcrumb coating
Once coated, place the sticks on the prepared wire rack. This recipe makes a generous batch – about 36 sticks! Perfect for a crowd, or for stocking your freezer. Flash freezing the sticks for 30 minutes before transferring them to freezer bags helps the coating set and prevents sticking. This make-ahead convenience is a lifesaver for busy mornings.
And now, the best part – baking and enjoying! Whether you bake a few immediately or pull them from the freezer, these Pioneer Woman French Toast Sticks are a delight. A sprinkle of powdered sugar and a generous drizzle of warm maple syrup are the perfect finishing touches.
Stack of crunchy french toast sticks drizzled with maple syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar, ready to be served
Stack them high or dip them individually – however you serve them, these sweet, crunchy sticks are guaranteed to be a hit. This Pioneer Woman French Toast Recipe is not just a breakfast; it’s an experience.
Ingredients
- 12 slices Texas toast or thick sliced bread
- 6 large eggs
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1-1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 1-1/2 cups Cap’n Crunch cereal, crushed into fine crumbs
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- Powdered sugar and maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- Cut bread into three strips each.
- Crack eggs into a pie plate or similar size dish. Add the half-and-half, vanilla, 1/4 cup of the sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon. Whisk until combined and set aside.
- In a separate pie plate, stir the breadcrumbs, crushed cereal, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon until combined. Using a fork, stir in the melted butter until the crumbs are slightly moist.
- One by one, quickly and gently dunk the bread strips in the egg mixture, turning to coat on all sides. Then lay them in the dish with crumbs turning and pressing to completely coat on all sides.
- Place the sticks on a rack set inside a baking sheet and flash freeze for 30 minutes to allow the coated surface to set. Then transfer them to freezer storage bags in groups and place back in the freezer.
- To bake the frozen sticks, preheat oven to 425 degrees F and place sticks on rack set over a baking sheet. Bake for about 15 – 18 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with warm maple syrup. (NOTE: the sticks baked at 425 were crunchier than I prefer, so for slightly softer sticks, bake at 375 degrees F for 18-20 minutes.)
- Also, if you want to bake them right away without the freezing step, you can bake them at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes.
Don’t forget to explore Ree Drummond’s cookbook, “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It!” for more delicious and easy recipes. Enjoy making and sharing these incredible Pioneer Woman French Toast Sticks!
