Growing up, Sunday mornings always meant French toast and Scooby Doo. Whatever stale sandwich bread we had leftover from that week would magically be transformed into a soft, flakey, syrupy bites of carbs—and making the dish was always almost as fun as eating it. Way back when, my family used a standard frying pan to get the job done, but Yumna Jawad, creator of Feel Good Foodie, has a genius recipe for air fryer French toast that’s about to become a mainstay in your weekend rotation.

Jawad’s mouthwatering recipe requires only five ingredients, takes less than five minutes to prep, and is free from added sugars (but still super flavorful). While you can whip up this brunch-friendly dish with any type of bread, Jawad contends that sliced brioche is your best option. Once you’ve sliced your bread of choice into strips, you’ll dip it—piece by piece—in a combination of eggs, milk (or alt milk), vanilla, and cinnamon before tossing it in the air fryer. Easy as that.

While this recipe comes together quickly, it offers plenty of health benefits that make it a great option for your a.m. routine. First of all, carbohydrates are your brain’s number one source of energy, so eating a serving at breakfast will help you muster that ready-to-go attitude you’ll need to navigate your to-do list or a fun day away from your desk. Another win for your energy levels? Eggs. Each one contains just under seven grams of protein that will team up with the carbohydrates to keep you going until lunchtime.

Besides those two major players (protein and carbs), the flavor additions to Jawad’s French toast also pack a nutritional punch. The recipe includes vanilla,  which is made with vanillin: an organic compound that has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-tumor properties. Meanwhile, the cinnamon not only smells out of this world, but also helps regulate sugar levels in the brain—which may help you think more clearly.

All in all, this recipe shows that even the simplest dishes can cover your nutritional bases. But, of course, there’s always room for toppings. Try sprinkling blueberries on your toast for vitamins and antioxidants, or slathering the dish with nut butter for an added burst of healthy fats and protein. Here comes the part where I tell you to drizzle maple syrup on top, but… I hope you already know that.

Air fryer French toast recipe from Feel Good Foodie

Ingredients3 large eggs1/2 cup milk1 tsp vanilla extract1/2 tsp cinnamonPinch salt8 slices brioche bread

Instructions1. Preheat the air fryer 375°F and line the air fryer with parchment paper if needed.

2. In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.

3. Dip each piece of bread into the egg mixture and then flip it over to coat both sides. Place the french toast sticks in the air fryer and repeat with as many pieces as will fit in the air fryer at once, about 8-12 pieces.

4. Cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the french toast is golden brown and puffed.

5. Serve the french toast sticks warm with maple syrup and powdered sugar, if desired.

Once cooked, the French toast sticks will keep well for two days and can be reheated in the air fryer. You can also freeze them for up to three months, says Yawad, and they they can be reheated straight from frozen in the air fryer. (Talk about breakfast of champions.)

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