Cinnamon Berry French Toast Sticks
By the GreenSpoon Kids kitchen
Golden French toast sticks dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with a side of fresh berries and maple syrup for dipping. A fun, dippable breakfast kids love.
Cinnamon berry French toast sticks are a fun, dippable weekend breakfast that kids adore. Thick bread is soaked in cinnamon-vanilla egg, cooked golden, cut into sticks, and served with fresh berries and a little maple syrup for dipping. For a 3 to 4 year old, the stick-and-dip format is pure joy, and it is an easy, comforting treat to make a lazy morning feel special.
Ingredients(9)
- 3 thick slices of bread (brioche or challah)
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar mixed with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (for dusting)
- 1/2 cup mixed fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (for dipping)
Instructions(10 steps)
- 1
Cut each bread slice into 3 thick sticks, about 2cm wide. This shape is perfect for little hands to grip and dip.
- 2
Whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a shallow dish until fully combined with no streaks of egg white.
- 3
Melt butter in a large non-stick pan over medium heat, tilting to coat the surface evenly.
- 4
Dip each bread stick into the egg mixture, turning to coat all sides. Let soak for about 3-4 seconds per side — just enough to absorb without getting soggy.
- 5
Place the sticks in the buttered pan, leaving space between each one so they crisp rather than steam.
- 6
Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown, then turn with tongs to cook the next side.
- 7
Continue turning until all sides are golden and the egg is fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes total.
- 8
Transfer to a plate and immediately dust with the cinnamon sugar mixture while still warm so it sticks.
- 9
Wash the berries and slice any large strawberries into quarters. Arrange beside the French toast sticks.
- 10
Pour maple syrup into a small dipping bowl. Serve the sticks warm alongside the berries and syrup for dipping.
Nutritional Highlights
- -Eggs provide complete protein and choline for brain development
- -Berries are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C
- -Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar after a sweet breakfast
- -Whole grain bread adds fiber and B vitamins
Age Appropriateness
Perfect for 3-4 year olds who love to dip. The stick shape encourages self-feeding and the berries add vitamins and fiber.
Introduction Tip
Let your child pick which berries to put on their plate — giving them a choice makes breakfast more exciting and encourages trying new fruits.
Why this works
The stick shape is the genius of this recipe: it is perfect for little hands to grip and dunk, which turns breakfast into a happy activity that gets a child eating. Soaking the bread in egg adds protein and gives that soft, custardy inside with a golden outside, and cinnamon and vanilla make it smell and taste wonderful. The fresh berries add fruit and a bit of color. It is a treat rather than an everyday breakfast, thanks to the cinnamon sugar and syrup, but it is a lovely one to share, and you can easily keep the added sugar modest.
Variations and swaps
- Skip the cinnamon sugar and syrup and let the berries and cinnamon do the sweetening for an everyday version.
- Use whole-grain bread instead of brioche for more fiber.
- Serve with plain yogurt for dipping instead of, or alongside, the syrup.
- Make it dairy-free with a plant-based milk and dairy-free spread.
- Add mashed banana to the egg mixture for natural sweetness.
Make ahead and storage
French toast sticks are best fresh and warm. Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for up to a day and reheat best in a toaster or oven to crisp them up rather than the microwave, until piping hot. They freeze well for up to 1 month; reheat from frozen in the oven. Serve the berries fresh.
What to serve with it
Serve the warm sticks with berries and a small dish of syrup or yogurt for dipping, cutting any large strawberries into quarters. Keep the syrup portion small, since it is a treat. Let your child dunk away, keep them seated, and enjoy a relaxed weekend breakfast together.
Common questions
Is the egg fully cooked in French toast?
It needs to be. Cook the sticks until golden on all sides and the egg is fully set with no wet or runny middle, since young children should not have undercooked egg. Soaking the bread only briefly and cooking it through takes care of this.
How do I make this less sugary?
Easily. Skip the cinnamon-sugar dusting and the maple syrup, and lean on the cinnamon, vanilla, and fresh berries for flavor and sweetness. You can also add mashed banana to the egg mix. That turns a treat into a perfectly good everyday breakfast.
Can I make French toast sticks ahead?
Yes. They freeze well, so make a batch, freeze them, and reheat from frozen in the oven or toaster for a quick breakfast. Reheating in the oven keeps them from going soggy, unlike the microwave.
Why cut it into sticks for a toddler?
The stick shape is much easier for little hands to grip and dip than a whole slice, and the dipping makes it interactive and fun, which helps a child engage with the meal. It is a small change that makes a big difference for self-feeding.
Parent guide
Read our toddler feeding guides
