French Toast Sticks With a Pumpkin Spice Twist
Who said breakfast has to be boring? These Pumpkin Spiced French Toast Sticks are crispy on the outside, custardy in the middle, and loaded with fall flavors in every bite. A quick dunk in a maple-brown sugar custard spiced with pumpkin pie spice and brightened with lemon zest sets the stage. Rolling them in graham cracker crumbs gives an extra crunch that makes them feel café-level fancy, while still being simple enough to pull off in under 20 minutes. Perfect for dipping in warm maple syrup, stacking high on a plate, or just devouring straight out of the skillet. Whether you’re serving them for a cozy weekday breakfast or a weekend brunch, these French toast sticks bring seasonal comfort with a twist.
Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
4 slices brioche bread, cut into 3–4 sticks each
2 large eggs
½ cup whole milk
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp maple syrup
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice (or mix of cinnamon + nutmeg + clove)
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp fresh lemon zest
Pinch of salt
½ cup graham cracker crumbs, crushed fine with a little texture
2 tbsp butter, for cooking
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Optional garnish: fresh berries, citrus slices, or pomegranate arils
Instructions
Prepare the bread: Slice brioche into sticks. For best results, use day-old bread so it holds its shape without going soggy.
Make the custard: In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, lemon zest, and salt until smooth and well combined.
Set up crumbs: Place graham cracker crumbs in a separate shallow dish.
Dip & coat: Quickly dunk each bread stick into the custard for 2–3 seconds per side. Shake off excess, then roll in graham cracker crumbs for a light coating.
Cook: Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook sticks in batches, turning often, until golden brown and crisp on all sides (about 2–3 minutes per side).
Finish & serve: Dust generously with powdered sugar, serve with warm maple syrup for dipping, and add fresh fruit garnish if desired.
Tips & Variations
Make-ahead option: Cook fully, freeze, and reheat in the oven or air fryer for a quick weekday breakfast.
Flavor swaps: Try swapping graham cracker crumbs for crushed cornflakes or frosted flakes for extra crunch.
Garnish upgrade: Blueberries and lemon zest keep it bright, while blood orange slices and pomegranate arils give a holiday-worthy presentation.