CRUNCHY FRENCH TOAST STICKS

Crunchy French Toast Sticks image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Time 40m

Yield 36 French toast sticks

Number Of Ingredients 11

6 large eggs
1/2 cup half-and-half
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups panko
1 1/2 cups sweetened corn and oat cereal (such as Cap'n Crunch), crushed into fine crumbs
2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
12 slices Texas toast or other thick bread slices, each cut into 3 strips
Confectioners' sugar, for serving
Warm maple syrup, for serving

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Crack the eggs into a pie plate. Add the half-and-half, vanilla, 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Whisk lightly until combined; set aside.
In a separate pie plate, stir together the panko, crushed cereal and remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Use a fork to stir in the melted butter so that the crumbs are slightly moist.
One by one, quickly dunk the bread strips in the egg mixture, turning to coat. Then lay them in the dish with the crumb mixture, turning to coat; sprinkle and press the crumbs so they totally cover the bread. Place the bread strips on a rack set on a baking sheet.
Bake the French toast sticks until golden around the edges and the crumbs are crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and serve with maple syrup.