Sweet & Crunchy Frosted Flakes French Toast Sticks: A Delicious WW Friendly Recipe
If you’re anything like me, cereal holds a special place in your heart – whether it’s the nostalgically sugary options or the healthier, fiber-rich varieties, a big bowl of cereal often makes for a perfect, easy dinner. Among my all-time favorites are Frosted Flakes, those irresistible sweet and crunchy cornflakes that bring a smile to my face every time. This deep love for cereal, combined with an exciting challenge from WW Canada, led to the creation of these absolutely delightful Frosted Flakes French Toast Sticks. WW Canada had invited its members to unleash their creativity using WW bread products, crafting delicious, point-friendly recipes. I had the distinct honor of being asked to help judge this contest, and it was a truly fun experience sifting through all the innovative entries. Inspired by the ingenuity I witnessed, I knew I had to come up with my own unique way to transform humble bread into something extraordinary. And let me tell you, these French toast sticks are beyond delicious!
They offer the perfect blend of sweetness and a satisfying crunch that makes them stand out from your average French toast. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this recipe is designed for ease and enjoyment. It yields four generous servings, each consisting of six delectable sticks, but it’s incredibly simple to scale down if you’re just cooking for one. Imagine starting your day with these golden-brown, crispy treats, topped with fresh, vibrant berries and a drizzle of your favorite low-point syrup. What’s even better is their Weight Watchers friendliness: six sticks are just 6 SmartPoints on Blue and Purple plans, and 8 SmartPoints on Green. Get ready to elevate your breakfast or brunch game with this game-changing recipe!
Why You’ll Love These Sweet & Crunchy French Toast Sticks
These aren’t just any French toast sticks; they’re an experience! Here’s why this recipe will quickly become a household favorite:
- Irresistible Texture: The Frosted Flakes coating creates an incredibly satisfying crunch with every bite, contrasting beautifully with the soft, custardy interior.
- Perfect Sweetness: The natural sweetness from the Frosted Flakes means you don’t need excessive sugar in your egg mixture, keeping them deliciously balanced.
- WW Friendly: Specially designed with Weight Watchers in mind, these sticks are low in points, allowing you to enjoy a classic comfort food without derailing your health goals.
- Kid-Approved: The fun stick shape and sweet, crunchy coating make these a huge hit with children and adults alike, perfect for a family breakfast.
- Easy to Make: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, this recipe is perfect for beginner cooks and busy mornings.
- Versatile Serving: Great on their own, or paired with a variety of toppings like fresh fruit, sugar-free syrup, or a light dollop of whipped cream.
The Inspiration Behind This Delicious Recipe
The journey to creating these Sweet & Crunchy Frosted Flakes French Toast Sticks began with a wonderful initiative by WW Canada. They challenged their community to invent innovative and healthy recipes using their range of bread products. As someone who’s always enjoyed finding creative ways to make classic dishes fit into a balanced lifestyle, I was thrilled to be invited as a judge for this contest. Reviewing the submissions was incredibly inspiring, showcasing the diverse culinary talents within the WW community. It sparked an idea: how could I take a beloved breakfast staple, French toast, and infuse it with an unexpected twist that was both delicious and point-friendly? My enduring love for Frosted Flakes immediately came to mind. The idea of using them as a crispy, sweet coating for French toast felt like a stroke of genius, promising both texture and flavor. And so, these sticks were born – a testament to creativity, healthy eating, and the pure joy of a good breakfast.
Key Ingredients for Perfection
Creating these delightful French toast sticks requires a few simple, accessible ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential:
Weight Watchers White Bread (or any Low-Calorie Bread)
The foundation of our French toast sticks is, of course, the bread. Weight Watchers white bread is an excellent choice for keeping the SmartPoints low, while still providing a soft base that absorbs the egg mixture beautifully. If WW bread isn’t available, any low-calorie, thinly sliced bread will work. The key is to choose a bread that isn’t too thick, as this allows for even cooking and a good ratio of crispy coating to soft interior.
Frosted Flakes Cereal
This is where the magic happens! Frosted Flakes are the star ingredient, providing that signature sweet crunch. When crushed, they form a coarse crumb that adheres perfectly to the bread, creating an incredible texture and a lovely, subtle sweetness that permeates every bite. Don’t skip crushing them finely – this ensures a consistent, crispy crust.
The Egg Mixture: Eggs, Milk, and Vanilla
The classic French toast batter is simple yet crucial. Fresh eggs provide the rich base, while milk (any kind works, including dairy-free options for dietary preferences) helps to create a smooth, custardy texture once cooked. A dash of vanilla extract elevates the flavor, adding a warm, aromatic note that complements the sweetness of the Frosted Flakes. Make sure to whisk these ingredients thoroughly for an even coating.
Cinnamon
A touch of cinnamon in the Frosted Flakes crumb mixture adds a warm, spicy hint that perfectly balances the sweetness. It’s a subtle addition that makes a big difference, enhancing the overall flavor profile of these irresistible sticks.
Step-by-Step Guide to Irresistible French Toast Sticks
While the recipe card below provides concise instructions, here’s a more detailed walkthrough to ensure your Frosted Flakes French Toast Sticks turn out perfectly every time. From preparation to baking, we’ll cover everything to help you achieve that ideal sweet and crunchy result.
Preparing Your Workspace: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures your oven is at the perfect temperature for baking your French toast sticks to golden, crispy perfection. Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray, or for easier cleanup and guaranteed non-stick results, line it with parchment paper. This preparation step is crucial for preventing the sticks from sticking and ensuring an even bake.
Crafting the Egg Dip: In a shallow, wide bowl (one large enough to comfortably dip your bread pieces), whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and uniform. This liquid gold will soak into your bread, giving the French toast its signature soft interior.
Creating the Crunchy Coating: Take your Frosted Flakes cereal and place them into a zip-top bag. Add the cinnamon to the bag. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, then use a rolling pin to crush the cereal into a fine crumb. The finer the crumb, the more evenly it will coat the bread, creating a consistently crispy exterior. Once crushed, spread this mixture onto a flat plate or a shallow dish, ready for dredging.
Assembling the Sticks: Cut each slice of your Weight Watchers bread into three uniform strips. This stick shape makes them perfect for dipping and easy for little hands to hold. Next, gently dip each bread strip into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s coated but not overly saturated. Over-dipping can lead to soggy French toast, so a quick, even dip is key. Immediately after dipping, press the egg-coated bread pieces into the Frosted Flakes crumb mixture, making sure all sides are thoroughly covered. Lay the coated sticks onto your prepared baking sheet, ensuring there’s a little space between each one for even baking.
Baking to Perfection: Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the French toast sticks are golden brown and wonderfully crispy. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time, as ovens can vary. The goal is a beautifully toasted exterior with that unmistakable Frosted Flakes crunch.
Expert Tips for the Crispiest French Toast Sticks
Achieving perfectly crispy French toast sticks every time is easier than you think with these expert tips:
- Don’t Over-Dip: This is crucial! While you want the bread to absorb some of the egg mixture for a tender interior, over-dipping will make the bread soggy and prevent the Frosted Flakes from sticking properly or becoming crispy. A quick, even dip is all you need.
- Crush the Cereal Finely: Use a rolling pin or even a food processor to get the Frosted Flakes into a fine, consistent crumb. This ensures maximum surface area for crunch and prevents large pieces from falling off during baking.
- Even Coating is Key: When pressing the bread into the cereal crumbs, make sure all sides are completely covered. A full coating means a full crunch.
- Space Them Out: Don’t overcrowd your baking sheet. Give each French toast stick enough room to breathe and bake evenly. This allows air to circulate, promoting crispiness rather than steaming.
- Consider Your Oven: Ovens can vary. Keep an eye on your French toast sticks during the last few minutes of baking. They might be ready a minute or two sooner or later than suggested. Look for that golden-brown color and firm, crispy texture.
- Air Fryer Alternative: If you own an air fryer, this is a fantastic alternative for even crispier results with less oil. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook in batches for about 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crunchy.
- Freshness Matters: While day-old bread is often recommended for traditional French toast (as it absorbs less liquid), for these sticks, fresh low-calorie bread works perfectly since we’re mindful of over-dipping.
Serving Suggestions & Customization
These Sweet & Crunchy Frosted Flakes French Toast Sticks are delicious on their own, but they truly shine with the right accompaniments. For a classic experience, a drizzle of sugar-free syrup is highly recommended to keep the Weight Watchers points low while adding that quintessential breakfast sweetness. Fresh berries – think strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or a mix – provide a burst of fresh flavor and vibrant color, creating a beautiful contrast to the golden French toast. You could also sprinkle a tiny bit of powdered sugar (use sparingly for WW points) for a touch of elegance. For those who enjoy a richer treat, a light dollop of fat-free whipped cream or a sprinkle of toasted nuts can add another layer of flavor and texture. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite toppings to personalize this delightful breakfast!
Make Ahead & Storage Instructions
These Frosted Flakes French Toast Sticks are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when they’re at their crispiest. However, if you have leftovers or want to prepare them in advance, here’s how to manage them:
- Storing Leftovers: Allow any cooled French toast sticks to reach room temperature before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Reheating: To regain some of that coveted crispiness, reheat the sticks in a toaster oven, air fryer, or a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through and crunchy again. Microwaving is not recommended as it will make them soft and potentially soggy.
- Freezing: These French toast sticks freeze well! Once baked and completely cooled, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Transfer the frozen sticks to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1-2 months.
- Reheating from Frozen: Reheat frozen French toast sticks directly from the freezer in an oven or air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-12 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: Can I use different types of cereal?
A: Absolutely! While Frosted Flakes provide a unique sweetness and crunch, you could experiment with other cereals. Corn Flakes would offer a similar crunch but less sweetness, requiring you to adjust the cinnamon or add a pinch of sugar to the crumb mixture. Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Honey Nut Cheerios could also be interesting, though their point values might differ. - Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: The original recipe uses regular Weight Watchers white bread and Frosted Flakes, which are not gluten-free. To make it gluten-free, you would need to use gluten-free bread and ensure your Frosted Flakes (or alternative cereal) are certified gluten-free. - Q: Can I make these without eggs?
A: Eggs are crucial for the binding and custardy texture of French toast. While there are egg substitutes available, they might alter the texture and how well the cereal sticks. If you have an egg allergy, you could try a plant-based egg substitute, but results may vary. - Q: How many points are these on other Weight Watchers plans?
A: The recipe lists 6 SmartPoints for Blue & Purple plans and 8 SmartPoints for the Green plan per serving (6 sticks). Personal Points will vary depending on your specific zero-point food list. Always double-check using the WW recipe builder with your exact ingredients for the most accurate personal points value. - Q: Can I prepare the bread and crumb mixture ahead of time?
A: You can certainly crush the Frosted Flakes and cinnamon ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. However, it’s best to dip and coat the bread just before baking to prevent sogginess and ensure maximum crispiness.
Sweet & crunchy french toast sticks
Ingredients
- 8 slices Weight watchers white bread *or any low calorie bread
- 2 cups frosted flakes cereal
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400F lightly spray a baking sheet with some non stick spray *or use parchment paper
-
In a bowl whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla (use a bowl big enough to dip bread pieces in)
-
In a zip lock bag mix the frosted flakes and cinnamon together, use a rolling pin to crush the cereal in the bag into a fine crumb.
-
Spread the crumb mixture on a flat plate
-
Cut each slice of bread into 3 strips.
-
Dip the bread pieces into the egg mixture, don’t over dip, or the bread will become too soggy
-
Press the bread pieces into the cereal crumb covering all side and lay onto the baking sheet
-
Bake in the oven for 12-14 minutes or until they are crispy.
-
Makes 4 servings, 6 pieces each serving. You could easily just make enough for one by lowering the ingredients
-
*Optional to top with fresh berries and syrup, use a sugar free syrup to keep points low.
-
*Note- I think these will also turn out well in the air fryer
Notes
Smart points- blue & purple- 6 using WW recipe builder
Smart points- green- 8 using WW recipe builder
Points plus- 7 using PP calculator
Nutritional info per serving- calories 252…Fat 5.5g…Sat fat 1.9g…Carbs 39g…Fiber 0.7g…Sugar 10.2g…Protein 11.5g using My Fitness Pal *Note- includes all ingredients even any 0SP foods
Additional Info
There you have it – a truly delightful and remarkably easy recipe for Sweet & Crunchy Frosted Flakes French Toast Sticks that are perfectly aligned with Weight Watchers principles. This dish is more than just a breakfast; it’s a celebration of flavor, texture, and smart eating, all inspired by a bit of creative challenge. Whether you’re planning a special brunch, looking for a fun and healthy breakfast option for the kids, or simply craving something sweet and satisfying without the guilt, these French toast sticks are sure to become a cherished addition to your recipe collection. Enjoy every crispy, sweet bite!