Air fryer French toast with charred seasonal fruit recipe

Fire up your air fryer to create this easy-to-make but impressive looking breakfast recipe for French toast with charred seasonal fruit in syrup.

Prep 15 mins

Cook 15 mins

Serves 6

Ingredients

3 large free-range eggs

½ cup full-cream milk

¼ cup thickened cream

1 tbsp caster sugar

2 tsp vanilla bean paste

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 ½ cups breakfast flakes, crushed

6 thick slices of brioche bread

½ cup maple syrup

Juice of 1 orange

500g fruit of your choice (such as stonefruit, strawberries, fresh mango or pineapple)

Cooking oil spray

Thick yoghurt or sweetened ricotta, to serve

Method

1.  For the custard: whisk the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, half the vanilla paste and the cinnamon in a large bowl. Place the crushed breakfast flakes on a plate and cut the bread into quarters.

2. For the grilled fruit: heat the griddle plate to high. In a bowl, combine the maple syrup, orange juice and the remaining vanilla paste. Cut the fruit into 3-4cm pieces and toss with about 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup and orange juice mixture to glaze. When the griddle is smoking, cook the fruit for 1-2 minutes each side, or until caramelised and softened. Return the grilled fruit to the maple syrup mixture in the bowl.

3. Ignite the air fryer and set the temperature to medium-high heat. Dip the bread in the custard and allow to soak for 1-2 minutes. Drain any excess, then coat both sides in the crushed flakes and transfer to a baking tray. Spray each side of the coated brioche with oil, then transfer to the air fryer baskets in one even layer, leaving space between the slices. Cook for 5-6 minutes, turning halfway through. The French toast is cooked when it puffs like souffle.

4. Top the hot French toast with yoghurt or sweetened ricotta. Spoon over the fruit and syrup mixture to serve.

Tip: Day-old brioche works best for this recipe, so it’s a tasty way to use up leftover brioche burger buns or any other white bread.

Grilled fruit suggestions:

• 2 navel oranges, large handful of pitted cherries, served with chopped pistachios
• 2 peaches or large plums, a dozen strawberries
• Flesh of 1 mango, 4 slices fresh pineapple, served with toasted coconut flakes

Keep in mind…

• If using an outdoor air fryer or griddle, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setting up and using it. Position on a flat, clear and well-ventilated space outdoors and never leave unattended when lit.
• Before using a gas air fryer or griddle, check the gas hose – do not use it if it is crushed, kinked or cracked – and also that your LPG cylinder is in date.
• Check with your local fire service about using the appliances during restrictions such as fire bans.
• Keep children and pets away from the appliances and gas cylinders, and put matches and lighters out of children's reach.

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Photo credit: Martina Gemmola.