Picture this: You’re camping with the family, and everyone’s hungry for breakfast. The kids are running around, the camp stove is ready to go, and you need something quick and delicious that won’t leave you standing over a hot pan for ages. That’s where these incredible camping french toast sticks come in to save the day.
These aren’t your average french toast sticks. This recipe creates crispy, crunchy sticks that you can make at home, freeze, and then cook straight from the freezer at your campsite. No messy prep work while you’re camping, no standing around flipping individual pieces, and best of all, everyone gets to eat hot breakfast at the same time.
Why These Camping French Toast Sticks Are Perfect For Your Next Trip
The beauty of this recipe is all in the preparation. You do most of the work at home, which means your camping mornings stay relaxed and fun. The panko breadcrumb coating gives these sticks an amazing crunch that store-bought versions just can’t match. Plus, they freeze beautifully for up to two months, so you can make a big batch and have breakfast ready for multiple camping trips.
Kids absolutely love these because they’re easy to grab and eat while they’re getting ready for the day’s adventures. No need for plates or utensils, which means fewer dishes to wash at camp. Adults love them because they taste like a gourmet breakfast but require almost no effort once you’re at your campsite.
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make these amazing camping french toast sticks:
For the Sticks:
- 12 slices thick-sliced bread (Texas toast works great)
- 6 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon (you’ll divide this too)
- 3/4 cup sugar (you’ll divide this)
- 3 cups panko breadcrumbs
For Serving:
- Powdered sugar (optional)
- Warm maple syrup for dipping
Step-By-Step Instructions
Getting Started: Cut each slice of bread into 3 equal strips. You’ll end up with 36 sticks, which is perfect for feeding a hungry camping crew.
Making the Batter: In a shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, and vanilla. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and the flour. Whisk everything until it’s smooth and creamy with very few lumps. While you’re whisking, slowly pour in the melted butter and keep whisking until everything is well combined.
Preparing the Coating: In another shallow dish, use a fork to mix the panko breadcrumbs with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. This coating is what makes these camping french toast sticks so incredibly crispy.
Coating the Sticks: Dip each bread strip first into the egg batter, making sure both sides are coated. Then lay it in the crumb mixture, turning to coat both sides completely. You might need to sprinkle extra mixture on top to make sure each piece is well-coated.
Two Ways To Make These At Camp
Option 1: Make Fresh at Camp If you want to make these camping french toast sticks fresh at your campsite, simply prepare the batter and coating mixture when you’re ready to cook. Heat a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat on your camp stove. Add a little butter or oil to prevent sticking. Cook the coated sticks for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning carefully to cook all sides until golden brown and crispy.
Option 2: Make Ahead and Freeze For the ultimate convenience, make these at home and freeze them. Place each coated stick on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet, making sure they’re not touching each other. Flash freeze for 30 to 45 minutes, then transfer to labeled freezer bags. These will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.
Cooking At Your Campsite
For Fresh Sticks: Heat a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat on your camp stove. Add a tablespoon of butter or oil. Cook the coated sticks for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning to cook all sides until golden brown and crispy. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
For Frozen Sticks: You have several options for cooking frozen camping french toast sticks at camp:
Skillet Method: Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add butter or oil. Cook frozen sticks for 4 to 5 minutes per side, turning carefully to cook all sides. The lower heat prevents burning while ensuring the inside heats through completely.
Dutch Oven Method: If you have a Dutch oven, line it with parchment paper and arrange the frozen sticks inside. Cover and cook over coals for about 15 to 20 minutes, rotating the pot occasionally for even cooking.
Campfire Grill Method: Place frozen sticks on a grill grate over medium coals. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, watching carefully to prevent burning. The grill marks add extra flavor.
Let them cool for about 2 minutes, then serve with a sprinkling of powdered sugar and maple syrup for dipping. The combination of the crispy coating and the sweet, soft interior makes these camping french toast sticks absolutely irresistible.
Tips To Consider
Choose thick-sliced bread like Texas toast, or buy an unsliced loaf and cut your own thick pieces. Slightly stale bread actually works better because it holds up to the batter without falling apart.
If you’re bringing frozen sticks, store them in a good cooler with plenty of ice packs so they’ll stay frozen for several hours while you get to your campsite and set up. These work great with basic camp cooking gear, and a large cast iron skillet is perfect, but any large pan will work. When cooking on a camp stove, medium heat works best because too high heat burns the outside before the inside cooks through, while too low heat won’t get them crispy.
Make sure to bring extra butter or oil for the pan since these taste best with a generous amount of fat for cooking. Trust me on making extra because these disappear fast, especially when kids are involved, and a double batch means you’ll have breakfast for multiple days or multiple camping trips.
Serving Ideas
While these camping french toast sticks are perfect on their own, you can make breakfast even more special with a few extras. Set up a little breakfast bar with different toppings like fresh berries, whipped cream, chocolate chips, or even peanut butter for dipping.
If you want to make it a complete meal, serve them alongside some crispy bacon or breakfast sausage. The combination of sweet and savory is always a hit with both kids and adults.
Why This Recipe Works So Well For Camping
The biggest advantage of these camping french toast sticks is their flexibility. You can make them completely fresh at camp for that just-cooked taste, or prepare them ahead of time and freeze them for ultimate convenience. Either way, you avoid the stress of cooking complicated breakfast while you’re camping.
When you make them fresh, everyone can watch the cooking process and get excited about breakfast. When you bring them frozen, you get to enjoy a leisurely morning at camp instead of rushing around trying to get breakfast ready.
The skillet cooking method works perfectly with basic camp gear that most people already have. No need for special equipment or complicated setups. Just a good pan and a camp stove, and you’re ready to make an amazing breakfast.
These sticks are also incredibly portable. Kids can grab a few and eat them while they’re getting dressed or exploring around the campsite. Adults can enjoy them with their morning coffee while planning the day’s activities.
Final Thoughts
These make-ahead camping french toast sticks are going to become your new go-to camping breakfast. They’re crispy, delicious, and so convenient that you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with complicated camp cooking before. The combination of doing most of the work at home and then having an almost effortless breakfast at camp makes these perfect for family camping trips.
Make a batch before your next camping adventure, and get ready for everyone to ask for the recipe. These camping french toast sticks are about to become the star of your camp kitchen.