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Stuffed French Toast with Strawberries

Air Fryer Strawberry Shortcake French Toast

5 from 9 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Thick bread stuffed with sweet cream cheese, soaked overnight in vanilla custard, then air fried until golden and crisp. Topped with juicy macerated strawberries and whipped cream, this Air Fryer Strawberry Shortcake French Toast is the make-ahead brunch recipe that tastes like dessert.

Ingredients 

  • 1 loaf brioche, challah, or French bread, cut into eight 1-inch slices
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for the strawberries
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 cup whipped cream, for serving

Instructions

  • Coat an air-fryer-safe pan with cooking spray. Cut the bread into eight 1-inch-thick slices.
  • In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and 1/4 cup sugar until smooth.
  • Spread the cream cheese mixture on 4 slices of bread, top with the remaining slices, and press down gently to form sandwiches. Arrange them in the prepared pan.
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, half and half, and vanilla until well combined. Pour evenly over the sandwiches, cover, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  • When ready to cook, toss the sliced strawberries with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and set aside to macerate.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 330 degrees F. Top each sandwich with 1 tablespoon of butter and air fry for 5 minutes. Carefully flip each sandwich with a wide spatula, then air fry another 5 minutes, until golden brown and set in the center.
  • Top with the macerated strawberries and their syrup, add whipped cream, and serve warm.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Air-fryer-safe baking pan
  • Cooking Spray

Notes

  • Make ahead: Assemble and soak the night before; morning cook time is just 10 minutes.
  • Bread: Slightly stale, thick-cut bread absorbs the custard without falling apart.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 2 days; re-crisp in the air fryer at 320 degrees F for 2–3 minutes. Freeze cooked sandwiches up to 2 months.
  • Air fryers vary: Check at the 8-minute mark the first time you make it.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 915kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 22gFat: 66gSaturated Fat: 38gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 451mgSodium: 766mgPotassium: 306mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 2431IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 221mgIron: 2mg