Crispy and crunchy Hong Kong French Toast, made conveniently in the Air Fryer! A very special breakfast or snack that’s so easy to make at home. Make this iconic Hong Kong breakfast classic without deep frying. Enjoy with a pat of butter and extra drizzle of sweetened condensed milk!
What is Hong Kong French Toast?
Hong Kong French Toast is a popular breakfast item served at Hong Kong-style cafes and tea shops. Thick milk bread is dipped into egg and deep-fried until golden brown. A pat of butter and drizzle of sweetened condensed milk completes it!
Hong Kong-style French Toast is often stuffed with filling — strawberry jam, nutella, peanut butter, or sweetened condensed milk. When deep fried, it becomes gloriously crunchy with crispy corners.
This iconic food item originates from Hong Kong’s history as a former British colony. As the European practice of tea time became more common, tea shops and cafes began to pop up. Western-style menu items, such as French Toast, became popular. But with a Hong Kong twist! That’s how Hong Kong French Toast came to be.
Making it in the Air Fryer makes is even easier and more convenient. Without any added oil, it still keeps all that crispy crunchy texture. YUM!
Ingredients:
- Milk Bread. Thick Asian-style milk bread is ideal. Thick, Texas-style toast can also work.
- Egg. Dip in egg batter immediately before air frying so it doesn’t get too soggy.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk. Thick and syrupy, this classic Asian canned milk is so delicious! The flavor is deep, mellow, and sweet. A decadent drizzle tastes truly special! I recommend Vietnamese Longevity Brand, if you can find it.
- Peanut Butter, Nutella, or Jam. Optional. Add a thin layer in between the two pieces of milk bread. I like to add a thin layer of condensed milk but peanut butter, nutella, or any fruit jam are nice options, too.
- Butter. A pat of salted or unsalted butter is all you need.
Instructions:
- Preheat Air Fryer. My Air Fryer’s preheat settings are 400F for 5 minutes. Preheating ensures the crispiest French Toast!
- Stuff French Toast. Add a thin layer of sweetened condensed milk (or jam, peanut butter, nutella) to one slice of milk bread. Place another slice on top to make a sandwich.
- Whisk egg. In a shallow bowl, crack the egg and add a pinch of salt. Whisk well.
- Batter the French Toast. Dip stuffed french toast into the egg batter, making sure both sides are evenly covered with egg.
- Cook in Air Fryer. Add to the Air Fryer basket and cook at 400F for 6 minutes. Flip halfway, at the 3-minute mark.
- Serve. Transfer to a plate. Add a pat of butter and thin drizzle of sweetened condensed milk on top. Enjoy immediately!
Watch how to make it:
Special Equipment:
- Air Fryer. I use a Cosori 5.8Qt Air Fryer (affiliate) for this recipe. They work as mini convection ovens to circulate heat evenly and quickly. Any Air Fryer should work!
PRO Tips:
- Store leftover sweetened condensed milk in a jar. Empty leftover canned milk into a glass jar, scraping with a small spatula to get every bit of goodness. Transfer to the fridge and it will keep a long time this way. Enjoy with coffee instead of creamer and sugar for a delicious treat! *Be careful of cross-contamination and use a clean spoon each time.
- For richer, creamier flavor, add 1-2 Tbsp of milk to the egg batter. Flip the bread several times to soak the egg batter evenly. Then cook, as per usual.
- Enjoy plain. If you choose to make this plain (no filling), I suggest using 1 piece of milk bread instead of 2. Otherwise, it will be too dry in the middle. The egg amount (1 egg) will remain the same.
FAQ:
Yes, of course! An Air Fryer simply makes this dish easier to make at home. If you don’t own an Air Fryer, simply deep fry on both sides until golden and crispy. Notes are in the recipe card below.
More Air Fryer recipes:
- Air Fryer Panko Tofu
- Honey Soy Chicken Wings
- Crispy Chicken Wings with Korean Magic BBQ Dust
- Korean Gochujang Chicken
Air Fryer Hong Kong Style French Toast
Equipment
- Air Fryer (I use the Cosori 5.8L Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- 2 slices milk bread
- 1 egg (large, preferably organic)
- pinch salt
- 1-2 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk (or peanut butter, nutella, or fruit jam) (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 Tbsp butter, unsalted
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer at 400F for 5 minutes. (Preheating makes for a crispier, more golden HK french toast!)
- Meanwhile, crack the egg in a large shallow bowl. Add pinch of salt and whisk well with a fork.
- Add sweetened condensed milk (about 1-2 Tbsp) — or peanut butter, nutella, or fruit jam — on one slice of bread. Cover with the other slice of bread, making a sandwich. Make sure the edges match.
- When the Air Fryer has finished preheating, dip the sandwich into the egg batter on both sides. Work quickly, dipping and turning the sandwich until completely covered.
- Place into the Air Fryer, directly on top of the grates. Air Fry at 400F for 6 minutes, flipping the French Toast at the 3 minute mark.
- Transfer to a plate. Add a pat of butter and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. Eat immediately!
Video
Notes
-
- Store leftover sweetened condensed milk in a jar. Empty leftover canned milk into a glass jar, scraping with a small spatula to get every bit of goodness. Transfer to the fridge and it will keep a long time this way. Enjoy with coffee instead of creamer and sugar for a delicious treat! *Be careful of cross-contamination and use a clean spoon each time.
-
- For richer, creamier flavor, add 1-2 Tbsp of milk to the egg batter. Flip the bread several times to soak the egg batter evenly. Then cook, as per usual.
- Enjoy plain. If you choose to make this plain (no filling), I suggest using 1 piece of milk bread instead of 2. Otherwise, it will be too dry in the middle. The egg amount (1 egg) will remain the same.
