This is one of those recipes that’s so ridiculously indulgent and mouth-watering that it’s almost too good to believe.
I recently encountered someone who haaaates bananas with a passion. I had actually never met anyone like that before but it seems like since then I keep hearing about this banana hatred. Who knew? It’s shocking to me because bananas are so unassuming! I have to admit that I don’t much like to eat a banana straight up without a little bit of crunch somewhere. They’re so soft that I seriously feel like I’m a baby eating baby food when I eat a banana. Is that weird?
So anyways, I hope YOU like bananas! Not that you need to love them, anything doused in brown sugar and butter is bound to be fabulous.
Bananas Foster French Toast Recipe Tips
Don’t let all that I’ve written below intimidate you. This really is quite a simple recipe. I just want to always give you all the information you need to be successful in the kitchen, and to answer any questions you might have ahead of time. Plus I think it helps to really understand the details of a recipe so you can master it then really make it your own!
The Bread
The bread is clearly the base of any French Toast and should not be taken lightly!!! So that means no sad white sandwich bread here. My all-time favorite French toast bread will always be Challah bread. It’s already so rich and eggy that it really enhances the kind of light and fluffy yet custardy texture inside a thick slice of French toast. If you want a sturdier chewier texture, go for country-style bread or even Texas toast. Just make sure the bread you use is tightly crumbed, meaning it won’t have large holes or thick crusts.
The Milk & Eggs
Use good quality eggs and whole milk and whisk really well, there should be no unincorporated pieces of egg yolk or egg white. You could use 2% milk but you’ll loose out on some of the flavor and richness.
Cooking the French Toast
You can use a griddle, but I actually prefer a pan because I think it allows for better frying in an even layer of butter and oil. That’s right, I said oil. We’re frying in a combination of butter and oil to get the best texture and the best flavor. The oil helps to seal and crisp the outside of the bread so the inside stays nice and custardy.
As you get ready to cook, get your bread soaking in the custard mixture as close to the pan as possible to avoid drips that will make a gross mess. Let any excess drip off before you carefully place it into the hot pan. Fry for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. I like my French Toast pretty well fried and crisp at the edges! My favorite tool for slipping and remove the French toast is a fish spatula, it’s thin enough to slide right under and doesn’t pick up and transfer a bunch of grease because it’s slotted.
Bananas Foster
Don’t use overripe bananas, as they won’t hold their shape while they’re cooked.
Typically bananas foster calls for rum but I figured since this is a breakfast recipe that might be a little much. Feel free to add some after the sugar has dissolved in the butter, if you desire. It’d certainly be appropriate for a celebratory brunch!
Keeping Warm
Keep the finished slices of French Toast warm in a 250°F oven. Keep the topping warm over the lowest heat setting on the stove. This little trick makes easy work of having everything come to the table warm and ready to eat without hassle.
French Toast:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- Challah bread, cut into 6 1/2-inch slices
- Unsalted butter, for frying
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Bananas Foster Topping:
- 4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
- 2 firm bananas, sliced
- Pinch cinnamon
- Directions
Make the French Toast:
-
Preheat oven to 250°F.
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In a large shallow bowl or dish whisk together eggs, milk, salt, cinnamon, and allspice. Soak as many slices in the egg mixture as possible for 5 minutes, turning once.
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Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter and 1 tablespoon of the oil in a very large saute pan or griddle over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until well browned. Add more butter and oil to the pan as needed. Once all the bread is cooked, place it on a baking tray in the warm oven.
Make the Topping:
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In a small skillet, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved into butter. Add banana slices to pan, stirring so they are covered in caramel sauce. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon. Bananas are done when they are warmed through. Pour bananas foster mixture over French Toast.
Woah…this is crazy! Nothing like indulging in dessert for breakfast! And you're totally right…this would be a perfect birthday breakfast!
I could eat that for breakfast, lunch or supper!
This looks so delicious! What a perfect Saturday morning brunch. Looks like I just found a use for the bananas ripening on my counter.
Wow, I want this like RIGHT NOW !!!
Oh yum, Tessa! I can just taste those crispy caramelized edges. 🙂
Those edges are my favorite part of French Toast!! 🙂
This looks heavenly!
Could always throw in a bit of rum extract… easily found in the baking aisle.
Good point! I don't think I've ever seen rum extract, though I guess I've never really looked.
We just made this for breakfast… seriously the best breakfast I've ever had. Thank you!
Yay! So happy to hear that
Oh, I am definitely making this one. I have made bananas foster biscuits before and used rum extract and it was delicious! Rum extract is also delicious in fudge!
Oh, it must be delicious. Perfect breakfast 🙂
We made this last Saturday! Absolutely incredible, thanks a bunch!
Sure! Let's go for some rum! But at what point should it be added??
You can add the rum along with the butter and brown sugar 🙂
This can be eaten at anytime of the day….it is definitely sweet, but not sickening sweet. I made it last week and it left my crew asking for seconds. Obviously, this will be a keeper for me. It is DIVINE just as described…when you put it all together the flavors blend so well. If you have not made this yet – you need to!
This was SOOO good. What a great recipe it was easy and perfect! I told my friends all about how this was the best french toast I ever had.
Printing the recipe now…wish I had bananas. Looking forward to Saturday!
best french toast i've ever had!
best french toast i've ever had!
Good heavens! We just made this for breakfast, and what a way to start a Monday!
I'm making this Saturday!
The first thing that I noticed was the wonderful smell of the spices. Wow! I tried these out today for my late breakfast and I was amazed at how the flavours popped in my mouth! I could taste every single ingredient in the recipe, very, very indulging! It's been 6 years since I haven't eaten French Toast since they don't have it here in Brazil. But this recipe made me feel like I was in the U.S. again! Probably one of my favorite recipes I've ever tried out in my life.
Found this on Pinterest and made it for breakfast this weekend. It was delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Made these for my husband. He loved it! Even my & year old kids ate it and loved it too! thank you! Will definitely make again for the family.
can you make this the night before and then place in a casserole dish to heat up to bring to work for a crowd the next day?
Thank you for the lovely recipe. I love French Toast and this is a nice twist on it.
I’ve actually been making my French Toast this way for a month or so and have fallen head over heals! Challah is definitely the best for this but I have a hard time finding it since the local grocer stopped carrying it. I would make my own but that’s a lot of work! I add a bit of honey infused Whiskey in the egg mixture and burn some off with the bananas, highly recommended!
HOLY MOLY these look fantastic! And I totally feel you on the banana/baby food connection lol, I usually need a little texture with them too!
PHEW! Glad I’m not the only one 😉
This is a great recipe. I did it this way and the traditional way both are great.
I feel I were to use rum, how much should I use?
Wow!!!! I’m in love with this french toast! I wanna reach out and grab it! This is a must try!
Omg!! I made this for Thanksgiving morning!! Love love love!! Delicious!!
I have a question about the Challah Bread recipe. Is there such a thing as over proofiing? I think I may have let my dough proof too long in the first proof. I fell asleep on the first proof. I also realized it was too cold in my apartment, and I turned on my oven to warm, and sat the bowl on top of the stove. That was when it began to expand. That was at 5am, and I was very tired. I said I would take a quick nap and punch it down. well it was three hours later before I punched it down. When It baked, it wasn’t as high as yours. Even though I proofed it a second time, and again after the braid.