CARAMELIZED BANANA FRENCH TOAST
If you are a big breakfast lover or a french toast enthusiast who hasn’t tried adding caramelized banana to your toasts, you are seriously missing out!
This Caramelized Banana French Toast is the epitome of warmth, softness, and comfort. Imagine thick slices of golden-brown bread, soaked in a rich egg mixture, then gently cooked to perfection until they’re crisp on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside.
But wait, it gets even better. We elevate this classic dish by topping it off with warm, soft caramelized bananas, infusing each bite with a natural sweetness that will keep you coming back for more!
Mornings simply can’t get much better than this!
MAIN INGREDIENTS FOR CARAMELIZED BANANA FRENCH TOAST
Sandwich Bread – For the perfect Caramelized Banana French Toast, selecting the right bread is crucial. Opt for thick slices of sandwich bread that can absorb the egg mixture without becoming too soggy. I personally love using thick toasts such as Texas Toast for its thick and sturdy texture, which holds up well during cooking. However, feel free to use any type of sandwich bread that you prefer. Whether it’s classic white bread, whole wheat, or even brioche, choose a bread that suits your taste and texture preferences.
Eggs – Eggs are the binding agent that bring the French toast together, providing richness and structure to each slice. To create the perfect egg mixture, beat together fresh eggs with a touch of sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. The sugar adds a hint of sweetness, while the vanilla extract enhances the flavor profile with its warm and aromatic notes. Adding milk to the mixture helps to create a smooth and creamy texture, ensuring that each slice of French toast is evenly coated and delightfully indulgent.
Banana – The star ingredient of this dish, bananas bring a natural sweetness and irresistible flavor to the French toast. To prepare the caramelized bananas, simply slice ripe bananas and sauté them in melted butter until they turn golden brown and tender. As they cook, the bananas release their natural sugars, caramelizing in the butter to create the perfect topping for our French toast. Not only do the caramelized bananas add a deliciously sweet element to the dish, but they also provide a delightful contrast in texture, with soft and creamy interiors complemented by golden, caramelized edges.
Honey Greek Yogurt – To elevate the Caramelized Banana French Toast even further, serve it with a dollop of honey Greek yogurt on top. The creamy tanginess of the Greek yogurt adds a refreshing contrast to the sweet and rich flavors of the French toast and caramelized bananas. Drizzle the Greek yogurt with a touch of honey for added sweetness and a hint of floral flavor, creating a harmonious balance of tastes and textures that will tantalize your taste buds with every bite.
Fresh Fruits – I like to top my Caramelized Banana French Toast with an assortment of fresh fruits for a burst of color and freshness. Choose fruits that are in season for the best flavor and quality. Whether it’s sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or a combination of your favorite fruits, the addition of fresh fruits adds a vibrant and nutritious element to the dish. Not only do the fresh fruits enhance the visual appeal of the French toast, but they also provide a refreshing contrast to the warm and indulgent flavors of the dish, making it a delightful treat for the senses.
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS FOR CARAMELIZED BANANA FRENCH TOAST
Make a Smooth Egg Mixture
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined. Dip both sides of the bread slices in egg mixture, making sure they are evenly coated.
Cook French Toasts to Perfection
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Pan-fry bread slices until both sides are golden brown.1
- Remove the bread slices from the pan and set aside.
Caramelize Bananas
- Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in the same pan over low-medium heat. Fry the prepared banana slices on both sides until golden brown.
Plate the French Toasts
- Plate the French toasts, spread the yogurt on top of the toasts, then arrange the banana slices over the yogurt.
- Sprinkle some ground cinnamon over the toasts, then top it off with your favorite fruits.
Caramelized Banana French Toast
Ingredients
- 2 slices sandwich bread
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract - optional
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 banana - sliced into 4 equal pieces (cut in half vertically, then horizontally)
- 1/3 cup honey Greek yogurt
- ground cinnamon - for sprinkling
- fresh fruits - for topping
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined. Dip both sides of the bread slices in egg mixture, making sure they are evenly coated.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Pan-fry bread slices until both sides are golden brown.
- Remove the bread slices from the pan and set aside.
- Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in the same pan over low-medium heat. Fry the prepared banana slices on both sides until golden brown.
- Plate the French toasts, spread the yogurt on top of the toasts, then arrange the banana slices over the yogurt.
- Sprinkle some ground cinnamon over the toasts, then top it off with your favorite fruits.
NOTES AND TIPS FOR CARAMELIZED BANANA FRENCH TOAST
Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the egg mixture the night before and store it covered in the refrigerator. This saves time in the morning and allows the flavors to meld together overnight.
Bread Selection: Choose a sturdy bread like Texas Toast or brioche for best results. Stale bread works even better as it absorbs the egg mixture without becoming too soggy.
Customize Your French Toast: Feel free to customize your French toast by adding a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the egg mixture for extra flavor. You can also experiment with different toppings like chopped nuts, whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Storage and Reheating: If you have any plain leftover French toast, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to enjoy, simply reheat the French toast slices in a toaster oven or skillet over medium heat until warmed through. For a complete meal, add yogurt, caramelized bananas, and fresh fruits on top just before serving.
However, for the best taste and texture, we recommend enjoying your French toast right away, as it may lose its freshness and become stale over time.”