Caramelized Banana French Toast

This decadent caramelized banana French toast is the gourmet breakfast of your dreams. Thick and rich challah bread is dipped in a cinnamon vanilla milk bath - creating a luscious custardy interior - cooked until golden brown, and topped with bananas sauteed in butter and brown sugar. It's sure to become your favorite French toast recipe!

This caramelized banana French toast recipe is rich, decadent, and perfect for a holiday or any ol' weekend where you let yourself sleep in. The caramelized bananas really set this apart from your average French toast. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and it could easily be called Bananas Foster French toast.

For perfectly crispy French toast, we balance the right amount of milk and eggs in the custard mixture, so no soggy French toast here! We give our bread a quick dip and then cook it until the edges become crisp and golden brown.

If you can get your hands on egg-y bread (like challah), it really makes all the difference between good French toast and amazing French toast. Enjoy!

Jump to:

• ⭐️ Why This French Toast is the Best
• 🍞 Ingredient Notes
• 🍌 What Are Caramelized Bananas?
• 📝 French Toast Variations & Substitutions
• 🔪 How To Make Caramelized Banana French Toast
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips for Perfect French Toast
• 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
• 🥞 More Breakfast Recipes
• Caramelized Banana French Toast Recipe

⭐️ Why This French Toast is the Best

Quick & easy - With just 10 minutes of prep time and detailed step-by-step instructions, this French toast with caramelized bananas is easy enough for a weekday morning and rich enough for a weekend indulgence.

Delicious - Rich, eggy, bread is dipped into a milk and egg custard infused with warm cinnamon and vanilla, and cooked until golden brown. And the addition of caramelized bananas make it a game changer.

Indulgent - You must treat yourself to a special breakfast every once in a while, like chocolate old fashioned donuts, buttermilk biscuits, or cinnamon rolls.

Freezer-friendly - Make a double batch and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. See the directions below on how to easily freeze and reheat your French toast.

🍞 Ingredient Notes

• Milk - You can use whole, 2%, or any plant-based milk, like almond or oat milk.
• Ground cinnamon - Adds warm flavor with subtle spiciness.
• Egg-y bread (like challah) - Using an egg-y bread like challah makes for richer French toast. Challah is a traditional yeast bread that contains eggs and honey. It has a beautiful braid and is often used for the Jewish Sabbath. Brioche bread can be used as a substitute.
• Bananas - Make sure your bananas are ripe but still slightly firm. You don't want to use overripe bananas or they will turn into mush when cooking. (If you have overripe bananas to use, try my peanut butter banana oatmeal cookies!)
• Unsalted butter - Using unsalted butter helps you control the amount of salt in your cooking.
• Light brown sugar - Using brown sugar for the caramel mixture adds deeper flavor because it contains molasses. Granulated sugar will work here as well, but the flavor won't be as rich.
• Maple syrup - Always use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup, which is primarily made of corn syrup. If you're out of maple syrup, try one of my recommended maple syrup substitutes.

🍌 What Are Caramelized Bananas?

Caramelized bananas are bananas that have been cooked in butter and sugar. The mixture turns into a caramel sauce, and the sugars in the bananas develop a deeper nuttier flavor while also becoming slightly crispy on the outside.

Make a large batch of caramelized bananas and add them to overnight oats, ice cream, or granola!

📝 French Toast Variations & Substitutions

• Fruit. If you're not a fan of bananas, peaches, pears, or plums would all be delicious here.
• Bread. Although I recommend using a rich bread like challah or brioche for best results, you can also use a thickly sliced French bread or Texas toast.
• Nuts. Substitute your favorite toasted nuts to add a delicious crunch. Hazelnuts or walnuts would both be delicious.
• Dairy-free French toast: Substitute plant-based milk (e.g. soy milk, almond milk, etc.) and vegan/plant-based butter for a dairy-free version.
• Gluten-free French toast: Substitute gluten-free bread to make a gluten-free version.

🔪 How To Make Caramelized Banana French Toast

Make the French Toast:

In a 13x9-inch baking dish, whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.

Place four slices of challah bread into the baking pan in a single layer and let them soak for 1 minute. Flip bread over and let soak for an additional minute.

Place a large skillet over medium heat and melt 2 Tablespoons of butter. Add all four slices of challah bread to the pan and cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Flip the bread and cook for an another 3 minutes. (Repeat soaking and cooking process for all 8 slices of bread.) Transfer French toast to a large plate or baking sheet and tent with foil to keep warm.

Make the Caramelized Bananas:

Wipe out skillet and melt 2 Tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add sugar and water and stir until sugar dissolves. Continue stirring until mixture is foamy, about 2 minutes. Add rum (if using) and cook for an additional minute.

Add banana slices and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.

Serve french toast immediately, topped with caramelized bananas, maple syrup, and pecans (if using).

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips for Perfect French Toast

• Make ahead instructions: Caramelize your bananas up to 4 hours ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Storage: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• How to freeze: Wrap each piece (after completely cooled) in foil and place in a plastic freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight.
• How to reheat French toast: Place frozen slices (do not thaw before reheating or toast will get mushy) on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 10-15 minutes.
• Use thick and eggy bread. Using a rich, egg-y bread like challah (or a buttery bread like brioche), and slicing it thickly, really makes a difference between good French toast and out-of-this-world French toast!
• Don't oversoak. Keep an eye on your bread while it's soaking in the custard bath, and aim for 1 minute. Soaking it for more than a minute can lead to soggy French toast.
• Cook until golden brown. For perfectly cooked French toast, cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side, until the outside is golden brown, the insides are cooked through, and the custard is set.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

🥞 More Breakfast Recipes

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