Bananas Foster Banana Bread French Toast
Thick slices of banana bread soaked in spiced vanilla custard, pan-fried until golden and crispy, then topped with a bubbling homemade bananas foster sauce loaded with caramelized bananas, toasted walnuts, and maple syrup. The ultimate easy brunch recipe that’s ready in 30 minutes.
- Total Time30 minutes
- Yield4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Bananas Foster Topping
- 1 cup brown sugar (220g)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (65g)
- 1/4 cup salted butter (58g)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (2g)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (80ml)
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract (4g)
- 1 tsp rum extract (4g)
- 2 large bananas (or 3 medium), sliced into 1" coins
Banana Bread French Toast
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30g)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar (12g)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (1g)
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup milk of choice (240ml)
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract (8g)
- 4-6 slices leftover banana bread (1.25" thick), or 12 slices brioche bread (1" thick)
Instructions
Bananas Foster Topping
- Cook the Caramel Base: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the brown sugar, chopped walnuts, butter, and cinnamon. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes until the brown sugar has dissolved and the mixture is bubbling and thickened.
- Add Bananas and Finish: Add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, rum extract (if using), and banana slices. Toss gently to coat the bananas in the sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until softened and bubbling. Do not overcook. Remove from heat and set aside.
French Toast
- Whisk the Custard: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and lump-free. Then whisk in the eggs and vanilla until well combined.
- Cook the French Toast: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and grease with butter. Dip banana bread slices into the custard, coating both sides well. Cook until golden brown on each side, about 4-5 minutes total. Repeat with remaining slices.
- Plate and Serve: Gently reheat the bananas foster topping if needed. Plate the French toast and spoon the warm topping generously over the slices. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Day-old or slightly stale banana bread works best — it holds up to the custard soak and crisps up better in the pan. Whisk the dry ingredients into the milk before adding eggs to avoid flour lumps. Keep finished French toast slices warm on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while cooking the remaining batches. The bananas foster topping can be made up to a day ahead and gently reheated. For a crowd, double the recipe and set up a buffet-style brunch spread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 58
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 88
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
- Cholesterol: 165
