Banana Bread French Toast.
On the off chance that you MIGHT have some banana bread left (I know I know, I’m asking a lot), like after you make a loaf… this is what you should do.
The idea came about after we saw about 5 minutes of the daylong chocolate special on Food Network the Saturday before Valentine’s Day. Sandra Lee was making some sort of chocolate cake into french toast when my husband says, “oh you have to try that with banana bread! I bet it would be sooo good.”
I concurred. I mean, obviously.
I baked the banana bread simply for the purpose of turning it into french toast – any other reason and that entire thing would be devoured in about 10 minutes. I am not one of “those people” that has banana bread just sitting on the counter, days later. So… as soon as he walked in the door, I nearly mugged my husband and was all “OMG I made the french toast with banana bread like you suggested and it’s sooooo good OMG do you want some I know you do let’s have it for dinner because who needs chicken!”
To which he shakes his head, mail in hand, eyes on some NASCAR magazine and claims “no, Â I don’t like banana bread.”
WHAT.
“Ummm… didn’t YOU tell me to make this banana bread french toast? Didn’t you suggest it?
“Well yeah. I thought people would like it… like you. I’m sure it’s really good. I just don’t like banana bread.”
Shoooooooot me.
WHO doesn’t like banana bread?!
I hope not you.
Soo… totally make this. I converted my triple fudge banana bread to a whole wheat banana bread and used that, but it’s not necessary. Use store bought banana bread if you wish. Use banana bread from a box! Use banana bread that’s been sitting on your counter for four days.
Wait – seriously, how has banana bread been sitting on your counter for four days?
Here’s the thing: this is going to work best if the bread has sat a little. I baked mine late in the evening, then let it sit over night without covering. This also helped in the whole I-want-to-consume-the-entire-loaf-immediately predicament because I just made myself go to bed.
Then you can do whatever you want with that french toast.
I mean… you could keep it boring.
Or not.
Banana Bread French Toast
[banana bread recipe from my triple fudge banana bread]
makes one [9×5) loafÂ
for bread
2 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan (mine was 9Ă—5) liberally with non-stick spray or grease with butter. In a bowl, mix together flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and baking powder, then set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk egg and sugar together until smooth. Whisk in vanilla extract, then add bananas and milk and mix until combined. Add in dry ingredients slowing, mixing with a spoon until batter comes together. Add in melted butter and stir until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely – best if cooled overnight.
for french toast using 1/2 loaf (about 6 slices)
3 large eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
butter for the pan
Slice banana bread to desired thickness. In a bowl, combine eggs, vanilla, cream and cinnamon, whisking until combined. Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat and brush with butter. Â Dip each slice into the egg mixture for about 30 seconds to coat completely, then place on the buttered surface. Cook until golden and somewhat crispy, about 2 minutes per side. Serve with sliced bananas, fresh whipped cream, syrup and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs. For a drizzly chocolate, combine 2 tablespoons chocolate chips and 1/4 teaspoon coconut oil in the microwave for about 45 seconds, mixing once during cooking time, until melty.
I’m going to thank bananas for the rest of my life.
180 Comments on “Banana Bread French Toast.”
You are a freakin genious! I have no idea how you come up with these fantastic recipes! I can’t WAIT to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
AMAZING!!!! Although I want to see chocolate cake french toast.
YES YES YES…… this is one of my FAVORITE – FAVORITE- brunch indulgences. I worked at a restaurant where it was amazing!
What a great idea! Great pics, too! Did I by chance see a sneak peak of this on Instagram earlier this week? Because I’ve been dreaming of whatever that was ever since you posted it! Yummay.
Yep! http://followgram.me/i/130404356763627118_5895970
I don’t think I have ever met a french toast I did not like, but this one takes the cake. Fabulous on all ends. Thanks for sharing it and can’t wait to try it!!
Do you know how much banana bread I make and I never once did it cross my mind to make french toast with it! It’s genius!!! I love this idea!!!! Your french toast looks amazing and definitely doesn’t look boring! I love the photos! Great job!!! Can’t wait to try it!
You’re not alone – it never crossed my mind either ’til I saw that episode!
HOLY YUMMMM!
You’re right- who doesn’t like banana bread??!??! I’d tell my husband that he’d learn to like it for tonight! Plus, it is beautiful!!!
I’ve been doing banana bread french toast for a few months now, and just recently decided to try adding bananas foster over it. It’s amazing; you should do it! Aaaand then you can have ice cream for breakfast!
Mr. How Sweet is a genius for thinking up this french toast, but I have to admit I think he’s a little crazy for not liking banana bread. Banana bread is the bomb! :-D
When you said you made it whole wheat, I was concerned there would be no chocolate involved. Glad you found a way to work it in! ;)
Looks great! But tell me, what exactly is the difference between banana bread and banana cake?? My brain explodes when I try to figure it out lol
OMG it’s brilliant and like 2 steps away from a hot fudge sundae for breakfast. Which is perfect. Those 2 steps keep it safe.
My husband doesn’t like banana bread. He only likes green bananas. He’s from another planet.
My husband also will only eat green bananas. Like TOTALLY green and that’s it. No yellow.
Jay is sitting next to me and as I was scrolling down said, “oh wait, that looks gooooood”. I think I need to make some now! I’ve made French Toast with yeasted banana bread, but never just banana bread. Yep, I’m on it now! Have a great weekend Jessica!
You are a culinary genius…I’m going to try this Sunday morning..I can’t bake the banana bread till Saturday night or my Husband may eat it all…seriously he will. :)
i just need you to know you’re a genius. oh, and i’m coming over for breakfast. :)
I have 4 bananas on my counter dying to be made into banana bread..this is happening in my kitchen this weekend! GENIUS!
I just can’t even find the words to describe the awesome.
Well even though Mr How Sweet doesn’t like banana bread, he certainly had a great idea! Banana bread never lasts long in my house, but I’m one of “those people” that would bake a loaf just to turn it into French toast. Oh wait – I guess that makes 2 of us! ;)
you are cruel :)
Can you come over for breakfast? Pretty please??? I want this French Toast!
I always wanted to do this with pound cake…I bet banana bread is AMAZING.
I would make a banana bread JUST for the purpose of making this toast, because it is a great idea, and it looks delicious!
Amazingness… although I wouldn’t be opposed to using your original banana bread for this… hello chocolate banana bread french toast!
I am now officially CRAVING this! This recipe is going on my list of things to make after the run of my show finishes. Right above bacon cheeseburgers.
How does anyone not like banana bread? I have to stop myself from devouring it all when I make it. This french toast looks amazing!!!! I seriously want to slurp my computer screen!!!!
this is my favorite thing to do ever! I made it one easter for breakfast and I could have single handedly eaten it all to myself!
This looks AMAZING! Definitely making some soon!!
OMG. I just died. This must be what heaven’s like. Holy cowabunga.
This looks so great! I love banana bread! Where did you find your banana bread recipe? Do you make it up yourself? I usually use my great-grandmas but it calls for shortening and looking for something healthier ..
Yep it’s my own. Converted from this one which I also developed myself: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/12/triple-fudge-banana-bread/.
Oohh, this is brilliant. And how could someone not like banana bread?! Not possible!
I can’t even comprehend people who don’t like banana bread. Mr. How Sweet is MISSING OUT!
Ahhh-mazing! Except my problem is that my husband is part monkey and we never have bananas leftover/ripe enough to MAKE banana bread!
My husband doesn’t like banana bread either! What’s up with that?! He only likes bananas when we dip them in chocolate fondue. Maybe he would eat it if I also covered this in chocolate syrup!
Oh my FREAKIN’ goodness!!! How is it that I never thought of this, Jessica??!! You are incredible! Well, so is your Mr., so thank him for us. I CANNOT wait to try this!! Very excited for the weekend now!!
I love this. And I’m going to go buy banana’s as soon as I’m out of work. But I’m fairly certain that if I put chocolate and coconut oil in the microwave for 45 minutes it would be more than melty. And possibly explode my house.
Haha OMG my huband does this all the time too it is SO frustrating! I’ll make something, like, SO completely and utterly DELICIOUS, I don’t know, like apple pie muffins, or coffee ice cream, or molasses cookies, and then he’s like, “thanks honey, but why don’t you give these to your office? I’m kinda full.”
NO I’M NOT GOING TO GIVE IT TO THE OFFICE!! I MADE THEM FOR YOU!!! Why don’t hubands understaaaaand??? gahhhh.
PS that banana bread looks bomb dot com.
Craziness puuuuuuure CRAZINESS… but I like it! :)
ok this french toast takes the cake of ANY french toast recipe i’ve ever come across. i.love.banana.bread. i.love.french.toast. WHY have I never thought of combining the two?? pure genius.
Ok. I just saw the comment about eddie eating GREEN bananas. That is scary! ANyway. Banana bread and specifically French toast are pretty much 2 of my favorite things ever. You are killing me!!!!!!! I still need to make GF banana bread!
I know, he is so weird!
There’s a reason lust is a sin… I want this soo bad… but now I’m thinking pumpkin bread french toast… or my mom’s christmas Anise bread french toast… pandora’s box has been open…
omg this looks heavenly! I’m doing a top 5 recipes post from the blog world today and I’m pretty sure most of them are from you! lol
Girl, yes, this is amazing. Too amazing!
Honestly… I want to kiss your face right now!!
This is too good, I saw that chocolate episode too, I hope to make this over the weekend!!
Why have I never thought of this?! Drooooolworthy.
Woah – how awesome would this be to enjoy on a Saturday morning.
omg this is an amazzzing idea! I actually made french toast for breakfast this morning for my first time in years and was eating it while reading this post. I wish I would have read this post first…next time this will be my french toast variation for sure. Thanks for sharing!
My husband does not like banana bread either. But, I am totally making this for the littles and I because I know that we will love it. And, who knows? Maybe it will change my sweet husband’s mind about banana bread. :) Happy Friday!
you’re brilliant. this looks amazing. two of my favorite eats – banana bread & french toast – all in one?!? yes please!
Great idea!! I usually make muffins and not bread, the fam prefers the muffins to the bread, I use the same recipe just different baking pans and time, BUT this certainly merits making bread again!! And ooooo the possibilities…. blueberry bread french toast, pumpkin bread french toast, nutella banana bread! YUMMMM! time to start making some breads!!