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.”
seeeeeeriously? Banana bread does not last 5 minutes in my house. I am thinking of trying this with chocolate chips and peanut butter chips as well. Maybe a pb glaze on top. Just saying…
MANGIA!!!
p.s. i need to talk with Mr. How Sweet about the life-changing effects of banana bread. O lawd!
Hey, more banana bread for you if the hub doesn’t like it, right?! Winning!!
There’s this restaurant I go to and get banana bread french toast – it seriously is the best!
This is very, very naughty. Wow! :)
“I baked the banana bread simply for the purpose of turning it into french toast” <— when I read the title of the post, first thought that came into my mind was, I wonder if she…
And you did. And that's awesome. Because this looks fabulous!!!!!!!!
banana bread lasts maybe a day in my house if i’m lucky…love this idea of french toast banana bread!
I am beyond excited about this. I at my parents’ house this weekend, and I genuinely think this may just make my dad’s entire month. Banana bread is sacred in this house. I can’t tell you how many recipes of yours I’ve made and loved, but the simple genius of this is outstanding. Hahaha. I’m thanking bananas AND you for the rest of my life, now.
…I AM at my parents’ house…in the excitement, I forgot how to use proper grammar.
I’m glad you’ve made so many and enjoyed them! Thank you!
Sounds delicious! And this: “Sandra Lee was making some sort of chocolate cake into french toast” cracked me the hell up.
This is freakin’ brilliant. LOVE it!
YUUUUM!!!!! My husband won’t eat banana bread unless it has a crazy amount of chocolate chips in it… I bet he would eat it swimming in syrup and whipped cream :)
gimme.
I gave up sweets for Lent, but banana bread does not qualify as a sweet, right ;)?
Not at all! It’s BREAKFAST.
Damn. DAMN. I just crumbled the very last slice of banana bread over my cottage cheese not ten minutes ago. And yes, I baked it late yesterday afternoon. We’re banana bread fiends over here as well… honestly, who isn’t? Whatever – I appreciate that you share my ‘dessert is totally breakfast’ mentality. So should I make another loaf? I have more bananas in the freezer… Never mind, you don’t need to answer that. I already know.
Oh, and it’s probably worth it to mention that I actually *hid* that last slice of banana bread last night just to ensure that it’d still be around come morning. A certain male in this household went a little buck wild, shall we say.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but bananas for loaf #2 are currently defrosting. You may have created a monster.
Hahahaha I love it.
That picture of the butter alone is To. Die. For!
This looks so dreamy. Kind of reminds me of bananas foster, but healthy enough to pass off for breakfast :)
Definitely would not keep these french toast boring!
love tis and your website!!!! i’ll be trying some of the recipes soon!!
Were you in my living room last night?? I mentioned this to Kevin while watching Grey’s and chowing down on a piece of banana bread. I am purposely letting a few pieces go stale for Saturday mornings breakfast. I probably won’t go the chocolate route, but I see whip cream in the future. :)
If I could have this everyday, I’d never skip breakfast! Really brilliant!
“Happy Cooking”
I’m all for using cake in the place of plain ol’ bread. I had a pound cake panini the other day… Sofreakinggood.
amazing! making this over the weekend… paleo style!
I’ve pretty much star every post you write on my google reader. Not just for the recipes-which are great, by the way-but because you make cooking and everything else you blog about so..well, hilarious and lighthearted. I love your enthusiasm, your humor, and that you capitals just as much as I do. when I’m typing to friends, whether through text, e-mail, however the hell else you can type a message to a friend, I use caps like a madwoman when I’m excited, or when I’m being sarcastic. both of which happen very often. I’m fighting back the urge to use caps so hard when I say: I love what you’re doing!
also, my favorite meal at my favorite diner is banana bread french toast. I can’t wait to make my own. I’m trying your recipe asap. thanks for sharing this deliciousness.
I’m kind of with your husband on this one – awesome for those who love banana bread though! I’m positive my husband would dive head first into this.
SHUT UP.
SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP.
I can’t believe you did this. Oh wait I can. You just blew my mind grapes times a million.
Two of my favorite things combined. If only I could travel back in time and have this growing up. Damn
another samie alert: i never have banana bread hanging around also
My mom would make banana bread french toast when we were growing up. My husband thinks it’s weird (he thinks anything he didn’t grow up with is weird, so I don’t listen to him anymore), but it is so good! Banana bread is perfect for french toast, because it’s already so moist, and it turns almost custardy, like bread pudding.
I make a yummy strawberry bread that would be good for this as well. I might have to try it. Thanks.
……….Wow. I need this! Now!
I was watching that Sandra Lee Chocolate episode the other day! That french toast looked wonderful as does this banana bread french toast! Thanks for the delicious recipe! I’m looking forward to trying it.
Looks awesome! My husband would go gaga for this!
Nice! But I think you must try french-toast cinnamon buns. Slice a bun in half, dunk it in egg mixture, and fry…to die for!!
Hey Jessica, weird off-topic question. What kind of stove do you do your cooking on? I just moved and have to get a new one. Haven’t read great on the one I was looking at…and thought if you and what kind you cook on….anyway… :)
So I guess I’m baking banana bread now…
I am choosing to not keep it boring! Oh my goodness, how do you come up with these amazing things?
Ohmygod.
I made a loaf of banana bread on Tuesday night and (for some unexplicable reason) half of it still remains on my counter. So last night, I exclaimed to my husband, “Oh! Maybe I can make french toast with what’s left of that banana bread!” Seriously. I said that last night. Then I peek at your blog today to see that you have READ MY MIND. I am SO making this for breakfast tomorrow morning!!! Thank you!
I love reading your posts…you are hilarious. “No, I don’t like banana bread.” I am still laughing:) I had an amazing carrot, zucchini bread french toast at a spa in Arizona a few years ago. Best.Breakfast.Ever. Can’t wait to try yours.
Oh man.Yum. I love what you did with yours…it’s like some kind of awesome twisted banana split kind of thing. I’ve had banana bread french toast at this restaurant and they topped it with cream cheese, kiwi, bananas, roasted almonds, and some kind of crazy amazing kiwi drizzle. Cray. SO many choiceessss!
This looks amazingly good! What is the texture like? What a fun idea to use with different types of sweet bread!
i’d have to make 2, even 3 loaves of banana bread to make sure I have some leftover to turn it into french toast banana bread!
I acutally made the Buttermilk Banana bread yesterday that Maria posted on Two Peas and Their Pod…and tomorrow is Saturday so I could seriously whip this up – yum! How good would this be with some type of cream cheese glaze..mmm. I will have to try your fudge banana bread next…still have 4 bananas left to bake with:-)
Get in my mouth!! That looks so delicious!!
J, you make food irresistable!! Can’t wait to meet you at FBF Orlando, girlfriend :)
lol :) you’re hysterical; love the boring or not ending :) can’t believe your hubby doesn’t like banana bread; didn’t know such a person existed :)
Drooling. This looks insanely good.. WOW! That is absolutely genius my friend :)
Now I want french toast! I know what we will be having for breakfast!
This is one seriously awesome idea! I would probably add a slathering of peanut butter to it before adding syrup ;-)
Oh wow. Looks like a great recipe. Back in the day when I could eat bread, banana bread was my fav. Thanks for the share!
Good thing he doesn’t like banana bread. More for you!
Yumm, two things I love together! I like to use cinnamon raisin bread for my french toast…never thought of using another flavor..love this!
There is a restaurant near me that has this on the menu… I never tried it because I kept telling myself I could make it at home but I never had bananas last long enough. I will definitely be making this though first probably with the almond poppyseed quick bread I have on my counter.
Banana bread only last in my house if I squirrel a few loaves away in the freezer. Guess what’s getting thawed for Sunday breakfast? Hmmm, might check to see if this works for my carrot zucchini raisin loaf too! Thanks Jess for such awesome ideas!
You are so wrong for this!
Yeah that just doesn’t look good at all. ;)