If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth first thing in the morning, you’re going to adore our Bananas Foster French Toast—it’s the ultimate dessert-for-breakfast experience!
In this sweet French toast bake, slices of bread are soaked in a luscious egg mixture, topped with caramelized bananas, and drizzled with decadent caramel sauce. We’re not just fans; we’re downright obsessed with this indulgent morning masterpiece. Trust us, once you try it, you’ll be hooked, too.
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What is bananas Foster?
Bananas Foster is a decadent dessert that’s made from just a few ingredients. It is typically served in a bowl, and consists of an oversized scoop of ice cream, caramelized bananas, and a scrumptious brown sugar, butter, and rum sauce.
Oftentimes bananas Foster is served tableside at a restaurant. To prevent the ice cream from melting, the bananas are sautéed in the rum, sugar, and butter sauce. Then the bananas are set on fire and the alcohol caramelizes the outer layer! It’s truly a sight to see, and a must-try if you see it on a menu.
The history of bananas Foster
Prior to the 1950s, bananas were not readily available in most grocery stores. It was around that time that modern-day refrigeration technology was becoming more available. And with that came the import of bananas.
The southern states in the US were the first to have access to this Central and South American fruit. So when bananas hit New Orleans, restaurateurs were eager to incorporate them into their dessert menus. The owner of Brennan’s Restaurant, Owen Brennan, was especially excited about adding bananas to their menu.
Owen challenged his head chef to get creative and develop a rich dessert featuring bananas. The chef came up with this delicious dessert and it was named for Richard Foster, a friend and fellow local business owner. Brennan’s Restaurant is still in business, and they serve over 15 tons of bananas each year!
How to make bananas Foster French toast
- Slice your challah loaf.
- Make your egg wash in a large bowl. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- Arrange the slices of bread in a deep oven-safe baking dish. We love using a Dutch oven or a similar circular dish with high sides!
- Pour the egg wash over the top of the challah slices. Try to distribute it evenly across the slices. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Once ready to bake remove the cover. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Separately, heat butter in a medium-sized pan.
- Add the brown sugar, heavy cream, salt, and vanilla to the pot. Whisk it together until it is thoroughly combined. It will look like a light brown caramel!
- Next, slice your bananas into the stock pot. Cook them until they are soft and gooey.
- Scoop the caramel sauce and bananas on top of the challah French toast.
How to store leftover French toast
Honestly, we are pretty confident that you aren’t going to have any leftovers of this recipe. But just in case, they are very easy to store! Box up any extra bananas Foster French toast in an airtight container. Leftovers are best when consumed within 3 days of cooking!
Other French toast recipes you are going to love!
We have the sweetest spot in our hearts for French toast. Both of us are utterly in love with dessert — it is our favorite meal of the day. So making our breakfast sweeter is a no-brainer.
Here are some other delightful French toast recipes to try:
- From the sweet cream cheese to the flaky croissants, our Berry Stuffed Croissant French Toast is one of the very best. You can quickly throw this together ahead of a group brunch and impress everyone you’re cooking for! It is effortless and delish!
- If you liked this crossover recipe between bananas Foster and French toast, then our Churro French Toast is perfect for you. Churros make for such a comforting dessert. The warming cinnamon and nutmeg are incredible for French toast!
- Another mash-up recipe we love is our Baklava French Toast. It has all the characteristic flavors of the Mediterranean dessert, baked into French toast! It is a low-mess recipe that the whole family is going to love!
- Our Nutella Croissant French Toast is to-die-for. It is filled to the brim with Nutella hazelnut spread and topped with chocolate chips! It might be our most indulgent French toast recipe we have to offer.
Bananas Foster French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 loaf challah bread
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 8 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 medium bananas not too ripe
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Slice the challah loaf.1 loaf challah bread
- In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.4 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Arrange the slices of bread in a deep oven safe baking dish. We love using a dutch oven or a similar circular dish with high sides, approximately 12-14 inch round!
- Pour the egg mixture over the top of the challah slices. Try to distribute it evenly across the slices. Cover and let soak for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Remove cover and bake for 35-40 minutes or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Separately, in a pan melt butter on medium-high heat.8 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- Add the brown sugar, heavy cream, salt, and the remaining vanilla. Whisk it together until it is thoroughly combined. Reduce the heat to medium and let cook for 2-3 minutes, it will look like a caramel sauce.3/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- Next, slice your bananas and add into the caramel sauce. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 1-2 minutes or just until bananas begin to slightly soften. Scoop the caramel sauce and bananas on top of the challah slices.2 medium bananas
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I let my son choose which French toast recipe of yours to make for Easter breakfast. He chose this one and we were all glad he did. This is amazing. I made it in my crock pot insert and it worked perfectly. So delicious and yet easy to make the night before, then bake and make the sauce, which is to die for. Next up my daughter chose your churro French toast, can’t wait.
Oh and did I mention my kids are adults.
Love your recipes!!!!
Love it! Thank you for trying it out, Felicia! We can’t wait to hear what you think of the churro French toast, too!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Honestly! This was the hit of our brunch. I sent this recipe to a lot of our guests and I intend to make it time and time again.
I am normally not one to follow any recipes to the T because something is always a bit off in flavor but not this one!
I didn’t have the correct dish so I used a longer baking dish and cut the bread slices in half and stacking them similarly to the picture. It worked great.
Highly recommend.
Amazing, so glad to hear! xo, Alia & Radwa