Bananas Foster French Toast Recipe
This Bananas Foster French Toast is my weekend flex breakfast — slightly decadent, definitely nostalgic, and the kind of thing you make when you want the house to smell like a cozy diner. It’s thick slices of bread soaked in a rich custardy mix, fried until golden, and topped with warm, caramelized bananas and a boozy-but-not-too-boozy sauce. It tastes fancy but is stupidly approachable, and it makes me feel like a domestic wizard for approximately 20 minutes.
My little family loses their minds for this. My husband calls it “Sunday’s mood” and my kid eats two slices before I’m even done plating. One weekend I accidentally used overripe bananas and the sauce turned out even sweeter and silkier — now I actually buy a couple just to get that caramel-y edge. It’s become our special-occasion breakfast and the thing I make when friends stay over and I want to impress without pulling an all-nighter.
Why You’ll Love This Bananas Foster French Toast Recipe
– It’s the cozy, syrupy breakfast vibe of a diner but made at home — richer and way more banana-forward.
– Textural drama: crisp edges, pillowy centers, and glossy, slightly boozy banana topping.
– Perfect for celebrations or when you want to make a lazy morning feel intentional.
– Kid-approved and adult-approved: you can keep it sober or sneak in a splash of rum for grown-up vibes.
Kitchen Talk
I once tried to flambé the bananas in a saucepan too tiny for the job and set off the smoke alarm — dramatic, unnecessary, and terrifying for the cat. Now I use a roomy skillet and just tilt the pan away from me if I flare it up. Also, thicker bread means fewer soggy regrets; thin sandwich bread = sad soggy toast. I sometimes swap half the milk for a splash of cream when I’m feeling extra, and that mistake-that-wasn’t-a-mistake made everything richer and more forgiving.
MORE OF OUR FAVORITE…
Shopping Tips
– Produce/Fruit: Choose bananas that are yellow with some brown speckles — they’re sweeter and caramelize beautifully without being mushy.
– Dairy: If you want truly indulgent custard, use whole milk or a mix of milk and cream; low-fat milk works but the texture will be lighter.
– Eggs: Fresh eggs make a cleaner custard flavor; no need for anything fancy, but don’t substitute with egg whites only.
– Grains/Pasta: Pick sturdy, slightly stale bread like brioche, challah, or day-old French bread so it holds up to soaking.
– Sweeteners: Dark brown sugar gives that deep, molasses-y flavor for the bananas; light brown will work if that’s what’s on hand.
Prep Ahead Ideas
– Soak the bread in the custard mixture the night before and keep it covered in the fridge; it’ll be super-easy to cook in the morning (just don’t over-soak until it’s falling apart).
– Caramelize the bananas a few hours ahead and store them in an airtight container in the fridge — gently rewarm before serving so they don’t turn rubbery.
– Whip the cream or get your toppings ready (nuts, powdered sugar, maple) the night before and keep in separate containers to save morning time.
– Use shallow containers for soaking and stack bread single-layer to avoid uneven saturation.
Time-Saving Tricks
– Cook the French toast in batches in a large skillet to save time and keep the heat steady rather than crowding the pan.
– Make the banana sauce in advance and reheat gently — that way you’re just plating and pouring when guests arrive.
– Use day-old brioche or challah; no need to toast the bread first if it’s firm enough from being a day old.
– If you’re short on time, skip flambéing and just add a splash of rum to the sauce off the heat for flavor without the theatrics.
Common Mistakes
– Soggy middle: that’s usually from over-soaking thin bread — switch to thicker slices or reduce soak time. I ruined a batch once trying to rush and had to crisp them back up in the oven.
– Burned sugar: keep your heat moderate and stir the sugar constantly when it starts caramelizing; burnt sugar tastes bitter, not boozy.
– Watery sauce: don’t panic if your sauce is thin — let it simmer a minute longer to reduce, or toss in a tiny pinch of cornstarch slurry to thicken.
– Rubber bananas: overcooking bananas makes them lose structure; aim for glossy and tender, not mush.
What to Serve It With
– Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for salty contrast.
– A quick arugula salad with lemon if you want something bright and weirdly perfect.
– Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if you’re leaning dessert-for-breakfast.
– Toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch.
Tips & Mistakes
– Use medium heat for cooking — too hot and the outside burns before the inside cooks.
– Don’t skimp on butter for the pan; it helps the crust get that golden color.
– If the toast gets soggy, pop it on a baking sheet under a broiler for a minute to re-crisp.
– Salt hits at the end — a tiny pinch in the caramel brings out the sweetness.
Storage Tips
Keep leftover French toast and bananas foster in separate airtight containers in the fridge. The bread will soak more sauce if stored together and go mushy. Reheat slices in a toaster oven or under a broiler to bring back crispness; the banana topping reheats best gently on the stove. Cold leftovers are still tasty — more like a quick banana bread snack — but reheated is the move if you want texture back.
Variations and Substitutions
– Swap dark rum for bourbon or a splash of maple syrup if you prefer no alcohol — the flavor will shift but still be delicious.
– Use gluten-free bread or a sturdy sourdough if needed; avoid super-light sandwich loaf unless you like soggy.
– Try coconut milk for a dairy-free twist and finish with toasted coconut flakes.
– For nut lovers, toss toasted pecans into the caramel sauce for extra texture.
– Honey can replace some sugar, but adjust simmering since honey darkens faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Remember it later
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Bananas Foster French Toast Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz brioche, sliced thick (day-old preferred)
- 6.5 oz beaten eggs about 4 large eggs
- 0.75 cup whole milk
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract divided
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon for custard
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 0.13 tsp kosher salt for custard
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter for the skillet
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter for the sauce
- 0.33 cup packed brown sugar
- 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon for sauce
- 0.13 tsp ground nutmeg optional
- 1.5 cup ripe bananas, sliced
- 2 tbsp dark rum or rum extract to taste for no-alcohol
- 1 tsp vanilla extract for sauce
- 0.25 cup chopped pecans toasted if you like
- 0.13 tsp kosher salt pinch for sauce
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Set oven to 200°F to keep toast warm.
- Whisk eggs, milk, cream, 1 tsp vanilla, cinnamon, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Pour the custard into a shallow dish. Add brioche slices and soak 15–20 seconds per side.
- Melt 2 tbsp butter on the hot skillet. Cook soaked bread until golden, 2–3 minutes per side.
- Transfer cooked toast to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while you make the sauce.
- Melt 4 tbsp butter in the skillet. Stir in brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Bubble 1 minute.
- Add sliced bananas and cook, stirring gently, until softened and glossy, about 1 minute.
- Pour in dark rum. Flambé carefully or simmer 30–60 seconds to reduce. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla and pecans.
- Plate the French toast. Spoon warm banana-rum sauce over the top and dust with powdered sugar. Serve immediately.
Notes
Featured Comments
“Impressed! Clear steps and family favorite results. Perfect for busy nights.”
“This shareable recipe was absolutely loved — the wholesome really stands out. Thanks!”
“This refreshing recipe was absolutely loved — the homemade really stands out. Thanks!”
“Super easy and so flavorful! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
“This charred recipe was turned out amazing — the celebratory really stands out. Thanks!”
“Super easy and turned out amazing! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
“Impressed! Clear steps and family favorite results. Perfect for busy nights.”
“Impressed! Clear steps and will make again results. Perfect for busy nights.”
“This shareable recipe was turned out amazing — the handheld really stands out. Thanks!”
“Super easy and so flavorful! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
