Thick-cut French toast with brown sugar bananas
Caramelized Banana French Toast
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Caramelized Banana French Toast
Thick-cut French toast with brown sugar bananas
Golden French toast topped with caramelized bananas for a brunch plate that feels familiar but still a little upgraded.
15m
Prep Time
15m
Cook Time
30m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Sometimes the smartest brunch move is to take something people already love and make one part of it more luxurious. Here that is the bananas, which cook down into a glossy topping instead of just sitting on the plate.
Ingredients
- 8 thick slices brioche
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 bananas, sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- 1
Whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla.
- 2
Dip the brioche in the custard and cook it in butter until golden on both sides.
- 3
In a separate pan, cook the bananas with butter and brown sugar until caramelized.
- 4
Top the French toast with the bananas.
- 5
Serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving
Serve alongside fresh fruit and your favorite morning beverage
Pair with crispy bacon or sausage links for a hearty start
Substitutions
BriocheChallah
Challah gives a similar rich but slightly less buttery result
BananasApples
Apples need a little more cook time but make a great topping too
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Vanilla Extract
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the vanilla matters
For baking and desserts, vanilla is often carrying more aroma than people expect. A better bottle gives the whole recipe a cleaner finish.
This is a small pantry move that usually makes baked goods taste more complete.
- Improves aroma in desserts and bakes
- Useful across cakes, cookies, and breakfast bakes
Vanilla extract is one of the easiest pantry upgrades to keep using.
Shop vanilla extract for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Use day-old brioche if possible so the bread soaks without falling apart.
A pinch of cinnamon in the custard is good if you want a warmer flavor.
Storage
Best eaten fresh, though leftovers keep for 1 day.
Reheating
Reheat the toast in a skillet or toaster oven.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (2 slices with topping) · 4 servings
Calories360
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein10g
Carbohydrates47g
Fat15g
Fiber2g
Sugar19g
Sodium260mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use challah?
- Yes. Challah is an excellent substitute for brioche in French toast.
- Do I need syrup?
- Not necessarily. The caramelized bananas bring plenty of sweetness already.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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