This Caramelized Banana French Toast is one of my favorite ways to make breakfast feel a little more special without much extra work. Thick slices of golden French toast are topped with buttery bananas cooked in brown sugar until soft and caramelized. It’s such a cozy breakfast.
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Why This Recipe Works
I love this French toast when I want an easy breakfast that still feels special. The warm caramelized bananas make it a favorite for weekend brunch.
- Buttery Caramelized Bananas: The bananas cook in butter and brown sugar until golden, soft, and syrupy. For another fruit-forward option, I also love this Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast.
- Golden, Custardy Texture: Thick bread soaks up the rich egg and cream mixture while staying sturdy. It cooks up golden on the outside and tender in the center.
- Simple to Make: Everything comes together with basic ingredients and easy stovetop steps. If I’m feeding a brunch crowd, this Croissant French Toast Bake is another favorite.
- Easy to Dress Up: I can serve it simply with the caramelized bananas or add maple syrup, whipped cream, berries, Nutella, or peanut butter. There’s plenty of room to make each plate your own.
- Perfect for Any Brunch: This French toast feels right at home on a relaxed weekend morning or a special brunch table. I can even serve it for breakfast-for-dinner when I’m craving something sweet.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. I ❤️ hearing from you!
Ingredients
- Bananas – Use ripe but still firm bananas so they become soft and golden without falling apart in the skillet.
- Brown Sugar – Combines with butter to create the rich, syrupy sauce that coats the bananas. Maple syrup, honey, or agave can work as substitutes.
- Bread – Choose thick slices that are at least 1 inch thick so they can absorb the egg mixture without becoming soggy. Brioche, challah, or French bread all work well.
- Heavy Cream – Makes the egg mixture extra rich and creamy. Whole milk or half-and-half can be used for a lighter option.
- Powdered Sugar – Adds a little sweetness to the French toast custard and dissolves easily into the eggs and cream.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Instructions
- Make the custard: Whisk the eggs, heavy cream, and powdered sugar together in a shallow dish.
- Make the French toast: Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Dip each bread slice into the custard, coating both sides. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining bread.
- Add the bananas to the pan: Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in the skillet over medium heat, then sprinkle in the brown sugar. Place the banana halves in the pan.
- Caramelize and serve: Cook the bananas for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and caramelized. Spoon the bananas and caramel sauce over the French toast and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
Here are some of my favorite substitutions and variations:
- Bread Options: I like to use thick brioche, challah, or French bread because they soak up the custard without getting too soft. You can also use any sturdy bread you already have.
- Sweetener Swaps: I use brown sugar for a rich caramel sauce, but you can swap it for maple syrup, honey, or agave. Keep an eye on the skillet since liquid sweeteners can cook quickly.
- Dairy-Free Option: I like to replace the butter with coconut oil and the heavy cream with a rich dairy-free cream. You can choose your favorite unsweetened option.
What to Serve with Caramelized Banana French Toast
Breakfast Proteins
- We like balancing the sweet French toast with Bacon Pancakes or crispy Bacon & Potato Latkes for a hearty brunch.
- When we’re feeding a crowd, Hawaiian Roll Breakfast Sliders or Baked Prosciutto And Egg Breakfast Tart add a satisfying savory option to the table.
Other Favorites
- For a fruit-forward brunch, we love serving this French toast with Fried Plantains or warm Baked Peaches.
- If you’re planning a sweet and savory mix, ee like serving them with a side of Soft Scrambled Eggs With Cheese or crispy Bacon & Potato Latkes for a savory crunch.
FAQs
Thick slices of brioche, challah, or French bread work especially well because they absorb the custard without falling apart. Choose slices that are at least 1 inch thick for a soft center and golden outside.
Use ripe bananas that are sweet but still fairly firm. Very soft or heavily spotted bananas can become mushy and may fall apart when you flip them in the skillet.
The bread may have soaked in the custard too long, or the skillet may not have been hot enough. Keep the heat at medium and cook each side for 3 to 4 minutes so the center has time to cook through.
Yes, you can cook the French toast ahead and reheat it in a skillet or toaster oven when you are ready to serve. For the best texture, make the caramelized bananas shortly before serving.
Maple syrup and whipped cream are simple options that pair well with the warm bananas. You can also add berries, Nutella, peanut butter, jam, or other fresh fruit.
Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or freeze the slices with parchment paper between them for up to 1 month. Reheat them in a skillet or toaster oven until warm and crisp, or microwave for 1 to 2 minutes for a quicker option.
More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Enjoy
- Easy Oven Baked French Toast – This oven baked French toast recipe brings a whole new meaning to comfort food! Perfect for weekend breakfasts or special brunch occasions.
- Air Fryer Yogurt Custard Toast – This viral TikTok Yogurt Custard Toast is topped with fresh berries and a 3-ingredient custard. Make it in the air fryer or oven!
- Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes – These Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes are thick, soft, and irresistibly tender. Made with simple ingredients, they’re perfect for breakfast.
- Chocolate Waffles with Cardamom – These chocolate waffles with cardamom are crispy, sweet, and tender. Paired with your favorite toppings, they’re the perfect breakfast!
If you try this Caramelized Banana French Toast recipe, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!
Caramelized Banana French Toast
Equipment
- 12-inch non-stick pan
Ingredients
Caramelized Bananas
- 4 bananas, cut in half
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 tbsp butter, unsalted
French Toast
- 8 slices bread, at least 1 inch in thickness
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 4 tbsp butter, unsalted
Instructions
French Toast
- In a bowl or shallow dish, whisk the eggs, cream, and sugar together. Next, heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Dip one or two bread slices (depending on the size of your skillet) in the egg wash so both sides are covered. Add the slice(s) to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining slices.
Caramelized Bananas
- Add the butter to the skillet over medium heat and wait for it to melt. Next, sprinkle the sugar over the melted butter.
- Lay the banana halves over the butter and sugar in the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the banana slices and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon the caramelized bananas and sauce over your french toast and enjoy!
Notes
- Use thick bread. Slices that are at least 1 inch thick absorb the custard without becoming too soft or falling apart.
- Choose firm, ripe bananas. They should be sweet but sturdy enough to hold their shape as they caramelize.
- Keep the heat at medium. This gives the French toast time to cook through without burning the butter or browning too quickly.
- Dip the bread just before cooking. Coat both sides in the egg mixture, but do not let softer bread soak for too long or it can become soggy.
- Avoid crowding the skillet. Cook 1 or 2 slices at a time so the bread has enough room to brown evenly.
- Let the bananas cook undisturbed. Give them 2 to 3 minutes before flipping so they develop a golden, caramelized surface.
- Watch the brown sugar sauce closely. Sugar can burn quickly, so lower the heat if the sauce starts getting too dark.
- Keep cooked French toast warm. Place finished slices in a 200°F oven while you cook the remaining batches.
- Add the bananas right before serving. Spoon the warm bananas and sauce over each plate at the end so the French toast stays crisp around the edges.
- Reheat leftovers in a skillet or toaster oven. This restores the golden exterior better than microwaving.
Karen
elevated french toast!! it was an absolute success this morning, I added cinnamon & vanilla extract to the toast and made the bananas with coconut oil and coconut sugar (cause was running out the original ingredients) will definitely do it again ❤️
Nata’s Cake Studio
Absolutely delicious and easy to make! A perfect recipe for a Saturday or Sunday morning! ♥️?
Meagan
So delicious. Easy to make. Can’t wait to make this again
Anya
This looks scrumptious! Can’t wait to make this !
I want to take this to a friends brunch, how would you recommend I take it with bananas already on it or toast separate and top it with bananas once I get there ?
Nataliya
So delicious
Love the caramelized bananas amazing touch , I topped it with toasted pecans and wow delicious
Renata
I loooooved this french toast! Really delicious!
And the caramelized bananas?! OMG! Dreamy and soooo tasty!
Totally worth it and perfect to eat drinking coffee in the morning!! 😀
Tanya
Soo good and so easy to make. I had to make it twice in one day. Must try!
Tanya
Seriously soo good and so easy to make. I had to make it twice in one day. Must try!
lenaskitchen
This was so easy I would love to have this every breakfast