Banana Berry French Toast Recipe
There’s nothing quite like waking up on a lazy weekend morning and treating yourself to a stack of luscious French toast, topped with fresh bananas, strawberries, and blueberries, all drizzled in maple syrup—it’s basically the edible version of a warm hug from your brunch-loving soul. Who’s ready to dive into sweet breakfast bliss? 🍓🍌🥞
Banana Berry French Toast bursts with flavor right at the start of the day, and it’s an ideal breakfast because it’s so easy to make. The different elements heighten the dish’s flavors.
Brioche or challah bread is used as a base, and each slice of that is tender and rich. I think the mix of banana, strawberries, and blueberries offers a stunning trio of fruit.
They mesh well together. None of them is overly sweet, so their flavor paired with the hint of cinnamon and vanilla makes the dish just pop.
I served it alongside some lightly sweetened Greek yogurt, which offered a great balance.
Ingredients
- Brioche or Challah Bread: Rich in carbohydrates, adds a slight sweetness.
- Eggs: Provide protein and help bind the flavors together.
- Milk: Adds creaminess and richness to the custard mixture.
- Cinnamon: Enhances sweetness with a warm, spicy flavor.
- Butter: Creates a golden, crisp texture.
- Banana: Adds natural sweetness and provides fiber.
- Strawberries: Deliver a fresh, tart contrast and vitamin C.
- Blueberries: Offer antioxidants and a juicy sweetness.
Ingredient Quantities
- 4 slices of brioche or challah bread
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 ripe banana, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- Maple syrup, for serving
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
How to Make this
1. In a wide bowl, beat together the dairy, the eggs, and the extract from the vanilla pod until you have a smooth mixture. Then blend in the amount of cinnamon called for in the recipe.
2. Prepare a large skillet or griddle by heating it to medium. Add a tablespoon of unsalted butter to the skillet or griddle, and let it melt and coat the surface.
3. Soak each slice of brioche or challah bread in the egg mixture, making sure both sides are thoroughly saturated.
4. Put the bread slices that have soaked with the egg mixture in the preheated skillet. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. Adjust the heat of the skillet under them as necessary.
5. After all the slices are done cooking, move them to a plate for serving.
6. Slice and then arrange the banana, strawberries, and blueberries atop the warm French toast.
7. Pour the maple syrup over the fruit-laden French toast, taking care to use a generous amount.
8. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
9. Serve right away while warm.
10. Savor the Banana Berry French Toast as a delightful breakfast treat!
Equipment Needed
1. Wide bowl
2. Whisk or fork
3. Large skillet or griddle
4. Spatula
5. Measuring cup
6. Measuring spoons
7. Plate (for serving)
8. Knife (for slicing fruit)
9. Cutting board
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of bread?Of course, you may use another soft bread, but brioche or challah are the kinds that amplify the flavor and the texture along with the other ingredients the best.
- Is there a substitute for unsalted butter?Salted butter can be used, but the salt content in the rest of your dish may need to be adjusted.
- Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?This is optimal when freshly made, but you can get the egg mixture together and slice the fruit in advance. Cook the French toast to order.
- What can I use if I don’t have fresh berries?Berries that have been frozen make a suitable substitution; they just need to be thawed and drained before use.
- Is there an alternative to powdered sugar for dusting?The item can be completely left out or just lightly dusted with cocoa powder to create a different flavor profile.
- How do I make the French toast more savory?Omit the vanilla and cinnamon and add a pinch of salt or herbs to the egg mixture.
- Can I make this recipe dairy-free?Absolutely, you can replace the milk with any plant-based variety, and use a dairy-free butter substitute.
Banana Berry French Toast Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Milk: Use almond milk or oat milk instead of milk. Almond and oat milks are good for you and have a nice flavor. They are both low in calories and fat and do not contain cholesterol.
Vanilla extract: Use almond extract for a mild nutty flavor, or leave it out entirely.
Cinnamon in its ground form: Use ground nutmeg or, if you have it on hand, a pumpkin spice blend to give your baked goods a different profile in the spice department.
Raspberries: Use in place of strawberries, as availability, or preference permits.
Honey or agave syrup can be used as a substitute for maple syrup.
Pro Tips
1. Use Stale Bread: If possible, use day-old brioche or challah. Slightly stale bread absorbs the egg mixture better, resulting in a richer flavor and a crisper outer texture.
2. Infuse the Egg Mixture: Allow the egg mixture to sit for a few minutes after whisking to let the cinnamon and vanilla fully infuse, enhancing the overall taste of the French toast.
3. Optimal Soaking: Soak the bread slices one at a time in the egg mixture and ensure they are thoroughly coated. However, avoid oversoaking, as this can lead to soggy French toast.
4. Consistent Temperature: Maintain a consistent medium heat on your skillet. This ensures that the French toast cooks evenly and achieves a nice golden brown crust without burning.
5. Enhance Fruit Flavor: To elevate the taste of the fruit, you can lightly toss the banana, strawberries, and blueberries in a bit of the maple syrup before arranging them on the French toast. This adds a lovely glaze and intensifies the fruit flavors.
Banana Berry French Toast Recipe
My favorite Banana Berry French Toast Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Wide bowl
2. Whisk or fork
3. Large skillet or griddle
4. Spatula
5. Measuring cup
6. Measuring spoons
7. Plate (for serving)
8. Knife (for slicing fruit)
9. Cutting board
Ingredients:
- 4 slices of brioche or challah bread
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 ripe banana, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- Maple syrup, for serving
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a wide bowl, beat together the dairy, the eggs, and the extract from the vanilla pod until you have a smooth mixture. Then blend in the amount of cinnamon called for in the recipe.
2. Prepare a large skillet or griddle by heating it to medium. Add a tablespoon of unsalted butter to the skillet or griddle, and let it melt and coat the surface.
3. Soak each slice of brioche or challah bread in the egg mixture, making sure both sides are thoroughly saturated.
4. Put the bread slices that have soaked with the egg mixture in the preheated skillet. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. Adjust the heat of the skillet under them as necessary.
5. After all the slices are done cooking, move them to a plate for serving.
6. Slice and then arrange the banana, strawberries, and blueberries atop the warm French toast.
7. Pour the maple syrup over the fruit-laden French toast, taking care to use a generous amount.
8. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
9. Serve right away while warm.
10. Savor the Banana Berry French Toast as a delightful breakfast treat!