Bananas Foster French Toast with Banana Bread
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Bananas Foster French Toast with Banana Bread is one of those brunch recipes that feels a little extra in the best way. You take soft slices of banana bread, turn them into French toast, and then top everything with a warm, buttery bananas foster sauce. If you already love banana bread, this is the upgrade. It’s richer, more flavorful, and perfect for weekends, holidays, or anytime you want something that feels special without being complicated.
If you love banana bakes, you can also try my Banana Bread French Toast Casserole, Banana Bread Pudding or Banana Bread Biscuits.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft French toast texture: Banana bread soaks up the custard and cooks up soft in the center with lightly golden edges.
- Rich bananas foster sauce: Butter, brown sugar, rum, bananas, and walnuts make the warm topping sweet, buttery, and a little caramelized.
- Great for brunch: It feels special enough for a weekend or holiday breakfast, but it’s still easy to pull together.
- Make-ahead friendly: Bake the banana bread ahead of time, then turn it into French toast when you’re ready to serve.
- Uses leftover banana bread: This is one of the best ways to turn extra banana bread into a full brunch recipe.
My Brunch Take.
Brunch is my jam, and this is exactly the kind of recipe I love making when I want something that feels fun but not stressful. I already love banana bread and French toast, so putting them together and topping it with warm bananas foster sauce just makes sense. It’s cozy, sweet, a little over the top, and so good for a weekend breakfast or brunch.
What Is Bananas Foster?
Bananas Foster is a classic dessert made with bananas cooked in butter, brown sugar, and warm spices. It’s often finished with rum and served over ice cream, but it works just as well spooned over French toast.The sauce becomes thick, glossy, and slightly caramelized, which is exactly what makes this recipe so good.
Why Banana Bread Works for French Toast
Most French toast recipes use brioche or challah, but banana bread gives you a completely different result.
- It adds extra flavor without needing more ingredients
- It stays soft without falling apart
- It holds up well under the sauce
Use banana bread that’s slightly firm so it cooks evenly and doesn’t get too soft when dipped.
Ingredients
For the French Toast
- Banana bread, sliced (slightly firm works best)
- Eggs
- Milk (or dairy-free milk)
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Butter (for cooking)
For the Bananas Foster Sauce
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Bananas (sliced)
- Vanilla extract
- Rum (optional)
How to Make Bananas Foster French Toast with Banana Bread
Make the Custard
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth.
Dip the Banana Bread
- Dip each slice of banana bread into the custard, coating both sides without letting it soak too long.
Cook the French Toast
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook each slice until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
Make the Bananas Foster Sauce
- In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon and cook until bubbling.
- Add sliced bananas and cook until softened and coated in the sauce. Stir gently so they don’t break apart.
- Add vanilla and rum (if using) and cook for another minute.
Assemble
- Place the French toast on a plate and spoon the warm bananas foster sauce over the top.
- Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Bananas Foster French Toast
- Use banana bread that has cooled completely so it slices cleanly.
- Dip the slices quickly so they don’t fall apart.
- Cook over medium heat so the outside gets golden without burning.
- Keep the bananas slightly firm so the sauce doesn’t turn mushy.
- Serve while the sauce is warm.
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
How to Measure Bananas
Top Tips for Bananas Foster French Toast with Banana Bread
- Allow your butter to come to room temperature before mixing your banana bread batter.
- For the best texture, don’t overmix the banana bread. This will prevent it from becoming dense.
Bananas Foster French Toast with Banana Bread
Equipment
- 1 Mixing bowl/mixer
- 1 Loaf Pan
- 2 skillets
Ingredients
Banana Bread
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour)
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
French Toast
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Bananas Foster
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup spiced rum
- 1 banana, sliced
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
Make the Banana Bread
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a loaf pan with nonstick baking spray and set aside.
- Add the eggs and sugar to a mixing bowl and mix until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Add the mashed bananas, butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
- Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts.
- Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the banana bread cool completely before slicing.
Make the French Toast
- Add the egg, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon to a bowl. Whisk until combined.
- Slice the cooled banana bread.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add butter and let it melt.
- Dip both sides of each banana bread slice into the custard.
- Place the dipped banana bread in the skillet.
- Cook for about 3 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes, or until golden brown.
Make the Bananas Foster Sauce
- Add the butter, brown sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and spiced rum to a skillet over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the sauce begins to bubble.
- Add the sliced banana, cinnamon, and walnuts.
- Cook for about 2 minutes, until the bananas soften slightly and the sauce thickens.
- Spoon the warm bananas foster sauce over the banana bread French toast and serve.
Notes
- Bake the banana bread ahead of time and let it cool completely before making the French toast.
- A quick dip in the custard is enough. Do not soak the banana bread too long or it can fall apart.
- Use medium heat so the outside turns golden without burning.
- The rum can be omitted from the bananas foster sauce.
- Store leftover French toast and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Yes. The banana bread can be baked a day ahead, cooled completely, and stored covered until you’re ready to make the French toast.
Let the banana bread cool completely before slicing, and don’t let it sit too long in the custard. A quick dip on each side is enough.
No. You can leave the rum out and still get a buttery brown sugar banana topping.
Yes. Store-bought banana bread works if it is firm enough to slice and dip without falling apart.
Store leftover French toast and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
