Topping classic french toast with sunny caramelised bananas is a wonderfully sweet way to brighten up any brunch table.

French toast can be stuffed and baked and bruleed and even deep fried but sometimes simple classic french toast is just what the weekend ordered. Of course keeping the base simple certainly doesn’t mean you can’t top it with something a bit special.

Caramelised bananas add impressively complex flavours to french toast with very little effort. A sear and a simmer, a splash of something extra, et voila, brunch is served.

Let us know if you make the recipe! Leave us a comment below, and if you share a photo on Instagram or Facebook don’t forget to tag us @thenwebrunch and #thenwebrunch. Happy brunching!

Print

Caramelised Banana French Toast

Sure, you can simply put syrup on your french toast -- but when there's sweet and sticky caramelised bananas on the table, why would you?! While any kind of bread is perfectly sufficient for french toast, pillowy brioche or challah are our go-to for an indulgent treat.

Serves: 2 people

INGREDIENTS

• 3 slices brioche or challah, halved
• 1/4 cup milk or non-dairy milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• pinch salt
• oil for cooking

For the caramelised bananas

• 2 Tbsp real maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp bourbon, rum or unsweetend apple juice

METHOD

1. In a wide shallow dish whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Preheat a griddle or large skillet on medium low heat and spray or wipe with a bit of oil.
   

2. Dip a slice of bread into egg mixture, turn to coat and place into the hot pan -- repeat with remaining bread (you may need to do this in batches). Cook 2 - 3 minutes until golden, flip and cook a further 2 - 3 minutes. Place french toast on plates.
   

3. Peel bananas, cut in half then slice each half lengthwise so you have 4 pieces from each banana (8 total). Brush cut sides of bananas with a bit of the syrup.
   
4. Wipe out pan from cooking your french toast, add butter and place over medium-high heat. When butter is sizzling add bananas, cut-side down, and cook 1 minute until golden. Carefully flip bananas, add remaining caramel syrup and liquor or juice and simmer 30 seconds.
   

5. Remove pan from heat, spoon fruit and syrup over french toast and serve immediately.
   

NOTES & SUBSTITUTIONS

• Brioche can be replaced with whatever gluten full or gluten free bread you have on hand.
• To keep french toast warm while cooking the bananas you can place it on a rack in a warm oven (100°C / 200°F) until ready to serve.
• For a thinner banana caramel add 1 Tbsp water to the pan with the syrup and liquor.

DIETARY

NATURALLY: VEGETARIAN ♥ NUT FREE ♥ SOY FREE ♥ REFINED SUGAR FREE

OPTION FOR: GLUTEN FREE ♥ DAIRY-FREE