This amazing Banana Cinnamon French Toast is a delicious take on the classic breakfast dish! Sweetened with banana and grilled to golden brown perfection, this is a meal everyone will love.
Perfect for a special brunch or breakfast for dinner, the crispy fried edges pair with a fluffy and delicious center. The end result is an indulgent french toast with warm cinnamon and banana flavors!
Jump to:
- 🩵 About This Recipe
- What readers are saying...
- 🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- 🔪 Let's Make Banana Cinnamon French Toast!
- 💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- ❔ FAQs
- 📝 Substitutions and Variations
- 🥡 Storage and Reheating
- 🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
- 😋 More French Toast Recipes You'll Love
- 📋 Recipe Card
- 💬 Reviews and Comments
🩵 About This Recipe
Weekends are for yummy breakfasts that are fancier than meals I make during the week. We have lots of favorites like Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole and Chocolate Crunch Raspberry Waffles. YUM!
But today we're talking everything about French toast starting with: Where does it come from? Have you ever wondered? Please tell me I'm not the only one!
Versions of this meal have been around since the beginning of time. As one of the best ways to use up stale bread, I'm guessing this started as a meal of frugality. Waste not! And that makes it perfect for here and now.
It's great for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, so whatever meal you're serving, this quick and yummy recipe will be appreciated by all!
If you're looking for more banana goodness in your breakfast, try making a Kiwi Banana Matcha Smoothie! Or if you just need another way to use up some of those bananas, try making these soft and cakey easy banana cookies or this easy and delicious no egg banana bread.
And my French toast lovers need to try this Air Fryer French Toast recipe!
What readers are saying...
Made this on the weekend and it was quick, easy, and absolutely delicious!
- Madeline
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- bananas - overripe, soft, sweet bananas are best for this recipe.
- eggs - coats the bread, helping it cook up golden brown.
- vanilla extract - adds warm, sweet flavor.
- cinnamon for cozy flavor.
- milk - helps the bread stay soft and moist.
- oatmeal bread, or oatnut bread, or use what you have on hand!
🔪 Let's Make Banana Cinnamon French Toast!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Combine Ingredients
Add the bananas, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and milk to a blender.
Blend
Puree until the mixture is well-blended and slightly frothy.
Coat Bread
Pour into a bowl large enough to fit a piece of the bread - a pie tin works great. Dip a slice of bread in the banana-egg mixture, coating it entirely.
Pan Fry
Spray the skillet with non-stick spray and heat on medium-high, then place slices on the skillet.
Flip
Cook until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Be careful not to oversoak the bread, as this can lead to soggy french toast. Just let it sit in the mixture enough to soak in evenly.
- The best golden brown color and crisp exterior will come when you allow the skillet to fully preheat before adding the french toast.
- Keep in the oven at low heat to keep finished french toast warm while you work on finishing the batch.
- Use a larger skillet if possible to make room for more french toast at a time. Be careful not to crowd the skillet to allow each piece to cook fully.
❔ FAQs
I love the nutty flavor and the robust texture from the oatmeal or oatnut bread. For me, whole grain bread is the key. (FYI, I use the Pepperidge Farm oatmeal bread or the Arnold brand oatnut bread.)
But, you can use the bread you prefer or what is available to you at the time. My picky eater actually does not care for the oatnut bread; it is a texture thing, so I make a few slices for him using our regular whole grain bread, and it is also very good.
When you dip the bread into the custard, don't leave it in too long - just get it covered - not completely saturated with liquid. Lay it on the heated skillet and lightly press down. Then grill until golden and crispy on the edges; turn over and replicate for side two.
The best way to keep it warm and crispy is to preheat your oven to the lowest setting. Put a rack in the oven and as each slice finishes on the grill place it on the rack. The rack will allow the air to circulate and keep the bread crispy and warm.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
Bread Variations
- brioche - rich and dense, it soaks up the batter so nicely, it's always a great choice!
- challah, ciabatta or any day-old bread works just fine.
- plain ole' white bread - the kids love it and always clean their plate.
Egg Mixture Variations
- Add a dash of nutmeg.
- Skip the banana and use about 1 cup of applesauce instead.
- Reduce the milk to ⅓ cup and add about 3 tablespoons honey for more sweetness.
- Use almond milk or another non-dairy milk. You can even use the vanilla varieties of those milks for an extra kick of vanilla!
- Sprinkle some chocolate chips on top right after removing from the skillet for a decadent, melty, chocolatey experience!
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
For the best, tastiest, and most natural syrup, you want to make sure you are using Grade A Pure Maple Syrup. Pancake syrup is often made with corn syrup and molasses and artificial flavors. Once you try pure maple syrup, you will never go back!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
If you have leftover french toast, transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 days or so. You can also freeze french toast for up to 2 months. I recommend placing squares of parchment between the slices so they don't freeze together.
Reheat french toast in the microwave, the toaster oven, or a skillet. Allow frozen french toast to thaw in the fridge before reheating for best results!
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this banana cinnamon french toast recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
This recipe is very easy, so delicious, and great for a brunch. The kids use syrup for some extra sweetness, but I like it with just a touch of butter on top. A side of fresh, juicy strawberries pairs really well with it too! Here are some more ideas:
- applesauce and creamy yogurt - delicious!
- fruit - sliced bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Frozen fruit heated with some sugar makes for a wonderful syrup!
- butter, powered sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon - simple perfection.
- jam or jelly - heat it until it's warm and it becomes a rich, sweet glaze.
- butter and honey - simple, but perfect every time.
😋 More French Toast Recipes You'll Love
- Sourdough French Toast with Kahlua - Elegant variation on sourdough French toast incorporating the coffee-infused sweet flavor of Kahlua!
- Baked Brioche French Toast with Butterscotch - This baked french toast with brioche is an easy-to-make breakfast treat with butterscotch syrup baked right in and topped with a crispy graham cracker crumble.
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple French Toast - Wake up to the enticing aroma of this warm and hearty breakfast that is sure to give your family a great start to their day.
- Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Sticks - This recipe from Half Baked Harvest is the perfect sweet treat for a special breakfast or brunch!
get your copy now!
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Cinnamon French Toast with Banana
⭐ Did you make this recipe? Awesome! I would love to hear from you. Please give it a star rating and review below! 👇
📋 Recipe Card
Banana Cinnamon French Toast
Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ cup milk
- 12 slices oatmeal bread (or your favorite)
Instructions
- Place the bananas, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and milk in a blender.2 bananas, 4 eggs, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, ½ cup milk
- Puree until everything is combined and the mixture is slightly frothy.
- Pour into a bowl large enough to fit a piece of the bread. Spray a skillet with non-stick spray and heat on medium-high. Dip a slice of bread in the banana-egg mixture, coating it entirely.12 slices oatmeal bread
- Place on the skillet and as many dipped slices as will fit.
- Cook each side until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
- Repeat process with the remaining bread and banana-egg mixture.
Notes
Prep Tips:
- Don't oversoak the bread. Just quickly coat each slice so it doesn't become too soft or fall apart.
- Make sure the skillet is fully heated before adding the bread so you get that nice sizzle and golden exterior.
- To keep finished slices warm and crisp while cooking the rest, place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet in the oven on the lowest setting.
Variations:
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice.
- Use whole grain, brioche, challah, or sourdough bread.
- You can swap the bananas for applesauce if desired.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm topped with butter and pure maple syrup.
- Pair with fresh fruit for an easy breakfast or brunch.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar or chopped nuts for a pretty presentation.
Storage:
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze cooled slices with parchment or wax paper between layers for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, warm slices in the toaster, oven, skillet, or microwave until heated through.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in June 2013, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in June 2026.
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Happy cooking!
Madeline says
Made this on the weekend and it was quick, easy, and absolutely delicious! Also, thank you, for posting alternatives, tips, and extras to make the french toast even more yummy!
Kristin says
You are welcome! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for your feedback! 🙂
Michele @ Flavor Mosaic says
This looks delicious and would be perfect for Mother's Day.
Kristin King says
Thanks, Michele!
Karly says
What a great breakfast! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Kristin says
Thanks Karly! And thanks for hosting the link party! 🙂
Jg1223 says
honestly not the best i think the only thing it has going for it is the falvor but texture wise its a no for me i think blending this makes it to frothy when is reality a custard is not frothy
Kristin King says
I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this, I probably should not have used the word 'custard' to describe the mixture because the end result is not supposed to be like a custard at all. I will change that to say 'egg-milk mixture' so that no one else will have that expectation. My apologies for the misunderstanding!
Roz@weightingfor50 says
OOOH!!!! Congrats on the new "arrival" Kristin. You're going to LOVE the camera! I have a Canon Rebel as well, and some days, I love it even more than I love my husband. 🙂 Just kidding. Well...sort of! Happy Shooting!!!
Tina @epicuricloud.com says
Yay Kristin - Congrats on the camera!! I'm in the same place and need to just go buy one!
Love the new photo!! Have fun shooting all those yummy pictures!!
T