Banana Bread French Toast

Posted Apr 01, 2026

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In this banana bread French toast recipe, slices of banana bread are dipped in a rich cinnamon-vanilla custard and cooked until golden brown for the most perfectly delicious breakfast or brunch!

Overhead photo of four slices of golden-brown banana bread French toast on a white speckled plate, topped with melting pats of butter and banana slices, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and syrup, and served with fresh blueberries and extra banana slices on the side next to a fork.

French toast is one of the most classic breakfast foods – but have you tried banana bread French toast?

You take everything you love about classic French toast – crispy edges, a moist custardy center, hints of cinnamon and vanilla — and make it even better by using banana bread.

What you get is a slightly caramelized, custardy slice of banana bread French toast that is so delicious it’ll change your life! It’s a special occasion breakfast that is incredibly easy to make.

You can make a loaf of banana bread specifically for this recipe, or use leftover or store-bought bread! Serve it with butter, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a dollop of homemade whipped cream for a delicious, special breakfast you’ll make again and again.

Close-up side view of a tall stack of banana bread French toast on a white plate, topped with butter and banana slices as maple syrup is poured over the top and drips down the golden-brown slices, with blueberries and extra banana slices blurred in the background.

Banana Bread French Toast: Ingredients & Substitutions

This recipe only requires seven ingredients, but as always we will discuss possible substitutions.

Overhead photo of the ingredients for banana bread French toast arranged on a light countertop, including a loaf of banana bread, eggs, butter, brown sugar, whole milk, vanilla, and cinnamon in small bowls with labels identifying each ingredient.

Banana bread. I suggest using my homemade banana bread recipe. It’s the best! Or, you can use a mix or store-bought bread. I make the banana bread at least a day in advance so it can cool completely before using in this recipe.
Light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar and coconut sugar are good substitutes.
Ground cinnamon. My family prefers Saigon cinnamon.
Whole milk. Half-and-half or even heavy cream work well in this recipe. You can use coconut milk if you’d like.
Salted butter. I highly suggest cooking this banana bread French toast in salted butter for the perfect flavor and texture. Unsalted butter works well too.

How to Make Banana Bread French Toast

We’ll walk through this recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video for additional guidance.

Begin by slicing the banana bread into ½” or ¾” thick slices – choose how thick you want it to be.

Overhead photo of a loaf of banana bread cut into slices and sitting on a cutting board with a large knife next to the loaf.

Then, make the custard by whisking the eggs, cinnamon, and brown sugar together in a shallow bowl or baking dish.

Making banana bread French toast: overhead photo of eggs, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla sitting together in a white speckled bowl on a gray countertop.

Add the milk and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture into a shallow baking dish or bowl that is large enough to dip your banana bread in.

Making banana bread French toast: overhead photo of milk added to egg mixture in a white speckled bowl on a gray countertop and whisked together.

Making banana bread French toast: overhead photo of French toast egg mixture after it has been poured into a white square casserole dish.

Next, melt ½ Tablespoon of salted butter on a preheated electric griddle or frying pan.

Making banana bread French toast: overhead photo of a white skillet greased with melted butter and sitting on a countertop.

While the butter is melting, put a slice of banana bread into the custard and let it soak on the first side for 3-5 seconds, then flip and repeat on the other side.

Making banana bread French toast: overhead photo of one slice of banana bread being soaked in an egg mixture in a white square casserole dish.

Remove bread from the custard and place it on the heated, buttered cooking surface. Cook for 4-6 minutes on the first side or until golden brown. Then flip and repeat on the second side and continue dipping/cooking until all the banana bread has been used.

Making banana bread French toast: two pieces of banana bread after being dipped in the custard, cooking on the first side on a buttered skillet

Making banana bread French toast: two pieces of banana bread cooking in a skillet

To keep the banana bread French toast warm: preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius) and put a baking sheet in the oven. Transfer cooked pieces of french toast to the baking sheet in the oven. This way you can serve it all at one time!

Making banana bread French toast: close-up photo of a white plate full of slices of banana bread French toast hot off the skillet.

Serve

Serve this French toast warm with butter, syrup, slices of bananas, whipped cream, cinnamon honey butter, etc.

We also love serving it with our favorite breakfast recipes like oven baked bacon, a delicious frittata, and fruit salad.

Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Freeze

Or you can freeze this banana bread French toast in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Reheat in a covered baking dish in the oven, or in the microwave.

Banana Bread French Toast Recipe FAQS

What type of banana bread works best for French toast?

I suggest my homemade banana bread. However, choose a bread that is sturdy, moist and not too fluffy (a little on the denser side).

Should banana bread be fresh or slightly stale for French toast?

Make sure it’s at least 1 day old.

How thick should the banana bread slices be?

You should slice the bread into ½” or ¾” slices.

How do you keep banana bread French toast from getting soggy?

Make sure the dip is no longer than 3 seconds on each side.

If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!

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Banana Bread French Toast Recipe

Laura

In this banana bread french toast recipe, slices of banana bread are dipped in a rich cinnamon-vanilla custard and cooked until golden brown for the most perfectly delicious breakfast or brunch!

No ratings yet

Course Breakfast, brunch

Cuisine American

Servings Servings

Calories 216

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time20

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat griddle to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Or, preheat a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
Cut the banana bread into ¾” thick slices.
Whisk the eggs, brown sugar, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl.
Then whisk in the milk and vanilla.
Pour into a shallow bowl or baking dish that is large enough to dip a piece of banana bread in.
Melt ½ Tablespoon butter on the preheated electric griddle (or fry pan).
While the butter is melting, dip a piece of banana bread into the custard and let it soak for 3-5 seconds. Then flip and repeat on the other side.
Remove the banana bread from the custard and place on the heated, buttered cooking surface.
Cook for 4-6 minutes on the first side or until golden brown.
Flip and cook on the second side for 4 minutes or until golden-brown.
Continue dipping/cooking until all the banana bread has been used.
Serve immediately with maple syrup, butter, etc.

Notes

*Note on loaf size: my homemade loaf was about 2 pounds, 880g.

Ingredient Substitution Notes

Banana bread. I suggest using my homemade banana bread recipe, it’s the best. Or, you can use a mix or store-bought. I make the banana bread at least a day in advance so it can cool completely before using in this recipe.

Light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar and coconut sugar are good substitutes.

Ground cinnamon. My family prefers Saigon cinnamon.

Whole milk. Half and half or even heavy cream work well in this recipe. You can use coconut milk if you’d like.

Salted butter. I highly suggest cooking this banana bread french toast in salted butter for the perfect flavor and texture. Unsalted butter works well too.

To Keep the French Toast Warm:

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius) and put a baking sheet in the oven. Transfer cooked pieces of french toast to the baking sheet in the oven. This way you can serve it all at one time.

Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Freeze

Or you can freeze this banana bread french toast in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Reheat in a covered baking dish in the oven, or in the microwave.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!