Bananas Foster French Toast

French toast and an iconic New Orleans dessert collide in this decadent Bananas Foster French Toast recipe. Made with a caramelized banana topping and a rich rum sauce this Bananas Foster French Toast is a decadent spin on classic French toast.

I adore French Toast. From classic French Toast to French Toast Casserole to Instant Pot French Toast Casserole, it is one of my favorite breakfast recipes.

Bananas Fosters French Toast takes my love of French Toast and bananas, and creates a breakfast recipe that makes me swoon!

Made with caramelized bananas, this Bananas Foster French Toast is the French toast recipe to make when you are craving something impressive, rich, and luxurious (it is also perfect for Mardi Gras along with Instant Pot Jambalaya or Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice later in the day!)

And just because this dish appears complicated, Bananas Foster French Toast is a pretty simple dish to make Even the bananas foster sauce! But we can let that be our little secret😉

Notes on Ingredients & Equipment

• Bread: I prefer a rich eggy challah bread when preparing French toast, but French bread or Italian bread will work as well. The bread should be a day old so it is a bit dried out and will absorb the egg custard better.
• Half and Half: For the egg custard, use half and half, cream, or whole milk for a rich, decadent result.
• Bananas: Select slightly under-ripe bananas when preparing a banana foster sauce. That way, the bananas will stay intact better when sauteed.
• Butter: Butter is key to creating the banana foster sauce. This is not the time to use non-dairy butter or margarine. It is best to use unsalted butter.
• Dark Rum: Rum is classic in Bananas Foster, but it is completely optional and should be omitted if preparing Bananas Foster French Toast for children. For the best flavor, use dark, not white or coconut, rum.
• Pan: If you are planning to make the bananas foster sauce with rum, you do NOT want to use a nonstick skillet. Instead, use a large stainless steel or cast-iron skillet.

How to Prepare Banana Fosters French Toast

The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step One: Prepare Egg Custard. For dipping the bread, the egg custard for this recipe is just like my recipe for classic French Toast, It is made by whisking eggs, half and half, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt together.

Step Two. Pan Fry French Toast. After dipping the bread into the custard, work in batches, to pan-fry the bread in melted butter until just golden on each side.

Step Three: Bake the French Toast. Once all of the bread has been browned, finish cooking it in the oven while you prepare the Bananas Foster sauce. By cooking the french toast in the oven, you create evenly cooked french toast, that is creamy, yet still crispy.

Step Four: Prepare Banana Foster Sauce. The sauce is made similar to a caramel sauce. Melt the butter and brown sugar together until melted and bubbly. Add the bananas to caramelize. Remove the bananas from the pan to a serving dish. Remove the pan from the heat and add in the rum. Carefully return the skillet to the heat, keeping in mind the sauce may ignite. That is okay! The flame will go out as the alcohol cooks off.

Step Five: Serve. Remove the French toast from the oven and serve with the rum sauce and caramelized bananas. Don't forget to pair it with a Homemade Latte and Candied Bacon for the ultimate brunch!

Storage & Reheating

Bananas Foster Sauce is best served immediately after preparing, as the bananas can become mushy as they sit.

The French toast, however, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a dry skillet or on a heat-safe plate in the microwave.

Dessert Worthy

While Bananas Foster French Toast is a decadent, swoon-worthy option for brunch, it also makes a fabulously decadent dessert when served with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.

More Breakfast Favorites

• Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
• Whole Wheat Waffles
• Overnight Breakfast Strata
• Easy Homemade Sausage Balls
• Sour Cream Coffee Cake
• Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
• Whole Wheat Pancakes

If you tried this Bananas Fosters French Toast Recipe, I would love to hear from you! Please be sure to leave a comment and review below.

This post was originally published in 2017 but updated in 2022 with new photos and a video.