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Upside-Down Bananas Foster French Toast Bake Recipe

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4.3 from 13 reviews

This Upside-Down Bananas Foster French Toast Bake is a decadent and comforting breakfast casserole featuring layers of caramelized bananas and pecans beneath custard-soaked bread cubes. Perfect for a special brunch or holiday morning, this recipe combines the rich, buttery flavors of Bananas Foster with the classic appeal of French toast baked to golden perfection. It’s easy to prepare ahead and bakes to a gooey, sweet-tart treat that can be served with fresh berries, powdered sugar, or maple syrup for extra indulgence.

  • Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes (including chilling)
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the Caramel:

  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • 1/3 cup salted butter, melted (unsalted is fine, too!)
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans
  • 2-3 bananas, sliced

For the French Toast:

  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 ½ cups vanilla unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 pound/loaf day old French or Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

For the Topping:

  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar), for sprinkling

For Serving:

  • Fresh berries
  • Extra banana slices
  • Powdered sugar
  • Maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Dish: Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish or 2-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy release of the baked French toast.
  2. Make the Caramel Layer: In a medium bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar. Pour this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it towards the edges. Sprinkle sliced bananas and chopped pecans over the caramel layer, embedding them well to form the base.
  3. Add the Bread: Evenly distribute the cubed day-old French or Italian bread on top of the banana-pecan caramel mixture, ensuring full coverage.
  4. Make the Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
  5. Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, pressing gently with a spatula or your hands to help all pieces absorb the liquid. If some pieces remain dry, push them down to soak up the custard thoroughly.
  6. Refrigerate: Cover the baking dish securely and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight, to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard.
  7. Preheat Oven and Add Topping: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle 1/4 cup brown sugar evenly over the top of the soaked bread cubes for a sweet, caramelized crust.
  8. Bake: Bake the French toast casserole for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  9. Serve Upside-Down: To serve, invert each portion so the banana and pecan caramel side is on top. Plate with fresh berries, extra banana slices, powdered sugar, and maple syrup as desired. Enjoy warm!

Notes

  • Using day-old bread is essential to prevent the casserole from becoming too soggy.
  • Feel free to substitute almond milk with any milk of your choice, including dairy or other plant-based options.
  • This dish can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated overnight for convenience.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or substitute with seeds.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
  • Author: Amelia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://recipesvibe.com/upside-down-bananas-foster-french-toast-bake-recipe/