This simple banana french toast bake is a delicious way to use up your ripe bananas creating a fantastic breakfast or brunch dish everyone will love! Low in sugar and fat, this french toast casserole takes just minutes to put together.
This banana french toast bake is super moist and fluffy, bursting with banana flavour and contains only 1 tablespoon of added sugar!
Making a french toast casserole is a super tasty way to enjoy your morning eggs! No matter how many ingredients you add your casserole won't burn as it no doubt would if you made it in a frying pan. It'll stay fluffy on the inside and nicely crisped up on the top.
Especially if you use soft rolls rather than bread. Rolls are light and absorb the egg mixture very quickly so you won't need to prepare anything the night before.
Banana french toast bake ingredients
I soaked the rolls in a mixture of eggs, milk and mashed bananas. In addition to the bananas the only other source of sweetness comes from a little demerara sugar I sprinkled over the top of the casserole for added crunch. I also drizzled the top with melted butter for a crispy finish.
Step-by-step recipe instructions
1.Tear up the buns and place in your casserole dish.
2. In a bowl mash the bananas using a fork.
3. In another bowl lightly beat the eggs with the milk to combine. Add the banana mixture and stir.
4. Pour the mixture over the bread, stir thoroughly and leave aside for 5 minutes.
5. Give another stir, sprinkle with the wheatgerm (omit if using wholewheat buns), and sugar, drizzle over the butter and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Remove from the oven and tuck in!
Serving suggestions
Delicious on its own, with a drizzle of maple syrup, a handful of fresh berries or a easy homemade fruit compote.
Substitutions
- Use either white or whole wheat/wholemeal rolls. Alternatively use a bit of both (just make sure they are soft).
- Regular mill can be replaced with any plant-based milk.
- Substitute light brown or cane sugar for the demerara if preferred.
Optional extras
This recipe is quite versatile and you can give it a different twist every time you make it. Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon or chocolate chips into the egg mixture if desired. You can also scatter flaked almonds or flaxseed over the top for extra crunch before drizzling with the melted butter.
Why is this banana French toast casserole healthy?
This baked French toast casserole is pretty low in both fat and sugar so it's quite healthy. I only used a bit of melted butter for drizzling so the top would crisp up. Plus I used low in fat, semi-skimmed milk. As for the sugar, apart from the bananas, which are naturally sweet, you'll only need a bit of sugar to sprinkle over the top.
Last but definitely not least is the addition of the wheatgerm in this banana French toast recipe. Wheatgerm is packed full of goodness and sprinkled over the top will also add colour and a subtle nutty flavour.
Top tip
Add the wheatgerm for extra fibre only if you are using white rolls. If you choose whole wheat buns there is no need to add the wheatgerm.
Top tips
- There is no need to soak the mixture overnight.
- I recommend using very ripe/overripe bananas because they are sweeter than firm, not quite ripe ones. As most of the sweetness comes from the bananas they need to be as sweet as possible. So overripe are best!
- I also recommend mashing the bananas using a fork, not pureeing. You'll be able to better appreciate the sweet baked banana pieces tucked in between the bread chunks.
- If you use white rolls I recommend sprinkling a little wheat germ over the top to add more fibre to your dish.
- This french toast casserole is best served hot straight from the oven. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.
You might also like
- Quick Blueberry French Toast Casserole
- Chocolate French Toast Skillet with Raspberries
- French Toast Muffins with Chocolate Chips
Check out also this collection of 18 healthy, easy vegetable breakfast recipes.
Keep in touch!
How has your banana french toast casserole turned out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for regular recipe updates! Or you could subscribe to this blog and receive all my latest recipes right into your mailbox!
Banana French Toast Bake (Low Sugar)
Equipment
- Medium casserole dish (approx. 6 cm deep)
Ingredients
- 3 medium rolls white or whole wheat, soft
- 3 very ripe medium bananas
- 3 large eggs
- ⅓ cup semi-skimmed milk/low fat milk
- 1 tbsp demerara sugar
- 1 tbsp wheatgerm if using white buns, optional
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 F/ 190 C/gas mark 5. You will need a medium size casserole dish approx. 6 cm deep.
- Tear up the buns and place in your casserole dish (they should be nice and snug).
- Mash the bananas using a fork. In another bowl whisk together the eggs and milk, combine with the bananas and stir well.
- Pour the mixture over the bread, stir thoroughly and set aside for 5 minutes. Give another stir, sprinkle the wheatgerm (omit if you are using wholewheat buns), sugar, drizzle with the melted butter and bake for 30-35 minutes.
Notes
- There is no need to soak the mixture overnight.
- I recommend using very ripe/overripe bananas because they are sweeter than firm, not quite ripe ones. As most of the sweetness comes from the bananas they need to be as sweet as possible. So overripe are best!
- I also recommend mashing the bananas using a fork, not pureeing. You'll be able to better appreciate the sweet baked banana pieces tucked in between the bread chunks.
- If you use white rolls I recommend sprinkling a little wheat germ over the top to add more fibre to your dish.
- This french toast casserole is best served hot straight from the oven. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.
- Delicious on its own, with a drizzle of maple syrup, a handful of fresh berries or a easy homemade fruit compote.
- Regular mill can be replaced with any plant-based milk.
- Substitute light brown or cane sugar for the demerara if preferred.
- Extras: Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon or chocolate chips into the egg mixture if desired. You can also scatter flaked almonds or flaxseed over the top for extra crunch before drizzling with the melted butter.Â
- Depending on the depth of your casserole dish baking times may vary. Â
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
How much bread would I use if I chose to substitute it for the buns?
2.5-3 slices, possibly 4, depending on the kind of bread you are using, thickness etc. The bottom line is it needs to be immersed in the milk and banana mixture but still be partly visible, as in the photos. So adjust the amount of milk accordingly. Hope it works out for you:)
This recipe sounds super amazing! Will totally give it a try on the weekends!
Thank you! Let me know how it turned out for you:)
What a fun and delicious recipe Monika.I love the use of bananas and bet they/the whole thing tastes amazing.... I have never heard of a 'french toast casserole' though.... is it different from a 'bread and butter pudding' in texture?
Thanks Kate! It's pretty eggy, but I am not really sure if it's different in texture from bread and butter pudding, probably quite similar.
I really love the idea of french toast casserole.
Thanks Balvinder!
OMG I could go bananas for this so up my street. Thank you for linking to #CookBlogShare and while you were on holiday too. Hope you are having a great time J x
This is a great Idea Monika!
Thanks DeeDee!