Indulge in the Ultimate Make-Ahead Banana Chocolate Chip Baked French Toast
Hello, culinary enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a breakfast sensation that promises pure delight with minimal morning effort: Banana and Chocolate Chip Baked French Toast. This incredibly versatile recipe is brought to us by my dear friend, Chung-Ah, the brilliant mind behind the wildly popular blog, Damn Delicious. If you haven’t explored her treasure trove of recipes yet, you’re genuinely missing out on some of the most innovative and scrumptious dishes online. Chung-Ah is not just a talented cook but also a wonderfully kind person – she once even sent me rare chips from Trader Joe’s when I couldn’t get them! Her creativity shines through in recipes like Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes, Southwest Quinoa Sliders with Avocado Cream Sauce, and her incredibly flavorful Hoisin Asian Meatballs, each a testament to her culinary prowess.
I’m thrilled to host Chung-Ah as a guest author today. I’m constantly adding her recipes to my must-make list, and I’m sure you will too once you discover her delicious creations. Her dishes are always a hit, and I’ve been eyeing her Cheeseburger Soup for a while now – it sounds absolutely divine. But for today, she’s gracing us with a different kind of comfort food, one that elevates your breakfast or brunch game to an entirely new level: baked French toast.
The Magic of Make-Ahead Baked French Toast
What makes baked French toast an absolute game-changer, especially for weekend brunches or holiday mornings? Its sheer convenience. Unlike traditional French toast, which requires standing over a hot griddle flipping slices one by one, this baked version allows you to prepare everything the night before. Imagine waking up, preheating your oven, and simply sliding in a dish that will emerge golden, bubbly, and fragrant, ready to feed a hungry crowd of six (or more!). This eliminates the morning rush and stress, letting you truly relax and enjoy time with your family and guests. It’s the perfect solution for effortless entertaining, ensuring everyone gets a warm, delicious breakfast simultaneously.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the ability to soak overnight. This prolonged soaking time allows the cinnamon swirl bread to fully absorb the rich custard mixture, resulting in an incredibly tender interior that practically melts in your mouth. The edges become beautifully caramelized and slightly crisp, offering a delightful textural contrast. This “set it and forget it” approach transforms a labor-intensive breakfast into a leisurely affair, making it a staple for anyone who loves delicious food without the fuss.
A Symphony of Flavors: Banana, Chocolate, and Cinnamon
This particular baked French toast recipe features a harmonious blend of flavors that truly sing. Starting with generous cubes of cinnamon swirl bread provides a built-in warmth and spice, forming the perfect base. Layered with slices of ripe banana, which soften and sweeten during baking, and miniature chocolate chips that melt into delightful pockets of gooey indulgence, every bite is a revelation. The natural sweetness of the bananas complements the rich chocolate, while the cinnamon adds a comforting depth, creating a breakfast experience that feels both luxurious and homey. Paired with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and a side of crispy bacon, this isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of morning flavors that you’ll crave repeatedly.
To elevate this breakfast further, Chung-Ah includes an irresistible oatmeal topping. This simple addition of oats, brown sugar, and butter, crumbled over the top before baking, creates a wonderfully crisp, streusel-like crust. This crunchy layer not only adds an exciting texture contrast to the soft French toast beneath but also introduces a nutty, buttery flavor that beautifully rounds out the sweetness of the bananas and chocolate. It’s an extra touch that truly sets this baked French toast apart, making it a memorable dish for any occasion.
Banana and Chocolate Chip Baked French Toast
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Ingredients
- 1 loaf sliced cinnamon swirl bread, cubed
- 3 small bananas, sliced
- 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Maple syrup, for serving
For the oatmeal topping:
- 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Instructions
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Lightly coat an 9-inch square baking dish with nonstick spray. Place 1/3rd of the bread cubes evenly into the baking dish. Top with 1 sliced banana and about 1/3rd of the chocolate chips. Repeat with the remaining ingredients for 2 more layers.1 loaf sliced cinnamon swirl bread, 3 small bananas, 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
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In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, butter and vanilla. Pour mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press down to make sure the bread is mostly covered with the custard mixture. Cover and place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.1 1/2 cups milk, 4 large eggs, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Preheat oven to 350º F.
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To make the oatmeal topping, combine oats, sugar and cold butter, using your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the oatmeal topping evenly over the bread cubes.1/4 cup old fashioned oats, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup unsalted butter
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Place into oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until golden brown.
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Serve immediately, drizzled with syrup, if desired.Maple syrup
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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Expert Tips for the Best Baked French Toast
Achieving the perfect baked French toast is all about a few key considerations. First, the bread choice is crucial. While cinnamon swirl bread is fantastic for its inherent flavor, you can also use challah, brioche, or even day-old artisan white bread. The slightly stale nature of day-old bread helps it absorb the custard without becoming soggy. Cubing the bread provides more surface area for that beautiful golden crust and ensures every bite is infused with flavor.
When preparing the custard, ensure your eggs, milk, and melted butter are well combined. The vanilla extract is non-negotiable for its aromatic depth. Pressing the bread cubes gently into the custard ensures maximum saturation – this is vital for that incredibly soft, custardy interior. The overnight soak isn’t just for convenience; it allows the bread to thoroughly absorb the liquid, developing a rich flavor and tender texture that a quick soak simply can’t achieve. If you’re short on time, a minimum of 2-3 hours in the refrigerator will still yield good results, but for the ultimate experience, plan ahead for an overnight rest.
Don’t forget the oatmeal topping! This is what transforms a great baked French toast into an extraordinary one. The simple mixture of old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, and cold butter, rubbed together until crumbly, creates a divine contrast to the soft French toast. Sprinkle it evenly over the top just before baking to achieve a beautiful golden-brown, crispy layer that adds both texture and a hint of nutty sweetness. Monitor your oven carefully; while 35-45 minutes is a good guideline, ovens vary. Look for a golden-brown top and a set center – a knife inserted should come out mostly clean.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
While this Banana and Chocolate Chip Baked French Toast is phenomenal on its own, a drizzle of warm maple syrup is highly recommended. To elevate your serving, consider adding a dollop of freshly whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a side of fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for a pop of color and tartness. A sprinkle of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, can also add extra crunch and flavor.
Feeling adventurous? The beauty of baked French toast is its adaptability. Consider these delightful variations:
- Berry Blast: Swap bananas for mixed berries (fresh or frozen) for a vibrant, fruity twist.
- Nutty Indulgence: Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the bread layers for extra texture and a nutty flavor profile.
- Spice It Up: Introduce a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the custard for a more complex spice blend.
- Citrus Zest: Grate some orange or lemon zest into the custard for a bright, refreshing note.
- Different Chocolate: Experiment with dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or even a mix of milk and dark for varied sweetness.
- Caramel Drizzle: Instead of or in addition to maple syrup, a warm caramel sauce can take this dish to new heights of decadence.
No matter how you choose to customize it, this baked French toast recipe promises a truly special breakfast or brunch experience that will impress your guests and satisfy your sweet cravings.
A huge thank you to Chung-Ah for sharing this incredible recipe with us today! We know how busy you are, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to inspire our readers with your culinary genius. Make sure to visit Chung-Ah’s blog, Damn Delicious, for more fantastic recipes, and connect with her on social media to keep up with her latest creations. You can find Chung-Ah on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Happy baking, everyone!