Bananas Foster Toast Recipe

ByBob Jones

Bananas Foster Toast is a delightful twist on the classic New Orleans dessert, Bananas Foster. I adore melding together golden, ripe bananas, thick slabs of bread like brioche or challah, and a rich, luscious sauce to create the ideal breakfast or brunch dish.

The bananas, which are filled with potassium and dietary fiber, supply natural sweetness and a great deal of not-quite-healthy magic. As a base, I usually use thick-cut toast, which gives the dish satisfying structural integrity and a big, breakfast-worthy presence.

And the toast is not just a delivery vehicle—it has also been prepped to soak up the banana sauce. To prepare the sauce, I melt unsalted butter and combine it with brown sugar to form a warm, sugary base.

The addition of ground cinnamon gives the sauce a bit of a kick that complements the bananas perfectly. I love the way the dark rum enhances the flavor and gives the sauce a depth that is typical of Bananas Foster.

The vanilla adds a smooth finish, and my secret ingredient—a pinch of salt—balances the sweetness so that you’re not just tasting sugar and bananas but something more nuanced and complex. To indulge even more, I occasionally drizzle maple syrup or dust the toast with powdered sugar.

This dish not only tastes fantastic but also provides an excellent vehicle for the banana to shine in a new and exciting form.

Ingredients photo for Bananas Foster Toast Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredients photo for Bananas Foster Toast Recipe

Ripe Bananas:
High in potassium and dietary fiber, imparting a natural sweetness and creaminess.

Thick-Cut Bread:
Delivers carbohydrates that supply energy, providing a robust underpinning to the dish.

Unsalted Butter:
Contributes depth and a creamy, buttery taste, boosting the incredible caramelization of the bananas.

Brown Sugar:
Provides sweetness and a profound molasses taste, indispensable for the caramel sauce.

Dark Rum:
Provides a rich and nuanced flavor that boosts the dessert’s elegance and complexity.

Cinnamon:
Provides sweetness and spice, harmonizing with the warm, sweet flavor of bananas.

Ingredient Quantities

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  • 2 ripe bananas, sliced

  • 4 slices of thick-cut bread (such as brioche or challah)

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 cup dark rum

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Pinch of salt

  • Maple syrup, for drizzling (optional)

  • Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

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Instructions

1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and arrange the slices of bread on a baking sheet. They should be placed in a single layer and toasted in the oven for about 5-7 minutes. You want them to be lightly crisped and just starting to turn golden.

2. In a large skillet, over medium heat, butter and melt. Add the sliced bananas and about 1-2 minutes; cook until you see them starting to soften.

3. Sprinkle the bananas with brown sugar and cinnamon; stir gently to coat the slices evenly.

4. Add the dark rum and vanilla extract, and then use a long match or lighter to safely ignite the rum. Let the flames die down. The caramelized rum flavor gives layers of flavor to the dessert that no one could ever guess unless you told them.

5. After the flames subside, you will want to cook the banana mixture for an additional 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye on it. You’re looking for the sauce to thicken slightly.

6. To the banana mixture, add a pinch of salt and stir to combine.

7. Take the sliced bread from the oven and place one slice on each serving plate.

8. Each slice of toast should be topped with equal amounts of bananas and sauce, ensuring that the bananas are evenly distributed.

9. If you are using it, drizzle with maple syrup and add an extra layer of sweetness.

10. Before serving, it is an elegant touch to dust with powdered sugar. Then, enjoy your delicious Bananas Foster Toast.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven 2. Baking sheet 3. Large skillet 4. Spatula 5. Long match or lighter 6. Knife (for slicing bananas) 7. Cutting board 8. Measuring spoons 9. Measuring cup 10. Serving plates

FAQ

  • Q: Can I use a different type of bread for Bananas Foster Toast?B: Yes, thick-cut bread works well, and you can use any type. However, for their rich texture, I would recommend either brioche or challah.

  • Q: Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for the dark rum?A: If you want to mimic the flavor of dark rum in your recipe, you can use this substitute: Mix 2 tablespoons of apple juice with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and use in place of dark rum.

  • Q: How ripe should the bananas be?To achieve the best taste and texture, use bananas that are yellow and have some brown spots.

  • Q: Can I prepare the bananas foster mixture in advance?For the best taste, prepare the dish fresh, but you can slice the bananas ahead of time and chill them in the refrigerator. Just be sure to sprinkle a little lemon juice on them first.

  • Q: Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?Yes, replace the butter with a non-dairy option and make sure the bread contains no dairy.

  • Q: How should I serve Bananas Foster Toast?Serve warm. You could drizzle a little bit of syrup on there if you wanted to—but it really doesn’t need it. I had the cake with a little bit of confectioners’ sugar on it, and that’s all I needed. It was sweet but not overly so.

Substitutions and Variations

2 ripe plantains, sliced (to replace ripe bananas with a different texture)
4 pieces of sourdough or whole-grain bread (instead of brioche or challah for a heartier option)
2 tablespoons coconut oil (a dairy-free replacement for unsalted butter)
1/4 cup coconut sugar (substituting for brown sugar to get a hint of coconut flavor)
1/4 cup apple juice or water with vanilla extract (as an alcohol-free alternative to dark rum)