Banana-Walnut Delight French Toast Bake
Indulge in the ultimate breakfast experience with this Banana-Walnut Delight French Toast Bake! Inspired by BC's Most Requested Recipes, this dish is an irresistible combination of sweet, gooey caramelized bananas, crunchy walnuts, and soft cinnamon-swirl bread. Perfect for lazy weekends or festive brunches, this make-ahead recipe (1-24 hours) allows you to prepare it in advance, so you can savor every bite without the morning rush. Cook it up for family gatherings, or treat yourself to a delightful morning feast - either way, it's sure to leave everyone wanting more!
N/A
Servings
350
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Brown Sugar
1 1/2 cups (packed)
Butter or Margarine
1/2 cup (melted)
Corn Syrup
1/4 cup (none)
Chopped Walnuts
1/2 cup (chopped)
Medium Bananas
3 (sliced)
Cinnamon-Swirl Bread
1 loaf (sliced)
Eggs
6 (beaten)
Milk
1 1/2 cups (none)
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
2
Start by generously spraying the bottom and sides of a 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray or greasing it with shortening.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the packed brown sugar, melted butter or margarine, corn syrup, and chopped walnuts. Stir these ingredients together until well blended. Gently fold in the sliced bananas, being careful not to mash them.
4
Spoon the banana and walnut mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out to create a nice base for the French toast.
5
Next, take the loaf of cinnamon-swirl bread and arrange two layers on top of the banana mixture, tearing pieces to fit as necessary. Reserve any leftover heel pieces for a different use (the birds will appreciate it!).
6
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the bread layers, ensuring all pieces are soaked.
7
Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 24 hours for optimal flavor.
8
When ready to bake, uncover the casserole and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
9
Once baked, allow it to cool slightly before serving. To enjoy, serve portions upside-down, spooning the delicious sauce from the bottom of the dish over each serving.
Nutrition Information
18g
Fat
42g
Carbs
9g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Banana-Walnut Delight French Toast Bake?
It is a sweet and gooey breakfast dish featuring caramelized bananas, crunchy walnuts, and cinnamon-swirl bread, inspired by BC's Most Requested Recipes.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?
Yes, this is a make-ahead recipe that requires at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours of refrigeration before baking.
What type of bread is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for one loaf of cinnamon-swirl bread.
How many bananas are needed?
You will need 3 medium bananas, sliced for this recipe.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
What size baking dish is required?
A 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish is recommended.
How do I prepare the baking dish?
Generously spray the bottom and sides with cooking spray or grease it with shortening.
What ingredients make up the syrup base?
The base consists of packed brown sugar, melted butter or margarine, corn syrup, chopped walnuts, and sliced bananas.
Should I mash the bananas?
No, you should gently fold in the sliced bananas and be careful not to mash them.
How many layers of bread should I use?
Arrange two layers of cinnamon-swirl bread on top of the banana mixture.
What should I do with the bread heels?
The recipe suggests reserving the heel pieces for a different use, like feeding them to birds.
What are the ingredients for the egg mixture?
The egg mixture includes 6 beaten eggs, 1 1/2 cups of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How do I ensure the bread is properly soaked?
Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over the bread layers to ensure all pieces are soaked before refrigerating.
Do I need to cover the dish while it refrigerates?
Yes, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator.
How long does the French toast bake take to cook?
Bake the dish for 45-50 minutes in the preheated oven.
How can I tell when the bake is finished?
The dish is ready when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
How should the Banana-Walnut Delight be served?
Serve portions upside-down so the delicious banana-walnut sauce from the bottom covers each serving.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 9 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of this dish?
One serving contains 18 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 42 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for a brunch?
Yes, its make-ahead nature and decadent flavors make it perfect for festive brunches or family gatherings.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either melted butter or margarine.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include breakfast, brunch, french toast, make-ahead, banana, walnut, cinnamon, bake, and comfort food.
How many total ingredients are used?
The recipe uses 9 primary ingredients.
Is the brown sugar packed?
Yes, the 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar should be packed.
What kind of walnuts should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts.
Can I bake it for longer than 50 minutes?
You should check it at 45-50 minutes; it is done when the center is clean upon testing with a knife.
Is vanilla extract necessary?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to flavor the egg and milk soak.
How long should it cool before serving?
Allow the casserole to cool slightly after removing it from the oven before serving portions upside-down.