Sourdough Banana Bread French Toast: Your New Favorite Breakfast

There’s a place nearby that makes one of my favorite brunch options EVER. It’s this banana bread French toast that is topped with a house-made spicy blueberry jam, and it’s to die for.

Vertical image of plates of French toast topped with yellow fruit, whipped cream, and maple syrup on a blue napkin, with text on the top and bottom.

The first time I tasted it, I was like, “WHOA, why have I never tried this idea at home before?”

If you know me at all, you know I have a serious obsession with banana bread. It’s my favorite easy-to-make recipe in the entire world, and I could eat a slice every day for the rest of my life (if my hips would suddenly decide to never gain weight again). And we have plenty recipes to do it: gluten-free, vegan, chocolate chip

At first, I thought this type of French toast might be entirely too heavy for early morning dining, but it’s really not as over the top as you might think. It’s scrumptious, but it certainly is not as indulgent or heavy as our banana chocolate chip cake!

Vertical image of two white plates with slices of bread garnished with whipped cream, slices of yellow fruit, and nuts on a blue tablecloth next to metal forks.

The thickly sliced baked treat is sweet and a little tangy, since this recipe uses the leftovers from my sourdough banana bread recipe. It has just the right balance, and you get this gorgeously moist and tasty interior that’s warmed all the way through…

Every single bite just melts in your mouth, with the occasional crunch of the walnuts dotted throughout each slice for an experience that is pure textural bliss.

Ever since I tried that dish at my favorite local brunch spot for the first time, I’d been jonesing to make it at home.

Vertical image of maple syrup being poured over a white plate with bread slices piled high with whipped cream, slices of yellow fruit, and nuts on a blue tablecloth next to a bowl of more sliced fruit.

My mom made the best French toast in the world when I was growing up… but now all that has changed (please don’t tell her I said that!). Now, all I have eyes for is this fantastic recipe.

It seriously couldn’t be easier to make. All I can say is, be ready to experience banana bread in a whole new way.

A small and shallow baking dish (I use an 8-by-8-inch cake pan) is going to be your best friend here, to whisk together the eggs, milk, and warming spices. It’s much easier to use a pan like this versus a bowl, so each slice has enough space to soak up the egg mixture when you dredge it.

Vertical image of a fork touching a plateful of sliced bread topped with whipped cream, yellow fruit slices, and nuts on a blue tablecloth.

Get out your bread knife and carefully create nice and thick slices of that homemade goodness. I like to make mine about an inch thick, because you want to really taste that banana flavor in every bite.

After that, you simply dredge and cook the slices up in a large skillet until they are golden brown.

I love to serve the warm slices with sliced fresh fruit, homemade whipped cream, and some maple syrup. But don’t be afraid to try fresh berries, powdered sugar, or homemade jam instead. Channeling my favorite brunch spot, I’ve served this with a homemade spiced blueberry jam.

Just go with whatever strikes your fancy.

Vertical image of two white plates with slices of bread piled high with whipped cream, slices of yellow fruit, and nuts next to white bowls on a blue tablecloth.

Pair all that with a big mug of coffee or some orange juice, and you’re ready to start the day. Serving up Bloody Marys or mimosas instead? Even better.

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Horizontal image of white plates with two slices of bread each topped with whipped cream, bananas, and nuts on a blue tablecloth.

Sourdough Banana Bread French Toast


  • Author: Meghan Yager
  • Total Time: 16 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x

Description

Sourdough banana bread French toast is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the most tasty breakfast, made from any leftover banana bread you have on hand.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup raw goat’s milk (or whatever milk you prefer)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 12 teaspoons coconut oil
  • 4 slices sourdough banana nut bread

Instructions

  1. In a small, shallow baking pan, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom until combined.
  2. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 
  3. Dip bread in the egg mixture one slice at a time, covering both sides.
  4. Place each slice into the skillet, and cook in batches of two at a time until the bread is golden on both sides, flipping halfway through. This will take about 2-3 minutes per side.
  5. Repeat with the remaining bread.
  6. Top as desired with fresh fruit and maple syrup, and serve immediately.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Category: French Toast
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Breakfast

Keywords: French toast, banana bread, sourdough

Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Slice Bread and Measure Ingredients

Horizontal image of a cutting board with glass bowls of dry and wet ingredients and four slices of dark bread.

Slice 4 pieces of sourdough banana nut bread, each about 1 inch thick. You could use another kind of banana bread for this recipe, but I love the sweet tanginess of this version, and it’s a great way to use up any extra sourdough starter that you may have on hand.

Measure out all of the remaining ingredients as listed on the ingredients list. Goat’s milk has more potassium and calcium than regular cow’s milk, and I used it because that’s what I had in the fridge. But feel free to use whatever type you like!

Step 2 – Make Dredging Liquid

Horizontal image of a square pan with a milk and spice mixture.

Add the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom to a small, shallow baking pan. Whisk to combine.

Step 3 – Dredge Slices

Horizontal image of a square pan with a milk and spice mixture with a piece of sliced bread soaking in it.

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the coconut oil.

Dip each slice into the egg mixture, and cover both sides.

Step 4 – Cook

Horizontal image of a pan with two pieces of toasted bread slices.

Add two slices to the hot skillet and cook in batches, until the slices are golden brown on both sides. Flip halfway through, cooking for about 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Repeat with the remaining bread. Top as desired, and serve immediately.

To make this recipe for a crowd, double it as needed.

Horizontal image of white plates with two slices of bread each topped with whipped cream, bananas, and nuts on a blue tablecloth.

I like to provide a selection of whipped cream, butter, fresh berries, sliced bananas, and pure maple syrup for my brunch guests. Take a look at what’s in season at this time of year, and choose your favorites to make this recipe your own!

Want to Enjoy French Toast Made Ahead of Time?

If you want to make this French toast ahead of time, you can totally cook it and then freeze it.

Simply cook it on the stove according to the instructions described above, and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. Then place a sheet of wax paper between each slice.

Horizontal image of two plates with a stack of bread slices, whipped cream, and sliced yellow fruit with metal forks, a scattering of nuts, and a bowl of more sliced fruit on a blue tablecloth.

Finally, wrap the stack up tightly in aluminum foil, and place the package inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. You can freeze these for up to 1 month, and reheating is simple.

To reheat, place the French toast slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and cover them with foil. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 375˚F. This is the best way to eat French toast in the middle of the week without any real cooking required!

Still hungry? Try these breakfast recipes from Foodal next:

What’s your favorite way to top French toast? Tell us in the comments below. And once you try the recipe, be sure to come back and rate it to let other readers know how much you enjoyed it!

Photos by Meghan Yager, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published by Shanna Mallon on February 22, 2013. Last updated May 13, 2020. With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.

About Meghan Yager

Meghan Yager is a food addict turned food and travel writer with a love for creating uncomplicated, gourmet recipes and devouring anything the world serves up. As the author of the food and travel blog Cake 'n Knife, Meghan focuses on unique foodie experiences from around the world to right at home in your own kitchen.

15 thoughts on “Sourdough Banana Bread French Toast: Your New Favorite Breakfast”

  1. This is absolutely incredible! Your pictures are gorgeous and this sounds like a perfect lazy weekend breakfast. This is a really special dish – definitely pinning this to try!

    Reply
  2. I never knew sourdough banana bread existed (silly me!) but I’m always looking for new ways to use my sourdough starter. Cannot wait to try this (and of course turn it into French Toast!!)

    Reply
  3. Hey Shanna – came across an old post and want to try it out w my sourdough starter which I’ve kept going since testing the sourdough einkorn english muffins 😉 Just wondering, is this a room temperature starter you used above or can it be used straight from the fridge? I assume room temp but just wondering. Thanks – I plan to make this this weekend!

    Reply
    • Hey, Christa! Hi! Man, it’s so hard to remember! My gut says that it was a fed starter, at room temp; hope that helps! If you get time, let me know what happens!! -s

      Reply

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