Healthy Banana French Toast
Banana French toast is the perfect easy breakfast recipe for busy families—quick to make, naturally sweetened with ripe banana, and soft enough for toddlers and baby-led weaning. This healthy twist on a classic uses wholesome ingredients and takes just 15 minutes from start to finish. Ideal for mornings when you want something nutritious that still feels like a treat.
Why You'll Love This Banana French Toast
- Naturally Sweetened: Uses ripe banana for sweetness, no added sugar needed.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes, with minimal cleanup.
- Kid & Baby Friendly: Soft texture, no added salt or sugar, suitable for toddlers and baby-led weaning (see variation below).
Ingredients You Will Need
Ingredient Notes, Substitutes, & Allergy Swaps
- Milk: Any kind of milk works—cow’s milk, oat milk, almond milk, etc.
- Bread: Whole grain or wholemeal sandwich bread is ideal. For babies under 1, choose low sodium, soft bread.
- Banana: Adds sweetness and helps bind the mixture. Overripe bananas mash easily and are naturally sweet. No banana on hand? You can substitute with unsweetened apple sauce—just use about ¼ cup per banana. Try this easy homemade apple purée recipe from my site.
- Eggs: Essential for the structure and texture of French toast. Unfortunately, this recipe won’t work well with egg substitutes—eggs are what give French toast its classic custardy finish and help it hold together in the pan. This is also why it’s sometimes casually called eggy bread!
Banana French Toast Illustrated Step By Step Guide
Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make my Baby French Toast recipe, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.
Step one: Start with a good mash & mix
Grab a medium mixing bowl. In goes one lovely ripe banana—give it a solid mash with a fork until mostly smooth (a few lumps are fine!).
Now crack in two eggs, pour in a splash of milk, and sprinkle in some cinnamon if you like. A dash of vanilla is optional, but so good.
Step two: Batter’s ready
Once everything’s mixed up, your batter should be thick but pourable, with little banana flecks running through. If your banana was extra ripe, it’ll be naturally sweet and fragrant.
Step three: Soak the bread
Lay your bread slices into the bowl, giving each piece a little time to soak—about 5–10 seconds per side. You want the bread nicely coated but not falling apart. If you’re using super fresh bread, be gentle—a quick dip is enough. Day-old bread? Even better! It holds its shape and gives you that golden crust with a soft middle.
Save This Recipe!
I'll email this post to you, so you can easily come back to it later!
Step four: Into the pan
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add a little butter (or oil if dairy-free) and let it melt and bubble gently.
Place your soaked bread slices into the pan. Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown and set through. The smell at this point? So good. The banana caramelises just slightly—pure magic.
Step five: Cool and serve
Let the toast cool slightly before serving—it holds its shape better once it’s had a minute or two to rest. Then slice into fingers, triangles, or baby-friendly strips. Perfect for little hands, and big ones too. Serve as is or with yoghurt, fruit, or a thin spread of peanut butter.
Top Tips
Here is how you can make this Banana French Toast Recipe perfectly every time!
- Make a double batch and freeze leftovers! Reheat in a toaster or pan.
- For crispier edges, lightly toast the bread before dipping.
- This recipe is a great way to use up stale bread—French toast actually turns out even better with slightly older slices. If bread is very soft or fresh, a quick dip is enough—avoid it getting soggy.
- Not just for breakfast! Banana French toast packs beautifully into a lunchbox as a quick, handheld snack.
How to Make This Recipe Suitable For Baby Led Weaning
- Use iron-rich whole grain bread, ideally with no added sugar or salt.
- Cook slices until fully set and soft, then slice into strips for easy grasping.
- Always supervise and ensure safe serving for your baby’s stage of development.
Banana French Toast
RATE THIS RECIPE
Save This Recipe!
I'll email this post to you, so you can easily come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 1 large banana (the riper the better)
- ¼ cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla (optional)
- 4 slices bread
- butter or oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Mash the Banana: In a shallow bowl, mash the banana until smooth.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Whisk in the eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla (if using).
- Dip the Bread: Soak each bread slice in the banana-egg mixture, letting it absorb for 5–10 seconds per side.
- Cook: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add butter or oil. Cook the dipped bread slices for 2–3 minutes each side until golden and cooked through.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving.
Video
Notes
- Make a double batch and freeze leftovers! Reheat in a toaster or pan.
- For crispier edges, lightly toast the bread before dipping.
- This recipe is a great way to use up stale bread—French toast actually turns out even better with slightly older slices.
- The longer the soak, the more nutrient-dense each slice becomes, as it absorbs more of the egg, milk, and banana mixture—that’s why stale bread is ideal! If bread is very soft or fresh, a quick dip is enough—avoid it getting soggy.
- Not just for breakfast! Banana French toast packs beautifully into a lunchbox as a quick, handheld snack.
- Milk: Any kind of milk works—cow’s milk, oat milk, almond milk, etc.
- Bread: Whole grain or wholemeal sandwich bread is ideal. For babies under 1, choose low sodium, soft bread.
- Banana: Adds sweetness and helps bind the mixture. Overripe bananas mash easily and are naturally sweet. No banana on hand? You can substitute with unsweetened apple sauce—just use about ¼ cup per banana.
- Eggs: Essential for the structure and texture of French toast. Unfortunately, this recipe won’t work well with egg substitutes—eggs are what give French toast its classic custardy finish and help it hold together in the pan.
Quick Start Guide To BLW
Baby led weaning doesn’t need to be complicated, grab my quick start guide to begin your little ones food journey.