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Upside-Down Bananas Foster French Toast Bake Recipe

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3.8 from 3 reviews

This Upside-Down Bananas Foster French Toast Bake is a rich and indulgent breakfast casserole featuring a luscious caramel layer infused with bananas and pecans, topped with custardy, cinnamon-spiced French toast cubes. Perfect for an effortless make-ahead dish that bakes into a golden, fragrant treat, it offers an elegant twist on classic French toast with a delightful upside-down presentation.

  • Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes to overnight plus cooking time
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the caramel:

  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • 1/3 cup salted butter, melted (unsalted is fine, too!)
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans
  • 2-3 bananas, sliced

For the French toast:

  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 ½ cups almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
  • 1 pound/loaf day old French or Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

For the topping:

  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar), for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking dish: Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish or 2-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Make the caramel layer: In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Pour this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it towards the sides. Sprinkle the sliced bananas and chopped pecans evenly over the caramel layer to create the base of the bake.
  3. Assemble the French toast layer: Evenly distribute the cubed bread over the banana-pecan caramel layer, ensuring full coverage.
  4. Prepare the custard mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, almond milk, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla bean paste until well combined.
  5. Soak the bread: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently if needed to make sure all pieces absorb the custard. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the bread to soak fully.
  6. Preheat the oven: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  7. Add topping and bake: Sprinkle the 1/4 cup of brown sugar evenly over the soaked bread. Bake uncovered for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until the top is a nice golden brown and set in the center.
  8. Cool and serve: Let the bake cool for 10 minutes before cutting into 8 servings. When plating, flip each portion upside down so the caramel, pecans, and bananas are on top. Serve with optional fresh berries, yogurt, powdered sugar, or maple syrup as desired.

Notes

  • Use day-old bread for best texture, as it absorbs the custard better without becoming mushy.
  • Almond milk can be substituted with any milk of choice according to preference or dietary needs.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or replace with seeds like pumpkin seeds.
  • Make the bake ahead and refrigerate overnight to save time in the morning.
  • Be sure to evenly soak the bread cubes with custard for a custardy interior and nicely set bake.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes to 1 hour
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://iamstarved.com/upside-down-bananas-foster-french-toast-bake-recipe/