The following is a guest post by Tess Masters, The Blender Girl - actor, presenter, lifestyle personality, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies book, The Perfect Blend, and The Detox Dynamo Cleanse. She and her easy healthy recipes have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Real Simple, Prevention, Clean Eating, the Today Show, and other media outlets. She is the global spokesperson for KitchenAid blenders and lives in Los Angeles.
For a fabulous family breakfast, brunch, dessert, or (dare I say it?) snack, you can’t beat this phenomenal French toast. My family and I have been battering up with this baby for years, and it is a huge hit with everyone we serve it to. People even say they prefer this healthier incantation of the classic comfort food to its original counterpart! I've received thousands of elated emails and messages on social media about this righteous recipe since I included it in my latest book The Perfect Blend, so I had to share it with you.
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So simple, so delicious, so creamy, so crispy you may never blend your batter using dairy milk and eggs again. Yep! This terrific treasure is dairy free, egg free, and also gluten free, and it utilizes whole ingredients.
Now, before you grimace at the thought of using cardboard-like gluten-free sandwich bread (we all know how awful that can be), the brilliant batter in this recipe makes even the worst gluten-free bread full and fluffy! I use whole-grain gluten-free bread, but you could use regular whole-wheat bread as well. Just know that this recipe (ingredient ratios and cook times) has been calibrated for gluten-free bread. So, you may need more coconut oil when frying and will need to adjust the temperature of your stove top as well as the cook time.
But, resist the urge to use less coconut oil than what I've prescribed, otherwise, your bread won't crisp up. I don't know about you, but I love my French toast crispy on the outside and moist and chewy on the inside.
This French toast is a fun, family-friendly recipe. I make it with my niece and nephew, and they love soaking the bread and preparing their toppings so they can get their serving juuust right. The caramelized bananas I've included in this recipe are always a hit, but this fried bread will get cozy with any fruit that takes your fancy. Try serving it with stewed or poached apples, pears, peaches, rhubarb, or some fresh berries.
If you want to make this recipe nut-free, use rice, soy, or hemp milk in the batter, and top it with coconut flakes instead of nuts. Bon appetit!
Blend More Than Smoothies
I use my blender to make all kinds of delicious recipes. I think it's the greatest culinary tool we've been given since fire and spoons! So, I want to encourage you to use your blender beyond smoothies, soups, and cocktails. Your blender can make healthy fast food possible. Blending makes life easier, levels the playing field in the kitchen, and allows anybody to whip up nutrient-dense, tasty foods with limited skills and time.
While my books and website do contain a full repertoire of drinks, smoothies, and soups, you’ll find more than food to sip, glug, or scoop up with a spoon. My recipes are blender centered but by no means blender only. I favor blender-inspired dishes—appetizers, snacks, salads, desserts, and easy main dishes you can attack with your trusty knife and fork.
This is why I love this blender more than anything else on the market:
- The most powerful blender to pulverize ingredients for silky smooth consistencies.
- 3 Adapti-Blend™ pre-programmed settings for smoothies, soups, and juices.
- Insulated jar that keeps the contents cool when you're blending smoothies and juices.
- BPA-free container with soft-touch handle grip and asymmetric stainless steel blade.
- Speed dial that goes to 11 to take things beyond regular speeds to completely pulverize ingredients more quickly.
- Pulse switch for an extra boost of power at any speed.
This is the best blender I have ever used. And I own them all!
You May Also Enjoy
- Peanut Butter Banana Stuffed French Toast
- Sourdough French Toast
- Whole Wheat French Toast
- Quick Breakfast Ideas
- Healthy Breakfast Ideas
If you enjoyed this homemade French toast recipe, please leave a rating and comment! For more inspiration, check out my Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. For 5 free weekly meal plans and more free resources, sign up to receive my free newsletter! For more ideas, check out these Breakfast Recipes.
French Toast
Ingredients
French Toast
- 1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
- 1 medium banana (ripe)
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (white or black)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 slices bread (gluten-free)
- ¼ cup coconut oil (melted)
Caramelized Bananas
- 2 medium bananas (thickly sliced on the diagonal)
- ¼ cup coconut sugar ((or regular sugar))
- 1 - 2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
- Pure maple syrup (for serving)
Toppings
- 2 tablespoons pecans (or walnuts, crushed)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
- Set the oven to its lowest temperature or the “warm” setting.
- To make the French toast, pour the milk, banana, maple syrup, vanilla, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt into your blender and blast on high for about 30 seconds until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into a large shallow baking dish and let rest for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly. In batches, place slices of the bread in the baking dish and let soak on one side for 8 to 10 seconds. Flip the slices and let soak for another 8 to 10 seconds, until evenly moistened.
- In a medium skillet (that fits two slices of bread) or on a large griddle (that holds all of the slices) over medium heat, warm 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil per two slices of bread. (Resist the urge to use less coconut oil or the bread won’t get crispy.) Add the bread and fry for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy on the edges; you may need to add more coconut oil after you flip the bread. If cooking in batches, transfer the French toast to a lined baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm and repeat to fry the remaining bread, adding more coconut oil to cook each batch.
- While the last pieces of toast are cooking, make the caramelized bananas. Combine the banana slices and the coconut sugar in a zip-lock bag, seal, and shake to coat evenly.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm the coconut oil, add the coated bananas, and fry for about 2 minutes on each side until nicely caramelized.
- Serve two slices of French toast on each plate, topped with one-quarter of the caramelized bananas, one-quarter of the crushed nut boosters, and one-quarter of the coconut booster. Pass maple syrup at the table.
Susan McKey says
Would love to have this blender and recipe books to learn how to use a blender. We have one, but it is rarely used. Now that I am retired, I have plenty of time to experiment.
Ruth Lizardi says
I love your posts helping us choose healthy food and how to blend the way :). Wouldn't mind getting a new blender and your books to enjoy new recipes.
Kierston Ruffin says
I would use the blender to help me as I continue my healthier lifestyle changes. I am dedicated to changing my life because I don't want to fall victim to diseases like hypertension and diabetes that run in my family. My mom suddenly passed away in 2015 from.complications of diabetes, and she had been nudging me to make the necessary changes then. Well here I am 2 years and 30+ pounds heavier and the lightbulb has finally come on. I have found the strength and determination to make the necessary changes, and this blender would be such a great tool for me to make healthy recipes and essentially save my own life!
Amy Clinite says
Hello! I would love to have this blender to expand my smoothie and nut butter recipes. My friends and family have hilarious stories they tell others about the things I've gotten away with putting into smoothies that my family loved but would've freaked had they known before consuming! My secrets are now *mostly* out ;) but a blender of this caliber would be such a treat after our cross country move!
Joyce Taylor says
Would really like a reason to learn to use a blender more often.
Sara says
Our blender is now ten years old (wedding gift), and has only ONE speed! We love making smoothies, but our old blender just can't handle ice or frozen fruit any more, so a new blender would help us get back into that. Also, now that I work from home and fall is coming I would use the blender to make soups for freezing!
Ann Raymon says
My vision of using a blender is to make smoothies - but I would like to add flaxseeds to a great mixture of fruits and of course those vegetables my boys do not like to eat. :) I would also love to learn to make nut butters instead of store bought ones (all the added transfats and sugar not needed!)
Now that I have read the post - I am interested to see what else can be done with a blender. Thanks for the insight that more can be done with one!
Mel says
My 2 littles soon to be ages 2 & 4 have food intolerances. The blender/recipes would help further expand healthy nutritious options for their diets! Thanks.
Paige says
All natural whole food Soups.
Mary C. Fairbairn says
Newly retired, my husband and I love to eat nutrient-dense healthy foods. A blender would be so convenient--from soups to nut-milk beverages! Thanks for your blog! God bless you!
Kimberly E says
I'd use it to make smoothies!
Mallory says
I'd use it for veggie based low sugar smoothies!
Shawna says
I would use it daily to make smoothies, protein shakes and help in recipes as well!
Karla says
A blender AND cookbooks?! What an awesome giveaway!! I would love this as, 1) I'm always making smoothies and looking up new recipes, and 2) I've been eager to try new ways to use a blender and this would be the answer to my prayers! Thanks so much for this opportunity! :)
Laura Bettis says
I am trying to detox, lose weight, and live a more healthy lifestyle. A blender would be a wonderful help to keep me going!!
Cheryl says
I would use this blender to try this French toast recipe! And blender muffins. And smoothies. And...
Christy says
I would use the blender to make banana "ice cream" and almond butter. Yum.
Susan says
Definitely want to experiment with making soups and other healthy options.
Selena Bridwell says
Our family of 5 is home much of the time because we homeschool. When my husband had a heart attack 4 years ago at the young age of 51, we changed our eating habits completely. We've thought several times how helpful it would be to have a high speed blender, but they cost so much. We'd use it for making smoothies and guacamole and salsa. Probably more!
Jessica says
What wouldn't I do with a blender?! There are so many things that can be done and since my son just recently cracked the seal on mine from making smoothies (which he never shares with me), I could really use a new one. So pick me, pick me. Please and thank you.
Katie says
We don't have a gluten allergy, so I made this with homemade bread (we use fresh milled flour) and this recipe was delicious! Cannot wait to make it again. THANKS.
Becky says
Smoothies, Soups and Popsicles! Would love new recipes!
Beth Dankert says
Although that French toast looks amazing, I would use the blender to whip up some clean protein pancakes or homemade salad dressing.
Lisa Tolman says
I would use this blender to experiment with healthily recipes, like smoothies.
Tami Cayer says
My children love smoothies and milkshakes so we would use the blender daily !
Bruce says
Would love to try and make a soup using a blender, how cool an idea!
Rachel Bancroft says
I'm new to blending and 100 days. I don't currently own one, and by the looks of things I'm missing out. I love smoothies!!
Kyra says
I would use this magical smoothie to make myself some healing recipes like smoothies & types of exilirs to help with my healing process of my autoimmune conditions. And to also just whip up insanely powerful and magical recipes to feed and nourish my entire family like soups, smoothies, ice creams, pasta sauces endless uses for something so incredible!
Pam says
fruit "ice cream"
Catherine Morrin says
I'm 72 with RA and my body keeps developing new areas of inflammation. I would use this blender to take on an aggressive regimen of blending green smoothies and other healthy plant-based foods. Hope I win so I can start!
Katie Clark says
Smoothies, soups, bread crumbs, banana ice cream, pancakes, French toast.....the list is long. I use our current blender for all these things and would love a better one. They are an amazing kitchen tool.
Nicki says
Smoothies!
Shannon F says
I'd like to make more smoothies and other recipes that I wouldn't have thought to use my blender for, like French toast!
Jon Warner says
Fresh fruit smoothies for my 2 kids!
Lisa A Tammaro says
Any and all healthy recipes that I can find (example: soups, smoothies etc.). Looking forward to changing the way my family eats.
Katie Hengst says
Homemade popsicles and smoothies!
Monica C says
Was using a magic bullet to make my daughter and I a smoothie when it burned out. So I would love to use the new blender for smoothies, nut milk, and soups!!!!! I've been dying to make soups with it. I've entered every contest that bloggers post about the blender and still no luck! Lol. Wish us luck this time around!
Elizabeth Parson House says
I would use it to make smoothies and soup!
Bonnie says
French toast and banana ice cream!
Nina Durencova says
I would use it for everything from smoothies, soups to sauces and homemade nut milk.
And of course nice creams!
Marsha Dawang says
I haven't owned a blender in 20 years ever since my husband ground up ginger root in it and broke it! So I would love to have a new one and would probably like to start off by learning how to make smoothies.Thank you.