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.
Jessica says
I would like to make smoothies and soups!
Kelly says
I would use it to try this French toast recipe and other blender recipes because I don't own a blender.
Jennifer N Dalenburg says
I use my blender to make cream cheese pancakes
rose tresures says
I love to use almond milk in my pancakes and waffles. I think it helps make them fluffy. Delicious. I could sure use that KitchenAid blender. Looks awesome. patty
Michelle says
I would love to use this blender for making healthy smoothies for my grandchildren as well as making my own condiments. Trying to use whole foods and less commercial made foods.
Shannon says
I would use a blender to help make healthier choices for my family. There are many processed foods that are so convenient to buy-but with a blender, I could make them myself and know exactly what I'm feeding my family! My husband is always wanting protein, so I would find ways to feed him extra healthy foods with protein added to convince him :)
Rosemary Alvares says
Wow! Such a great tool to help with eating healthy. Good luck to all!
Amy Neale says
Since we avoid ice cream and processed sweet treats this blender would be great for the frozen fruit smoothies my kids love!
Sue says
Since my current blender is over 30 years old, I would use this new one to make smoothies and some savory sauces and dips!
Debb Walker says
It would be amazing to have a fabulous KitchenAid blender to use for everything & am definitely going to try out this recipe!
Michelle says
I would use this blender to make soups! I love soups anytime of the year. However, when school starts I like to make soup and put it in small ziplock bags. It helps me with those busy mornings and I know I don't have to eat out.
Jackie says
I would use it to make yummy breakfast smoothies for my family!
Sarah says
That blender is beautiful! I would love to get into the smoothie craze, and could see myself blending lots of soups as well.
Erin Slider says
So smoothies are a given but I also have several soup recipes and dressings and a berry sauce I use on everything. I love trying new recipes and my current blender is a cheapie I have had since my college days. I also enjoy making my own spaghetti and pizza sauce.
Katie Beck says
Endless possibilities for sauces, soups, gravies, spreads, drinks of all kinds; my tastebuds are calling...wonderful, wonderful!
Pam Teal says
I need this blender as my other one is not working well. I would use to blend a protein
shake in the morning, a green smoothie at noon and a pureed soup for dinner. I would also make my own almond milk.
Paula says
I would make smoothies and homemade dressings.
Michelle says
I would use this blender for my dog's food. She is a former puppy mill mom that had to have 》25 teeth removed at once due to poor nutrition at the mill. She only has 2 teeth left, so we use the blender to break up her food.
Katharine says
Smoothies all the way -- they're a daily around here. When we're not making smoothies, ice cream for sure.
Jean L says
So many exciting ways to use this blender. Would love to start using it!
Tina Avritt says
I would use the blender for great smoothies & many recipes that call for a strong blender.
Teresa Brooks says
I would use the blender mostly for smoothies I think as my kids love them. But would also like to try other blender recipes.
Penny says
I so need this! I would use the blender for smoothies, salad dressings, salsa and much more.
Grace says
This recipe looks amazing! Pinning now! We use a blender daily, no joke. Smoothies are reason #1, but I'll also puree lots of soups in it.
Tara says
I would use it to make mixed drinks at my holiday parties!
Nik says
I'd use it to make smoothies for my little guy who has trouble eating some foods
Christine says
We are huge smoothie fans here, but it has never occurred to me to use my blender for more than smoothies, soups, etc. I would love to discover new ways to use it (starting with this amazing French toast!).
Meg says
I would use the blender to try new smoothies and soups...and to threaten Chunk into telling me where the Goonies are...
Paige Vandergriff says
I would use it to make a probiotic slaw.
Rachel Sanders says
I would blend smoothies...Lots and lots of smoothies!!
Ginny Worsley says
I would use this blender for making almond milk, nut butters, smoothies, bread, soup....All of my appliances have died (food processor, blender, etc). So I would absolutely love to win this. (I currently have a tiny smoothie maker that I am using for everything.
Joanne MacLean says
Love the ease and versatility that blenders add to eating healthy.
Andrea says
Blending up nuts for different nut butters. Or homemade oatmeal.
Sarah says
I would use the blender for smoothies, peanut butter, ice cream, sauces, and applesauce
Cynthia says
I use this blender to make smoothies, which can also be used to make healthy popsicles for my two littles. I would also use it to make soups, crepes, cottage cheese pancakes, salsa, and so much more!
Natalie Grace says
I'd love to use this blender for soups, green smoothies, sauces and nut butters freshly ground. The possibilities are endless !
Tracy says
Smoothies, batters, whatever else you can do with a high speed blender - I've never had one before.
Megan says
I would use the blender for smoothies, soups, salsa, and much more!
Sarah Brad says
I would probably use it for smoothies, sauces, soups, and anything I could purée, whip, crush, chop, or grind. I'd especially like to try using it to make nut butters, which my boys love! ❤️
Dawn Felts says
We use our blender every day, mostly for smoothies. I love KitchenAid products!