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.
Sarah says
I don't currently have a blender and it would be nice to try new recipes but It would also be great as I could have my toddler get involved and help me prepare food by throwing it all in the blender and watching amazing food get made.
Tammie Reagan says
Would love to try healthy and yummy recipes!
Karen says
I would use the blender to make healthy smoothie.
Megan Covington says
This would be so so perfect I just had my Ninja blender die on me. I used it for so much making applesauce, baby food, fruit smoothies. This would be perfect!
Karen Martin says
Smoothies
SUZANNE LOPEZ says
I'd love to regularly make this French toast as a comfort meal for my family, using the convenience of the blender!
sue r says
Really nice looking blenders. Really trying to eat healthy. Love the ideas and recipes on this blog.
Vanessa Smith says
This recipe, like all of yours, looks amazing!
Lauren says
I use a blender for everything by currently only have a nutribullet! I need an upgrade for my growing family!
Kendra Descamps says
I would use the blender for the smoothie project - trying a new variety of smoothie every day for myself and my family. Fingers crossed!
Suzi B says
Ice cream, smoothies, dips and sauces oh my the possibilities are endless! All with the recipes from the Blender Girls coookbooks.
Scott says
I would use the blender to make healthy shakes for breakfast ... and a bushwhacker sounds good right now!
Mary Grum says
With a child with multiple food allergies and a husband with celiac, I am always looking for new recipes to replace foods I grew up with. I've only used a blender for drinks and smoothies, so I'm looking forward to finding new receipts to try. So, I suppose I'd like the new cookbooks more then the blender, but I wouldn't be able to use the recipes without a good blender. Crossing my fingers.
Dori Turner says
We would love a new blender to make our smoothies, homemade sauces, soups and more!!
Debbie Lawrence says
I would love the blender because I don't have one and would to see all that I can do with it!
Marissa Barashi says
Would love to make healthy smoothies!
Aaron Ashcraft says
So many possibilities with the blender and cookbooks! I would ❤️ to when the blender.
Jenn B says
To make banana protein pancakes, home made fruit popsicles and green breakfast smoothies ( i tell my kids they are "hulk" smoothies :))
Nancie Simmons says
I use a small one glass blender everyday and it is about to die! I sure would love to WIN a new one!
Mary Barrette says
I would love to be able to use the Kitchen Aid Pro blender to make my real food leftover combo soup.
Sheila says
I would use it for my cauliflower broccoli mash!
Lauren Smith says
I would love to use the blender most for juice cleanses!
Laura Van Patten says
My blender feels most loved when making green smoothies with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Danielle says
The blender sounds great!
Ruthie shulaw-grogg says
I would love love love to win this blender and cookbooks! I have struggled so much with trying to be gluten free. See your French toast recipe and blending in the blender I'm excited to have that powerful blender to mix all the ingredients and start cooking like you! Please consider me.
Susan Gatlin says
I don't know if this is the entry or not. The instructions listed it, but there wasn't a separate button like on most sites.
Emily Shipman says
I would most like to use this blender for fruit and veggie smoothies. I am a new empty nester and have not taken care of myself for years. Now I am beginning to feel my age more and worry about my longevity!! I do not eat nearly enough fruit and vegetables and I think smoothies would be a good jump start. I want to improve my health and live to enjoy those well-deserved grandchildren I hope are not too far in the future! Thanks for the chance to win!!!
Sandra Herman says
I would love to win this awesome blender
lisa s says
I'd love to make soups and smoothies more!!
Tracy says
Smoothies and soup!
Annette Stephenson says
Smoothies with fresh fruit but the French Toast sounds fabulous!
Amy says
I'd start off with that French Toast!!
Meredith says
I just broke my old blender and am in desperate need of a new one! This one is amazingly better than my old one and I would love to experiment with more smoothies and soups! Thank you!
Cecile Wight says
Smoothies and soups. Especially when using harder fruits or veggies to break them down to smaller pieces.
Karin Eldred says
I want to win so I can make healthy soups for my family!
Elizabeth L. says
I would love to learn how to make smoothies and beyond!
Carrie Roberson says
I love the idea of banana ice cream using only banana and milk! This blender would be great for that and so much more! Thanks!
Cecile Wight says
My New Roots new cookbook had a great recipe that involved freezing banan slices, letting them defrost 10 minutes, then blending it with a little almond butter, vanilla and salt.
Soft serve dairy free ice cream! Kids ans adults alike loved it.
Daniel says
Smoothies with frozen fruit.
Susan says
It would be fun to make soup in a blender.
Kate Teodoro says
Smoothies and yummy treats!