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.
Christina Waugh says
My kids love yogurt smoothies and V8 splash. It would be awesome to get this blender to make a variety of healthy drinks for them. The cookbooks would be an added bonus.
Kate De Carrillo says
I am in need of a new blender and recipe books as well. I really love smoothies as a way for my kids and myself to eat foods we wouldn't eat otherwise, and I want to start doing more non drink recipes with a blender such as this French toast.
Kathy Collins says
Hello!
I would most like to use the blender to make the fabulous raw recipes I watch on youtube and/or read about on all the amazing websites out there.
I have owned lots of "other" blenders in the past and they all, without fail, fail..They get clogged, fall apart, are too difficult to maneuver, etc.
I am convinced that ease of blender and ease of ingredients will only make my life and diet easier.
Thanks for the chance to win such an amazing blender and fabulous cookbooks :)
Kathy
Margaret Long says
I'm a distributor with Juice Plus and I love making smoothies every day, especially for breakfast! Would love to try different recipes as well!
Kristin Coulston says
I would definitely make smoothies with this awesome blender!!!
Cindy says
I love making smoothies, but this French toast recipe sounds wonderful. I also use a blender to make the batter for Dutch baby pancake you then cook in the oven. Very yummy.
JENNIFER BLAMY says
I love to make breakfast smoothies.
Judy Burke says
Love this blog and all the excellent ideas and recipes. I'd love to win the blender and recipe books to try Tess Masters and Lisa's recipes that work with it.
Debbie M says
I make breakfast shakes almost every day but would like to learn more from your books.
christina says
My son has many food allergies and it takes a lot of time to prepare the foods he can eat. I would loove to use this blender to make coconut milk, nut butters, and of course smoothies! It would make the job so much easier!
Lisa F says
This blog has transformed our family in so so many positive ways. I'm open to anything this blog recommends to blend!
Candy says
I would use this awesome blender to start my new life..a life of healthy eating!!!
Sue L says
I would make smoothies and strawberry daquiris!!
Joan Gibson says
I'd love to try the banana ice cream. Mmmm.
Jennifer says
I would love to win this blender. My blender broke and I miss my smoothies. It would be nice to have a blender again.
Bonnie says
I have just started Resl Food and could really use a blender. Can tell a difference already in how I feel.
Laura W says
I'd love to win the blender because we don't have one and I'd like to start making smoothies for breakfast for my girls! And I'd love to win the cookbooks because we are all trying to eat healthier.
Beth Scott says
I am only a smoothie maker right now and I would love to branch out and make more delicious treats for my family!
Sarah Gray says
I would be so excited to win your cookbooks and this blender!
Gisella Santiago-Gronka says
Our family would love to utilize the Kitchen Aid blender for smoothies as well as the French Toast recipe on this post!
Carrie Bell says
I would LOVE to win this blender!
Lara Baumann says
I would love it to make smoothies and shakes
Natalie says
A high powered blender has been on my wish list a looooong time!
Anna says
I would use the blender to make delicious healthy smoothies for my family.
Rachel Stofko says
I would love this blender to make healthy smoothies!
Renee Weathers says
I need a great blender!!
Sue Gahimer says
I do not have a good blender and have not used blenders in the past other than for shakes, a few smoothies or very simple things.
I want to live a healthier life style and I know that what we eat affects so many areas of our health.
After surviving breast, ovarian and uterine cancer I know that I must eat healthier and exercise. My metabolism is so slow and I want to enjoy the life that I have been blessed with. I very much would like to win this blender and your cookbooks to try more of your healthy recipes and hopefully increase my metabolism. Thank you for this opportunity.
Julie says
I would love to try more recipes like this with a new blender - I'm mostly a smoothie maker now...
Louise Harmon says
I would love a new blender To make healthier breakfasts for my children! We are definitely in a breakfast rut in our house.....
Amanda McGrade says
Smoothies and homemade ice cream (Greek yogurt and frozen berries)
Sheila Odette says
I would love to be able to make smooth smoothies, soups, hummus, and THIS amazing french toast recipe!
Robin R stanley says
I'd love a blender that can help me make healthier and more favorable dips from vegetables from my garden.
Beth Thompson says
I want to try new recipes that will get my kids to eat more protein in the morning!
Ruth says
I would love to try new recipes. A new appliance is a great way to do that.
Kathy Upton says
Thank you for the French toast recipe. I would use the blender to make gluten free and dairy free chocolate zucchini muffins.
lorrie hughes says
So many meals to choose from I would like a blender so I can make them.
Laura kidman says
I make green smoothies almost every morning in my regular blender and have gotten used to the "chunkiness" but.... my daughter has a lot of food allergies and loves hummus.. I can't make it smooth enough for her (she gags), so I'd use it for that!!
Deb Andreasen says
I would love to try making my own mayo!!!
Suzanne Jenkins says
I would love to make fresh fruit smoothies. My old blender broke down.
Zorana M Stricevic Janke says
Smoothies!!! Get those veggies and fruits! And homemade "banilla" ice cream........... frozen bananas, a little milk and vanilla, yum!
R.Wold says
This french toast looks GREAT! I am trying to eat more healthy foods.