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.
Katrina O'Donnell says
I would make any smoothie I could to get the good stuff into my family!! ❤
Monica says
I have four little boys who love smoothies, so this blender would definitely be used everyday!
Kimberly-Ann Palazzo says
I'd use this beautiful blender for many things, but especially daily smoothies, which I love, filled with fresh fruits & vegetables. This would replace my 1979 Sears blender, which us on its last legs! Thanks for the opportunity!
Malinda says
I would like to get this so I can expand my healthy meals beyond smoothies and the cookbooks would help me do this! Also, my current blender cant handle some of the recipes I've seen online so a nice new one like this would be awesome! :) thanks!
Carly Hennegan says
What an amazing opportunity, thank you! I would love to win and be able to make soups and smoothies for my friends and family. I would also love to try this delicious French toast recipe with the KitchenAid Pro Line Series Blender!
Lori Thomas says
Wow.. I have has brain tumors removed.. difficulties swallowing.. and dental issues.. despite so many tests.. I have gone thru 2..
Adina says
I would use this daily - morning smoothies with healthy nutritious veggies and nighttime summer blended cocktails!
Melissa Teer says
I would use this blender for making my daily smoothies and for making nice cream out of bananas and coconut milk!
Lori Moran says
I have a Kitchen Aid mixer so this prize would be amazing!
Rhonda Osterhoudt says
I could SO use this now, especially since I'm now living alone. It would be so helpful to make sure I get my required vitamins from a food source. Your books would make sure of that, and an added blessing. Thank you!
Vanessa McKay says
I'm just starting my journey into vegan/plant based cooking. I use my blender everyday and would love to have a serious machine for this serious life choice.
Aliki says
My husband has just converted to a plant-based diet.. (i am vegan). Having this blender would be incredibly awesome, so i can show him how easy it is to eat well, without eating animal products!
Robert margitich says
I use my blender the most for making homemade almond milk
Terresa Hobbs says
I would love to use my blender for smoothies and shakes, and iced coffees. I would love to learn new ways to use the blender also.
Morgan Laufer says
I've recently discovered a recipe for different kinds of ice creams & smoothies that are dairy & nut free, which I'm very intolerant & allergic to. I will be using this blender to enjoy ice creams & smoothies again but with fruit (bananas)!!!
Barbara says
I would love to use the blender to try all those blending recipes in the book! I also make smoothies everyday for myself and my family. Would love to keep blending with a great blender.
Shakoda says
I need a new blender
Shakoda says
I need a new blender to make smoothies
Kathleen mcwhorter says
I so appreciate your knowledge and wisdom. My Son was in an accident and burned on 60% of his body. His protein shakes and smoothies are vital to his recovery. A good blender would be such a blessing. Thanks for the opportunity.
Alyssa says
I would love a new blender because I currently have a Ninja in which I learned from you wasn't one of the best to use! A new blender would give me immense opportunity to reach my top smoothie potential and live a little healthier and happier :)
Brooke M says
I would love a new powerful blender that I could make gf/vegan waffles, pancakes, scones, smoothies, muffins, and anything I feel like making at that moment in time. I have an old ninja that I found on clearance a few years ago and it's working ok but I will soon need to upgrade. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
Shelly says
Smoothies followed by nut butters.
Anita garcia says
I take care of my grandkids and would love to make larger batches of smoothies for the whole family Good luck everyone
Patience Boden says
I'd love to make my own nut butters. My current blender (very expensive reconditioned model) just doesn't do the job.
Nicole Austin says
I would love to use the blender to make wholesome pure food for my two boys. I have loved trying new recipes lately from the blender girl and my current blender is just not cutting it.
Chelsea says
I would use this blender for everything! I have a regular ol' blender that I use to make smoothies, nut milks, salsas, soups, and sauces, but a high speed one would make it SO much easier to try making a variety of recipes!
Marina MacNeill says
I would use this blender every morning for smoothies. It would be amazing to see the difference between a highspeed blender versus the one I own now. I would have more success with new recipes.
Mary says
I would use the blender to make the recipes I see you post on Facebook and instagram every day .
Jennie Clark-Clifft says
I have always wanted a high-speed blender and have had it on my "cooking wish list" for years. I have been a vegan for almost ten years and a vegetarian for thirty years. I would use the blender to make better-quality smoothies with ingredients that my current blender cannot handle. I would also use my blender to make creamed vegan soups and dips. I would use it while baking, too. Thank you!
Karen Wood says
I would use it to make smoothies and nut butters if it makes them.
Jacqueline Davis says
A blender of this size would be great for our family of 6. I only have a personal size blender and making smoothies, sauces daily really taxes the motor. I actually had to replace it once and that's just not good.
As a mother of four ages 12-6, it's my responsibility to show and teach them better eating practices. It would be wonderful to have this quality, durable, flexible blender for our healthier eating lifestyle!
Chyrl Lehmann says
I would use it to make smoothies and delicious soups mainly, but I'm sure I'd find other uses for it. Would love to win one of these awesome blenders and copies of your books.
Jennifer Starbuck says
I have purchased your Detox Dynamo Cleanse and am needing the blender to get going on it! I would so love to win this giveaway. The work that you and Karen Kipp have put into that beautiful booklet is outstanding - beautiful pictures and delicious sounding recipes. My dad passed away a year and a half ago from lymphoma and I am becoming more and more interested in food as not only medicine but prevention. Thank you!
Roxanne M says
Would b so grateful to own one of these! I am on a slow journey to better health & wellness that and it has started with using essential oils form the best, purest company out there. I am working towards more clean eating and this Blender would be the perfect kick in the pants! Smoothies here i come ;)
Kelsey says
I would use the blender to make even more badass smoothies! I drink one to two a day to help beat chronic Lyme Disease. <3
Melissa Rademaker says
I would love the blender for smoothies and so much more!!
Thank you!
Patricia says
Very much in need of a new blender so I can add more goodies to my morning smoothie. My current little bullet just doesn't cut it anymore!
Suzanne Carmack says
To prepare all the healthy foods I make more conveniently....
Laurie says
I would use the blender to make smoothies.
Paula Yolles says
I use food to support the healing & health of my body and I'm on a mission to get people back to cooking to heal.
Adding a high speed high quality blender to my kitchen would add a new level of recipes & nutrition I could access & share with others.
I don't own a high speed blender. I've followed Tess for a long time & always want to try her blender recipes.
Christy says
I would use the blender for everything! My husband uses one every morning for his protein smoothies.