French Toast With Orange and Banana Recipe

Are you in search of a French toast recipe that will leave your taste buds wanting more? Look no further! This recipe is not only fluffy, tender, and indulgent but also incredibly easy to make. With just five ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, you can whip up this mouth-watering breakfast in no time.

This French toast recipe truly captures the essence of a perfect breakfast. The choice of bread is key to achieving that delightful balance between a crispy exterior and a soft, custard-like interior. I recommend using brioche or challah for an indulgent experience, but feel free to experiment with other thick-sliced options. The combination of eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla creates a flavor symphony that elevates this classic dish. Don't rush the soaking process—allow the bread to absorb the mixture fully. It's the secret to achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture. And for those who love a bit of decadence, consider frying your French toast in a mixture of butter and oil. This adds a rich flavor that complements the sweetness of the dish. Remember, the magic of French toast lies in its simplicity and quality ingredients. Enjoy every bite of this delightful breakfast treat!

Vadim Rachok

Chef

Home cooks who have tried this recipe rave about it, calling it a “Sunday morning favorite” and a “definite keeper.” But what makes this recipe so special? Well, for starters, the bread you use is crucial. The recipe recommends using thick slices of brioche or challah bread, as these hold up well against the egg mixture and retain their shape when cooked. However, you can also use any other bread that you prefer.

In addition to the bread, you will need eggs, milk, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, and salt to make the egg mixture. The recipe provides detailed instructions on how to prepare the mixture, dip the bread slices, and cook them to perfection. You will learn how to get the perfect balance of flavors, so every bite is a heavenly combination of sweetness and spice.

But what if you have leftovers? The recipe has got you covered. It provides tips on how to store your French toast properly and how to reheat it without losing its texture and flavor. You can even freeze it for later use!

So, if you’re craving a delicious and satisfying breakfast, give this French toast recipe a try. Your taste buds will thank you!

French Toast Ingredients

Most variations of French toast contain the following ingredients, although every home cook has their own twist on this classic dish:

• Toasted bread: Thick slices of toast bread provide a sturdy base for the French toast, soaking up the egg mixture while maintaining a soft interior.
• Eggs: When it comes to making French toast, eggs play an essential role. When heated, the proteins solidify and bind to the batter, ensuring a rich texture. The fat content adds creaminess to the final product.
• Milk: Technically, you can use any liquid to make French toast, but milk is the most popular choice. Milk not only adds the necessary moisture, but its fat content gives the batter extra richness.
• Vanilla and cinnamon: The most delicious French toast is warm, cozy, aromatic, and sweet. Although optional, cinnamon and vanilla are highly recommended for the best experience.
• Salt: Don’t forget to add a pinch of salt to your batter. This will help to break down the eggs and prevent chunks in the finished product.
• Butter: One of the key ingredients to making the best French toast is butter. If you find that your French toast burns easily, consider frying it in a combination of butter and oil to prevent this from happening. Moreover, butter adds body and a velvety texture to the sauce while enhancing the flavor.
• Bananas: Sliced bananas add natural sweetness and a creamy texture to French toast.
• Oranges: Fresh oranges add a bright citrus flavor that complements the sweetness of the bananas.
• White wine: White wine balances the sweetness of brown sugar and cream and adds depth of flavor and acidity to the sauce.
• Brown sugar (for sauce): Brown sugar caramelizes when cooked and adds sweetness to the sauce.
• Cream 33% (for sauce): Cream creates a luxurious texture and adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
• Water (for sauce): Water helps to thin the sauce and create a smooth consistency that will coat the French toast evenly.

How to Make French Toast

It’s easy to make French toast at home with just a skillet, staple ingredients, and a good recipe.

1. To make the dough: Using a blender, combine eggs, milk, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Blend until smooth.
2. Then, peel the orange and cut out the orange fillet, leaving no white skin on the top or inside.
3. Next, peel and dice the banana.
4. Heat a frying pan on the stove and add the butter. Dip the toast in the dough on both sides and fry over low heat for 2-3 minutes on each side.
5. Then, transfer the bread to paper towels to remove excess fat. 
6. To make the sauce: Heat brown sugar in a saucepan over low heat. Wait until the sugar melts and turns amber.
7. Then, add 0,7 ounces (20 g) of butter and 1,8 ounces (50 g) of water. 
8. Cook until the mixture is homogeneous. 
9. Add the chopped fruit and cream, mix, and set aside.
10. To serve: Place the first slice of bread on a plate and pour the sauce over it, then the second slice and pour the sauce over it again, and so on. Garnish the sandwich with a zest on top.

Chef Recipe Tips:

• As soon as the sugar begins to change color as it melts, it is important to turn off the heat immediately. The temperature of the saucepan will be enough to melt the sugar to an amber color, and you will get perfect caramel. Otherwise, it will simply burn.
• You can add your favorite fruits and nuts to the sandwich, which will make the dish even more delicious.

Is French Toast Really French?

French toast, known as pain perdu in French, is commonly believed to be an American invention. It is said that a man named Joseph French created the sweet breakfast dish in 1724 and named it after himself. However, this popular legend is likely to be untrue. The truth is that people were frying milk- and egg-soaked bread as far back as Ancient Rome, according to early recipes.

It is likely that French toast was invented by 15th-century cooks with stale bread to use up.

Best Bread For French Toast

When it comes to making French toast, it’s important to use bread that can withstand being soaked in the egg custard mixture without falling apart. The best breads for this purpose are brioche, sourdough, French bread, or challah, as these varieties are dense and sturdy. However, if you don’t have any of these breads on hand, any thick-sliced white bread will do in a pinch.

French toast is usually prepared with slices of day-old bread as they absorb the egg mixture more effectively than fresh ones. This method also helps prevent food wastage, which is a great benefit. However, it’s not mandatory to use slightly stale bread. If fresh bread is all you have, it will work just fine.

How to Store French Toast

After cooking French toast, let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container such as a zip-top bag or reusable storage container. Store it in the fridge for about one to three days.

Can You Freeze French Toast?

Yes, it is possible to freeze a large batch of French toast for up to three months. To do this, arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze for at least four hours or up to overnight, and then store the frozen French toast in a container that is safe for the freezer for two to three months. When you are ready to eat it, simply place it on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F until it is hot and cooked through, which should take about 8-12 minutes.