If you love the comforting warmth of banana bread and the crispy delight of waffles, then you are in for a total treat with this Caramelized Coconut Banana Bread Waffle French Toast Recipe. It’s the perfect blend of tender banana bread dipped in a luscious coconut-vanilla egg batter, coated with toasted shredded coconut, all cooked to golden waffle perfection. To top it off, caramelized bananas add a buttery, sweet finish that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple to make. This dish transforms breakfast into a celebration, bringing together tropical coconut notes and the cozy familiarity of classic banana bread in a way that will make your mornings extra special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient here plays a starring role in delivering this recipe’s memorable flavors and textures. Simple but well-chosen, these components build layers of sweetness, creaminess, and crunch that make the dish unforgettable.
- Banana bread: Day-old slices work best for sturdiness and texture in the waffle iron.
- Eggs: The base of the custardy batter, binding all the flavors.
- Coconut milk: Adds a rich, tropical creaminess, but regular milk can do the trick too.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and aromatic depth to the batter.
- Cinnamon: Sprinkles a hint of spice that perfectly complements banana and coconut.
- Sweetened shredded coconut: Creates a toasty, crisp coating for the waffle french toast.
- Ripe bananas: The star of the caramelized topping, adding juicy sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Helps caramelize the bananas with a deep molasses flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Essential for rich caramelization without overpowering saltiness.
- Maple syrup or coconut syrup: Optional but highly recommended for drizzling.
How to Make Caramelized Coconut Banana Bread Waffle French Toast Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Egg Mixture and Coconut Coating
Start by whisking together your eggs, coconut milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. This mixture imparts a luscious flavor and allows the banana bread to soak up the custard without getting soggy. Spread your shredded coconut out on a plate — if you want extra crunch and a deeper coconut aroma, give it a light toast in a dry pan before coating.
Step 2: Soak and Coat the Banana Bread
Dip each slice of banana bread into the egg batter, letting it soak for just a few seconds on each side so it absorbs enough custard to stay moist while cooking. Then, press both sides firmly into the shredded coconut, ensuring an even crust that will crisp beautifully in the waffle iron.
Step 3: Cook in the Waffle Iron
Preheat your waffle iron and grease it lightly with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the coated banana bread slices inside and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, until you see a golden brown color and a crispy exterior that has the perfect waffle texture.
Step 4: Caramelize the Bananas
While the waffles are cooking, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced ripe bananas and sprinkle the brown sugar on top. Gently stir the mix for 3 to 4 minutes as the bananas soften and caramelize, turning a gleaming amber color packed with buttery sweetness.
Step 5: Plate and Serve
Top each coconut-crusted banana bread waffle with a generous spoonful of those luscious caramelized bananas. Finish your creation with a drizzle of maple or coconut syrup for an extra layer of tropical sweetness. Serve immediately while warm and heavenly.
How to Serve Caramelized Coconut Banana Bread Waffle French Toast Recipe
Garnishes
The toppings make all the difference here. Freshly sliced bananas, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes add visual appeal and texture contrast. A handful of chopped nuts like pecans or macadamias can also introduce a delightful crunch.
Side Dishes
Pair your Caramelized Coconut Banana Bread Waffle French Toast Recipe with a light, refreshing fruit salad or a dollop of whipped cream for balance. A crisp cup of morning coffee or a tropical smoothie rounds out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the waffles with layers of caramelized bananas and coconut cream in between to create a show-stopping brunch tower. Or arrange the bananas around the platter in a fan shape with syrup drizzled for an elegant, Instagram-worthy presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The coconut crust might lose some crispness but will still taste delicious warmed up.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked banana bread waffles by first letting them cool completely. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to a month. This is perfect for prepping ahead for busy mornings!
Reheating
To bring back most of the crispness, toast frozen waffles in a toaster oven or regular toaster on a low setting. Alternatively, reheat them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes until warm and slightly crisp.
FAQs
Can I use fresh banana bread for this recipe?
While fresh banana bread can work, day-old or slightly stale banana bread is best because it holds up better during dipping and cooking, preventing the slices from becoming too mushy.
What if I don’t have a waffle iron?
You can use a regular non-stick pan or griddle to cook the banana bread slices like traditional French toast. Press the coconut coating gently so it sticks, and cook each side over medium heat until golden and crisp.
Is coconut milk necessary or can I substitute it?
Coconut milk adds a lovely tropical richness, but regular milk or even almond milk can be used as substitutes without major changes to the final flavor.
How do I toast shredded coconut for coating?
Simply spread shredded coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often until it turns golden and smells nutty. Watch carefully as it can burn quickly!
Can this recipe be made vegan?
With a few tweaks like using a flax egg substitute, plant-based milk, vegan butter, and ensuring your banana bread is egg-free, you can adapt this recipe to suit a vegan diet without sacrificing flavor.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong when you combine banana bread, coconut, and caramelized bananas into a golden waffle French toast masterpiece. This Caramelized Coconut Banana Bread Waffle French Toast Recipe is such a heartwarming, fun, and unique way to elevate your breakfast or brunch plans. It’s simple to make but feels like a special occasion every time. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy the sweet, cozy flavors as much as I do!
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Caramelized Coconut Banana Bread Waffle French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Waffle Iron
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Caramelized Coconut Banana Bread Waffle French Toast is a delightful twist on classic French toast, featuring day-old banana bread coated in a coconut-egg mixture, then cooked in a waffle iron for a crisp, golden exterior. Topped with warm, caramelized bananas and a drizzle of maple or coconut syrup, it’s a perfect breakfast or brunch treat that balances sweet, coconutty flavors with the richness of banana bread.
Ingredients
Banana Bread Waffle French Toast
- 4 slices banana bread (preferably day-old, about 1-inch thick)
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup coconut milk (or regular milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup sweetened shredded coconut
Caramelized Bananas
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
To Serve
- Maple syrup or coconut syrup
Instructions
- Prepare the waffle iron: Preheat your waffle iron and lightly grease it with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Mix egg coating: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, coconut milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until well combined to create a flavorful soaking mixture for the banana bread.
- Coat banana bread slices: Dip each slice of banana bread into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for a few seconds on each side to absorb the flavors without becoming too soggy.
- Press shredded coconut: Press the coated banana bread slices into the sweetened shredded coconut on both sides, creating a crispy, coconut crust once cooked.
- Cook in waffle iron: Place each coated slice carefully into the preheated waffle iron. Cook for 3–5 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and crisp, providing a waffle-like texture.
- Caramelize bananas: While the waffles cook, heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the unsalted butter. Add the sliced bananas and brown sugar, stirring gently, and cook for 3–4 minutes until the bananas are soft and caramelized, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Serve and garnish: Top each banana bread waffle French toast slice with warm caramelized bananas. Finish by drizzling with maple syrup or coconut syrup to taste, adding a luscious sweetness.
Notes
- For an extra crunch and deeper coconut flavor, toast the shredded coconut lightly before pressing onto the banana bread slices.
- This recipe works best with firm or slightly stale banana bread to help it hold together in the waffle iron without becoming mushy.
- Feel free to substitute coconut milk with any milk of choice, but coconut milk enhances the tropical flavor pairing with the shredded coconut and bananas.
- Use a non-stick waffle iron or properly grease to avoid sticking and ensure easy removal of the waffle French toast slices.
