Caramelized Bananas for French Toast
by Sarah W. Caron • April 23, 2009 • Breakfasts • 7 Comments
If banana trees could talk, they would express fear at the mere mention of Will and Paige. My kids can put down those distinctive yellow fruits like nobody’s business. Nearly every morning, once Paige is changed and revving to go, she runs to the kitchen with an outstretched hand. Is the cute gesture a sign of happiness that she’s up and about? Is it to pet her beloved dogs? Is it to say good morning?
No. It’s to retrieve a perfectly ripe banana.
And as soon as she has one, Will is quick to grab one too. At this point, if I could grow my own bananas, I would just to save myself a twice weekly trip to the grocery store for more. Seriously. Forget the Cookie Monster, I am mom to the Banana Monsters.
So these delicious, syrup-y bananas? They are a favorite all around. The kids devour these lightly caramelized bananas on their French toast (and I bet they would be amazing on ice cream too!). Considering that this is ridiculously easy to make and totally delicious (you don’t need any maple syrup when you’ve got these!), there is no excuse not to healthy-up your breakfast with this serving of fruit.
But who cares about health when something tastes this good?
Caramelized Bananas
serves 4
2 medium ripe, but not overripe, bananas
2 tbsp packed brown sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Kosher salt
1 tbsp unsalted butter
Slice the bananas on a diagonal into 1/4-1/2 inch slices.
In a bowl, stir together the banana slices, brown sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon. Add one small pinch of Kosher salt and continue stirring until all the banana pieces are coated. It should become a little syrup-y.
In a medium skillet, melt the butter, swirling the pan to coat all sides. When the butter begins to bubble, add the bananas and all the syrup-y mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, until the bananas soften and caramelize slightly.
Serve immediately.
That French Toast looks delish – you live too far away! The DH loves a caramelized banana recipe that I make that goes on top of ice cream. Bananas are big here too, but no one will eat them when there’s brown spots. Then they become banana bread and all is right with the world.
Drool – the pic is terrific too
What a perfect way to start the day! My youngest is my monkey when it comes to bananas… can’t keep enough around to make banana bread anymore!
Wow! This looks so yummy! My kids would love it!
It really looks AND sounds yummy.
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Cate, mmm. Sounds good. I never get the chance to make banana bread here. Wish I could — everyone loves it.
VF – Thanks!
Patsy, mine are the same way. I can’t remember the last time that we had bananas leftover to make anything else with them.
Emily, Thanks! Let me know how you all like it if you try it!
Viktoria,
It’s a great way to start the day, that’s for sure.