Our Banana Nut Chocolate Chip French Toast is not your average sliced toast recipe! With layers of French toast and chocolate chips mingle with a medley of naturally sweet fruit to create a decadently gooey, gratifying breakfast. The Lifeway Kefir that we use in the batter gives this French toast a wonderfully tangy taste to complement the fruit and syrup. Ready to experience this short stack of goodness for yourself? Check the link in our bio for the recipe.
Dairy-Free? No Problem!
If you’re dairy-free or looking to explore healthy, delicious organic dairy-free options, you can also use our Strawberry Vanilla Lifeway Oat in this recipe. It’s the perfect organic, gluten-free probiotic oat milk to try and the only oat milk that offers you probiotics with your oat milk. Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think!
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Actually Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole fat milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health.
Not Just Oat Milk: Cultured Oat Milk Benefits to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion. Studies have also shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, a combination of fiber and probiotics is even more beneficial for the gut, immune system, and for brain health due to the way this combination strengthens the microbiome, the powerhouse system of your entire health. This is where Lifeway Oat is so beneficial since it is an organic, cultured oat milk beyond just another standard oat milk. Lifeway Oat contains both fiber and probiotics to help support a healthier body and brain, which means an overall healthier you.
Prebiotics + Probiotics = A Healthier You
Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of fiber-rich plant foods. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive systems.
Prep Time: 25 mins Servings: 2-4Ingredients
- 8 bananas, sliced and peeled
- 4 tbsp. of butter or butter alternative, divided
- 4 egg whites, **or use 8 tbsp. of aquafaba instead of egg whites if vegan**
- 4 whole eggs, or flax seed
- 1/2 cup Vanilla Whole Milk Kefir
- **or use 1/2 cup
- pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 8 slices of your favorite bread (a thick-sliced bread works best)
- 4 tbsp. dark chocolate chips, divided
- Strawberries
- 4 tbsp. chopped pecans or walnuts, divided
- garnishes: additional sprinkle of cinnamon, more Lifeway kefir, and additional nuts, sliced bananas, or chocolate chips, if desired
Directions
- Turn a burner on the stove-top to medium-high heat. In a medium-large skillet, add 2 bananas, sliced, and 1 tbsp. butter to the pan. Caramelize the banana slices until just fragrant, slightly cooked, and slightly brown. Do not overcook; just cook until they start to caramelize a bit. Remove from the pan and place on a glass plate. Repeat the process with 2 bananas in the pan and 1 tbsp. butter until all 4 servings are done. Set aside.
- Next, in a bowl, whisk the 4 whole eggs (or flax seed), 4 egg whites (or aquafaba), 1/2 cup Lifeway kefir, vanilla (or lifeway oat), salt, and cinnamon together until well combined and all the eggs are mixed with the whites.
- Dip 2 pieces of bread of choice into the mixture on each side; repeat a few times until very well-coated.
- Using the same skillet as used in step 1, add the 2 pieces of coated bread, and heat the skillet to medium-high heat again. Cook the bread for 1-2 minutes on each side, watching as you go making sure not to over-cook one side. Cook until just toasted on both sides and set aside. Repeat this process with the remaining bread and egg/kefir mixture until all 8 pieces of bread are done.
- Once everything is cooked, add 2 pieces of toast to each plate and add 2 of the cooked and caramelized bananas on top of each piece of toast. Add 1 tbsp. of chocolate chips and 1 tbsp. of the chopped pecans or walnuts on top of each serving (the chocolate chips will melt slightly since the other ingredients are likely still warm; if not, just heat them on the plate in the microwave for 10 seconds if you want the chocolate chips completely melted).
- Repeat this process with the other plates, using 2 pieces of the cooked toast, 2 of the cooked caramelized bananas, and the remaining chocolate chips and pecans until each serving is complete. Feel free to drizzle extra kefir on top of each serving or a sprinkle of additional cinnamon. Drizzle with maple syrup or raw honey if you want it a little sweeter.
