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. You’ll love this spin on French Toast and enjoy the protein and probiotic benefits of our kefir, too. Enjoy!
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 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.
Prep Time: 25 mins Servings: 2-4Ingredients
- 8 bananas, sliced and peeled
- 4 tbsp. of butter or butter alternative, divided
- 4 egg whites
- 4 whole eggs
- 1/2 cup Vanilla Whole Milk Kefir
- 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, Lifeway Farmer Cheese, 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, egg whites, plus 1/2 cup Lifeway kefir, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon together until well combined and all the eggs are mixed.
- 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.
