Description
Wake up to the comforting aroma of warm French toast, sweet bananas, and toasted walnuts with this Banana Walnut Crunch French Toast Casserole. Perfect for weekend brunches, holiday mornings, or any cozy breakfast gathering, this dish combines soft, custardy bread with the natural sweetness of bananas and the satisfying crunch of toasted walnuts. Inspired by nostalgic family breakfasts, it’s a recipe that’s simple to prepare, can be made ahead of time, and is guaranteed to impress friends and family alike.
Ingredients
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1 loaf day-old French bread or brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes
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3 large ripe bananas, sliced
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1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
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6 large eggs
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2 cups whole milk
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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1/2 cup granulated sugar
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1/4 cup packed brown sugar
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
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Optional: powdered sugar or maple syrup for serving
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Toast walnuts on a baking sheet in the oven for 5–7 minutes until fragrant; set aside.
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Place bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish.
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Layer sliced bananas over the bread and sprinkle toasted walnuts on top.
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In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
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Pour custard over the bread, pressing cubes gently to absorb liquid.
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Drizzle melted butter evenly over the top.
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Cover casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
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Remove foil and bake an additional 25–30 minutes until golden and set.
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Allow to cool 10 minutes before serving; optionally dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with maple syrup.
Notes
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Use day-old bread for best custard absorption.
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Assemble the night before for a make-ahead breakfast.
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Substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds if desired.
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Adjust sugar based on banana ripeness.
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Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in microwave or oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55–60 minutes