Who doesn’t love a good, hearty breakfast? And when it comes to breakfast food, IHOP is definitely one of the most popular restaurants out there. While there are plenty of delicious dishes to choose from on their menu, one of the all-time favorites has to be their Strawberry Banana French Toast. If you’re a fan of this dish and want to try making it at home, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll be sharing two different recipes for IHOP Strawberry Banana French Toast that you can easily recreate in your own kitchen.
Recipe 1: Classic IHOP Strawberry Banana French Toast
Ingredients:
- 6 thick slices of brioche or challah bread
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
- Butter, for cooking
- Confectioners’ sugar, for serving
- Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Soak the bread slices in the egg mixture for at least 5 minutes, turning them over occasionally to ensure that they are evenly coated.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of butter and let it melt.
- Cook the bread slices for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer the French toast to a serving platter and top with the sliced bananas and strawberries. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve with maple syrup.
Nutritional Information:
Calories: 431; Total Fat: 19g; Saturated Fat: 9g; Cholesterol: 176mg; Sodium: 415mg; Total Carbohydrates: 55g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugars: 31g; Protein: 12g.
Cooking Time:
20 minutes.
Equipment:
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- Large non-stick skillet
- Spatula
- Serving platter
Serving Suggestions:
This classic IHOP Strawberry Banana French Toast is perfect for a weekend brunch with friends and family. Serve it with a side of bacon, sausage, or scrambled eggs for a complete meal.
Variations:
If you want to switch things up a bit, you can try using different types of bread for this recipe. Sourdough, Texas toast, or even croissants would all work well. You can also experiment with different toppings, such as whipped cream, caramel sauce, or chopped nuts.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have brioche or challah bread, you can use regular sandwich bread instead. You can also use almond milk or coconut milk instead of whole milk, and coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar.
Storage:
You can store any leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the slices in a toaster or toaster oven until warmed through.
Tips:
- Make sure to use thick slices of bread for this recipe, so that they can absorb the egg mixture without falling apart.
- If you don’t have a non-stick skillet, you can use a regular skillet and add a bit more butter to prevent the French toast from sticking.
- If you want to make this recipe even more indulgent, you can add a dollop of mascarpone or cream cheese to each slice of French toast before adding the fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the egg mixture and soak the bread slices the night before, then cook them in the morning.
- Can I freeze leftover French toast? Yes, you can freeze any leftover French toast by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and placing it in a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, simply place the slices in a toaster or toaster oven until warmed through.
- Can I use frozen fruit instead of fresh? Yes, you can use frozen strawberries and bananas if you thaw them first and drain off any excess liquid.
Recipe 2: Vegan IHOP Strawberry Banana French Toast
Ingredients:
- 6 thick slices of vegan bread (such as sourdough or whole wheat)
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
- Coconut oil, for cooking
- Agave nectar, for serving
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the almond milk, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Soak the bread slices in the mixture for at least 5 minutes, turning them over occasionally to ensure that they are evenly coated.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil and let it melt.
- Cook the bread slices for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer the French toast to a serving platter and top with the sliced bananas and strawberries. Drizzle with agave nectar and serve.
Nutritional Information:
Calories: 263; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 329mg; Total Carbohydrates: 47g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugars: 21g; Protein: 7g.
Cooking Time:
20 minutes.
Equipment:
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- Large non-stick skillet
- Spatula
- Serving platter
Serving Suggestions:
This vegan version of IHOP Strawberry Banana French Toast is a great option for anyone who is dairy-free or vegan. Serve it with a side of vegan bacon or sausage for a complete meal.
Variations:
If you want to change up the flavor of this recipe, you can try adding different spices to the egg mixture, such as nutmeg or cardamom. You can also experiment with different types of fruit, such as blueberries or peaches.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have almond milk, you can use any other type of non-dairy milk, such as soy milk or oat milk. You can also use cornstarch or arrowroot powder instead of the nutritional yeast.
Storage:
You can store any leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the slices in a toaster or toaster oven until warmed through.
Tips:
- Make sure to use thick slices of bread for this recipe, so that they can absorb the egg mixture without falling apart.
- If you don’t have a non-stick skillet, you can use a regular skillet and add a bit more coconut oil to prevent the French toast from sticking.
- If you want to make this recipe even more indulgent, you can add a dollop of vegan whipped cream or coconut cream to each slice of French toast before adding the fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use regular milk instead of almond milk? Yes, you can use any type of milk you prefer. Just make sure it’s unsweetened.
- Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Yes, you can use gluten-free bread instead of regular bread, and cornstarch instead of flour.
- Can I use a different type of sweetener? Yes, you can use honey,