French toast is the sort of dish that bridges the gap between a lazy breakfast and a cheerful dessert, giving you the best of both worlds. Soft, custard-soaked bread fried to golden perfection, with just the right hint of sweetness, has been loved for centuries across cultures. But today, I want to share a twist on the classic – French Fruit Toast, where fresh fruit sneaks its way between the layers and maple syrup ties it all together. It’s a dish that looks impressive but is incredibly simple to prepare, making it perfect for weekend brunches, lazy Sunday mornings, or even as a treat when you fancy something indulgent yet fresh.
French Fruit Toast starts with the basics: thick slices of French toast, crisped gently on the outside but still pillowy within. The magic comes when you tuck in slices of ripe banana and scatter juicy blueberries between the layers. It’s a little like building a breakfast sandwich, only instead of ham and cheese, you’re stacking sweet fruit that melts and softens against the warm toast. A final drizzle of golden maple syrup brings everything together, seeping down the sides and giving each bite that irresistible combination of flavours – buttery, fruity, and sweet with just the right balance.
What I love about this French Fruit Toast is that it feels elegant without demanding much effort. It’s the kind of breakfast that makes you pause and smile. You could just as easily make plain French toast and throw fruit on the side, but layering it in makes it feel a little more thoughtful, almost celebratory. And let’s be honest – who doesn’t love the surprise of biting into a slice and finding warm banana nestled in between?
Blueberries and banana are a beautiful pair for this French Fruit Toast. The bananas bring creamy sweetness, while the blueberries burst with tart juiciness, ensuring the toast doesn’t become too rich. But this is just the starting point – the real fun comes in mixing and matching fruit combinations to suit the season or your personal cravings.
For a tropical twist, try slices of mango with chunks of pineapple, finished with a sprinkle of toasted coconut instead of syrup. It will transport you straight to a beach holiday. In autumn, you could go with thin slices of apple or pear, warmed with a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg – perfect for chilly mornings. If you’re feeling indulgent, strawberries and raspberries layered between the slices and topped with a spoonful of whipped cream make a dessert-worthy version that wouldn’t look out of place at a dinner party.
Stone fruits also work beautifully with French Fruit Toast. Think of juicy peaches or nectarines in summer, especially when they’re just ripe enough to drip their juice into the bread. Apricots, when slightly tart, bring a lovely sharpness that balances the richness of the toast. And for those who adore classic combinations, nothing beats the harmony of strawberries and bananas together, a pairing that always feels nostalgic and satisfying.
If you’re the sort who enjoys experimenting, you can even go savoury-sweet. Imagine layering the toast with figs and a touch of goat’s cheese, or blackberries with a little drizzle of honey instead of maple syrup. These versions lean more towards brunch than breakfast, but that’s the beauty of French Fruit Toast – it’s endlessly adaptable.
A final word of advice: don’t forget the texture. Fruit brings freshness, but a scattering of extras can really elevate the dish. Toasted almonds or walnuts add crunch, a dusting of cocoa gives a chocolatey kick, and a spoonful of Greek yoghurt on the side balances the sweetness with creaminess. Each variation feels like a new dish, yet they all share the same comforting base of French toast.
In the end, French Fruit Toast is about more than just eating – it’s about slowing down, savouring, and enjoying the moment. It turns an everyday breakfast into something memorable, and with just a little imagination, it can be reinvented again and again. So next time you find yourself with a loaf of bread, a couple of eggs, and some fruit lingering in the fruit bowl, you know exactly what to do.
French Fruit Toast
Ingredients
- 4 slices Brioche challah
- 2 large eggs free range
- 100 ml milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp butter for frying
- 1 large banana sliced
- 75 g blueberries
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and vanilla extract.2 large eggs, 100 ml milk, ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and melt the butter.1 tbsp butter
- Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, coating both sides, and place into the pan.4 slices Brioche
- Cook until golden on each side, about 2–3 minutes per side.
- Layer the toast with sliced banana and blueberries between the slices.1 large banana, 75 g blueberries
- Drizzle with maple syrup and serve warm.2 tbsp maple syrup
12 comments
Really good recipe – quick, simple, and delicious.
Made this for breakfast today and for the first time the entire family finished. Making this again. The fruit in the middle give it that additional something.
Highly recommend with a dusting of icing sugar on top.
This was such a treat for Sunday breakfast! The bananas and blueberries made the toast feel fresh and light, and the maple syrup tied it all together beautifully.
Next time I’ll try it with peaches and raspberries, as I think the base works well with any fruit.
I loved the flavours, especially the warm banana in between the slices. The only thing I’d change is adding a few strawberries too – but that’s just personal taste
Absolutely gorgeous dish! The combination of fruit inside the toast rather than just on top made it feel extra special. It’s now my favourite way to eat French toast.
erfect balance of indulgence and fruitiness. My kids gobbled this down without a fuss, which is a win in my house.
The toast was fluffy, the banana melted in nicely, and the blueberries added a burst of flavour. Personally, I’d add a handful of nuts for crunch, but otherwise perfect.
I usually make plain French toast, but this layered version feels so much more special. The blueberries burst with juice and made every bite different.
The bread was soft, the fruit fresh, and the maple syrup just the right sweetness. Elegant but easy.
Really good recipe – quick, simple, and delicious.