Stuffed Challah French Toast

Stuffed challah French toast is the epitome of a perfect sweet brunch recipe! Stuffed with sweet banana and dunked in the most flavorful custard, with warm cinnamon and a touch of vanilla.

Challah French Toast

There is no brunch item that I don't enjoy. A few favorites are chilaquiles, shakshuka, gooey cinnamon rolls and stuffed challah French toast are always at the top of the list!

But this challah French toast isn't any ordinary French toast. Thick slices of challah bread are stuffed with sweet mashed banana and coated in the most flavorful custard.

The stuffed challah French toast is then pan fried in butter (the only way!) and drizzled with a warm berry infused maple syrup.

Ingredients

• Challah: A classic, plan challah is perfect for this recipe, either store bought or homemade. if you want to kick it up even more, this brown sugar cinnamon swirl challah would be fantastic too!
• Banana: This is the time to use that overly ripe banana.
• Milk: Either regular milk or dairy free milk can be used for the custard.
• Eggs: 2 whole eggs.
• Vanilla Paste: A touch of vanilla paste gives the custard a rich vanilla flavor.
• Cinnamon and Nutmeg: About half a teaspoons worth to give the custard warm notes.
• Butter: Unsalted butter for frying the French toast. Butter is always a must!
• Maple Syrup: To drizzle over the French toast. You can also steep a cinnamon stick for added flavor.
• Berries: Any berry will do and either frozen or fresh and added to the warm maple syrup.

How to Make Stuffed French Toast

1. Cut challah into thick slices and cut a slit into the bread, creating a pocket.
2. Stuff challah with a spoonful of the mashed banana, bit don't overfill too much.
3. Make the custard. To a wide bowl, add eggs, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg and a splash of vanilla paste, Whisk well until incorporated.
4. Heat a wide skillet over medium heat and melt butter. While butter melts, make the French toast.
5. Dip the challah in the custard on all sides, turning a few times. Drip off any excess and place challah in the hot butter.
6. Cool French toast until golden brown on the first side, then flip over and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown on both sides.
7. Make the berry syrup by adding maple syrup and berries to a small pot. Heat syrup over low-medium heat until warmed through and berries are very soft.
8. To serve, plate challah French toast on a plate and spoon berry syrup over.

Twists, Tips and Substitutions

• Use a flavored challah such as brown sugar cinnamon challah or pumpkin challah.
• Season the mashed banana with. atouch of cinnamon too.
• Make the French toast into a French toast casserole, similar to this baked eggnog French toast. Lay the French toast in a casserole dish and pour custard over and bake.
• Use any kind of berries for the maple syrup, such as blueberries and strawberries.

This post was originally published back in October 2012 and updated August, 2022 with added nutritional information, updated photos and retested recipe.