banana and peanut butter stuffed french toast

Up until very recently, whenever someone mentioned Elvis’ favorite sandwich, I thought to myself “well, no wonder he died young!” Once I actually took a moment to consider it though, the sandwich really isn’t so bad. The basic Elvis sandwich is just bananas and peanut butter, fried like a classic grilled cheese. I’d say that the grilled cheese sandwich is far worse for you. Oh, except sometimes Elvis liked to add bacon, which, okay, is a little over the top.

I realized a few months ago that I like bananas a lot more if they’re served with a bit of peanut butter (or Nutella). That reminded me of Elvis’s favorite sandwich, but I wasn’t interested in pan-frying it. Instead, I thought it would be great as French toast.

I had never made stuffed French toast, but there are plenty of recipes for different versions of it, so I was confident that it would work. First I made the basic sandwich by smearing one side of each bread slice with a thin layer of peanut butter. I wanted peanut butter on both slices so it would glue the bananas to the bread, keeping the sandwich together. I recommend a very thin layer because peanut butter can be overpowering, as well as sticky in your mouth. I used my favorite French toast recipe for the batter, but made it a little thinner because it would only be absorbed through the non-peanut butter side of the bread slices.

It worked out pretty well. I should have let the sandwich soak in the batter a little longer, and I should have cooked them on higher heat, but the flavors were really good. And there’s really nothing unhealthy about it except for a bit of butter to fry the sandwiches. I’m guessing the drug dependency was a bigger influence on Elvis’ early demise than banana sandwiches.

Elvis French Toast (adapted from Cooks Illustrated’s French Toast recipe)

4 slices sandwiches bread (I used Country Crust Bread)
2 tablespoons peanut butter (approximately)
1-2 bananas, sliced ¼-inch thick
1 large egg
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon table salt
1 tablespoon butter

1. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place slices of banana in a single layeron peanut butter-covered sides of two bread slices. Top with the remaining bread, peanut butter side down.

2. Heat medium nonstick skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, beat egg lightly in shallow pan or pie plate; whisk in milk, vanilla, sugar, and salt and salt, continuing to whisk until smooth. Soak sandwiches without oversaturating, about 1 minute per side. Pick up bread and allow excess batter to drip off; repeat with remaining sandwiches.

3. Swirl 1 tablespoon butter in hot skillet. Transfer prepared sandwiches to skillet; cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes on first side and 1 minute 15 seconds on the second. Serve immediately, dusting with powdered sugar.

Comments

  1. gah! That looks really really good. I need to go eat breakfast now, and it won’t be as good as this!

  2. Wow, that looks good and I don’t even like bananas.

  3. amanda says:

    Oh that looks so good! Just wondering when you add the flour? (Didn’t see it in the directions) Is it mixed in to the egg mixture?

  4. Oh, drugs, absolutely. Don’t feel guilty eating this sandwich! It’s all good! (I love bananas!) 😉 Though you can probably push it over the edge by using brioche instead of wholesome bread, haha! 🙂

  5. Wow! That looks delicious!

  6. amanda – Oops, I meant to take the flour out of the ingredient list. I don’t think it’s a good addition for this stuffed French toast.

  7. This looks fabulous! I love peanut butter and banana sandwiches and it looks like it makes fabulous French toast!

  8. Holy moly my hubby would love this!

  9. bettylou79 says:

    You are amazing with your banana recipes! This is recipe number 3 with bananas that I love on your blog. I’m going to have to try this! Yummy!

  10. bettylou – Yeah, what is with all the banana recipes I have? I swear, I don’t even like them that much, they just work in so many types of recipes.

  11. Yummy!! I gave you an excellence award:)

  12. What a fun idea! I love peanut butter and bananas together. I think my husband would love this, too. I think I might have to make this a weekend breakfast soon.

  13. nom nom nom

  14. bunnies4buddha says:

    Only you could make an everyday sandwich look so sophisticated 🙂

  15. Man that looks good.

    I was curious how it was all gonna stay together, but the peanut butter must be enough adhesive for the bananas.

  16. Looks yummy! I usually make this without the French Toast option but I think it’ll try it. Lovely photos.

  17. Kayla says:

    YUM!

  18. shauna says:

    I will make this, but remove icing and just soak the bread in honey with a bit of water. Honey is my favourite way of eating peanut-butter, but bananas are much more interesting and more long-lasting for that endless hours in the office until lunch!