Banana French Toast

15. Banana French Toast

Ummm…. yum! This 15-minute breakie would be awesome with cream cheese in the middle, or different kinds of butter (try cashew, almond, sesame, sunflower seed or chocolate hazelnut!)

Stuff your French toast with an irresistible blend of cream cheese, peanut butter, maple syrup and more for a decadent start to your day – one serving is just 322 calories!

Photo: Ryan Szulc

By Diane Welland MS, RD

Serves: 4
Hands-on time: 10 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz low-fat cream cheese
• 2 tbsp unsalted natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 3 tsp pure maple syrup, divided
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 8 slices whole-wheat bread
• 2 egg whites
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup low-fat milk (preferably 1%)
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 medium bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp orange zest
• Olive oil cooking spray

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, peanut butter, yogurt, 1 tsp maple syrup and cinnamon until smooth and creamy. Spread 2 1/2 tbsp cream cheese mixture onto each of 4 bread slices. Top with remaining 4 bread slices; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk egg whites, egg, milk and nutmeg; set aside.
3. In a separate small bowl, toss bananas with orange juice and zest; set aside.
4. Heat a medium sauté pan on medium-high. Mist with cooking spray. Immediately dip 1 sandwich in egg mixture, coating both sides, and place in pan. Repeat, cooking 2 sandwiches in pan at once. Brown sandwiches, about 1 minute per side. Remove and top with banana mixture and remaining 2 tsp maple syrup, dividing evenly. Serve immediately.

Nutrients per serving (1 sandwich and 1/2 cup banana mixture): Calories: 332, Total Fat: 10 g, Sat. Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Carbs: 45 g, Fiber: 6 g, Sugars: 15 g, Protein: 16 g, Sodium: 366 mg, Cholesterol: 61 m
g