Bananas Foster Breakfast Casserole

What's better than starting your day with a little sweetness? This Bananas Foster breakfast casserole is the perfect way to show your family how much you care. Made with croissants, brown sugar, butter, and of course bananas, it's a delicious dish that will make them want to get out of bed in the morning!

The best part about this casserole is that it can be made ahead of time so you don't have to spend your mornings slaving over a hot stove. Simply pop it in the oven and enjoy the sweet smells of breakfast wafting through your kitchen as it bakes. Your family will love waking up to this warm and inviting meal.

The is best served warm, straight from the oven. But if you happen to have leftovers, they reheat beautifully. So feel free to make this casserole ahead of time and enjoy it all week long!

Need another sweet breakfast idea? Check out my favorite brioche French toast casserole. It is delicious and super easy to make ahead of time. The ideal holiday breakfast.

bananas foster breakfast casserole topped with almonds on top of wood cutting board

What Toppings Go On a Banana Breakfast Bake?

There are so many delicious toppings you can add to this Bananas Foster breakfast casserole. We love to top ours with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, and a drizzle of caramel sauce. But feel free to get creative and top yours with whatever you like!

You can add candied pecans or walnuts, or even a few macadamia nuts or almonds.
Add fresh blueberries or strawberries when serving. It almost gives it a "banana split" flavor.
Top with whipped cream or even the classic Cool Whip topping.
Replace the caramel sauce with real maple syrup.
Dust the top with powdered sugar.

wood cutting board on table that is holding a bananas foster breakfast bake

Ingredients

For the breakfast casserole

5 large croissants
2 large bananas
1 cup coconut milk (250ml)
5 large eggs
¼ cup packed brown sugar (50g)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (1.5g)

For the caramel sauce

½ cup butter (113g)
½ cup packed brown sugar (100g)
Pinch of salt

croissants on table by small bowls of ingredients

Kitchen Tools Used

bananas foster breakfast casserole on cutting board by striped napkin with bananas in background

How to Make Bananas Foster Breakfast Casserole

Video Recipe

Start by spraying your 10" baking dish with non-stick spray or coating with butter to prevent sticking and to make it easier to remove the bake once it is done. Then, preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.

Now, slice the bananas into ½" thick rounds and place them in an even layer along the bottom of the baking dish until it is covered.

hand slicing bananas on wood cutting board

In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the brown sugar, salt, and butter for the caramel sauce. Microwave this for 2 minutes, stirring it at the halfway mark, until the sugar has melted and dissolved into the butter to create the caramel.

Now, pour this caramel sauce on top of the bananas and spread it evenly so it covered them all.

Spoon pouring caramel sauce over bananas in baking dish

Then, tear or cut apart the croissants and spread them in an even layer over the bananas and caramel sauce.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and coconut milk until combined.

bowl of milk and eggs on table by striped napkin

Pour the egg mixture over the croissants making sure the bread is totally covered.

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, then bake it for 40 minutes. After 40-minutes, remove the foil and continue baking this for an additional 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 10-minutes. Once cooled, you will place a platter or cutting board over the top of the pan. Then, carefully flip it over and tap so the bananas foster casserole breakfast casserole releases from the pan. Remove the pan so that the bananas are on top.

banana breakfast casserole on top of wood cutting board on marble table

Slice and serve with slivered almonds and/or powdered sugar on top.

slice of bananas foster breakfast casserole on round white plate

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Ripen Bananas for This Recipe?

If your bananas aren't quite ripe enough for this recipe, there's no need to worry. There are a few easy ways to ripen them so they'll be perfect for use in this casserole.

The quickest way to ripen bananas is to place them on a baking sheet and bake them in a 300°F oven for about 15 minutes. This will cause the natural sugars in the bananas to caramelize, giving them a delicious flavor that is perfect for this casserole. Since you are baking this casserole anyway, you can use unripe bananas and they will still get that sweetness while baking. However, I prefer they are ripe before I bake them.

If you don't want to turn on your oven, you can also ripen bananas by placing them in a paper bag with a ripe apple or banana. The ethylene gas that is emitted by the ripe fruit will speed up the ripening process, so your bananas should be ready to use in no time.

Finally, if you're really in a pinch, you can always use frozen bananas in this bananas foster breakfast casserole. Simply thaw them before using and they'll be perfect for the casserole.

What Can I Use Instead of Croissants In Bananas Foster Breakfast Casserole?

If you don't have croissants but want the same type of crust, you can use puff pastry. Simply roll it out, cut it into strips, and layer it in the casserole dish. You'll get the same flaky, buttery crust without having to use croissants.

If you're not a fan of croissants, don't worry – there are plenty of other options that will work just as well in this recipe. Try using brioche, challah, or even regular white bread in place of the croissants. Whatever you use, just make sure it's sliced into 1-inch pieces so it will soak up all of the delicious custard.

What Type of Coconut Milk Should I Use?

There are two basic types of coconut milk. You have the beverage that is often found in the refrigerated dairy section of your grocery store, or sometimes in cartons that are shelf-stable. The other option is canned coconut milk which is thicker and filled with more fat.

For this recipe, the coconut milk beverage is a great choice. You can use canned coconut milk, but it is not necessary and is (1) more expensive, and (2) higher in fat and calories that aren't necessary for this recipe.

I also recommend looking for flavored coconut milk for added flavor in this recipe. Vanilla milk or even the occasional banana milk would work wonderfully in this recipe.

You could also make your own homemade coconut milk to save on expenses if it is something you wouldn't normally have on hand in your pantry.

Can I Freeze This Banana Breakfast Casserole?

Yes, this casserole can be frozen. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before freezing. When you're ready to eat it, thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator and then bake it according to the recipe instructions.

slivered almonds sprinkled on top of banana breakfast bake

More Breakfast Casseroles

Breakfast is often said to be the most important meal of the day, and I am definitely a fan of sweet breakfasts like this one. But, if you want more variety or have someone who only eats savory foods at breakfast, don't worry. Below are a few more breakfast casserole ideas that are sure to be a hit at your breakfast table. Make sure you bookmark the recipes, print out the tutorials, or just pin them to Pinterest so they are handy when you are ready to make them for your family.

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