If you love cottage cheese, try more of my cottage cheese recipes, like cottage cheese mac and cheese, cottage cheese dip, and more!

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

There are only 5 ingredients you’ll need for these peanut butter oatmeal bars…and two are in the recipe title! That’s the ultimate easy recipe, right there. I love these no bake oatmeal bars for treats, but they’re also great for snacks since they’re mostly just whole grain oats.

For breakfast bars, I prefer our straight up Oatmeal Bars: but you could also eat these for breakfast as well. Here’s what you’ll need for these babies:

• Old Fashioned rolled oats: Use plain old oats here: not steel cut or instant oats!
• Peanut butter: I like natural peanut butter with no added sugar or salt, but use your favorite brand.
• Honey: Honey has the best warm flavor and sticky texture. See below for a few vegan options!
• Cinnamon: This spice adds just the right nuance.
• Dark chocolate: All you need is a 1 ounce of dark chocolate! Just the small amount of chocolate adds a great punch, but still keeps the treats on the healthy side: it’s just 8 calories per bar.

Making Them Vegan

Want to make vegan peanut butter oatmeal bars instead? The honey in this recipe is important for creating a nuanced, warm flavor and the sticky texture. Typically I use maple syrup as a vegan sweetener, but it doesn’t have quite the same texture and sweetness here.

I recommend using agave syrup: it’s slightly stickier than maple and should help the bars hold together better. But you can use maple syrup if it’s all you have!

More Fresh Strawberry Recipes You’ll Love

• Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Strawberry Popsicles
• Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes
• Strawberry Slushie
• Strawberry Lemonade
• Strawberry Waffles
• 25 Great Strawberry Recipes

More Blueberry Recipes

Love blueberries in the morning? Here are a few of my top blueberry breakfast recipes:

• Try blueberry oatmeal or a pan of blueberry baked oatmeal.
• Make classic blueberry pancakes or lemon blueberry pancakes.
• Mix up a big pan of blueberry French toast casserole.
• Make a batch of banana blueberry muffins or a blueberry smoothie.

Ingredients You’ll Need

That’s right, no need for those instant oatmeal packets from the store. There are no secret ingredients needed for microwave oatmeal! I eat oatmeal every day, and I used to make this stovetop version. However, this microwave variation has stolen my heart! It’s so quick that I can have it daily with a little bit of maple syrup and peanut butter.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Old Fashioned rolled oats: Rolled oats are whole oat grains that are pressed flat with rollers, and Old Fashioned oats are the whole, circular oats. Don’t substitute instant oats, which are more gloppy in texture, or steel-cut oats, which take much longer to cook.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon is optional, but it adds a nice flavor nuance!
• Kosher salt: Salt is important for making a bowl of oatmeal taste seasoned.

How To Make Oatmeal In The Microwave

This microwave oatmeal recipe makes a bowl of creamy single-serving oats. It’s easy to whip up with just 2 minutes of cook time! To make oatmeal in the microwave:

1. Place ½ cup oats, ¾ cup water, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt, and ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon in a microwave-safe bowl with high sides.
2. Microwave on High for 2 minutes. If there is still a good amount of liquid left, cook 10 to 20 more seconds.
3. Stir and allow to stand for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the liquid to be absorbed.

Every microwave is different, so experiment to find the settings that work for you! With my microwave, it’s perfect with a cook time of 2:15.

Toppings for Microwave Oatmeal

Top your microwave oatmeal with your favorite toppings to turn it into a filling, healthy meal! I love it with just a bit of peanut butter, maple syrup, and a touch of milk (or a hint of heavy cream, which adds a nice richness). Here are a few more topping ideas:

• Fresh fruit like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, sliced banana, or sliced apple
• Syrups or sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or Blueberry Syrup
• Sauces or compotes like Strawberry Sauce, Blueberry Sauce, or Raspberry Sauce
• Nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, Candied Pecans, Candied Walnuts, hazelnuts, or pistachios
• Yogurt like Greek yogurt mixed with maple syrup

More Oatmeal Recipes to Try

• Easy Blueberry Oatmeal
• Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
• Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal
• Easy Banana Oatmeal

Types of Oats

There are two main types of oats you can use to make oatmeal: rolled oats or steel-cut oats. A big pot of traditional oatmeal is best with Old Fashioned oats. Here’s a breakdown:

• Rolled oats: Rolled oats are whole oat grains that are pressed flat with rollers. This is what you’ll typically think of when you think of oatmeal. There are a few types of rolled oats:
  • Old-fashioned oats: These are whole, circular oats. They provide the most texture and are the best preference for a pot of oatmeal.
  • Quick cooking oats or Instant oats: These oats are rolled thinner and cook faster than Old Fashioned oats, but they have a powdery texture and can become mushy when cooked. Use them only in a pinch.
• Steel-cut oats: Steel-cut oats are whole-grain oats cut into nubs; they look like brown rice or barley. These oats take 30 minutes to cook and have a very chewy texture. Avoid using them in this recipe, since they require different instructions. Check out my Steel Cut Oats recipe.

How to Make Oatmeal on the Stovetop

Making this oatmeal recipe on the stovetop is quick and simple! This method makes a big pot of creamy, chewy oats with 4 servings. Here’s what to do (or jump to the recipe below):

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in 2 cups of oats and ¾ teaspoon each of kosher salt and cinnamon.
2. Reduce the heat to medium. Cook for about 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
3. Remove from the heat and let stand for 2 minutes, which allows more liquid to be absorbed. The standing time is important in order to get the perfect texture of oats!

How to Make Oatmeal in the Microwave

The microwave method for making oatmeal is my favorite! It makes a tasty, single-serving bowl of deliciously creamy oats. It’s important to use a microwave-safe bowl with tall sides so that the oatmeal doesn’t overflow. This is easy to whip up with just 2 minutes of cook time!

1. Place ½ cup oats, ¾ cup water, and ⅛ teaspoon each kosher salt and cinnamon in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave on High for 2 minutes. If there is still a good amount of liquid, cook 10 to 20 more seconds.
3. Stir and allow to stand for 2 minutes to allow the liquid to be absorbed. That’s it!

Topping Ideas

The sky is the limit when it comes to oatmeal toppings! In my opinion, a hint of maple syrup and a drizzle of milk are all it needs. But it’s even more fun to add some colorful fruit or a swirl of nut butter! Here are some oatmeal topping ideas:

• Maple syrup & cinnamon or maple syrup & Greek yogurt
• Peanut butter and strawberry jam (or go to Peanut Butter Oatmeal)
• Almond butter and dried cherries
• Toasted coconut
• Fresh raspberries or blueberries
• Candied pecans or candied walnuts
• Banana slices and toasted almonds
• Blueberry sauce, strawberry sauce, or raspberry sauce
• Chopped apples and cashew butter or pecan butter

Nutrition Info

Yes, oatmeal is part of a healthy diet. Here are a few of the main nutritional benefits of oats (source):

• Oats are high in plant-based protein. 1 cup of raw oats has 11 grams of protein. That’s about 20% of your daily need!
• Oats are high in fiber. 1 cup of raw oats has 8 grams of fiber, which is about 30% of the daily value.
• Oats are very filling: they may reduce appetite and help you eat fewer calories.

For more benefits, go to Oats 101: Nutrition Facts.

More Oatmeal Recipes to Try

• Everyday Baked Oatmeal
• Overnight Oats
• Instant Pot Oatmeal
• Blueberry Oatmeal
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
• Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal

Sweeten With Maple Syrup

This apple smoothie tastes fantastic with no added sweetener; it’s perfectly sweet and tart! However, the flavor can depend on the fruit’s ripeness and your personal tastes. Take a taste, and if you’d like it sweeter, add a bit of maple syrup or honey. This is a nice option if you’re looking for a sweet treat to take the place of a dessert.

Start with ½ tablespoon in the blender and increase if needed. You may want to stir it in instead of blending, because if you over-blend, the texture can get far too liquid.

Vegan Variation

Want to make a vegan apple smoothie instead? Try my Green Apple Smoothie recipe! It pairs green apple and cashews to make a beautifully sweet tart vegan smoothie. The cashews add plant-based protein, helping it stay satiating and keep you full.

More Flavor Variations

This apple smoothie tastes amazing as is, but you can mix it up even more. Here are some ideas for fun variations on the theme:

• Ginger: Add ½ teaspoon grated ginger to the mix for a spicy brightness.
• Spices: Add ⅛ teaspoon allspice or nutmeg. Or replace the cinnamon with the same amount of pumpkin pie spice or chai spices.
• Oats: Add whole grains by throwing in ½ cup rolled oats.
• Pecans, cashews, or almonds: Throw in ¼ cup nuts to add a nutty undertone and even more plant-based protein.
• Nut butter: Or add 1 to 2 tablespoons almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter.

Apples Nutrition

Apples are good for you and full of nutrients! Here’s a little breakdown on some of the top benefits of apples (according to Healthline):

• Apples are a good source of vitamin C. One apple contains 14% of your daily needs.
• They are full of fiber and water. One apple has 4 grams of fiber, or about 15% of your daily needs.
• Apples contain pectin, a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic and helps with gut health.
• Most of the nutrients in apples are in the skin, so you should eat the skin as much as possible.

More Fruit Smoothie Recipes to Try

• Dragon Fruit Smoothie
• Chocolate Banana Smoothie
• Green Detox Smoothie
• Oatmeal Smoothie
• Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie
• Cantaloupe Smoothie

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cornmeal pancakes are a fun, cozy breakfast, and come out beautifully fluffy and golden. The magic ingredient? Buttermilk, which makes that airy texture and adds a hint of tang to the flavor. You’ll want to use the real stuff here (no substitutes!). Otherwise, you might have all the other items on hand in your pantry and fridge.

Here are the ingredients for cornmeal pancakes:

• Fine ground cornmeal
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Granulated sugar
• Kosher salt
• Egg
• Salted butter
• Buttermilk

Use Real Buttermilk for Best Results

Buttermilk is absolutely crucial for making a light, fluffy pancake with a beautiful crumb. Many people, myself included, are often tempted to use a buttermilk substitute, the most popular being milk and lemon juice (or another acidic ingredient like apple cider vinegar).

But for the best flavor and rise, it’s got to be the real thing! The substitute can work in a pinch, but there’s something about the flavor and texture that’s luxuriously rich when you use actual buttermilk.

Tips for Cooking Cornmeal Pancakes

Cornmeal pancakes come together in the same way as any other pancake. Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, then cook on a skillet until golden brown! However, there are a few nuances to the process that are helpful:

• Use a large griddle; a non-stick surface is helpful. Some griddles have uneven heating, so use a quality griddle or skillet. A non-stick surface is a plus, though you’ll still want to cook the pancakes in butter to get them golden brown.
• Experiment to find the right heat level. Medium-low heat is ideal, but it varies by stovetop. It should take a few minutes to heat the pan. If the heat is too low, the pancakes won’t puff as much when cooking.
• Don’t worry if the first pancake isn’t perfect! Use it as a test to hone your pancake skills and adjust the heat accordingly.
• The batter sometimes becomes very thick while waiting for the second batch. If so, add a teaspoon or two of buttermilk until the batter is pourable. 

Mix-Ins, Toppings, & Variations

Want to mix up these cornmeal pancakes? It’s fun to add mix-ins for a burst of flavor. You can also add fun toppings to step them up. Here are a few ideas:

• Blueberries: Pour the batter into circles on the griddle, then place a handful of blueberries into the top of each pancake (this works better than mixing them into the batter). 
• Strawberries or raspberries: Add a handful of sliced strawberries or raspberries to each pancake while it cooks.
• Pecans: Add a hint of nutty flavor with a handful of finely chopped pecans in each pancake.
• Fruit syrup or compote: Top the pancakes with blueberry syrup or strawberry compote for a fruity contrast.
• Nut butter: Try them slathered with almond butter for a hearty breakfast.

What to Do With Leftover Buttermilk

Most buttermilk recipes don’t use the entire container. What to do with the remainder if you buy it for these cornmeal pancakes?

• Go for Buttermilk Pancakes instead
• Try these Buttermilk Biscuits, flaky, savory, and tender
• Make fluffy Coffee Cake Muffins
• Bake up Rhubarb Bread or Rhubarb Muffins with Streusel

More Cornmeal Recipes to Try

• Easy Corn Fritters
• Fried Tilapia
• Mexican Cornbread
• Easy Skillet Cornbread
• Easy Vegan Cornbread
• Classic Cornbread Muffins

Ingredients You’ll Need

French toast casserole can be made in a variety of ways. This one is more like a bread pudding, where the bread is soaked in a custard and then baked until soft and golden. It’s got an added layer with the streusel topping, infusing a separate layer of texture and a hint more sweetness. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Sourdough or French bread
• Eggs
• Milk
• Cream
• Brown sugar
• Turbinado or demerara sugar
• Vanilla
• Cinnamon and nutmeg
• Oats
• Pecans
• Flour
• Butter

The Best Bread to Use

You can use a few different types of bread for French toast casserole. Here’s a breakdown of what I use for this recipe and why, plus a few other options to consider:

• Sourdough bread: This is my top pick for French toast, both regular and in casserole form! The bread’s sturdy texture makes it chewy rather than mushy, and its flavor adds intriguing, tangy, and savory notes. The hard crust adds a nice variation to the texture.
• French bread: French bread also works here. The hard crust adds an interesting texture, like with sourdough.

What bread should you avoid? I don’t recommend store-bought white or whole-wheat bread here. The texture comes out much too soft since the bread essentially dissolves into the custard. Whole wheat bread in particular doesn’t work well with the flavor profile. I prefer this casserole with a textured sourdough bread vs. brioche or challah, which are softer.

Make It an Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe

You can easily turn this recipe into an overnight French toast casserole recipe if preferred! Simply assemble the bread and custard base layer, placing the custard in the pan with the bread and allowing it to soak overnight. You can also assemble the streusel topping and refrigerate it overnight.

In the morning, let the pan stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. You can also assemble the streusel during this time. Top with the streusel and throw it in the oven!

Topping Ideas

This French toast casserole is the perfect brunch recipe! It’s sweet and cozy, but not too rich and decadent. For toppings, it needs just a small drizzle of maple syrup. You could also add a small dusting of powdered sugar. If you’d like, you can top it with fresh fruit, but I prefer eating it on the side. The casserole is truly just good enough without any fancy toppings!

More French Toast Recipes to Try

• Best French Toast Recipe
• Cinnamon French Toast
• Challah French Toast, Brioche French Toast
• Sourdough French Toast
• Stuffed French Toast
• Banana Bread French Toast
• French Toast Sticks
• Vegan French Toast
• Banana French Toast

More Healthy Muffins to Try

Here are a few different flavors using the same blender muffin idea with rolled oats:

• Add blueberries for Healthy Blueberry Muffins.
• Use applesauce and oat for Applesauce Muffins.
• Try it with zucchini for Healthy Zucchini Muffins or Apple Zucchini Muffins.
• Make Apple Gluten Free Muffins or Healthy Apple Muffins instead.
• You might also enjoy our banana bread brownies!

Topping Ideas

Lemon ricotta pancakes are great with any toppings, but there’s a natural choice that fits more than any other: blueberries! Use either fresh blueberries or make a quick sauce. Here are some of my other favorite toppings:

• Pure maple syrup and powdered sugar: These taste incredible dressed simply.
• Blueberry sauce or compote: Try my stovetop Blueberry Sauce or Blueberry Compote.
• Peach compote: This simple peach compote would be a perfect pairing.
• Fresh berries like raspberries, blackberries or blueberries look perfect.
• Crushed nuts like pecans, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts or slivered almonds also add texture and visual appeal.
• Nut butter makes these pancakes even more filling, like peanut, almond, pecan, pistachio, or walnut butter.

More Ricotta Recipes

• Ricotta Pancakes
• Whipped Ricotta
• Ricotta Toast
• Lemon Ricotta Pasta
• Lasagna with Ricotta
• Ricotta Pizza

Tips for Perfect Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal

If you want to make a carrot cake oatmeal on the stovetop: stop here. I’ve tested it, and something about the warm nuts and raisins just does not work. Carrot cake baked oatmeal is the way to go! It tastes much more like the actual cake texture. Here are a few tips for the recipe:

• Grate the carrots finely: For the best texture, use the fine side of your grater. This helps the carrots cook properly and blend seamlessly into the oatmeal.
• Use raisins if you like. Our family has a weird thing about raisins in oatmeal, but feel free to add them if you love raisins in your carrot cake!
• Check for doneness: The center should be set and not jiggly when you remove it from the oven. It will continue to firm up as it cools.
• Let it rest: Allow the baked oatmeal to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps it set and makes serving easier. You can then cut it into squares like “cake”, or just spoon it out into bowls.

More Oatmeal Recipes To Try

• Banana Baked Oatmeal
• Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
• Overnight Oats
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

What You’ll Need

This potato waffle recipe is perfect if you have leftover mashed potatoes, but you can make them anytime. The delicious, cheesy, savory potato flavor will have you hooked! This one went over extremely well in my family, and I loved both the savory and sweet ways to serve them. Other than the mashed potatoes, you don’t need much to bring these together:

• Refrigerator ingredients: Leftover mashed potatoes, eggs
• Pantry ingredients: Olive oil, baking powder, salt, all-purpose flour
• Dairy: Shredded cheddar cheese, milk of choice

Got more leftover mashed potatoes? Also try Mashed Potato Pancakes.

Belgian Waffles vs Standard

This mashed potato waffles recipe works for either Belgian or standard waffles. My personal preference is Belgian waffles, since they’re thicker and look more impressive. (I use this Belgian waffle iron.) Here’s more about the different types:

• Belgian waffles are twice as large as regular waffles. They’re 1 ½ inches thick with a deep grid pattern. One serving size is half a Belgian waffle, since it’s twice the size of a standard waffle — unless you make the half-size version with ruffled edges (see below).
• Regular waffles, aka American waffles, are about 1/2-inch thick. They’re half the size of the Belgian waffles, and the serving size is 1 waffle.

Tips for Cooking Potato Waffles

For these potato waffles, I like to cook them in a Belgian waffle maker, but make ruffled edges by using half the standard batter. I love the look of these, and you can make more waffles in a single batch! Here’s how to do it:

• Ruffled edges: Simply use about ½ cup of the batter in a Belgian waffle maker and don’t spread it to the edges. You can also do this in a standard waffle maker by using about ¼ cup batter.
• Full circular waffles: Use about 1 cup for a Belgian waffle maker or ½ cup for a standard waffle maker, and spread it to the edges. These quantities depend on the waffle maker, so eyeball it and adjust quantities as necessary.

Topping Ideas

You can serve potato waffles savory or sweet, which makes them incredibly versatile! I like them as a savory breakfast or as an appetizer, topped with sour cream and chives. But they’re just as good served sweet with maple syrup. Here are a few savory and sweet ways I like to top them:

• Sour cream and chives for a savory breakfast or appetizer
• Fried chicken for chicken and waffles
• Pure maple syrup for a sweet breakfast
• Fruit sauce or compote like raspberry compote or blueberry sauce
• Fresh fruit like strawberries, raspberries, or sliced bananas
• Whipped cream like homemade whipped cream

More Waffle Recipes to Try

• Perfect Waffle Recipe
• Pumpkin Waffles
• Cozy Gingerbread Waffles
• Strawberry Waffles
• Best Blueberry Waffles
• Gluten Free Waffles
• Vegan Waffles

Variations & Mix-In Ideas

You can turn this crustless quiche recipe into hundreds of different flavor variations based on your preferences! If you’d like, you can add other flavors to this one like a handful of chopped ham or crumbled bacon. Or, you can drop the spinach and use other cooked vegetables.

Add ½ cup additional mix-ins to the recipe below, or remove the spinach entirely and substitute about 1 to 1 ½ cups mix-ins. Here are some ideas (make sure they are finely chopped):

• Sauteed broccoli
• Ham or cooked bacon
• Caramelized onions
• Roasted peppers and onions
• Sautéed peppers
• Sauteed mushrooms
• Feta cheese, smoked mozzarella, gouda or goat cheese

Mini Crustless Quiche (Muffin Tin Version)

Last thing on this crustless quiche with spinach: want to make personal sized versions? You can! Make up mini crustless spinach quiche using a muffin tin! Here’s what to do:

• Spray a standard-sized muffin tin with cooking spray.
• Follow the recipe below, but pour the egg mixture equally into 12 muffin cups.
• Top with additional red pepper.
• Bake 22 to 24 minutes, until set in the center and golden around the edges. Allow to cool, then run a butter knife around the edges and remove from the muffin tin .

Serving Suggestions

This crustless spinach quiche is hearty enough to serve at brunch, but you could also serve it as a light dinner. It saves well, so it’s great as a make-ahead breakfast to eat throughout the week. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:

• Alongside a simple green salad or sliced fresh fruit
• With a piece of toasted sourdough or crusty bread
• Next to sweet potato hash browns or crispy fried potatoes
• With some of my favorite brunch drinks
• As part of a bigger brunch spread alongside breakfast tacos and strawberry smoothies

See my what to serve with quiche for more ideas!

Crustless Quiche with Spinach

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This crustless quiche with spinach is a savory, protein-packed meal that comes together simply, perfect for meal prep for brunch! It’s baked with cottage cheese, greens, and roasted red peppers and loaded with satisfying flavor.

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x
• Category: Brunch
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: Brunch
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

• 10 ounces frozen spinach*
• 6 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup chopped roasted red pepper (from a jar), plus more for topping
• Fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9” round pie dish.
2. Place the spinach in a colander and let warm water run over it until it is thawed, about 1 minute (some brands take a bit more effort to defrost: you can also use a microwave if necessary). Then use your hands to squeeze out as much excess liquid as you can.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Then stir in the oregano, salt, garlic powder, cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, spinach, and roasted red pepper. Add a few grinds of fresh ground black pepper if you like.
4. Pour the egg mixture into the prepared pie dish. Sprinkle the top with a few tablespoons of additional chopped roasted red pepper.
5. Bake the quiche for 25 to 30 minutes, until set in the center and golden around the edges. Allow to rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. (Storage info: This saves well! Store refrigerated for up to 5 days: you can eat it cold, room temp, or re-warm it. Try it in a sandwich!)

Notes

*Note: To customize the mix-ins in this recipe, substitute about 1 to 1 ½ cups mix-ins for the spinach. Try finely chopped sauteed broccoli, ham or bacon, caramelized onions, roasted peppers and onions or sautéed peppers, sauteed mushrooms, and so forth. You’ll want the veggies on the done side when you saute them, so they don’t release too much moisture while baking.

Serving Size Note

Banana bread is very filling! One slice is much denser and more filling than a typical bread slice. For that reason, plan to eat only one slice of banana bread French toast per person. This recipe is rich and decadent, so you’ll want to account for that in your serving!

Tips for Making Banana Bread French Toast

If you’ve got banana bread, this French toast recipe is a breeze! All you have to do is whisk the custard, dip the bread, and fry it up. Here’s how to make French toast:

• Slice: Slice the banana bread into 3/4-inch slices. (This is the perfect width; too thin and it falls apart, but too thick and it’s too filling.)
• Whisk: In a wide shallow bowl or container, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt.
• Dip: Preheat a griddle over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon butter. Soak each side of 4 bread slices in the egg mixture for about 30 seconds.
• Fry: Place the bread on the hot skillet and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side, until browned.

Topping Ideas

Banana bread French toast is rich on its own, so it doesn’t need many toppings to taste incredible! I like it best with the following:

• Pure maple syrup
• Sliced bananas
• Chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted if desired

If you like, you can add other toppings, but keep in mind it’s very sweet. You could try Greek yogurt sweetened with a little maple syrup to cut the sweetness with the acidity in the yogurt, or some sliced strawberries or raspberries. Or, go with a small dollop of whipped cream for an even more decadent treat.

Diet Variations

Working with a special diet? Here are a few ways to modify this recipe to fit different dietary needs:

• Dairy-free: This recipe works with banana bread baked with neutral oil and using non-dairy milk. I recommend oat milk, but almond, soy, or coconut milk will work as well.
• Gluten-free: Try this gluten-free banana bread recipe.
• Vegan: Use this vegan banana bread and the custard mixture from my vegan French toast recipe.

More French Toast Recipes to Try

• Cinnamon French Toast
• Banana French Toast
• French Toast Sticks
• Brioche French Toast
• Sourdough French Toast
• French Toast Casserole

Mix It Up: Mimosa Variations

There are lots of ways to mix up your mimosa! You can use different fruit juices, or a combination of fruit juice and orange juice. Here are some ideas:

• Peach puree: with peach puree it becomes the Bellini!
• Mango puree: with mango puree it becomes the Mango Mimosa
• Strawberries: try a Strawberry Mimosa
• Cranberry juice: try a Cranberry Mimosa or Poinsettia (holiday variation)
• Pineapple juice: try a Pineapple Mimosa
• Apple cider: try an Apple Cider Mimosa
• Pomegranate juice: try a Pomegranate Mimosa
• Grapefruit juice: it becomes the Megmosa
• Lemon juice: it becomes the Lemosa
• Virgin: with ginger ale it’s a Non Alcoholic Mimosa

Since it’s great for brunch, I love it with my favorite cottage cheese pancakes, spinach mushroom quiche, or banana baked oatmeal.