This Coconut Milk French Toast gets a tropical twist and is topped with sweet caramelized pineapple. This recipe can easily be made gluten- and/or dairy-free.
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I was in Maui a few weeks ago.
It was a little for work, a little for pleasure, and a whole lot incredible.
I loved every minute of my time in Maui, and I am working on bringing you a very detailed Maui Travel Guide post soon.
We stayed at the amazing Destination Residences properties (Ekahi Village and Wailea Beach Villas). When I travel, I almost always prefer to stay at a condo/residential property opposed to a hotel. It feels more organic to me. I loved spending my nights enjoying the cool Maui breeze on the patio or balcony, lounging on the couch with a good book, being able to do laundry (!), and, of course, having my own fully functional kitchen.
I love to cook (Captain Obvious over here, right?), and that doesn’t stop when I travel. Our second stop in Maui was to a local farmer’s market, where I found some of the most gorgeous fresh fruit and vegetables.
I think more and more people enjoy this way of traveling, and having the freedom and flexibility to cook in your own kitchen on vacation. I know this is especially true of people with families.
So thinking of this, and being inspired by Maui’s fresh produce (hello, pineapples!) I decided to put together a surpiringly easy but completely delicious breakfast or brunch: Coconut Milk French Toast with Caramelized Pineapple.
I mean, come on, right?
Caramelized pineapple was something we used to do often when I worked on the Pastry team at San Diego’s largest hotel.
You simply coat each side of a pineapple slice in cane sugar and place it in a pan of sizzling hot butter (or coconut oil, for dairy-free). With a little patience and some magic, the pineapple begins to caramelize, become golden, and create a complex, fruity caramel sauce in the process.
With some thickly-sliced Challah bread and an incredibly easy coconut milk custard, this French toast is worthy of any special occasion or weekend brunch.
Whether you’re eating it in Hawaii or not. 😉
We hope that you make and enjoy this Coconut Milk French Toast with Caramelized Pineapple! What are your favorite spins on classic French toast? Let us know in the comments below.
And here’s a few things you may need for this recipe:
Wholesome Organic Cane Sugar // Thai Kitchen Organic Coconut Milk // Garden of Life Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil // Rodelle Pure Vanilla Extract
This post contains affiliate links and are always products I love, highly recommend, & use in my own kitchen.
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Coconut Milk French Toast with Caramelized Pineapple
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
This Coconut Milk French Toast gets a tropical twist and is topped with sweet caramelized pineapple. This recipe can easily be made gluten- and/or dairy-free.
Ingredients
For the French Toast:
- 8 thick slices of Challah bread
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoons coconut sugar (or cane)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Butter and/or coconut oil, for frying
For the Caramelized Pineapple:
- Half of a large pineapple (about 2 cups), sliced
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter or coconut oil
Serving ideas (optional): chopped macadamia nuts, toasted coconut, whipped coconut cream
Instructions
- Make the custard. Whisk together the eggs, coconut milk, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Heat coconut oil or butter (or half and half) in a pan. Dip each side of the bread into the custard, giving each side a few seconds in the mixture. Transfer the soaked bread immediately to the hot pan. Cook the toast until golden on each side, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- In the meantime, prepare the caramelized pineapple. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter or coconut oil in a large saute pan. Coat each side of the pineapple slices in sugar, and immediately place in the hot butter. Cook the pineapple until starting to caramelize on one side, about 5 minutes. Stir and carefully flip the pineapple slices over, continue to cook for about another 4-5 minutes until the pineapple is softened and caramelized. Juice should release from the pineapple and mix with the caramel to form a lovely, golden caramel sauce.
- Serve the toast warm and topped with the caramelized pineapple and some of the sauce. For additional serving ideas, you can also top with macadamia nuts, toasted coconut, whipped coconut cream, and/or maple or coconut syrup.
Notes
To make this recipe dairy-free, simply use coconut oil in place of butter. It will work fine as a 1:1 substitute.
To lighten-up this recipe, skip the caramelized part and top with fresh tropical fruit like mango, pineapple, and papaya.
Want it extra coconut-y? Add in a splash of coconut extract or top with whipped coconut cream and plenty of toasted coconut.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 slice with caramelized pineapple)
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 216mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 12mg
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love the content of this blog and the positive you have. Thanks!
I made think tonight for dinner and it was a huge hit! My husband was hesitant at first because it was “different” but he was quickly asking for seconds. He said it was the best French toast that he’s ever had! I made it dairy free by using plant based butter. Definitely a keeper recipe, Thank you!
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed, Amanda! 🙂
Wow, coconut milk french toast WITH CARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE? I went to heaven and came back! I am so living the tropical in this recipe.
★★★★★
MMM… what a delicious recipe! I love the tropical twist! Thanks for sharing!
How do you come up with such creative ideas! Much appreciated!
This french toast recipe sounds delicious. Worth looking into for Valentine’s Day. My husband loves French toast.
★★★★★
Hmmm this is an unusual mix of flavors I wouldn’t have considered. Seems worth a shot.
I think the coconut milk will make the toast taste heavenly! Plus the caramelized pineapples for topping. What a delight to the palate. I am making this for brunch tomorrow!
★★★★★
Aaaahhhhhh….this would have been a good one to try out but the milk! I am intolerant to it. I am trying to find some alternatives.
★★★
Thats looks amazing, I would love to try this!
Oh my goodness! These coconut milk french toast with caramelized pineapple sound amazing! And they can be dairy and gluten free?!? Amazing. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
★★★★★
I’m a Island Girl my self and this looks so tropical and so yummy for breakfast. I had to pin it.
I just read the title and knew this was going to be something I would love! I cannot wait to try this out for brunch with girlfriends one day!
So amazing! I love everything about this recipe. Grilled pineapple is so delicious.
★★★★★
Wow, this looks like heaven on a plate. Will be sure to keep this in mind as we approach summer!
That is definitely a special breakfast. I can’t wait to surprise my family with it – definitely on my “to do” list.
OMG! The thought of having caramelized pineapple on top of a french toast. makes me feel so hungry right now..
This sounds so delicious!! I’ve never made french toast like this before! Can’t wait to try it!
★★★★★
What a gorgeous recipe idea, and how awesome that you got to go to Maui for work! I’ll be trying this recipe soon, thanks 🙂
french toast is one of my favorite breakfast dishes and this recipe is so worthy that we will try it soon thanks for sharing
I love French toast and I enjoyed reading your recipe. I love coconut milk, too, because it is so fragrant when cooked. I bet this Frwnch toast smells heavenly with butter, coconut milk, and vanilla.