Breakfast: Baked Banana-Stuffed French Toast

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon

Health benefits of Baked Banana-Stuffed French Toast

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060).

Ingredients

4 ripe bananas, peeled, each cut into 4 pieces
8 thin slices light (reduced-fat) mixed-grain bread
1/2 cup nonfat milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
Powdered sugar
8 large strawberries
Pure maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 °F. Place 4 pieces of banana on each of 4 bread slices; mash banana on bread. Top with remaining 4 bread slices. Whisk milk, eggs, vanilla extract and cinnamon in glass pie dish. Working in batches, dip bread in egg mixture; let soak 45 seconds on each side.
Spray large nonstick skillet with vegetable oil spray. Heat over medium heat. Working in batches, add French toast to skillet and cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to baking sheet; bake 8 minutes. Transfer to plates. Dust with powdered sugar. Garnish with strawberries. Serve with maple syrup, if desired.