Air Fryer Chunky Monkey French Toast with Banana and Chocolate

This air fryer Chunky Monkey French toast is a dream for anyone with a sweet tooth. Thick slices of bread are soaked in a rich egg mixture blended with banana, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a touch of peanut butter, then cooked in the air fryer until golden. The finished toast is topped with melting chocolate, roasted walnuts and banana slices for an indulgent, brunch-worthy breakfast.

Flavorful Air Fryer French Toast

This recipe is inspired by the classic Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey flavors and adapted for the air fryer to give you a quick, restaurant-style breakfast at home. Air frying makes the bread crisp on the outside while keeping the centre tender and custardy — perfect for holding toppings like chocolate and walnuts without getting soggy.

In less than 20 minutes you can serve an impressive plate of French toast that tastes indulgent but is straightforward to prepare. It’s ideal for a leisurely weekend brunch or a special weekday treat when you want something quick, tasty, and memorable.

Featured Ingredients

• Coconut oil: used to lightly coat the air fryer basket so the toast flips easily and browns evenly.
• Eggs: three large eggs provide the custardy base; farm-fresh or organic eggs are preferred if available.
• Milk: any milk works — dairy or plant-based — to thin the egg mixture to the right consistency.
• Bananas: mashed ripe banana in the egg mixture adds natural sweetness and banana flavor; extra sliced banana is used for topping.
• Maple syrup: a little maple adds depth and classic French toast sweetness.
• Cinnamon: warm spice folded into the egg mixture for aromatic flavor.
• Peanut butter: smooth, slightly runny peanut butter stirred into the eggs gives a rich, nutty note reminiscent of Chunky Monkey.
• Sourdough bread: thick-cut sourdough is recommended for its texture, though brioche or French bread will also work well.
• Chocolate: chopped pieces or chips are sprinkled on hot toast so they soften and melt slightly.
• Roasted walnuts: add crunch and a salty contrast to the sweet toppings.

How to Make Air Fryer Chunky Monkey French Toast

Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 370ºF (about 188ºC). Brush or drizzle melted coconut oil into the bottom of the basket to prevent sticking and help the toast brown evenly.

Prepare the egg mixture

Whisk the three large eggs in a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup milk, 2 tablespoons mashed ripe banana, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon drippy peanut butter, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth and fully combined. Pour the mixture into a shallow dish or pan that will comfortably hold your bread slices.

Soak the bread

Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, flipping to coat both sides. Allow the bread to soak briefly so the custard penetrates the slices without becoming overly soggy. Let any excess drip off before cooking.

Cook the French toast

Place two slices in the air fryer in a single layer (some air fryers may fit all four at once). Cook for about 4 minutes on the first side, then carefully flip and cook an additional 4 minutes, or until both sides are golden brown and the center is set.

Assemble and finish

Remove the hot toast from the air fryer and immediately sprinkle chopped chocolate over each slice so it softens and melts slightly. Top with chopped roasted walnuts and banana slices. Repeat with the remaining slices until all pieces are cooked and topped.

Serve and enjoy

Serve the Chunky Monkey French toast warm. It pairs nicely with coffee, fresh fruit, or a side of eggs and bacon for a complete brunch spread.

What to Serve with French Toast

Turn this into a balanced brunch by adding any of these accompaniments:

• Perfect scrambled eggs
• Crispy oven-baked bacon
• Roasted or pan-fried breakfast potatoes
• A fresh fruit salad or mixed berries

Top Tips for French Toast

• Use thick bread: Thick slices yield a chewy, custardy center while holding up to toppings.
• Give it time to soak: Flip the bread once or twice in the egg mixture so it absorbs flavor, but avoid leaving it so long the slices fall apart.
• Flip carefully: Lightly grease the air fryer basket and use a thin metal spatula for an easy turn.
• Customize toppings: Swap walnuts for pecans, use dark chocolate or chocolate chips, or add a drizzle of extra maple syrup or nut butter.

Storage

Best eaten right away, but leftovers keep well. Store cooled French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days.

To reheat: Warm slices in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes, or until heated through and crisped to your liking.