Ingredients
- Bread: 2 thick slices of a sturdy bread like sourdough, brioche, or a whole-grain loaf. The bread needs to be substantial enough to hold the topping without getting soggy.
- Cottage Cheese: ½ cup of full-fat (4%) cottage cheese. Full-fat provides the creamiest texture and richest flavor, making the topping taste more like a dessert. Low-fat will work but will be less decadent.
- Egg: 1 large egg. This acts as the binder, helping the cottage cheese mixture set into a perfect custard-like texture as it cooks.
- Sweetener: 1 to 2 teaspoons of maple syrup or honey, plus extra for drizzling. This adds a touch of sweetness to the custard base. You can adjust the amount based on your preference and the sweetness of your banana.
- Vanilla Extract: ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. It enhances the sweet, dessert-like qualities of the toast.
- Banana: 1 small, ripe banana, sliced into thin rounds. Ripe bananas are sweeter and caramelize beautifully in the air fryer.
- Cinnamon: ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling. Cinnamon and banana are a classic pairing that adds warmth and depth of flavor.
- Optional: A tiny pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cottage Cheese Custard
- In a small blender or food processor (a personal-sized blender works perfectly for this), combine the cottage cheese, egg, maple syrup (or honey), vanilla extract, and the pinch of salt.
- Blend on high for 30-60 seconds, or until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. There should be no lumps or curds remaining. The final consistency should be similar to a thick pancake batter. Scrape down the sides of the blender if needed to ensure everything is incorporated.
Step 2: Assemble the Toast
- Take your slices of bread and, using the back of a spoon, gently press down the center of each slice, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges. This creates a small well or “boat” that will hold the cottage cheese mixture and prevent it from spilling over the sides.
- Carefully pour or spoon the blended cottage cheese mixture into the wells you created on each slice of bread, dividing it evenly between the two. Spread it gently to the edges of the well.
Step 3: Add the Toppings and Air Fry
- Arrange the sliced bananas on top of the cottage cheese mixture. You can place them in a neat pattern or scatter them randomly.
- Sprinkle the ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon evenly over the bananas and the cottage cheese custard.
- Carefully place the assembled toast slices into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not overlapping, as this will prevent them from cooking evenly. You may need to cook them one at a time depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 6 to 9 minutes. The exact time will depend on your specific air fryer model and the thickness of your bread. Check on it around the 6-minute mark. The toast is done when the edges of the bread are golden brown and crispy, and the cottage cheese topping is set, slightly puffed, and lightly golden.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve Immediately
- Once cooked to perfection, carefully remove the toast from the air fryer basket using tongs or a spatula.
- Place on a plate, drizzle with a little extra maple syrup or honey, and add an extra sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
- Serve immediately while it’s warm and the textures are at their peak.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 280-350