Tonga Toast at Home

Dining at Home Disney Style: Tonga Toast

When COVID hit and all things “normal” changed drastically or ceased altogether, one of the things my family looked forward to was “Dining at Home Disney Style.” We decided we would create some of our favorite Disney dishes at home. One of our very favorite breakfasts is Tonga Toast, from the Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort. Tonga Toast is similar to French toast because it is dipped in an egg/milk mixture, but it is stuffed with banana slices, deep-fried, and dipped in cinnamon and sugar. The savory bread with the semi-sweet bananas offsets the cinnamon sugary sweetness for a delectable balance of flavor and texture. Sound delicious? Here’s how to make Tonga Toast for “Dining at Home Disney Style!”

Tonga Toast: You will need:

A loaf of unsliced white bread from the bakery. Our bakery was out of unsliced bread, so we used a small loaf of French bread and altered how we sliced it.

1 to 2 bananas

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

2 cups of oil

3 Tbl sp sugar

1 Tbl sp cinnamon

Tonga Toast: Step by Step

Start with the unsliced bread. You will need to slice your bread into 4-inch slices. Next, take one of the 4-inch chunks and make a slice at the 2-inch mark but not all the way through. You just want to cut a pocket for the banana slices to fit. Next, slice your bananas. You may go with round slices or cut the banana in half and then slice length-wise. It is completely your preference. We found it easier to work with longer slices, than small round slices. Now, put the sliced banana into the pocket of your chunk of bread. Because we had to improvise with a small French loaf, rather than a traditional rectangular loaf of bread, we sliced it down the side and made a pocket for the banana.

Next, you will want to heat your oil to fry the banana-stuffed bread. Before placing the banana-stuffed bread into the oil, make sure the oil is hot. It might be easier to get the oil hot, then lower the temperature a bit. The oil should be at medium-high heat. If the oil isn’t hot enough, your toast will be oil-soaked and soggy. While the oil is heating, whisk your milk and eggs together until blended. Dip your banana-stuffed bread into the egg/milk mixture. Make sure all sides are coated. Then, carefully place the bread into the hot oil. We used tongs to avoid burning fingers. Fry until golden brown on the outside. After you remove the toast from the oil, place it on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

Dip the banana stuffed bread into the milk/egg mixture.

Tonga Toast: Final Steps

Gently dab, or turn the toast on the paper towel-lined plate to absorb all the excess oil. You want just enough oil to help the cinnamon-sugar mixture stick. While the toast is resting on the plate, mix your cinnamon and sugar on a platter. Carefully roll the toast in the mixture to coat. You could also mix the cinnamon and sugar in a bowl and sprinkle it over the hot toast. Finally, slice your toast, plate, and serve!

Tonga Toast: Closing Thoughts

A regular rectangular loaf of bread should result in 3 to 4 servings. Our modified version with a small French loaf made two servings. At the Kona Cafe the toast is served with strawberry compote. “Dining at Home Disney Style” the toast was served with fresh fruit. When you are missing your favorite places, see what you can create at home that is similar to what you are missing. Best case scenario: you end up reminiscing about “that one time when. . . .” while you enjoy a fabulous meal. Worst case scenario: you end up reminiscing about “that one time when. . . . ” while making new memories of that one time when you tried to create a vacation favorite at home. Either way, memories are shared and made; and time is spent with those you love.

Pixie Dust Queen