Okay, I have to confess something. I created this recipe entirely to stop my godson from stealing the Nutella jar with a spoon and running off into a chocolatey, sticky corner. It didn’t work—he still tries—but now at least he eats it on toast first. This silly, sweet bear-face toast is my ultimate weapon in the morning chaos. It turns a simple Nutella sandwich into a tiny edible event, and honestly, I look forward to making it as much as the kids do. We’re talking about warm, toasty bread, creamy Nutella that gets all melty, and sweet banana slices for a bit of fresh fruit that makes you feel a tiny bit virtuous. The assembly is the fun part. A round cookie cutter (or the rim of a glass in a pinch) for the face, some toast “ears,” and a couple of chocolate chip eyes. It’s whimsical, it’s fast, and it makes everyone at the table smile before the first bite. This recipe is my go-to for Breakfast Ideas that need to be quick, fun, and a little magical. It’s perfect for lazy weekends, after-school snacks, or any time you need to turn a basic pantry raid into something special. Trust me, the combination of crunchy toast, smooth hazelnut spread, and soft banana is a classic for a reason. It just works.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich Recipe
3) Ingredients for Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich
4) How to Make Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich
5) Tips for Making Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich
6) Making Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich
8) Try these Breakfast recipes next!
9) Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Why is this the best easy morning meal I know?
What kitchen tool can you use if you don’t have a cookie cutter?
How do you keep the banana from making the bread soggy?
Can you really make a sandwich that looks like a bear?

2) Easy Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich Recipe

Let’s be honest. Most weekday breakfast ideas feel like a negotiation between what’s fast and what doesn’t taste like cardboard. This recipe is my peace treaty. It started as a bribe for a toddler but became my favorite little kitchen secret. It proves that fun food doesn’t need to be complicated.

You get that perfect crunch from toasted bread, which is non-negotiable for me. The heat works magic on the Nutella, turning it into a warm, velvety sauce that soaks into the bread just enough. Then you have the cool, sweet banana slices in the middle, creating this fantastic contrast in both temperature and texture. It’s a simple pleasure, but a profound one.

The real magic, though, is in the assembly. Taking five extra seconds to make a bear face transforms the whole experience. It shifts the meal from fuel to a tiny, edible celebration. I’ve found myself making it on quiet mornings just for me, because why should kids have all the fun? It’s one of those Nutella sandwich ideas that feels special every single time.

3) Ingredients for Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich

Bread: Use what you love. I’m partial to a thick-cut brioche for its richness, but good old sandwich bread works brilliantly. The key is a slice that can hold up to toasting without getting too hard. Sourdough adds a nice tang if that’s your thing.

Nutella: The star of the show, obviously. You don’t need to measure this with precision. A generous tablespoon-and-a-half per sandwich is a good start, but I’m firmly in the “more is more” camp here. Let’s call it a hearty schmear. This is the soul of the recipe.

Banana: Go for one that’s ripe but still firm. A banana with a few freckles is perfect—sweet but won’t turn to mush when you slice it. You’ll use about half a banana per sandwich, sliced into nice, even coins. The banana adds freshness and cuts the richness.

Chocolate Chips or Raisins: These are the bear’s eyes. Two or three will do. Chocolate chips melt charmingly into the warm toast. Raisins stay plump and chewy. It’s a tiny detail that gets a big smile every time.

Butter or Oil: Just a tiny pat of butter or a quick spritz of cooking oil for the pan. This isn’t for flavor so much as it is for achieving that perfect, even golden-brown crispness on the outside of your masterpiece.

4) How to Make Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich

Step 1. Cut the Face and Ears. Lay one slice of bread flat. Find a round cookie cutter or a small drinking glass about 3 inches wide. Press it down firmly in the center and twist to cut out a perfect circle. This circle is your bear’s face! Now, take the leftover bread ring and cut two little half-moon shapes from it. Congrats, you just made ears.

Step 2. Heat the Pan. Grab a skillet or griddle and set it over medium-low heat. We’re not going for a scorching sear here. Add that small bit of butter or oil and let it melt and coat the surface. A gentle heat gives the inside time to get gooey before the outside burns.

Step 3. Build the Sandwich. Place your full, uncut slice of bread in the pan—this is the base. Spread the Nutella all over it, right to the edges. Then, arrange your banana coins in a happy little face pattern on the Nutella. A smile works. Maybe a straight line. It’s your bear’s mood for the day.

Step 4. Assemble and Toast. Carefully place your bread circle right on top, lining it up over the bananas. Give it a gentle press so it sticks. Tuck the two ear pieces onto the top corners of the base slice. Let the whole thing toast for 2 to 3 minutes. Peek underneath; you want a lovely golden color.

Step 5. The Great Flip. This is the moment of truth. Slide a wide spatula under the entire bear. Use your other hand to steady the top. In one confident (but gentle!) motion, flip it over. If an ear slides, just nudge it back. Toast the other side for another 2 minutes.

Step 6. Final Touches. Slide your toasted bear onto a plate. While the top is still warm, press the chocolate chips or raisins into the bread to make eyes. Let it sit for just a minute—that Nutella gets lava-hot. Then serve immediately. The crunch, the warmth, the smile… it’s everything.

5) Tips for Making Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich

The pan’s heat is your best friend and worst enemy here. Medium-low is the sweet spot. Too hot, and the outside chars before the Nutella even thinks about melting. Too low, and the bread just dries out. Look for a steady, gentle sizzle when you lay the bread down. Patience makes perfect toast.

If your banana is super ripe and slippery, pop the slices in the freezer for five minutes. It firms them right up and makes them much easier to handle. No one wants banana mush oozing out the sides during assembly. A firm slice stays put and gives you a clean bite later.

Don’t fear the flip. The key is a good spatula and commitment. Get the spatula fully underneath before you lift. A little wiggle helps. If it feels precarious, you can always use two spatulas. And remember, even if it’s not picture-perfect, it will still taste incredible. Some of my best-tasting bears have been the ugliest.

6) Making Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich Ahead of Time

Can you make this ahead? Sort of. The magic is in the fresh, warm toast. What I do instead is a “mis en place” approach. I’ll pre-slice the bananas and keep them in a little container with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning. I’ll even cut out the bread circles and ears and keep them in a bag.

Then, in the morning, assembly takes two minutes flat. The Nutella jar is already out, the pan heats while I pour my coffee, and I’m eating a warm, crispy sandwich before my brain has fully booted up. It turns a fun recipe into a viable weekday breakfast strategy.

I would not recommend assembling the full sandwich and letting it sit, as the banana’s moisture will start to soften the bread. The joy here is in that contrast between the crisp shell and the soft, warm center. Prepping the components is the smart move.

7) Storing Leftover Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich

Let’s be real. Leftovers are unlikely. But if you somehow have a half-eaten bear staring at you, wrap it loosely in foil or pop it in a container. The toast will lose its crispness in the fridge, becoming more chewy. The banana might darken a bit.

The best way to revive it? A quick trip back to the skillet or a toaster oven for a minute or two. It won’t be exactly the same as fresh, but it’ll still be a pretty good snack. The microwave is not your friend here—it turns the bread rubbery.

Honestly, this is a “make and eat immediately” kind of recipe breakfast. Its beauty is fleeting, like a perfect slice of avocado toast. It’s designed for right now. So enjoy it in the moment, and if you need another one later, just make a fresh one. It’s that easy.

8) Try these Breakfast recipes next!

9) Toasted Bear Nutella & Banana Sandwich Recipe