Are you searching for a delicious and hassle-free breakfast or brunch idea? This Overnight French Toast Casserole is your answer! Ideal for hectic mornings or special holiday celebrations, this recipe lets you do all the prep the night before, so you can wake up to a warm, comforting meal with minimal effort. It’s a perfect dish for family gatherings or a casual weekend brunch with friends.
What is Overnight French Toast Casserole?
Overnight French Toast Casserole is a creative take on the traditional French toast. Instead of individually dipping each slice of bread in egg mixture, you simply cube the bread and arrange it in a baking dish. After soaking it overnight in a rich egg custard, you bake it the next morning. The result? A fluffy, custard-like dish with a crisp, golden top that’s irresistibly delicious. It’s an ideal make-ahead option for any breakfast or brunch gathering!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Effortless and Time-Saving – As the name suggests, this casserole is made the night before, which makes it a perfect option for busy mornings or when you’re hosting a brunch party.
Perfect for a Crowd – Whether you’re serving it to family or friends, this casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its rich, comforting flavor will have everyone coming back for more!
Easily Customizable – Feel free to personalize the recipe by adding your favorite toppings like fresh berries, whipped cream, or syrup. You can also swap the bread or add spices like cinnamon, vanilla, or even chocolate chips for a unique twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Casserole:
- 1 loaf of sturdy bread (e.g., challah, brioche, or French bread)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups milk (or plant-based milk)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free option)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing the pan)
Optional Toppings:
- Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.)
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Whipped cream
- Chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts, pecans)
- Chocolate chips
How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole:
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Start by cutting your bread into cubes, and arrange them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. If your bread is fresh, leave it out to dry out a bit for a few hours. This will help it absorb the custard mixture without getting too soggy. Alternatively, you can use day-old bread for the best results.
Step 2: Make the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure that every piece is soaked. Gently press the bread down to ensure it absorbs the custard mixture.
Step 3: Refrigerate Overnight
Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight. This allows the bread to soak up the custard and results in a soft, custardy texture once baked.
Step 4: Bake the Casserole
The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take the casserole out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature while the oven heats up. Bake the casserole for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once baked, let the casserole cool for about 5-10 minutes. Serve it warm, and feel free to top with powdered sugar, fresh berries, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Tips for the Perfect Overnight French Toast Casserole:
- Use Stale or Slightly Dry Bread: Fresh bread can absorb the custard too quickly and become soggy. Slightly stale bread or leaving fresh bread out for a few hours to dry out works best.
- Customize Your Toppings: Add a layer of chocolate chips, nuts (like walnuts or pecans), or extra fruit (such as bananas, apples, or berries) to the casserole before refrigerating it for a flavorful twist.
- Perfect for Holidays: This casserole is an ideal dish for holidays like Christmas or Easter, where you can impress your guests without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Why You Should Try This Recipe Today
Overnight French Toast Casserole is the ultimate combination of ease and indulgence. You can prep everything the night before, and the next morning, you’ll wake up to a delicious, comforting breakfast that’s sure to please everyone. Whether you’re serving it for a family breakfast or a festive brunch, the crispy top and soft, custard-like interior make this casserole a true winner!
Key Benefits:
- Convenient: Prep the night before, and bake the next morning for an easy, stress-free breakfast.
- Delicious: The combination of custardy bread and crispy top makes this casserole irresistible.
- Flexible: Easily add your favorite flavors, fruits, or toppings to make it your own.
Serving and Storage Tips for Overnight French Toast Casserole
Serving Tips:
- Fresh Fruit: Top the casserole with fresh fruits like berries, sliced bananas, or sautéed apples for a vibrant and sweet contrast. A drizzle of maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar will elevate the dish even further.
- Breakfast Sides: Serve alongside classic breakfast sides such as scrambled eggs, or even a simple side salad to balance out the richness of the casserole.
- Make It a Brunch Showstopper: This casserole is perfect as the centerpiece of a brunch. Pair it with other crowd-pleasing dishes like quiche, fruit salads, or mimosas for a festive spread.
Storage Tips:
- Refrigerating Leftovers: Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or place the casserole back in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes until heated through.
- Freezing for Later: If you want to make the casserole ahead of time, freeze it before baking. Cover the unbaked casserole tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then bake as usual the next morning.
- Reheating from Frozen: To reheat a frozen casserole, bake it at 350°F (175°C) for about 1 hour or until it’s heated through completely. If it’s been thawed overnight, follow the standard baking instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use any type of bread for this casserole?
Yes! While you can use various types of bread, it’s best to use sturdy bread like challah, brioche, or French bread. Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard well without becoming too soggy, resulting in a fluffy, custardy texture.
2. Can I make this casserole without eggs or dairy?
Yes! You can easily adapt the recipe to be dairy-free and egg-free. Replace the eggs with flax eggs or chia eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flax or chia seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons of water). For the milk, you can substitute almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk, and use coconut cream or a plant-based cream alternative.
3. Can I prepare the casserole in advance and freeze it?
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole the night before and freeze it before baking. Just cover it tightly and freeze it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw the casserole overnight and bake it as directed the next morning.
4. Can I add toppings like chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit to the casserole?
Yes, you can customize your casserole by adding chocolate chips, nuts (such as walnuts or pecans), or fruit (like bananas, berries, or apples). Add them either before refrigerating the casserole overnight or sprinkle them on top before baking for added flavor and texture.
Overnight French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 1 loaf of sturdy bread challah, brioche, or French bread, cubed
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups milk or plant-based milk like almond milk
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for dairy-free option
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter for greasing the pan
For Optional Toppings:
- Fresh berries strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Maple syrup
- Whipped cream
- Chopped nuts walnuts, pecans, etc.
- Chocolate chips
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
- Cut your bread into cubes and arrange them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- If using fresh bread, leave it out for a few hours to slightly dry out, which will help it soak up the custard without becoming too soggy. Alternatively, use slightly stale bread for the best results.
Step 2: Make the Custard
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Pour this mixture evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring each piece is soaked. Gently press the bread down to ensure it absorbs the custard mixture.
Step 3: Refrigerate Overnight
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to fully soak up the custard mixture.
Step 4: Bake the Casserole
- The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Let the casserole come to room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
- Once baked, allow the casserole to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Serve it warm with your choice of toppings like powdered sugar, fresh berries, or maple syrup.