Overnight French Toast Casserole
Start your day with this fuss-free overnight French toast casserole! It is pillowy soft on the bottom and slightly crunchy on top. Serve this comforting make-ahead family favorite for breakfast or brunch.
My family loves waking up to the smell of this mouth-watering casserole baking in the oven. This dreamy breakfast has a soft custard-like texture that will leave you drooling! Plus you don’t have to stand in front of the stove as you would when making traditional French toast.
I like to serve this easy casserole on Saturday morning and when there is some leftover bread. It makes a good weekday breakfast too! With one bowl and one dish, you’ll be enjoying this meal in no time.
Why this recipe works
For starters, you only need eight easy-to-find ingredients to make this tasty breakfast. It’s a great way to use day-old bread and it can be made ahead of time making it a great meal prep option. The addition of milk, eggs and heavy cream gives this dish its notorious soft texture while the sugars, cinnamon and vanilla extract add sweetness.
Ingredient notes
- Day-old French bread: It is best to use day-old French bread because it is drier and will soak up the wet ingredients well.
- Eggs: The addition of eggs gives the casserole its delicious custard-like texture.
- Milk: This is combined with eggs and heavy cream to give the casserole its soft texture.
- Cinnamon: This aromatic warming spice is sprinkled on top of the casserole to add warm sweet flavors to the crunchy topping.
Recipe variations
This yummy breakfast can also be made with brioche, challah, croissants or white bread instead of French bread. Follow the recipe, but subbing in the bread of your choice. For a little more flavor, whisk in extra spices, such as pumpkin pie spice, apple cider spice or gingerbread spice.
If you want to add more crunch to this recipe then sprinkle 1/2 cup walnuts, pecan or almonds on top of the casserole. Raisins or currants would also make a nice addition too! For a little chocolate, add chocolate chips instead.
For dietary restrictions, this recipe can be made using gluten-free bread. You can also make it dairy-free, but keep in mind this may slightly affect the flavor. Coconut milk, oat milk or almond milk with dairy-free butter will work in a 1:1 ratio.
How to make overnight French toast casserole
- Prepare casserole dish: Start by greasing a casserole dish. Then add the cubed French bread.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar and vanilla until well combined. Then pour the mixture over the bread cubes and sprinkle cinnamon on top.
- Refrigerate overnight: Next, cover the dish and refrigerate it overnight.
- Prepare casserole: Once you are ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator, remove the cover and sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top.
- Bake: Finally, bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until golden brown and serve with warm syrup and berries or whipped cream.
Expert tips
Make sure the bread is a day old, dry and crusty before baking. It also helps to cut the bread into cubes and let them sit uncovered on a baking sheet for a few hours to dry out. Using dry bread will help to soak up the liquid ingredients and make a tender, flavorful casserole.
Soak the casserole overnight or for at least 8 hours. This will ensure that it has an optimal amount of flavor. Wrap the casserole tightly when refrigerating overnight. This will prevent it from drying out overnight.
Make ahead and storage tips
The best part of this recipe is that you can make it the night before! The dish can be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Once baked, the casserole will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 F for 15 minutes.
If you plan to freeze the casserole, bake it in an aluminum dish for easy freezing. Once the casserole is baked, allow it to cool completely then wrap the entire dish in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. When defrosting, bake uncovered form froze at 350 F for 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
If your casserole is soggy, then you may not have used enough bread. If you did use the correct amount of bread and the casserole is soggy, then it may not have been baked for long enough. To avoid this use thick, dry bakery bread and make sure you bake it for the correct amount of time.
I prefer to use French bread because it has a wonderful crust however, sourdough, brioche or Italian bread can be used instead.
You can top the casserole with pure maple syrup, Nutella, fresh fruit or a dusting of confectioners’ sugar. The dish also goes well alongside yogurt and granola or eggs and bacon!
Related posts
Give these recipes a try if you love casseroles and other breakfast recipes.
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Overnight French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf (12 ounces) day-old crusty French bread
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar, divided
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Spray a 3-quart baking dish with non-stick spray (or grease with butter).
- Cut the bread into cubes and evenly distribute them in the pan. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, ½ cup brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread, then sprinkle the cinnamon evenly over the top.
- Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 8 hours, or overnight if possible (for best flavor).
- When ready to bake, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and take off the plastic wrap. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top of the casserole. Bake for 45-60 minutes, until golden brown and baked through. Serve with syrup and fresh fruit, if desired.
