Easy French Toast Casserole (Make-Ahead!)

Imagine waking up to a mouthwatering aroma wafting through your home, a promise of a delightful and hearty start to your day. This Overnight French Toast Casserole is not only absolutely delicious but incredibly easy to prepare. Perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or a weekend brunch, it’s a dish designed to impress without the stress. 

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Why You Will Love Making Easy French Toast Casserole

• Firstly, as the name suggests, you can prepare this casserole the night before. Say goodbye to waking up early and fussing around in the kitchen while everyone else is still cozy in bed. With this casserole, the prep work is done ahead of time, so all you need to do in the morning is preheat your oven and bake until it reaches a beautiful golden brown. It’s so much easier than traditional French toast!
• Whether it’s the kids, grandparents, or a group of friends after a sleepover, this casserole has a way of bringing smiles to the breakfast table. The blend of soft, custardy bread with a sweet and crunchy topping appeals to taste buds of all ages. Plus, who can resist the warm scent of cinnamon and vanilla in the morning?
• Do you have picky eaters, dietary restrictions, or just love getting creative in the kitchen? This French toast casserole is your canvas. Swap in almond milk for a dairy-free version, choose gluten-free bread if needed, or add fresh berries or more nuts like sliced almonds for extra crunch.
• While this dish is certainly worthy of a holiday brunch spread—think Easter, Mother’s Day, or Christmas morning—it’s easy and simple enough to make any day feel special. Because it’s prepped in advance, you can actually sit down and enjoy your morning, making memories with your loved ones instead of slaving away in the kitchen.
• Have a loaf of bread that’s going stale? This recipe is a fabulous way to give that bread a second, delicious life. Whether you’re using French bread, sourdough, challah, or even a simple white loaf, this casserole will transform it into a dish that’s absolutely delicious.

Ingredients you’ll need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

How to Make French Toast Casserole with Step-by-Step Instructions

A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Prepare the Bread

Grab your loaf and get tearing or cutting! We’re going for small, bite-sized chunks, around 1″ in size.

Distribute these bread cubes evenly in a greased 9″ x 13″ casserole dish. You can grease it with either cooking spray or melted butter.

Mix and Soak

Now, whisk those eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add in the cream, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.

Cut in cold butter by using your hands or a pastry blender until it forms a crumbly topping. Pop this in the fridge, too.

Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Take the casserole and the topping out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature for 30 minutes as your oven warms up.

Sprinkle the crumble topping over your soaked bread. Slide it into the oven and bake until it’s golden brown and absolutely irresistible—about 45 minutes.

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12/07/2023 04:49 pm GMT

Take the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.

Then, serve it up with some warm maple syrup, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scattering of fresh mixed berries. Dig in and savor every delightful bite! Enjoy! 

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

• Bread: For a truly spectacular casserole, consider the bread. Opt for something hearty and a little crusty—think French bread, sourdough bread, Italian bread, or challah bread. Stale bread is actually your best friend here; it soaks up the egg mixture beautifully without getting mushy.
• Can I Use Gluten-Free Bread?: Absolutely! This recipe is super adaptable. Just swap the French bread for your favorite gluten-free loaf. Keep an eye on the casserole as it bakes, as gluten-free breads can sometimes absorb the egg mixture differently, but you’ll still end up with a delicious, golden-brown treat that everyone can enjoy.
• Toppings: Don’t be shy—get creative with that crumble topping! Beyond the basic brown sugar, butter, and pecans, consider mixing in a sprinkle of orange zest for a bright twist. Or perhaps you’re a fan of a sweet and salty combo? Sprinkle a tiny bit of flaky sea salt over the top before baking. After it’s finished baking, sprinkle powdered sugar or warm maple syrup for an extra sweet touch!
• Dairy-Free Substitutes: If you’re lactose intolerant or prefer plant-based options, you’re still invited to this French toast party! Substitute the cream and milk with almond milk, oat milk, or any non-dairy milk of your choice. It’ll still be creamy, rich, and absolutely delicious.
• Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Resist the temptation to rush this dish. Allowing the casserole to sit overnight is like letting magic happen. It gives the bread ample time to absorb all the goodness of the egg mixture, resulting in a rich and flavorful bite in every spoonful. If you’re short on time, at least let it sit for an hour at room temperature.
• Monitor Your Bake: Keep a close eye on your breakfast casserole in its final minutes of baking. You’re aiming for a top that’s golden and slightly crisp but still soft and custardy on the inside. Ovens can be quirky, so use the suggested baking time as a guideline and trust your instincts (and your nose!).
• Can I Add Fresh or Frozen Berries? For sure! Sprinkle a generous handful of your favorite fresh or frozen berries over the bread cubes before you pour the egg mixture. Whether it’s fresh blueberries, raspberries, or a mixed berry medley, they’ll add a beautiful burst of fruity flavor.
• Cream Cheese Filling: To create a cream cheese layer, simply mix softened cream cheese with a little sugar and vanilla extract until it’s smooth. Spread this mixture over half of the bread cubes in the casserole dish, then continue layering with the remaining bread cubes and pour over the egg mixture as usual. It’s like a delightful, creamy surprise in every bite!

More breakfast recipes for you to try

• Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
• Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
• The BEST Waffles
• Air Fryer Egg Bites
• Air Fryer Toast

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5 from 66 votes

Easy French Toast Casserole (Make-Ahead!)

This Overnight French Toast Casserole is not only absolutely delicious but incredibly easy to prepare. Perfect for the Holidays or brunch!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Total Time55 minutes mins

Servings8

Calories575

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Author: Mandy Applegate | Splash of Taste

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 1 lb French bread
• 8 large Eggs
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 2 cups Milk
• ⅓ cup Light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
• 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp Salt
• ½ cup Pecans roughly chopped

For the Topping

• ½ cup Brown sugar
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• ¼ tsp Nutmeg
• 2 oz Pecans roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp Butter cold and cut into pieces

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Grease the bottom of a 9" x 13" casserole dish. Cut or tear the bread into small chunks, approximately 1" in size, and place them evenly in the casserole dish.
  1 lb French bread
• Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl, then add cream, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt and mix until combined. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread, add the pecans, and toss to coat all the chunks have been coated, and arrange them in an even layer over the casserole dish. Cover the dish and keep chilled in the fridge overnight. If you want to cook the same day, leave it to stand at room temperature for an hour.
  8 large Eggs, 1 cup Heavy cream, 2 cups Milk, ⅓ cup Light brown sugar, 1 tbsp Vanilla extract, 2 tsp Ground cinnamon, ½ tsp Salt, ½ cup Pecans
• Add brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and nuts to a mixing bowl and stir to combine. Cut cold butter and add it to the bowl, use your hands to combine the mixture until it forms a crumbly topping. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge until the morning.
  ½ cup Brown sugar, 1 tsp Cinnamon, ¼ tsp Nutmeg, 2 oz Pecans, 2 tbsp Butter
• Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C.
• Remove the casserole and the topping from the fridge and leave to stand for 30 minutes at room temperature. Evenly scatter the topping over the top of the casserole. Place in the oven and bake until the top is golden brown and the casserole has set approximately 45 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes, then serve with warm maple syrup, whipped cream, or mixed berries. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

1. Bread: For a truly spectacular casserole, consider the bread. Opt for something hearty and a little crusty—think French bread, sourdough bread, Italian bread, or challah bread. Stale bread is actually your best friend here; it soaks up the egg mixture beautifully without getting mushy.
2. Can I Use Gluten-Free Bread?: Absolutely! Just swap the French bread for your favorite gluten-free loaf. Keep an eye on the casserole as it bakes, as gluten-free breads can sometimes absorb the egg mixture differently, but you’ll still end up with a delicious, golden-brown treat that everyone can enjoy.
3. Toppings: Beyond the basic brown sugar, butter, and pecans, consider mixing in a sprinkle of orange zest for a bright twist. Or perhaps you’re a fan of a sweet and salty combo? Sprinkle a tiny bit of flaky sea salt over the top before baking. After it’s finished baking, sprinkle powdered sugar or warm maple syrup for an extra sweet touch!
4. Dairy-Free Substitutes: If you’re lactose intolerant or prefer plant-based options, substitute the cream and milk with almond milk, oat milk, or any non-dairy milk of your choice. It’ll still be creamy, rich, and absolutely delicious.
5. Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Resist the temptation to rush this dish. Allowing the casserole to sit overnight gives the bread ample time to absorb all the goodness of the egg mixture, resulting in a rich and flavorful bite in every spoonful. If you’re short on time, at least let it sit for an hour at room temperature.
6. Monitor Your Bake: Keep a close eye on your breakfast casserole in its final minutes of baking. You’re aiming for a top that’s golden and slightly crisp, but still soft and custardy on the inside. Ovens can be quirky, so use the suggested baking time as a guideline and trust your instincts (and your nose!).
7. Can I Add Fresh or Frozen Berries?: For sure! Sprinkle a generous handful of your favorite fresh or frozen berries over the bread cubes before you pour the egg mixture. Whether it’s fresh blueberries, raspberries, or a mixed berry medley, they’ll add a beautiful burst of fruity flavor.
8. Storage & Reheating: Simply cover your baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and pop it in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for round two, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave or place the entire baking dish back in a preheated oven (at 350°F/175°C) until it’s warmed through.
9. Freeze: Slice the cooled casserole into individual portions, wrap each securely in plastic wrap, and then in aluminum foil. Place these bundles in a resealable freezer bag and they can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat in the oven as above.

Nutrition

Calories: 575kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 235mg | Sodium: 620mg | Potassium: 347mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 905IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 4mg

Disclaimer

Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.

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