This Overnight French Toast Casserole recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast treat, perfect for any day of the week.
If you’re a breakfast lover like me, then you know that there’s just something special about starting your day with a delicious meal.
And when it comes to easy breakfast ideas, nothing beats a breakfast casserole. It’s like taking a classic French toast recipe and transforming it into a dish that practically makes itself in the oven. With minimal prep work, it’s a recipe that the whole family will love.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s easy to put together, but requires overnight refrigeration. This makes it perfect for busy mornings when you need to get out the door quickly.
Simply make it ahead of time, and then bake it the next morning. It’s also great for special occasions like Mother’s Day when your family wants to do something special for you.
To make this French toast casserole, you’ll need bread, eggs, cream, vanilla, milk, and a delicious cinnamon sugar and nuts topping. Once you’ve combined everything, let the bread soak up the egg mixture overnight.
Then, pop it in the oven in the morning and let it bake to perfection. Serve it with some powdered sugar, fruit, and orange juice, and you’ll have a complete breakfast that everyone will enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for an easy breakfast idea for a lazy weekend morning or a special occasion, this French toast casserole is the perfect choice.
With its make-ahead convenience and delicious flavor, it’s sure to become a family favorite that you’ll enjoy serving to friends and loved ones.
The Best Bread for French Toast Casserole
The best bread to use for french toast casserole is one that is sturdy enough to absorb the egg mixture such as sourdough and french bread. We use Texas Toast bread because it is thicker so be sure to keep that in mind when choosing a bread.
Why You’ll Love This French Toast Casserole
- Easy to make: prepare the night before in a casserole dish and bake it the next morning.
- Versatile: can be customized to suit your taste buds. You can add different toppings, such as fresh fruits, nuts, or syrups, to create a unique and delicious flavor.
- Comforting and delicious: rich, sweet flavor and soft, fluffy texture for a satisfying breakfast dish.
What You Need
- Eggs
- Milk
- Half and half
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
- Texas toast bread
- Unsalted butter
- Light brown sugar
- Maple syrup
- Pecans
Recipe Variations
- Add fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and peaches to change up the flavor.
- Try different spices such as nutmeg or even pumpkin spice for the fall.
- Can swap pecans for walnuts or almonds.
- Use different sweeteners such as honey or agave syrup.
- Make it chocolatey by adding cocoa powder, chocolate chips or chocolate syrup.
- Make a savory version by adding ham, bacon, cheese or vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach or onions to the egg mixture.
- Add a little bit of alcohol (about 2 tablespoons) such as bourbon, brandy or rum for some extra flavor.
How to Make French Toast Bake
Step 1: Prep. Prepare a 9X13 by spraying with cooking spray. Cut bread into cubes.
Step 2: Prepare egg mixture. In a bowl, mix eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and half and half.
Step 3: Prepare casserole. Place bread into the bottom of a prepared baking dish. Pour egg mixture over top making sure to cover all bread pieces. Cover and place in fridge overnight.
Step 5: Prepare topping. The next day, mix butter, sugar, and syrup in a bowl. Stir in pecans. Take casserole out of fridge and spread topping over bread.
Step 6: Bake. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place casserole uncovered in oven and bake for 40 minutes, until golden brown and knife comes out clean when inserted in the middle.
Step 7: Garnish and serve. Sprinkle powdered sugar over top. Add fruit such as sliced strawberries. Slice and serve. Can drizzle syrup over top.
Recipe Tips
- Use slightly stale bread for it to absorb the egg mixture better.
- Cut bread into pieces for evenly distribution of flavors and easier to eat.
- Cover and allow to sit in fridge overnight to ensure egg mixture is fully absorbed.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving so it’s easy to slice and not too hot to eat.
How to Store Leftovers
Cover and place in fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or microwave to desired temperature.
FAQs
Yes, you can freeze french toast casserole. To do so, allow to cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic or aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, allow to thaw overnight in fridge and bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes.
Yes, you can substitute the bread for gluten free bread.
Yes, slightly stale bread is preferred for the casserole as it helps to absorb the egg mixture better.
The best way to know if it’s done is by sticking a knife through the center of the casserole, and if it comes out clean, it’s done.
Yes, you can use any type of milk for this casserole such as whole milk, skim milk, almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk.
More Easy Breakfast Recipes
- Mini Pancake Bites
- Make Ahead Breakfast Bowls
- Cinnamon Roll Waffles
- Sausage, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Rolls
French Toast Casserole
This Overnight French Toast Casserole recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast treat, perfect for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Casserole Ingredients
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 8 slices Texas Toast bread, cut into cubes
Topping Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1cup pecans, chopped coarsely
Instructions
Step 1: Prep. Prepare a 9X13 by spraying with cooking spray. Cut bread into cubes.
Step 2: Prepare egg mixture. In a bowl, mix eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and half and half.
Step 3: Prepare casserole. Place bread into the bottom of a prepared baking dish. Pour egg mixture over top making sure to cover all bread pieces. Cover and place in fridge overnight.
Step 5: Prepare topping. The next day, mix butter, sugar, and syrup in a bowl. Stir in pecans. Take casserole out of fridge and spread topping over bread.
Step 6: Bake. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place casserole uncovered in oven and bake for 40 minutes, until golden brown and knife comes out clean when inserted in the middle.
Step 7: Garnish and serve. Sprinkle powdered sugar over top. Add fruit such as sliced strawberries. Slice and serve. Can drizzle syrup over top.
Notes
Cover and place in fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or microwave to desired temperature.
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