Overnight French Toast Casserole

So yesterday, Donald gave me that look — you know, the one that says he’s craving something comforting. It hit me then, one of our family favorites, Overnight French Toast Casserole, was exactly what we needed. There's just something magical about combining the ease of preparation with complete satisfaction in every bite. Plus, waking up to the smell of this baking in the oven is like having our very own New York brunch right in our small Manhattan kitchen. Overnight French Toast Casserole is perfect for lazy Sunday mornings or when you need a crowd-pleaser for brunch. You can also check out some of my other favorites like gluten-free lemon crinkle cookies.

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Why you’ll love this recipe
Ingredients
Step-by-step instructions
Recipe tips & variations
Storage & reheating
FAQs
Recipes you may like
Overnight French Toast Casserole

Why you’ll love this recipe

You'll absolutely love this recipe for its simplicity — it's practically a stress-free, all-in-one breakfast dish. With just a little preparation the night before, you'll have a creamy, custardy bread pudding that's ready to pop into the oven in the morning. It's perfect for busy moms like me, who treasure those relaxing weekend mornings.

Ingredients

1 loaf French bread (16 ounces, cut into 1” cubes)
8 large eggs
1 ½ cups whole milk
1 cup half and half
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
½ cup salted butter (softened)
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

Step-by-step instructions

Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, set aside. Spread bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, half and half, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt.
Pour mixture over bread pieces in the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
In a medium bowl, add butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and sea salt. Use a fork, pastry cutter, or your hands to combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Cover and store in the refrigerator overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Remove the French toast bake and crumb topping mixture from the refrigerator and evenly sprinkle streusel over the top.
Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the French toast is set and the top is lightly golden brown.
Serve warm with butter and maple syrup.

Recipe tips & variations

I’ve found that using a day-old loaf gives a better texture, as fresh bread can sometimes make the casserole a little too soggy. You can also add a bit of nutmeg for a slightly different flavor twist, or toss in some fresh berries or chocolate chips just for fun.

Storage & reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, simply pop it back in the oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, a quick zap in the microwave will work just fine for individual portions.

FAQs

Can I prepare overnight French toast casserole without letting it rest overnight?

While letting the casserole rest overnight is recommended to allow the flavors to meld together, you can make it last-minute and let it sit for at least an hour before baking if you're short on time.

What’s the best type of bread to use for overnight French toast casserole?

A hearty, slightly stale French bread works best as it absorbs the custard beautifully without becoming mushy.

How do I keep the French toast casserole from becoming soggy?

Using day-old bread and the right ratio of liquid to bread is key. Ensuring the bread is evenly soaked but not oversaturated will help maintain the ideal texture.

Can I freeze overnight French toast casserole before or after baking?

Absolutely! You can freeze it either way. Just prepare it as instructed, cover it tightly, and freeze. If freezing before baking, ensure you thaw it completely before baking.

Recipes you may like

Looking for more morning goodness? Try my refreshing creamy mango banana smoothie for a fresh morning boost, or blend up a pineapple green smoothie to kickstart your day!