Are you looking for a delicious breakfast recipe that is sure to impress your family and guests? Look no further than this Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole! This mouthwatering dish is a huge hit every time and is perfect for special occasions like holidays or when you have guests over.
If you’re a fan of traditional french toast, you’ll love the unique variations of this classic recipe. Try our Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast Roll Ups, Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole, Slow Cooker Pumpkin Maple French Toast, or Bacon French Toast Casserole for a delightful twist.
The Best Overnight French Toast Casserole
This Overnight French Toast Casserole is not only incredibly delicious, but it’s also super easy to make. It’s a make-ahead breakfast that you can prepare the night before and simply bake in the morning. This means you can enjoy a scrumptious baked french toast without all the fuss and have more time to relax and enjoy your morning.
With its rich custard base and irresistible cinnamon crunch topping, this french toast casserole is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone. Whether you’re serving it for a special breakfast or brunch, or just want to treat yourself and your loved ones, this recipe is a must-try!
Ingredients You Will Need
You don’t need any fancy or hard-to-find ingredients for this delicious breakfast casserole. Chances are, you already have most of them in your kitchen! Here’s what you’ll need:
- French Bread (or substitute with texas toast, challah, or brioche)
- Eggs
- Half and Half (or substitute with whole milk)
- Milk
- Granulated Sugar
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Ground Cinnamon
- Ground Nutmeg
- Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Corn Syrup (optional)
For specific ingredient measurements, please refer to the recipe card below.
How To Make Overnight French Toast
One of the best things about this breakfast casserole is how quick and easy it is to prepare. You’ll be amazed at how effortlessly you can create a delightful dish that will impress everyone! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make it:
- Arrange the bread slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, overlapping them slightly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices, making sure they’re all coated evenly. You can also spoon some of the mixture in between the slices to ensure they’re fully soaked.
- Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
- When you’re ready to bake, prepare the cinnamon crunch topping by combining softened butter, brown sugar, corn syrup (optional), cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Mix well.
- Spread the topping over the prepared bread slices, ensuring that every slice is covered.
- Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed and lightly golden.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Can you make overnight french toast the same day?
Yes, you can make this overnight french toast casserole on the same day if you don’t want to wait overnight. Simply make the custard and dip the bread into it, letting it soak for a few minutes before arranging the slices in the baking dish. Pour any remaining custard over the bread and refrigerate for 2-3 hours (the longer, the better). This will allow the custard to soak into the bread, even though the process is sped up.
Pro Tips and Tricks
- Texture: This french toast casserole has a combination of soft and slightly crispy textures. If you prefer a more baked and crisp texture, you can use a larger pan or two 9×13 pans to allow the slices to open up more.
- Slices: If you want to save time, you can use pre-sliced sourdough bread from the bakery instead of cutting a loaf.
- Forgot to make it overnight?: No worries! Just make sure the slices are well-soaked in the custard before proceeding with the recipe.
- Add some crunch: For an extra delicious twist, add chopped pecans to the cinnamon crunch topping for a praline-like topping.
- Serve with fruit: If you want a lighter option, serve this french toast casserole with fresh berries instead of the praline topping. It adds a refreshing touch!
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (which is unlikely because it’s so delicious!), you can store them easily:
- Fridge: Let the casserole cool completely, then cover it with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep well for 3-4 days.
- Reheating from the fridge: When you’re ready to enjoy another slice, simply place it on a plate and microwave until warmed through. If you’re reheating a large piece, it’s best to cut it into smaller pieces for even heating.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes beautifully! Place any leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 3 months.
- Reheating from frozen: When you’re ready to eat, thaw the casserole and heat it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Other Easy Breakfast Ideas to Try
Looking for more delicious breakfast ideas? Here are some easy recipes you might enjoy:
- Easy Cherry Danish
- Cinnamon Roll Bites
- Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole with Sausage
- Southwest Egg Muffins
- Baked Strawberry Donuts
- Crescent Bacon Breakfast Ring
- Fluffy Puffy Pancakes
Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe
Ready to make this Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole and impress your family and guests? Here’s everything you need to know!
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf french bread or thick texas toast
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon Crunch Topping:
- 1 1/2 sticks butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 Tbsp light corn syrup (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions:
- Grease a 9″x13″ baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Slice the French bread into 1-inch thick slices and arrange them in the prepared baking dish, overlapping slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the half and half, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices, making sure they are evenly coated. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices to ensure thorough soaking.
- Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Flip each piece of bread to ensure even coating with the custard mixture.
- To make the cinnamon crunch topping, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, light corn syrup (optional), ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg in a medium bowl. Mix well.
- Spread the topping over the bread slices, covering them completely.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the casserole is puffed and lightly golden.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
We hope you love this Overnight French Toast Casserole recipe as much as we do! Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked it. Your feedback helps us continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you to enjoy.
