Overnight French Toast Casserole
I love a good frugal hack, and this Overnight French Toast Casserole is just that!
I have tried lots of versions of this recipe, and this is what I came up with for my family. It’s sweet without being soggy. There’s a little crisp to the top of it after being baked, which makes the texture just perfect!
Pour maple syrup over the topping and add a side of fresh fruit, and you’ve got yourself a delicious breakfast.
What Is French Toast Casserole?
French Toast Casserole is a spin on traditional French toast. You will break your bread up into chunks in a casserole pan and bake. No dipping and flipping bread!
You will cube the bread chunks and create an egg and milk mixture. Then pour evenly over the top of the bread and let it sit overnight in your refrigerator. The next morning you will add a butter streusel topping and then bake. It’s so easy!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked French Toast Recipe
I really love French Toast. If we go have brunch, that’s my go-to order. French Toast with a fried egg on the side. Just in case you ever want to bring me brunch 🙂
Of course, Brioche fancy-pants French toast is my favorite, but this not a Brioche French Toast. This is the “using up day old bread, crusty sourdough, ends of the loaf, extra hamburger or hotdog buns” French toast. Frugal! But really tastes so decadent.
I keep a bag in the freezer to store these bread extras. I am not kidding about the hamburger/hot dog buns!
If you have a lot of bread leftovers a cookout, you can absolutely use them for this recipe. It really doesn’t matter because you will be tearing up all the bread anyways to make this recipe.
It really uses up those pieces that would other ways be tossed or left to mold, and I love that! You might not see that in other overnight french toast recipes, but this one is all about using what would otherwise be food waste and making this delicious breakfast.
Easy Overnight Prep: Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole Tips
You will do most of the work the night before for this baked French toast . I actually do every single part of assembly, even getting my butter/sugar topping together the night before, so I can just wake up, throw that on the top, and bake.
This is not the prettiest recipe, so don’t mind the “cute” photos, but it is perfect for feeding a crowd! I remember having a version of this at a D-Now weekend when I was in college, and it is perfect for that type of thing. Think church camp, think girls weekend. It is so good and really has a rich taste that make it seem like you slaved over it. But no dipping bread one by one to get that French toast goodness.
Try this Oatmeal Pumpkin Muffins for breakfast
Tools You May Need For This Recipe:
Ingredients for Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Bread (enough bread to fill the baking pan)
- Milk
- Half and half
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Light brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Butter
- Optional: maple syrup
How to Make French Toast Casserole (Step-by-Step)
- Grease bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Gather all the bread you will be using and rip or cut them into cubes. Fill the bottom of the baking dish.
- Mix milk, half and half, eggs, sugar and vanilla extract up, and pour over the top of the bread cubes. Pour evenly over the top of the bread.
- Cover the pan with foil and store in the refrigerator overnight.
- For the topping, cut butter into cubes and put in a bowl. Add flour, packed light brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Shake the bowl up until it’s all mixed. Store in the refrigerator until morning.
- When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove the French toast bake from the refrigerator and sprinkle the topping evenly over the top of it. Make sure butter is evenly dispersed.
- Bake with foil removed for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your oven and how crispy you like the top.
- Serve with warmed syrup and fruit if you would like!
Hey friends, please don't forget to follow me over on Instagram! I post more photos and ideas over there. If you enjoyed this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would review it so others can find it and cook it as well. Sharing this recipe on Facebook or Pinterest is another great way you can help me out at not cost to you.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure policy.
Variations on Classic French Toast Casserole
To change up this French toast casserole, you can add some inclusions. You will add to the top of the casserole before you put the streusel topping right before baking. This will help the inclusions not become soggy.
- Blueberries to create a berry French toast
- Cream cheese
- Chocolate chips
- Powdered sugar over the top after baking
Related Post: Homemade Baked Oatmeal
French Toast Casserole FAQs
Can I use more eggs?
Yes, I have used up to 8 eggs for this recipe. I prefer 6 eggs because I think it makes it have a better texture. Before we had chickens, I didn’t make this a ton because I usually used a recipe that called for 8 eggs and that felt like so many! I make it with 6 eggs now and I prefer it like that.
Does it have to sit overnight or can I bake sooner?
I think it’s better overnight, but you can put it in the fridge for no less than 1 hour and then bake. The bread needs some time to soak up egg mixture, so don’t skimp on letting it sit for a bit.
What are some serving ideas for this easy breakfast casserole?
I really like to serve warm with maple syrup poured over the top and with a side of fruit.
How do I store and reheat leftover baked French toast?
After it has cooled, you can store in the casserole dish with plastic wrap on the top or move into stager container. Either way, store in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
To reheat, take out of fridge and take off top. I prefer to warm low and slow to avoid the top getting too crispy. Bake at 300 degrees for 15-20 minutes. warms well in the air fryer too.
From one home cook to another, I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Overnight French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9X13 baking dish
- 1 mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of bread enough bread to fill the baking pan
- 2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 6 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick butter
Instructions
- Grease bottom of a 9×13 baking pan.
- Gather all the bread you will be using and rip them into cubes. Fill the bottom of the baking dish.
- Mix milk, half and half, eggs, sugar and vanilla, and pour over the top of the bread cubes, making sure to pour evenly.
- Cover the pan with foil and store in the refrigerator overnight.
- For the topping, cut butter into cubes. Add flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Store in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator until morning.
- The next morning when you're ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove the French toast casserole from the refrigerator and sprinkle the topping evenly over the top of it. Make sure the butter is evenly dispersed.
- Bake with foil removed for 45 min to 1 hour, depending on your oven and how crispy you like the top.
- Serve with warmed ample syrup and fruit if you would like!
