BEST Overnight French Toast Casserole (Perfect for Holidays!) (2023)

With all of the crunchy goodness layered on top of a warm, fresh, sweet bread, this overnight French toast casserole could not be a better breakfast. This is theperfect make ahead morning dish for anything from a lazy Sunday morning or holiday brunch to Christmas morning or Mother’s day.

One of the great things about this French toast bake is that you can prep it ahead and it’s ready the next morning. But you can also try it in a slow cooker — any way you slice it, it’s way easier than standing in front of the stove making individual slices of french toast.

What is an Overnight Casserole?

Just like with bread pudding, I often use a good crusty French bread for this recipe but you can also use any leftover bread you have — even stale bread or just old bread (as long as it’s mold-free). Just make sure you are using the same amount of bread as listed in the recipe and slice the bread cubes the same way.

You can choose to replace the heavy cream with all milk, but I prefer the richness that heavy cream brings to this decadent French toast casserole. You can also use alternative milk which might impart different flavors, but keep in mind that it might not bring the same richness.

Speaking of richness — if you’re trying to add more rich flavor try eggnog, especially during the holiday season.

What I also love about this is that you can give it a twist with some different flavors. Add some freshly grated nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or apple pie spice to the custard mixture.

If you’re looking to get extra decadent, you can also top this easy french toast casserole with whipped cream and fresh fruit, preserves, or apple pie filling. You can also drizzle caramel sauce or warm vanilla sauce over top or sprinkle it with some toasted nuts.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast casserole, look no further — you’ll love this sweet breakfast treat!

Why You’ll Love Overnight French Toast Casserole

• Make ahead – You can make this breakfast bake ahead for holidays or a home-based brunch, then throw it in the oven.
• Perfect for parties – If you’re a holiday guest, bring this to satisfy sweet cravings.
• Easy – You can throw this french toast recipe together super fast and look like a star with the final results.
• Quick – Who doesn’t love a dish you can put together in no time and then also bake quickly, too?

Ingredients

• Crusty French bread – Make sure to use the crunchiest of bread and cut it into 1-inch cubes. You can use sourdough bread, challah bread, brioche bread, french bread, italian bread, or any other kind of bread you choose.
• Eggs – Whisk eggs well and make sure that you choose large eggs.
• Whole milk – You’ll want the fat, so don’t skimp and use skim.
• Heavy cream – Again, all of the fattiness will help make your casserole creamy.
• Granulated sugar – White sugar dissolves so quickly, which makes it perfect for this recipe.
• Light brown sugar – Pack your brown sugar to ensure you have just enough.
• Vanilla extract – Grab some from your cabinet or make your own!
• Cinnamon – Adding ground cinnamon to this dish will round it out and give it flavor.
• Sea salt – Make sure it’s fine so it mixes in and disperses easily and uniformly.

For the toppings:

• Butter – Make sure your unsalted butter is melted to make it easy to mix.
• Light brown sugar – Pack it tightly in the measuring cup to ensure to include the proper amount.
• Cinnamon – Use ground cinnamon to be able to sprinkle into this topping.
• Powdered sugar – Use a sifter or just pour the confectioners’ sugar into a small container to gently pour over the casserole when serving.
• Syrup – I prefer pure maple syrup, but use the syrup of your choice. Serve it at room temperature or warm it just slightly in the microwave before using.

How To Make French Toast Casserole

1. Prepare bread. Cube the bread and place it into the baking dish in a single layer sprayed with cooking spray. Then, set aside.
2. Whisk custard ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Ensure all ingredients are combined completely.
3. Add to bread. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes in the casserole dish, making sure that everything is covered.
4. Press bread into pan. Using a large spoon, gently press the bread into the custard allowing it to soak up the mixture.
5. Cover and refrigerate. Cover the dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. Just before baking, bring the dish out of the refrigerator.
6. Make topping. Whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth.Then, drizzle the sauce all over the top of the casserole.
7. Bake. Cover the pan with tin foil and bake. To allow the top to get crunchy, remove the foil halfway through baking.
8. Serve. Serve this dish with Dutch honey or maple syrup. Our cranberry or blueberry syrups are also great options. I also make it alongside my Cream Cheese Board with fresh bagels for savory craving folks.

Variations

• Fresh fruits – Throw some fresh blueberries or other bright fruits on top.
• Substitute milks – If you don’t like or want to use regular milk, use your favorite alternative. Oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk or soy are great to experiment with.
• Zest – Using citrus, like orange zest, lemon, or lime, will add a brightness.
• Jam – Add dollops of your favorite jam to add some fruity flavor.
• Nuts – Crush up some nuts and sprinkle them, for texture.
• Dried fruit- Add some craisins or raisins or even dried bananas or mangoes to make this casserole fruity.
• Cream cheese – Add dollops of cream cheese to add extra decadence to this dish.

Storage and Freezing

Keep any leftovers covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. You can warm it in the oven or microwave.

Other Breakfast One-Pan Meals

• Cranberry French Toast Casserole
• Sausage Hash Brown Casserole
• Sheet Pan Pancakes
• Overnight Oats