Wake up to this easy Overnight French Toast casserole recipe that only takes 5 minutes to prep the night before! With the sweet flavors of brown sugar and maple syrup and rich brioche bread soaked in a creamy egg mixture, it’s a go-to dish for anyone looking to start their day with something delightful!
Table of Contents
If you’re not a morning person but love having a delicious breakfast, then this recipe is for you! All the prep work is done the night before, so all you need to do in the morning is bake it to golden brown perfection and add your favorite French toast toppings.
Of course, we all love Traditional French Toast, but this make ahead French toast bake takes your French toast game to the next level! It’s perfect for busy holidays, birthdays, other special occasions, or any day you want to make extra special.
By allowing the bread slices to soak overnight in the heavenly custard concoction, you can ensure that every bite is bursting with flavor.
For more delicious and easy-to-make hot breakfast casseroles, try my Easy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole, Green Chili Egg Casserole, and this Biscuits and Gravy Casserole.
Why We Love This Recipe
- One of the great things about this overnight French toast recipe is its simplicity. The bread slices are layered in a casserole dish, covered in an egg mixture, and left to soak overnight, making it a hassle-free option for a morning feast!
- Whether you’re planning a holiday breakfast or a special occasion brunch, this baked French toast casserole is versatile enough to be a hit at any gathering.
- Feel free to get creative with toppings! A dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a serving of fresh berries can add an extra layer of deliciousness to this breakfast bake.
- With its sweet and savory balance, this make-ahead French toast is bound to be a favorite among the entire family. The aroma alone is enough to gather everyone around the table.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Bread – Brioche bread is the best bread for this recipe, as it has a deliciously rich and buttery flavor. Ensure it’s stale or dried out to absorb the egg mixture effectively.
- Butter – Use salted butter to add a creamy, rich texture and flavor that enhances the flavors of this dish. Unsalted butter can also be used; just add a pinch of salt to the mix as well.
- Light brown sugar – Adds a delightful sweetness with a hint of molasses for depth of flavor. White sugar can be a substitute, but the flavor profile will slightly differ.
- Eggs – They act as the binding agent, giving the casserole its structure. You can’t make French toast without eggs!
- Evaporated milk – Helps add a rich creaminess to the dish. You can use cream or any kind of milk instead, if you prefer, although it won’t have quite the same rich, custardy flavor.
- Ground cinnamon and nutmeg – These classic spices add warmth and a depth of flavor to the dish.
- Vanilla extract – Adds another layer of sweetness and warmth.
- Salt – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness a bit.
- Chopped pecans – Add these for a crunchy texture. Feel free to omit or replace them with walnuts or chopped almonds, if you prefer.
- For serving – We love to use maple syrup, honey, powdered sugar, and fresh berries as some of our favorite topping options. Choose a combination of your favorites to complement the flavors of this casserole.
How to Make Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Make the egg mixture. In a medium mixing bowl, add the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt. Whisk well.
- Put bread in the dish. Arrange the brioche slices in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour custard on bread. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices and in between. Sprinkle with the chopped pecans.
- Cover and chill, then bake. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 2 hours). Remove from the fridge in the morning and allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Spoon any custard you see at the bottom of the dish over the bread again. Bake for 30 minutes at 350°F. Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey, and serve with fresh berries.
Recipe FAQ’s
It can be if you don’t prepare the bread first. If your brioche bread (or other bread) is not stale, you can toast it for a few minutes or put it on parchment paper on a baking tray and dry it in the oven at a low temperature before putting it into the dish.
Absolutely! While brioche is our top choice, challah bread, sourdough bread, French bread, and Italian bread are excellent substitutes, each bringing a unique texture and flavor. Any kind of sturdy bread will work well for this recipe. It just needs to be sturdy enough to stay intact when soaked in the creamy egg mixture.
Yes, almond milk and soy milk are great dairy-free options, though they may slightly alter the texture and flavor of the dish.
While letting it sit overnight yields the best results, if you’re short on time, a minimum of 2 hours of soaking will still produce a tasty dish if you want to make this for a later brunch.
Certainly! Cream cheese can add an extra layer of richness and creaminess to the casserole. Just dot the casserole with small pieces before baking.
Place your French Toast casserole in an airtight container, or cover it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply warm it up in the oven or microwave, and it’s ready to be enjoyed again.
This French toast recipe freezes so well! Just section it into individual portions and freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Tips for Success
- Opting for day-old bread or bread that has been left out to dry will yield the best results, as it absorbs the egg mixture more effectively, leading to a more flavorful and textured casserole.
- Before baking, let the casserole sit at room temperature for about an hour. This step ensures even baking and helps the casserole reach its full flavor potential.
- Don’t hesitate to get creative! Top your casserole with fresh berries, powdered sugar, or whatever your heart desires. The goal is to create a breakfast dish that’s tailored to your taste buds.
- For the most decadent French toast casserole, patience is key. Allowing the bread to soak up the egg mixture overnight ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
What to Serve with Overnight French Toast
Fresh fruit like berries or sliced oranges will add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole, creating a perfectly balanced meal.
Add a drizzle of maple syrup or honey on top of the French toast casserole to elevate its sweetness and make every bite even more delectable. Add some Homemade Whipped Cream to your portion for something even more indulgent!
A glass of orange juice or a cup of your favorite coffee or tea will complement the flavors and complete your breakfast experience. You could even try my Pumpkin Pie Smoothie for a refreshing and decadent drink!
Substitutions and Variations
- Whole milk or heavy cream can be used in place of evaporated milk for a similar creamy texture. For a dairy-free version, almond milk and soy milk are good options, though they may alter the texture and flavor slightly.
- Honey is a delicious alternative for drizzling instead of maple syrup, if you prefer.
- Any kind of fresh berry will add a burst of freshness and flavor to your dish.
More Breakfast Recipes
- Crispy Belgian Waffle Recipe
- Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
- Green Chili Egg Casserole
- Cheesy Breakfast Sliders
- Aebleskiver | Danish Pancakes
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Overnight French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 loaf sliced Brioche bread (stale or dried out)
- ¼ cup salted butter, melted
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 8 large eggs
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspon ground nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- Maple syrup, honey, powdered sugar, fresh berries, for serving
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt. Whisk well.
- Arrange brioche slices in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices and in between. Sprinkle with the chopped pecans.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 2 hours).
- Remove from the fridge in the morning and allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Spoon any custard you see at the bottom of the dish over the bread again.
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350°F.
- To serve, offer maple syrup or honey with powdered sugar and berries.
Notes
Storage
- Store: Place your French Toast casserole in an airtight container, or cover it tightly in plastic wrap. Keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Simply warm it up in the oven or microwave, and it’s ready to be enjoyed again.
- Freeze: For longer storage, consider freezing the casserole. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and it can be stored for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Several years ago my wife and I stayed at a B&B, largely because of a recipe for peach french toast the owner had published. It was good, though not quite up to my expectations. I did keep the recipe and have played with it until I was pleased with it.
Then one day it clicked in my mind that by running the bread through a food processor, one has an excellent recipe for bread pudding. Suddenly a breakfast dish doubles as a dessert!
I shall certainly give this version a try!