This Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole can be made ahead and baked fresh in the morning – serve with berries and maple syrup!
You’re looking at my own family’s go-to recipe for Christmas morning! It’s so comforting and feeds a crowd – we serve it with maple breakfast sausages on the side for some protein.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Make ahead friendly: Assemble it the night before, then pop it in the oven in the morning. Easy-peasy!
- Perfect for the holidays: It’s great for Christmas morning, Mother’s Day brunch, and other holiday breakfasts.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Loaf of bread – brioche, challah and French bread are best.
- Eggs – use a flax egg for a vegan option.
- Milk – use any dairy or dairy-free milk of your choice.
- Maple syrup – honey or brown sugar can be used, but will have a different flavour.
- Cinnamon – pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg would also be good.
- Butter – or a butter substitute like margarine.
- Frozen mixed berries – fresh berries would also be good.
Toppings
- Icing sugar – leave this off if you don’t have any on hand.
- Maple syrup – honey, almond butter or jam would all be yummy.
- Fresh berries – top with other fruit like banana or peaches.
How to make French toast casserole
Step 1: Cut the bread.
Cut into 1-2 inch cubes.
Step 2: Whisk the eggs.
Whisk the eggs and milk together, then add the maple syrup and cinnamon.
Step 3: Soak the bread.
Toss the bread in the egg mixture and let it sit overnight.
Step 4: Top with berries and bake.
Drizzle the bread with butter, top with berries and bake in the oven.
Recipe tips and variations
Here are my top tips for making this overnight French toast casserole:
- Use slightly stale bread: This’ll prevent the bread from getting soggy while it soaks.
- Use frozen berries: Add the frozen fruit before baking so the juices soak into the casserole.
- Try different flavours: Try pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, vanilla extract, ginger, cloves, orange or lemon zest.
- Make it gluten or dairy free: Use gluten-free bread and/or dairy-free milk.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my casserole soggy in the middle?
It may need more baking time. Cover with foil if it’s browning too quickly on top but still soft inside.
Why shouldn’t I use fresh bread?
Using bread that’s too fresh can lead to a soggy texture. Day-old or slightly dried-out bread absorbs the mixture better and holds its shape during baking.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, just use a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk and substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine.
What to serve with French toast casserole
This sweet casserole pairs perfectly with any of these sides:
- Scrambled eggs or egg bites
- Breakfast sausages
- Homemade salted caramel mocha
- Fruit and yogurt parfait
How to store and reheat
Make ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before and store covered in the fridge. Bake fresh in the morning.
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
Freeze and reheat from frozen: Freeze casserole without the berries for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven until warmed through.
More make-ahead breakfast ideas
Meal prep tools
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this recipe into your leftovers.
Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf bread
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- icing sugar, for topping
- maple syrup, for topping
- 1 cup fresh berries, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut bread into 1-2 inch cubes. Set aside.
- Whisk eggs and milk together in a very large bowl until well mixed. Add maple syrup and cinnamon, stirring well. Add in cubes of bread and toss until combined. Let sit for 5 min or up to 12 hours overnight.
- Grease an 9×13 oven safe dish and add bread to it, then drizzle with butter and top with frozen berries. Bake in the oven for 30 min.
- Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve with maple syrup and fresh berries. Enjoy!
Video
Comments & Reviews
Nichole says
Works great with oatmilk!
Taylor Stinson says
That is great to know, thank you!
Candace Wilson says
When preparing this to be frozen, do you let it soak before you freeze it? Also when you are ready to cook it, should it be unthawed before doing so or is ok to cook frozen?
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Candace – you can freeze the leftover cooked casserole but not before it has been cooked.
Nicci says
In the notes it says freeze without the berries. So would I cook the dish without the frozen berries?
Taylor Stinson says
Yes, I would recommend that if freezing!
Joyce says
Made this for my grandchildren a couple weeks ago and they absolutely loved it. Of Course I did do brown sugar flower butter topping, did that for the kids but it would still be great without it
Amy says
Can you use wheat bread or would it not be as good?
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Amy – I honestly don’t think it would be as good but it just depends on your own personal preference. You can totally use it if you’d like!
Charlie says
Is icing sugar the same thing as confectioners sugar?
Taylor Stinson says
As far as I’m aware, yes it is!
Eryka says
We have made this for the past 3 holidays and are making again this Christmas! We love this recipe for as a part of our big brunches, and its a bonus that the vegetarians can enjoy it too!
Abigail says
Hi, approximately how many cups of bread should I have when making this recipe? Looking forward to making this for Sunday brunch. 🙂
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Abigail – it is one loaf of bread. Unfortunately I cannot give out measurements in cups but if I had to guesstimate, it would be about 10-12 cups.
Ginger Clemens says
Followed directions as written but added 1 tsp vanilla and about another half cup of frozen berries. I used regular French bread and let it soak over night. Cooked longer than 30 minutes, til pick came out clean. Served with strawberries and maple syrup. This is absolutely delicious and so much easier than making French toast for 6 people.. I’ll definitely be making this again! Thanks for a great recipe.
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed!
Darlene says
Best French Toast ever!! I use Brioche dinner rolls, taste very good.
Taylor Stinson says
So happy you enjoyed 🙂
Darlene P George says
Can you use frozen thawed berries? Perhaps drain the juice if that would help? It is sometimes really difficult finding fresh raspberries, strawberries and blueberries in the winter especially around the holidays. Our family always starts Christmas with a big “Christmas Breakfast”, it’s tradition. Our children and grandchildren would love with those berries it in, with them being their favorites. It looks delicious but I can’t see them getting as excited and wanting to give up something we usually make unless they get the berries with it.
Taylor Stinson says
Yes of course Darlene, you can just use all frozen berries! Defrosting and draining the juices to put on top would be perfect 🙂